" The author of the following text and photos is a reader of the magazine Provision for the Garden - Paulina Soszczyńska, Zawiercie "
In spring we are especially thirsty for fresh vegetables. After a long winter, our body finally craves crispy radishes and green lettuce.Therefore, when the winter is not frosty, in the second half of February, I start sowing early spring vegetables in a warm garden inspection: lettuce, radishes, spinach.Having an inspection or foil tunnel on the plot is a convenience.
But if we do not have them, in warmer regions of the country, already at the beginning of March, we can sow 'Jasia' or 'Action' lettuce, 'Cherry Belle' or 'Krakowianka' radishes and cover the crops with a double layer of agrotextile, which will provide protection against frosts. A long tent made of boards and foil will be a perfect cover.
Not all varieties can tolerate low temperatures, we need to stock up on the earliest ones.At low temperatures, the seeds germinate very long and poorly, so I recommend planting already overgrown seedlings.Sown lettuce for harvesting takes nine weeks to harvest, while planted from seedlings only four.
Seeds are sown on trays with the substrate and lightly sprinkled with soil. Whisk everything lightly and gently water it with a watering can with a strainer.I build a mini-canteen above the tray with a frame made of transparent foil to ensure adequate humidity.Every day we have to look after our crops so that they do not dry out.
When the seeds sprout leaves
As soon as the seedlings develop their first leaves, I pick them separately into containers or in multiplates, i.e. seedling pallets. I harden the young plants for the next few days before I plant them in the bed. Lettuce sprouts fastest at 18-20 ° C, while the best temperature for radish growth is 10-13 ° C.
Grown in early spring, the radish does not compress and does not form inflorescence shoots.In summer, drought and high temperatures often cause the calluses to crack and swallow.Also, I try to sow spinach early. In spring it grows more evenly and gives a better harvest. It also has much finer leaves and can be eaten raw in salads. I use sparse seeding straight into the ground into 2.5 cm deep grooves.
Sowing popular vegetables for greenhouses and frames
I stop seedlings, leaving plants every 15 centimeters. Only very tasty spinach is very fresh.You can store it in the fridge for a maximum of 24 hours, so growing it in a vegetable garden near your home is a bull's-eye.Lettuce also has a different taste, and is without chemicals.
