Gardening in the recent extreme conditions is not for the faint hearted. While Tuesday (20 March) was the spring equinox, the first day of spring, the Sunday before (18 March), was the coldest 18th March recorded in Belgium since records began in 1901. However, with some simple adaptations crops can be started in these conditions …Read More about Extreme Gardening
Posts relating to hardening off
Tomato planting time
Time to plant tomatoes outside. It has not been the best of springs for hardening off tomatoes (moving them from indoors to outdoors). Extreme heat during days and cold nights up until early May has meant the plants started from seed were indoors longer than usual. The extreme heat is challenging for young plants. Tomato …Read More about Tomato planting time
Planting courgettes
Courgettes are one of the most productive garden vegetables that can be grown in a city garden. Two plants in a large container will produce one or two courgettes per week. Courgettes can be grown in soil beds but as they are the absolute favourite of slugs and snails, containers can work better. Courgette seeds …Read More about Planting courgettes
Turn in the weather
According to tradition planting out should only begin when the bluebells have passed. In recent years spring weather has become quite unreliable with late cold spells and heavy rains. This has reduced the window of opportunity for getting many plants started and hardened off before the summer heat starts. The sharp changes in weather of …Read More about Turn in the weather
Hardening off gallery
The process of moving seedlings from the warmth and protection of the house or greenhouse outdoors into the garden is called “hardening off.” This most delicate time in plant growth, following weeks of careful nurturing of small plants from seed, leaves the gardener at the mercy of outdoor elements often unpredictable and fast changing. While …Read More about Hardening off gallery
Spring weather
Do not be deceived by bright sunny afternoons at this time of year. Spring weather is highly unpredictable with night-time temperatures dropping drastically and ground soil far too cold for planting. It is important to take the long view starting with the 14 day weather forecast, particularly for temperatures. Summer does not officially start until …Read More about Spring weather