Concise Guide to Growing Protected Crops in Ireland by Klaus Laitenberger 1
Vegetable Variety Sowing Dates Propagation Spacing Planting details Sowing to Aubergine Black Beauty Sow in early 45cm x 45cm May need simple at 20 C support (cane) Sow in seed trays and prick out into 7cm pots when first true leaf appears 20 Harvest weekly from July to Bean, French (dwarf) Purple Teepee, Safari Sow from late to late June For early crops sow indoors in small pots, later sow direct into the ground 25cm x 25cm 12 May to late Bean, French (climbing) Cobra Sow from late late to June For early crops sow indoors in small pots, later sow direct into the ground 20cm x 40cm Needs to be trained up canes or string 15 June to Bean, Runner Enorma Sow from late to June For early crops sow indoors in small pots, later sow direct into the ground 20cm x 40cm Needs to be trained up canes or string 16 June to Beetroot Pablo F1 1. February 2. Normally sown direct into the ground about 2cm deep 23cm x 8cm or 15cm x 15cm Beetroot seeds are clusters of seeds, so they need to be thinned as early as possible Earlies: 8-10 1. May 2. June Cabbage, Chinese Yuki F1 Late May until late July For early sowings a bolt resistant cultivar is required. 30cm x 30cm or more if larger heads are required Keep soil moist at all times. For succession sow a small quantity every two 10 July until 2
Vegetable Variety Sowing Dates Propagation Spacing Planting details Sowing to Cabbage, Spring Hispi F1 until Sow in modules and plant out into tunnel 4 later 30cm x 30cm In cold areas protect with cloches 12 16 April - May Calabrese Chevalier F1 1. Feb- 2. July Sow in modules at 15 C. 35cm x 35cm After cutting the central head many side shoots can be harvested over the following 10-15 1. May- 2. Carrots, early Amsterdam Forcing, Rocket F1, until Seeds are sown direct into the ground. 15cm x 5cm or 20cm x 4cm Never attempt to transplant carrots as they will fork 14-20 May-June Cauliflower, early Igor F1 February- Sow in modules and plant out into tunnel 4 later 60cm x 50cm Sow small quantities in 2 week intervals 16 May - June Celery Victoria F1 Late February until June Broadcast seeds in pots without covering, then prick out into modular trays (1 seed /cell). Sowing to planting: 8. 27cm x 27cm equidistant spacing in block formation Keep plants well watered 16-20 May until 3
Vegetable Variety Sowing Dates Propagation Spacing Planting details Sowing to Courgette Defender F1, 1. mid 1. Plant in tunnel late 90cm Protect from frost if 10-14 Ambassador April necessary. Harvest F1 2. late May 2. Plant in tunnel in late regularly, at least Parador F1 June twice a week (yellow) during summer 1. June 2. August Cucumber Choose allfemale F1 hybrids Passandra F1 Adrian F1 1. mid 2. later April Sow in heating bench and pot on into 9cm pots and plant in tunnel 1. mid May 2. June 45cm Train vertically along string or cane 15 1. early July 2. late July - Endive Pancalieri 1. February - 2. July August 1. Plant in tunnel in late late April 2. Plant in tunnel in August - 30cm x 30cm Can be used as cut and come again salad crop 14-16 1. May June 2. - Fennel, Florence Rondo F1 1. late April 2. mid June July 1. Plant bolt resistant variety in early June 2. Plant in tunnel in July August 35cm x 35cm Prefers to grow in the warmer part of the year 12-14 1. August 2. - Garlic Solent White, Early Purple White, Casablanca Plant in mid to mid Plant individual cloves 20cm x 30cm Harvest when leaves turn yellow, before they fall over 24-38 May - June 4
Vegetable Variety Sowing Dates Propagation Spacing Planting details Sowing to Kohlrabi Azur Star 1. February - 1. Plant in tunnel in late 30cm x 30cm It s important not to 8-12 1. May early April plant seedlings too 2. - 2. June July 2. Plant in tunnel in July deep otherwise the August bulb will rot Lettuce Too many to list until August Sow individual seeds into modular trays and plant out 4 week later. Ensure that germination temperature is not above 25ºC 25cm x 25cm Sow at weekly or fortnightly intervals 12-14 until Pea, Mangetout Garnet February - Sow in small pots or sow direct into the tunnel Wide drill (10cm), sow seeds 7cm. Provide climbing support 14-16 Late April July Pea, Sugar Snap Delikett February - Sow in small pots or sow direct into the tunnel Wide drill (10cm), sow seeds 7cm. Provide climbing support 14-16 Late April July Pepper (sweet) Roberta F1, Bell Boy F1, Sow in February at 20 C, then pot on into 9cm pots Plant in tunnel in May 45cm each way in a double row per bed Sometimes simple staking is required 24-26 Harvest from late July - 5
Vegetable Variety Sowing Dates Propagation/Planting Spacing Planting details Sowing to Pepper (Chilli) Ring of Fire, Sow in Plant in tunnel in May 45cm each Sometimes simple 24-26 Hungarian February at way in a staking is required Wax, 20C, then pot double row Many others on into9cm per bed Potatoes (early) Homeguard, Orla, Colleen, Sharpe s Express pots until early Plant chitted tubers in tunnel 30cm in rows 50cm Earthing up, Frost protection is required 12-16 Harvest from late July - May June Radish early Short Top Forcing 1. February- 2. August- 1. Sow direct in tunnel 2. Sow direct in tunnel 10cm in rows 25cm Make successional sowings as radishes deteriorate quickly once mature. 4 6 1. - April 2. - Oriental Salads Rocket, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Mustards etc. Spinach, Chevelle F1 Annual 1. January- 2. August- 1. February- April 2. August- Sow in modular trays (4seeds/cell) at 15-18 C, plant in a polytunnel Sow in modular trays (3 seed/cell) or sow in situ in a polytunnel 20cm in rows 25cm 10-15cm in rows 20-25cm Harvest leaves regularly. The closer the spacing the smaller the leaves (baby spinach). In summer plants tend to bolt prematurely 4-8 1. - May 2. - April 4-7 1. - May 2. - 6
Vegetable Variety Sowing Dates Propagation/Planting Spacing Planting details Sowing to Spinach, No variety Perpetual 1. February- 2. 1. Sow in modular trays (1seed/cell), plant in polytunnel. 2. Sow in modular trays, plant in polytunnel or sow in situ. 30cm in rows 35cm Each seed produces 3-5 seedlings which need thinning at propagation stage. Harvest regularly 15 1. late - May 2. - Squash Sunburst F1, Crown Prince F1, Delicata, Uchiki Kuri 1. mid 2. late May 3. Plant in tunnel late April 4. Plant in tunnel in late June 90cm Protect from frost if necessary. Harvest regularly, at least twice a week during summer 10-14 1. June 2. August Sweetcorn Swiss Chard Sweet Nugget F1 Swiss Chard, Ruby Chard, Bright Lights Late to April 1. February- 2. Sow single seed in deep modular tray, plant in polytunnel in early June 1. Sow in modular trays (1seed/cell), plant in polytunnel. 2. Sow in modular trays, plant in polytunnel or sow in situ. 40cm in rows 60cm 30cm in rows 35cm Pick cobs when at best, they deteriorate quickly. To assist in pollination plant in blocks (rather than single rows) and occasionally shake the plant to assist in pollination Each seed produces 3-5 seedlings which need thinning at propagation stage. Harvest regularly 15-20 1. August- 15 1. late - May 2.- 7
Tomato Sungold F1, Rosada F1, Rosella, Sweet Aperitif, Bite Size, Green Zebra, Pantano Romanesco, Indigo Rose until mid Sow in seed trays and prick out into small pots for growing in a polytunnel. Plant in May 45cm each way (double row) Staking and side shooting necessary every week 20-22 July- Turnip Milan Purple Top, White Globe 1. Februarylate 2. Augustearly 1. Sow in modular trays (1seed/cell), plant in polytunnel 2. Sow in situ in polytunnel 10cm in rows 25cm Beware of fleabeetle attack in May/June on outdoor crop. Thin early to required spacing 8-12 1. April- June 2. - 8