Veg Talk – January 2024

Regarding the issue of the increased rainfall leaching out nutrients from soil, some options for plot holders include:

• Grow a green manure, cover with manure, cover with any form of mulch such as cardboard laid down and weighted, leave weeds in and double dig in Spring, or no dig is a an approach that is gathering popularity.

• It is never too late to mulch even if you start sowing in March.

Sweetcorn can be germinated in the ground, or put 2 seeds in a 3” pot in a cold frame end May, can expect an 80% germination rate; wind pollinated so best grown 18” apart in a block, NOT in rows! Will
need feeding with calcified seaweed, Tomorite, or comfrey liquid.