It is annoying that the best specimens of chilli pepper this year are growing on a bedroom windowsill in the house. The weather so far this year has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. The month of May was the driest and warmest on record followed by a 10 degree plunge in temperatures …Read More about Struggling with chilli peppers
Diary of a Brussels Kitchen Garden
Summer salad
While heatwaves in summer provide plenty of ripe tomatoes and cucumbers, summer salads often lack fresh lettuce leaves. Lettuce are cool weather crops, best either side of summer, but, with a little effort summer salad can be produced in super hot gardens. Last year’s heatwave was broken by some rainy weather, better for lettuce, so …Read More about Summer salad
First tomato planting
With the high temperatures continuing and no rain in sight, it is better to be patient and move small tomato plants out into garden beds slowly. Planting in pots or containers is different, they can go outside now but do require extra attention for watering. Young plants are better started in shaded spots or provided …Read More about First tomato planting
Preparing for summer
This April was the warmest on record in Belgium and authorities are already warning of a heatwave and drought in the summer. With temperatures already high it is difficult to get small plants started in the garden. Plants should be started outdoors in the shade where possible and where possible shade cover should be created …Read More about Preparing for summer
Winter harvest
The first part of each year is the lean time in the garden unless you have over wintering crops. Broad bean, onions and garlic make up the bulk of this garden’s winter crops, along with salads, chard and spinach in containers. Over winter crop are the lazy gardeners favourite as they requires a lot less …Read More about Winter harvest
Potting up
Tomato seeds started now should germinate quickly, between 5-10 days. They are best started in separate pots or modules as the roots of the small plants can be difficult to dis-entangle when transplanting. Potting up the small plants is about giving the plant growing space in step with its growth rate. Tomato seedlings grow quickly …Read More about Potting up