Veg Addict Subscription – October

Hello Veg Addict

Welcome to your guide for your October ‘veg addict’ seed subscription!

Here’s what’s in your box:

• Basil Purple Ball
• Microgreens Radish
• Breadseed Poppy Hungarian Blue
• Cauliflower Verde Di Macerata
• Pea Telephone (fro overwintering)

Basil Purple Ball

Sowing info

Sow seed on the surface of damp peat free compost and just cover. Keep at 15-25C until after germination, which takes 14-21 days. Keep the compost slightly dry at all times, watering very lightly as seedlings emerge. Grow on in cooler conditions. When all risk of frost has passed, harden basil plants off before planting out in a sheltered sunny position.

Growing info

Water moderately taking care to avoid splashing the leaves. Harvest basil leaves regularly when required to promote fresh new growth and pinch out any flowers that appear to prolong the harvest period.

Blog – The Basil Basics

Microgreens Radish

Sowing info

Very easy to grow, simply sprinkle on the surface of moist compost, coir or even cotton wool in a shallow pot or tray without drainage holes. Place in a warm, light place such as a windowsill and keep moist but not waterlogged.

Growing info

Sprouts should appear in 6-10 days and be ready to harvest in less than 2 weeks. Harvest when shoots are 3-5 cm tall, cutting with scissors 1 cm above the root base. Sow every 5 days for a continuous supply.

Blog – How to Grow Microgreens

Breadseed Poppy Hungarian Blue

Sowing info

Direct sow poppies outdoors where they are to grow in autumn or very early spring. Position in full sun. Sow seeds thinly on the surface of the soil. Plants will germinate naturally once conditions are right.

Growing info

Water regularly until plants are fully established. Growing poppies is easy and once established, they require very little attention. Poppies will self seed if allowed to do so. Please note only bread seed poppy seed is edible, do not harvest seed from other types of poppy.

Cauliflower Verde Di Macerata

Sowing info

Sow seeds indoors 4 to 8 weeks before the last average frost for a summer harvest or for best results in mid summer for late winter/early spring harvest. Sow your seeds at a depth of 1 cm and water them thoroughly, germination takes 8 to 10 days.

Growing info

Transplant your seedlings outside once well established. They’ll still be sensitive to cold, so make sure to harden them off carefully first. Allow approximately 40cm between plants and protect with netting from bird and insect attack if necessary. Keep well watered to avoid risk of bolting.

Pea Telephone

Sowing info

If you don’t have a problem with mice or pigeons direct sow peas outdoors from March to June, once the soil as warmed. Alternatively, sow seeds in lengths of drainpipe filled with peat free compost. Once plants are around 20cm tall, they can be slid down the drainpipe into their final position with minimal disturbance. Due to their ability to withstand cold temperatures, peas can be overwintered in the drainpipe in the greenhouse before planting out in early spring.

Growing info

Plants will require support and so are perfect for growing over arches where it’s easier to harvest the top section of the plant. May require netting if pigeons are a problem for you. Regular harvesting will encourage the plant to continue producing loads of peas. Harvest before peas swell in pods.

Blog – How to Sow and Grow Peas

Garden jobs for this October

• Tidy up spent crops – Pull out finished veg plants, cut them up, and add them to the compost heap.
• Prune and cut back Trim back perennial herbs and dead stems to keep beds neat and healthy.
• Mulch and protect soil – Spread compost, manure, or leaf mould over bare soil to feed and protect it through winter.