#212 |
Sowed some spinach in one of the new raised beds this morning. I've decided to test whether transplanting spinach causes it to bolt, since my own past experience suggests it could be a factor, plus I was reading about it in a certain magazine recently. OTOH Charles Dowding sows pretty much everything except carrots and parsnips in modules, so maybe there are other influences at work?
Anyway my plan is to direct-sow and module-sow the same variety at the same time, then plant the latter next to the former to get as similar growing conditions as possible.
First up: three rows of "Matador", about 3ft long, with space beside them for two module-sown rows, and 30g fleece placed over the whole area to warm it and protect the seedlings. I chose Matador because a) it's a variety that did well for me in the past without bolting and b) I happened to have some in my seed stash.
I'm assuming that the direct-sown will be more vulnerable to slugs etc hence sowing more of it. I did mean to sow the modules today as well, but the day got away from me. I think tomorrow will be soon enough, given that this is hardly a rigorous scientific experiment!
Anyway my plan is to direct-sow and module-sow the same variety at the same time, then plant the latter next to the former to get as similar growing conditions as possible.
First up: three rows of "Matador", about 3ft long, with space beside them for two module-sown rows, and 30g fleece placed over the whole area to warm it and protect the seedlings. I chose Matador because a) it's a variety that did well for me in the past without bolting and b) I happened to have some in my seed stash.
I'm assuming that the direct-sown will be more vulnerable to slugs etc hence sowing more of it. I did mean to sow the modules today as well, but the day got away from me. I think tomorrow will be soon enough, given that this is hardly a rigorous scientific experiment!
How much veg and wildlife can I pack into a 6m x 8m garden in suburban Cambridge? Let’s find out!