Concise Guide to Growing Outdoor Vegetables in Ireland by Klaus Laitenberger
Artichoke, Jerusalem Fuseau, Gerard, Plant tubers in February to March Select good tubers from previous year 30cm x 90cm Grow like potatoes in drills 35 October to April Artichoke, Globe Asparagus Bean, Broad (autumn sown) Violetta di Chioggia, Romanesco Jersey Knight (F1) Aquadulce Claudia Sow indoors in April (22 C ) or buy plants in May Sow indoors in early March (20 C) or buy crowns in early spring Sow from late September to early November Sow individual seeds in 7cm pots Sow individual seeds in 7cm pots with heat Sow seed direct into the ground about 5cm deep 90cm x 90cm Perennial. July- August every year 30cm x 100cm 25cm x 25cm or 30cm x 20cm Perennial Suitable only in mild areas and on free draining soil May June every year 30 Once ready harvest pods weekly or fortnightly from May to July Bean, Broad (spring sown) Bean, French (dwarf) Witkeim Purple Teepee, Safari Sow from February to late April Sow from May to June Sow seed direct into the ground about 5cm deep Sow in pots in early April and plant out in early June or sow direct in mid May until June 25cm x 25cm or 40cm x 10cm 25cm x 25cm or 30cm x 15cm Later sowings may be less successful due to blackfly attack Tender crop which dislikes exposed sites or cold spells 15 June to late August 12 June to late September
Bean, French (climbing) Cobra, Eva Sow from May to June Needs to be trained up canes or string 16 July to October Bean, Runner Enorma Beetroot Pablo F1, Cylindra, Bull s Blood, Beetroot Mix Brussels Sprouts Cabbage, Chinese Brigitte F1 Yuki F1 Sow from early May to June 1. mid April May 2. Late May- June for storage From late March to early June 1. May 2. June 3. July For early crops sow indoors in small pots for planting out; later sow direct into the ground For early crops sow indoors in small pots for planting out; later sow direct into the ground Normally sown direct into the ground about 2cm deep. Use an early bolt resistant variety for the first sowing and a maincrop variety for the second sowing. For early crops sow indoors in modular trays at 15 C. Later sowing can be made in outdoor s for transplanting later. A late crop. Earlier sowings bolt easily Row spacing: 60cm. Sow 5 seeds around each cane (40cm ) Row spacing: 60cm. Sow 5 seeds around each cane (40cm ) 23cm x 8cm or 15cm x 15cm Dwarf types: 60cm x 60cm Normal types: 90cm x 90cm 40cm x 40cm or more if larger heads are required Needs to be trained up canes or string Beetroot seeds are clusters of seeds, so they need to be thinned as early as possible. Monogerm varieties have single seeds Firm ground is essential. It also helps to earth them up Keep soil moist at all times 16 July to October Earlies: 8-10 Main crop: 20 30-36 1. July- Sep 2. Oct-April October- February 10 1. July-August 2. September
Cabbage, Hispi F1 30cm x 30cm 30-36 Spring Cabbage, Summer Cabbage, Winter Stonehead F1 January King, Tundra F1 Mid August or better from mid March to April 1. March 2. April Late April mid May Sow in modules or open and plant out in late September Sow in modules or open and plant out in late September Sow in modules or in open 40cm x 40cm 50cm x 50cm In cold areas protect with cloches The spacing can be closer and the young plants can be thinned as spring greens Beneficial to earth up stems 15-20 20-25 May June 1. May-June 2. July-Sep September - January Cabbage, Savoy Cabbage, White Cabbage, Red Vertus Late April mid May Dottenfelder Late April Dauer mid May Rodynda Late April mid May Sow in modules or in open Sow in modules or in open Sow in modules or in open 50cm x 50cm 50cm x 50cm 50cm x 50cm Beneficial to earth up stems Beneficial to earth up stems Beneficial to earth up stems 20-25 20-25 20-25 September - January September - January September - January Calabrese Chevalier F1, Marathon F1 1. April 2. May 3. June Sow in modules or in open 35cm x 35cm After cutting the central head side shoots can be cut over the following 10-15 May-Nov Carrots, early Amsterdam Forcing, Early Nantes April-May Seeds are sown direct into the ground. 20cm x 5cm Never attempt to transplant carrots as they will fork 14-20 July-Sep
Carrots, May to mid Direct sow seeds about 2cm 20cm x 5cm 20-24 maincrop June deep Rothild, Chantenay, Autumn King, Sweet Candle F1 If you want to avoid the first carrot root fly, sow only in late May/early June October and store in sand until April Cauliflower, Summer/ Autumn Flamenco F1 1. April 2. May 3. June Sow in modules or in open 60cm x 50cm Harden off well before planting out especially early in the year 20 July-September Celeriac Giant Prague Mid March Sow broadcast in standard seed trays, prick out into late May 35cm x 35cm Harden off well and plant after the last frost or protect them with a cloche 30 October and store in sand until March Celery Victoria F1 1. March 2. April 3. May For sowing method see Celeriac 1. Plant outside May 2. Plant outside June 3. Plant outside in July 27cm x 27cm equidistant spacing in block formation Keep plants well watered 16-20 1. July August 2. September - October
Courgette Defender F1, Late April Sow individual seeds in 90cm Protect from frost if 10-14 Ambassador until mid May 9cm pots. Harden off well. necessary. Harvest F1 Plant out no earlier than regularly, at least Parador F1 June. twice a week (yellow) during summer July October Endive Pancalieri 1. April 2. May 3. June 4. July Sow individual seed in 4-6 after sowing 30cm x 30cm Can be used as cut and come again salad crop 14-16 1. June 2. July 3. August 4. September Fennel, Florence Rondo F1 For continuity 1. mid May 2. early June 3. late June Sow individual seed in 4-6 after sowing Use a bolt resistant variety for the first sowing 35cm x 35cm Prefers to grow in the warmer part of the year 12-14 1. July-August 2. September - October Garlic Early Wight, Solent Wight, Casablanca (autumn) Autumn: Plant cloves from late September to early November Plant individual cloves with the tips upwards and about 2cm below the soil surface 25cm x 30cm Harvest when leaves turn yellow, before they fall over 24-38 Printanor, Cristo (spring) Spring: Plant cloves from February to early April
Kale Redbor F1, Sow May Sow individual seed in 60cm x 60cm Plant firmly in 24 Harvest from Red Russian June fertile soil. Can be September until Nero di 4-6 after sowing planted slightly February Toscana deeper Kohlrabi Azur Star For continuity 1. mid April 2. mid May 3. early June 4. late June Sow individual seed in 4-6 after sowing 30cm x 30cm It s important not to plant seedlings too deep otherwise the bulb will rot 8-14 1. July 2. August 3. September Leeks Roxton F1 (summer); Hannibal, (autumn) Bluegreen Winter (winter) Blue Solaise (spring) Summer types - February Autumn/ Winter types - March Spring types - May Sow 2 seeds per cell in 8-10 after sowing 15cm x 30cm Ensure that you grow the right varieties for each. Earth up leeks for blanching 25-40 1. July September 2. September December 3. January - March
Lettuce Too many to 25cm x 25cm list For continuity Make regular sowings from late March until July Sow individual seed in 4-6 after sowing. Never sow too many at once. Once ready lettuce quickly bolts 4 6 From May to October Onion (from sets) Normal types: Santero, Centurion 1. March- April Plant sets into well prepared firm. 25cm x 10cm Tips of sets should be just above ground level 18 1. August and storage until March Onion (from seeds) Autumn types: Radar, Troy Golden Bear, Red Baron 2. August- September Sow late January to March Sow 4 seeds per cell in 8-10 after sowing Parsnip Javelin F1 Sow May Sow direct in well prepared Pea, Shelling Peas Greenshaft (main) For continuity 1. April 2. May 3. June Direct sow outside 34 2. June -July 25cm x 25cm 26 Harvest late August September, store in dry place until March/April 30cm x 15cm (large roots) or 20cm x 7cm (small roots) Sow in wide drill, sow seeds 5cm. Thin early to required spacing Provide climbing support 28-32 14-16 Harvest September- November, store in sand until April 1. July 2. August 3. September
Pea, Garnet Direct sow outside Provide climbing 14-16 Mangetout support Pea, Sugar Snap Potatoes (early) Potatoes (main) Delikett Homeguard, Orla, Colleen, Sharpe s Express, Casablanca Cara, Nicola, Sarpo Mira, Setanta, Bionica Pumpkin Baby Bear F1, Rouge Vif d Etampes Radish (summer) Short Top Forcing Cherry Belle, For continuity 1. April 2. May 3. June For continuity 1. April 2. May 3. June mid March April mid April May Mid April until mid May Regular sowings from April to August Direct sow outside Plant chitted tubers outside Plant tubers outside Sow individual seeds in 9cm pots. Harden off well. Plant out no earlier than June. Direct sow outside Sow in wide drill, sow seeds 5cm. Sow in wide drill, sow seeds 5cm. 30cm in rows 50cm 40cm in rows 60-80cm Provide climbing support Earthing up, Frost protection is required Earthing up, Frost protection is required 1.5m Protect from frost if necessary. Harvest before the first frost 10cm in rows 25cm Make successional sowings as radishes deteriorate quickly once mature. 14-16 12-16 20-24 22-24 1. July 2. August 3. September 1. July 2. August 3. September July - September September October then store in sand until April October to March 4 6 May- September
Radish Black Spanish, Sow in June 15cm in rows 12-14 (winter) China Rose July 30cm Rocket, Salad and Wild Victoria April to early September. Successional sowings Sow in situ outdoors and thin to required spacing at seedling stage 1. Sow in modular trays (4seeds/cell), plant out 4 later or 2. Sow direct outside 20cm in rows 25cm Thin seedlings to required spacing when young Harvest leaves regularly. Beware of fleabeetle attack in May/June on outdoor crop 1. September- October 2. Harvest in October and store in sand until March 4-8 May to November Shallots Sante Plant sets in March till early April Plant in firm soil, push set into the soil to half its own depth. 20cm each way Note: each set develops into a cluster of about 8 shallots 20-25 July- August Spinach, Annual Spinach, Perpetual Chevelle F1 No variety Successional sowings from early April until end of August 1. mid April 2. early June 1. Sow in modular trays (4 seeds/cell) Or 2. Sow in situ outdoors 1. Sow in modular trays (1 seed/cell) Or 2 Sow in situ outdoors 10-15cm in rows 20-25cm 30cm in rows 35cm The closer the spacing the smaller the leaves (baby spinach). In summer plants tend to bolt prematurely Each seed produces 3-5 seedlings which need thinning at propagation stage. Harvest regularly 4-7 May - October 15 1. May - August 2. August - October
Vegetable Variety Sowing Dates Propagation/Planting Spacing Planting details Sowing to Squash Uchiki Kuri, Late April Sow individual seeds in 1.2m Protect from frost if 10-14 Delicata until mid May 9cm pots. Harden off well. necessary. Harvest Crown Prince Plant out no earlier than when fully mature F1 June. and before first frost Swede Gowrie Sow late April until mid June Sweetcorn Swiss Chard Turnip Sweet Nugget F1 Swiss Chard, Ruby Chard, Bright Lights Purple Top Milan Sow in late April to early May 1. mid April 2 early June Sow early April until July Sow in modular trays (1 seed/cell) Or Sow in situ outdoors Sow single seed in deep modular tray, plant out in early June Sow in modular trays (1 seed/cell) Or Sow in situ outdoors Sow in modular trays (1 seed/cell) Or Sow in situ outdoors 25cm in rows 35cm 40cm in rows 60cm 30cm in rows 35cm 10cm in rows 25cm Thin early to required spacing 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 Beware of fleabeetle attack in May/June on outdoor crop. Thin early to required spacing 22-26 15-20 September to March (storage) 1. September 2. October for storing sand August - September 15 1. May - August 2. August - October 8-12 June - October