Early spring opportunities in vegetable growing

An exciting month ahead for vegetable growing.

Sow carrots outside from equinox, also Jerusalem artichoke, onion sets. For early potatoes - know your last frost date, plant first earlies probably late March.

Transplant, there are so many possibilities, I show at what stage and how deep
Harden off? No worries! Use a cover
Covers for new plantings, fleece for warmth, thicker grade
Hoops for covers? eg wire, check for wind damage
PESTS Cover vs flea beetle and tidy to reduce slug habitat
Keep beds ready - weeding, raking, tidy plastic, clear cover crops if in the way
Prepare new beds eg with plastic on compost
Harvests are increasing such as overwintered spinach - reference other harvests

00:00 Introduction
00:25 Sowing opportunities
01:25 Tomatoes - my recommended sowing times
02:00 Sowing celery and celeriac
02:18 Sowing melons, cucumbers, watermelons and loofahs
02:41 Sowing leeks
03:01 Outdoor sowing possibilities
03:23 Different categories of potatoes, different sowing times
03:54 Transplanting frost-hardy early sowings
04:46 How to transplant – I demonstrate with a pea plant
06:38 Transplanting onions
07:17 Hardening off - is it necessary?
07:46 The benefits of using covers
08:43 Different grades of fleece, how to secure, and how to store
10:00 Different types of cover - Thermacrop, Enviromesh, and bird netting
11:14 Weeding
11:57 Creating new beds, and using black plastic or cardboard to smother weeds
12:59 Harvests - spinach, spring cabbage, spring onion
13:42 Managing slugs
14:24 Wildflower seeds sown after smothering weeds with black plastic
15:24 Drier through March, less watering needed

You can join this channel by paying a monthly fee, to support our work with helping gardeners grow better, and to receive monthly videos made only for members:

#nodig #growyourownfood #healthyfood #slugs #wildflowers

[theenglishherbalist]

Before I became a medical Herbalist I worked as a Psychologist. Therefore, I'm fully aware of the need for dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins to affect the brain in positive ways. These can be achieved/boosted by multiple methods - but for me - it's watching your films. They're the complete and uplifting package for me. Thank you 😊

[RockMan-goni]

Charles I'm afraid I have 2 complaints to share with you. 1: I have been forced to watch your entire back catalogue of videos because I can't get enough of your knowledgeable and relaxing content and to my dismay I have now ran out. 2. I recently transplanted multisown clumps of raddish under fleece and everytime a plant went in I had to say "in the ground with their mates". This is undoubtedly your fault. Regards, transfixed viewer

[marydrew]

Charles- I tell everyone about you and your channel, and no dig method. I have an 8 acre piece of property where it was a blank slate! I am fortunate to have three horses, that help me make beautiful compost and my compost is loaded with red wrigglers. My focus on my farm is on sustainability and no pesticides and herbicides. I have been growing along with you for two seasons now and I'm changing the soil on my farm, one season at a time with your guidance. I am so thankful for all you do.

Cheers from Oregon, US Wine Country. 🍷

[andyc]

Thanks Charles, always handy to have a little nudge to remind us what can be done now !

[fionaimison]

So relaxing to watch. The music, Charles voice, the garden, the birds & that adorable cat!!

[TheSweetestLew]

Never fails to make my day when I see that a new video has been released. You are an inspiration Charles!❤

[WhirlwindFamilyFarm]

I always find a new pearl of knowledge every time Charles has a new video.

[patmillar]

Yes Charles I'm not rushing! It's very cold and so very wet here in the north east of England. You're a pleasure to watch, an absolute mind of information and great advice. Thank u 👍

[mirabilo]

The best vegetable gardening educator on the planet.

[rjones]

Thanks, Charles! There is nothing on YouTube I look forward to more than a new video from you!

[yvonnejackson]

I can’t overemphasize how impressed I am with how drought resistant no dig veggies are and how easy the method makes weeding. I only use about a fourth as much compost as you do and have only been doing no dig about three years but it is vastly better than anything else I have ever tried.

[KOLLEKZIYA_FASOLI]

💚💚💚Dear Charles, thank you very much for your videos. I live in the south and it’s also warm here like you. Crocuses are blooming and tulips are sprouting. Now I’m planting cabbage in cups. I also sow it very thickly, and then I plant it. You need to sow a lot, to make sure there is a harvest. My grandparents planted so much and I continue to do so. I really like working on the land. And seeing how many like-minded people on the earth do this, I become more confident that the world is beautiful.💚💚💚

[dougtheslug]

Zone 4 Canada here and what a difference between what you have there Charles and the piles of snow we still have here and we're roughly at the same latitude. I just sowed some onions, leeks, broccoli and brussels sprout a couple days ago down in my grow room in basement. Looking forward to get out there in a month or so to sow carrots and radishes directly in garden and get some and happy gardening.

[galetimpone]

Charles, you a wealth of knowledge for new and old gardeners. I always learn someway of improving how to garden after watching your video. Thank you for sharing and encouraging people to grow their own vegetables and plants.

[walkingbacktogardening]

Brilliant video, get everyone excited for gardening season 2024. 🐈

[margaretalice]

Charles I’ve been watching your channel for a few years now. What a game changer for us to multi sow in modules certain crops. And to use cardboard/compost on beds. Worms love it and suppresses so many weeds. Your approach has transformed our plot & our harvest. Thank you 🤩

[theenglishherbalist]

This is by far my most favourite film. 1. I've just taken on a three year untended allotment in beautiful North Cornwall and this video has answered 4 questions I had 2. Your gorgeous tortie cat! Cats and vegetable growing - two winners for me. Thank you Charles 😊

[annal]

I’m under one meter of snow 😟 greetings from Sweden! 🇸🇪 on the other hand, I will catch up when my strawberries grow 24 hours a day around summer solstice. 😅

[amandadobson]

So much inspiration for our new community garden and I’m passing on all your knowledge to the other volunteers. our poly tunnel is already looking good I have your calendar which is brilliant and have signed up for the emails, but think I will need to get your skills book as well. Thank you so much Charles.

[donaldthomson]

Corduroy jackets are the future of gardening!