GARDENING WITH THE EXPERTS
The world's finest share their tips for successThe world's finest share their tips for success
Celery and tomatoes are both ready to be moved into larger containers
April is probably the busiest month if you’re growing vegetables for exhibition. There’s plenty to do in the greenhouse and polytunnel and with the extended evening hours, there’s plenty to do outdoors, too.
The problem this year has been the continuous rain we’ve had. Nitrogen is one of the first nutrients that leaches out of your soil with excessive rain, so it will pay to check the NPK levels in your soil and possibly increase the nitrogen, particularly where brassicas are concerned.
My blanch celery is growing quite well and ready for its final 2L pot using Humax multi-purpose original compost that contains sand and Nutrimate. The variety I’m growing is ‘Evening Star’, but it’s taking longer to germinate than normal.
The celery will be potted up towards the middle of May; this year I’m growing it in 30L pots. This was very successful when I grew it for my Malvern display a few years ago, but you have to make sure you never let the pots dry out. It’s also important to spray the plant around the base and into the heart using calcium nitrate or Calmag to try to control and prevent the dreaded heart rot.
The RHS Autumn Show is being held at Hyde Hall during the first weekend of October and is certainly gaining in popularity.
Considering it’s Trevor Last and held quite late in the his award-winning ‘Evening Star’ season, the quality and quantity of exhibits are excellent, with many entries on the increase in both fruit and vegeta
