D.T. Brown Blog

Although the seeds of some short-term crops such as radishes and of various indoor plants can be sown over a considerable period, this is not true of the majority. Due to the seasonality of our climate the sowing time is fairly critical for many, particularly half-hardy annuals and some vegetables, if satisfactory results are to be achieved.

Which crops you grow determines how the seeds are sown. Some can be direct sown where they are to grow, others are sown in a seed bed and then transplanted to their final growing position, while others need to be sown indoors in pots of compost with some bottom heat.

Yields for most crops will be reduced if weeds are allowed to take over. The plant’s growth will be limited as it competes with the weeds for light, space and nutrients. Provided you have given the patch a good dig at the start of the season and removed all the perennial weeds, the only ones that should be a problem are annuals and the seeds of perennials. These can be easily dealt with if you hoe regularly.

To get the most from your plants they will also need a constant supply of nutrients. Adding compost and well rotted manure will add little in the way of nutrients, as their role is to improve the soil structure. To hold on to the nutrients, you will also need a fertiliser.

With thanks to David Metcalf from the NVS for sharing his methods for growing onions at exhibition level practices should you wish to try a different approach. Growing to exhibit may not be for all of us however, there are many considerations, skills with tried and tested methods not to be ignored, in which we hope you can make good use of in your own growing practices...

Firstly, get stuck in and give it a go! What is the worst that can happen? You can try again next time with the gained knowledge under your belt. We’re building a community of likeminded fellow growers who have experience to share and take a note of.