Using Fresh Seaweed
Hi Klaus, I have my allotment in Skerries and can get good fresh seaweed. Should I dig it into the soil in my polytunnel or put it on top of it. By digging it in now I feel it will rot down quicker and by leaving it on top I feel it will go hard and … more information
Vegetables for the Polytunnel and Greenhouse
Hi, I was wondering if I can order a copy of your book ‘Vegetables For The Polytunnel & Greenhouse’ ? I recently bought your book A Vegetable ‘Handbook and seen from that about your other book. Many thanks Louise Hi Louise, Many thanks for your enquiry. Unfortunately we sold out of this book a … more information
Frost Damage On Potatoes
Q: Frost damage on potatoes I have sown your mixed salad which has grown extremely well and is delicious. Have also planted tomatoes and am now ready to plant your beetroots. During the last frost my potatoes which were 4 to 6 inches high were absolutely hammered. I have just removed the damaged leaves and some … more information
Garlic Spray
Q: Garlic Spray Hello Klaus The seeds I ordered from you have now started to grow well and I am interested to know how you make the Garlic spray that you have mentioned before. Last year I had an infestation of whitefly on my calabrese and it became inedible. Thank … more information
Treated Fence Posts
Q: Treated Fence Posts Hello Klaus, I hope you are keeping well. I hope you don’t mind me emailing you but I have a question in relation to treated fence posts and I would value your thoughts on it. Basically I have an 8M x 8M allotment that I have decided to put a fence … more information
Kale & Chard
Q: Kale and Chard Chard and Kale … what a magnificent start for any small gardener. I have just pulled up last year’s Kale plants….nearly a metre high and having just started going to seed. I put out nine plants from seed in June last year, covered them with insect netting (as you recommended on … more information
Chitting Seed Potatoes
Chitting Seed Potatoes I have some potatoes left from last year. They were quite scabby. Can I re-plant them now as seed potatoes or should I buy new ones? A: You most definitely will have to buy new seed potatoes this year. Scab will stay on your tubers and will re-infect the new crops making … more information
Modular Trays
Q: Modular Trays One other quick question, I am trying to find info on the appropriate sized module tray for different seeds, I presume it just size of seed really and how long they are going to be in there but it’s difficult to find info on it. But the smaller they are the more … more information
Digging In Leaf Mould
Q: Digging in leaf mould Last year I was mulching all my beds with leaf mould and then dug it into the beds in spring. All crops were very poor and never grew properly. What happened? Paul A: This is a very common mistake if any material with a high carbon content eg: leaf mould, … more information
Storing Squash & Pumpkins
Q: Storing Squash and Pumpkins Last year I grew the Crown Prince squash which you highly recommended. They were delicious but unfortunately didn’t keep well. I harvested them as they turned big. A: Both winter squashes and pumpkins should only be harvested once the leaves have died back in October. Then their skins mature (cure) … more information
Autumn Raspberries
Q: Autumn Raspberries When and how should I prune my autumn raspberries? A: Autumn raspberries are the easiest fruit to grow and to maintain. January an February is the best time to prune. Simply cut off all shoots at ground level. Klaus
Broad Beans
Q: Broad Beans Can I sow broad beans now in February? A: Yes, broad beans don’t mind the cold at all. You can sow the seeds directly outdoors into a seed bed. My favourite variety is Witkeim. It produces delicious and high yielding pods on strong plants. February to early March is the best sowing … more information
Seed Compost
Q: Seed Compost Would you mind giving me a recipe for making a good seed compost? A: I would recommend that you buy a good organically approved seed compost. There are two excellent brands available: KKS Klassman (available from Fruit Hill Farm) and Living Green (available in most good garden centres). Both are ideal for sowing seeds … more information
Oca Storage
Q: Oca Storage I recently received Oca tubers from you. I see that they do not need to be planted until April. How should I store them until they are ready to be planted? Which way up do you plant them? I notice that there is a fat end a thinner end. The thinner end … more information
Watering Modular Trays
Q: Watering modular trays I have been sowing some of the veggies you recommended for this time of year under protection in your book. Just wondering how often to water the modules trays they are on a heating mat. A: If you have the trays on a heating mat you will have to water more … more information
Onion Troubles
Q: Onion troubles I have been growing vegetables for many years – last year’s crop of onions was a complete disaster for some reason. I grow different varieties to ensure a reasonably good crop – last year the varieties grown were Santero, Sturon and Centurion, all grown from good quality sets. All of these varieties … more information
Tomato Problems
Q: Tomato Problems I planted about 24 plants in the polytunnel. They grew fine – in fact over grew – because I probably overfed them. Set loads of flowers- but no fruit for ages. I read somewhere that fruit will not set if plants are too hot. So I started to open doors in tunnel. … more information
Chitting New Potatoes
Q: Chitting New Potatoes I was hoping you could give me some advice on new potatoes. I just got a delivery yesterday from Fruithill Farm of seed potato of Orla , Casablanca , Maris Bard Do I need to chit these before planting? My plan is to plant them in containers. I have 30 large drums which I … more information
SuperNemos
Q: SuperNemos Just wondering if you have any feedback for us on your applications of SuperNemos over the past few years? A: I thought the Super Nemos worked really well in my garden. It seemed to have reduced leatherjacket populations, but it was only a trial and not a scientific experiment. Note: SuperNemos are a … more information
Yacon Tubers
Q: Yacon Tubers Your Yacon is delicious but I’m a bit mystified by the round, dark red tubers attached to the edible and the knobbly – mind telling me what to do with them? A: The yacon tubers are really exceptionally sweet. I think they become even sweeter the longer they are stored. As regards … more information