Gardeners all over the world, as the days grow longer and warmer, it’s time to start planning your early spring vegetable gardens in South East London. As professionals in this activity, we give you the best guide to prepare yourself for an abundant harvest with some help from us on how to do it all by yourself!
This season provides an optimal window for sowing seeds and cultivating a variety of delicious, homegrown veggies. Embracing this season for planting carries numerous advantages:
cooler temperatures provide a gentle environment for delicate seedlings
fewer pests are on the prowl
the prospect of an extended growing season awaits
As you embark on this journey, envision the lush greenery, vibrant hues, and the unmistakable satisfaction that comes from harvesting your homegrown treasures. Welcome to the world of early spring vegetable gardening, where each seed holds the potential to blossom into a culinary delight.
Early spring vegetables
There are several vegetables that thrive in cooler temperatures and shortened daylight hours such as lettuce, spinach, radishes, peas, and carrots. They are the perfect candidates for your early planting in South East London.
Vegetables | Planting |
| Nutritional benefits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lettuce | Well-draining, slightly acidic soil (pH 6-7) | Salads, sandwiches, wraps, stir-fries, casseroles | Vitamins A and C | |
Spinach | Rich, well-draining soil (pH 6-7.5) | Smothies, omelets, pasta dishes, salads | Iron, calcium, vitamin K | |
Radishes | Loose, sandy soil, full sun exposure | Salads, grilled on pan | Fiber, vitamin C | |
Peas | Well-drained, fertile soil, plenty of sunlight | Steamed, boiled, stir-fries, salads | Protein and fiber | |
Carrots | Deep, well-draining soil, full sun exposure | Juice, soups, stews, grilled on pan, salads | Beta-carotene, for healthy eyes |
Preparing the garden for planting
As you already know from one of our previous blogs it’s very important to prepare your garden for planting and maintain right. A thriving harvest begins with nurturing the very soil that cradles your future vegetables.
soil preparation
Before sowing the first seed, you need to dedicate time to access your soil. Aim for well-draining soil with a pH tailored to the needs of your chosen veggies and loosen the soil with a fork or tiller to create a hospitable environment for roots to establish themselves.
- weed removal
Weeds can threaten the prosperity of your vegetable patch. First diligently remove any existing weeds to minimize competition for nutrients, water, and sunlight to ensure your seeds have the best chance to grow.
- organic fertilization
Nourishing your plants with organic fertilizers sets the stage for robust growth and abundant yields. Opt for natural fertilizers rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to provide a balanced diet for your vegetables. The perfect choice for composted materials can be kitchen scraps or plant matter.
- spacing and layout
Mindful spacing is part of good growth and yields especially if you consider planting different vegetables with different requirements. cond=sider companion planting to enhance mutual benefits between crops.
How to plant and care for your garden?
Everyone should ask this question especially if you start gardening early spring vegetables.
With the season starting it’s time to give you a guide for planting and caring for right way your garden space.
STEPS:
The first step is choosing the veggie seed sowing. For direct-seeded crops like radishes and lettuce, it’s good to follow packet instructions for optimal spacing and planting depth. Sow seeds evenly in prepared soil and then gently cover them with a thin layer of compost.
Seeding is just the beginning, after that, it’s time for proper care techniques if you want your plants to grow healthy and beautiful.
For a good care routine, you need to consider regular watering, mulching, and support for climbing vegetables.
Consistent moisture is crucial for young plants to establish a strong root system, so water deeply and ensure that the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Also, apply a layer of organic mulch around plants to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. And last but not least provide trellises or stakes for climbing veggies like peas to support their
growth and prevent them from sprawling.
Last but still important is the protection of your plants from frost. You can do it by keeping a vigilant eye on the weather forecast, especially in South East London in early spring when the frost remains a threat. When unexpected temperature drops, shield with cloches or row covers to provide insulation.
Harvest
As the fruits of your labor begin to ripen and flourish, the anticipation of harvesting your early spring vegetables fills the air with excitement. With the next lines, your gardeners will give you a lot of tips on storing and preserving harvested
vegetables and some good recipe ideas that showcase the flavor of the spring.
Vegetables | Harvesting |
| |
|---|---|---|---|
Lettuce | Harvest when leaves are young and tender. Cut them at the base. | Store unwashed in the refrigerator in a breathable container or bag. Rinse before use. | |
Spinach | Harvest by snipping the outer leaves. Pick leaves when they are large and fully developed. | Store unwashed in the refrigerator in a breathable container or bag. Rinse before use. | |
Radishes | Pull when they reach their mature size, firm, and plump. | Remove greens and store radiches in the refrigerator in a plastic bag or container with a damp paper towel. | |
Peas | Harvest when pods are plump and well-filled. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. | Shell peas and blanch in boiling water for 1/2 minutes before freezing. | |
Carrots | Dig when they reach their desire size, around 1 inch in diameter. Gently loosen the soil around the base of the green and pull straight up to avoid damaging the roots. | Remove greens and store carrots in the refrigerator in a plastic bag or container with damp paper towel. |
Recipe ideas
Fresh season means fresh dishes and recipe ideas. Your urban gardeners are also secret culinary masters, or we wish so, but still, we will recall some old and classic ideas for you.
Lettuce combined with peas can transport you directly into France with the dish “Braised peas with spring onions and lettuce” - a perfect idea for vegetarian or vegan cookers.
With the next recipe, you can feel the Italian vibe and sweetness easily by making the “Carrot cake”. This dessert is a nice idea for breakfast with a cup of tea.
The perfect way to cook easy and fast is by using spinach. And before you ask, we will tell you about the Bulgarian dish “Spinach rice”. Don’t wait, go try it, because it’s too good to be real.
Last but not least, your urban gardeners will give you different and very interesting recipe for lovers of Korean kitchen. This “Korean spicy radish salad” is a good variety for your daily routine.
And if planting sounds like too much work and scares you, our garden experts will be happy to help.
Contact us and ask for a FREE estimate, and we will take care of the herb selection, supplies delivery and planting for you.
You will just have to cut the herbs when needed and add them to your favourite dishes.
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