Veg Addict Subscription – January

Hello Veg Addict

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

Here’s what’s in your box:

• Celery Blush
• Dwarf Pea Tom Thumb (for microgreens)
• Chilli Pepper Zimbabwe Black
• Aubergine Listada de Gandia
• Microgreens Bull’s Blood Beetroot

Celery Blush

Sowing info

Celery is a slow grower so an early start is advisable. Sow from January to March on the surface of moist peat free compost and cover. Keep at a constant temperature of 21-25C until after germination, which takes up to 15 days. Transplant when large enough to handle into trays or individual modules. Grow on steadily in cooler conditions before planting out after all risk of frost has passed, allowing 30cm between plants each way and making sure that the crown of the plant sits at ground level.

Growing info

Celery requires a moist soil at all times to avoid the stems becoming tough. Water celery plants frequently, particularly during hot dry periods. If grown in a block, plants are naturally self blanching.

Dwarf Pea Tom Thumb (for microgreens)

Sowing info

Soak pea seeds overnight, then scatter them thickly over damp compost or coir in a shallow tray, gently pressing them in before covering lightly and watering well.

Growing info

Keep trays somewhere bright and mild, water little and often from below, and harvest with scissors once the shoots are a few inches tall and just opening their first leaves.

Blog – how to grow microgreens

Chilli Pepper Zimbabwe Black

Sowing info

An early start can help increase your harvest as pepper plants can be slow to mature. Start under grow lights in January or late February without lights. Requires warmth to germinate and grow on (an unheated greenhouse will not be warm enough). When pepper plants reach about 20cm in height, pinch out the growing tip to encourage bushy growth. From pinching out time, feed weekly with a quarter strength organic feed.

Growing info

Continue to pot on each time roots appear out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot until planting out after last frost. Peppers love heat, so will always perform best in the greenhouse or polytunnel.

Blog – how to sow and grow chillies

Aubergine Listada de Gandia

Sowing info

An early start can really help with aubergine crops.  Sow aubergine seeds from January to April indoors, supplementing light if necessary. Sow seeds on the surface of a free draining, moist peat free compost and just cover with vermiculite or compost. Place somewhere warm with a  temperature of 18-21 C until after germination which takes 10-14 days. Once plants are roughly 20cm high, feed weekly with a quarter strength organic feed.

Growing info

Plant out after all risk of frost has passed. Grow aubergines in a sheltered position in full sun. Aubergines will perform better when grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel. Water regularly to prevent buds from dropping.

Blog – how to sow and grow aubergines

Microgreens Bull’s Blood Beetroot

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 2 weeks for a continuous supply.

Blog – how to grow microgreens

Garden jobs for this January

• Check your winter veg – harvest what you need, remove any damaged leaves and make sure plants aren’t sitting soggy or buried under debris.
• Do a light tidy – clear broken stems and fallen bits, but leave some mess behind for wildlife.
• Freshen up growing spaces – clean pots, trays and greenhouse shelves so everything feels ready for the season ahead.