The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 13 Winter 2015 Low res | Page 28

The veggie garden

In the veggie garden this winter
By Andy Roberts

June
lettuce

Days
to
harve
st
60 - 7
0

Heading or iceberg type lettuces can
be grown year-round on the highveld.
In very hot months, such as October
and November bolting (flowering)
may occur.
BED PREPARATION
Lettuces can be grown successfully
in all types of soils. They require little
fertiliser so be wary of over-fertilising
especially on heavy soils. Use 50g per
m2 of Vegefert as a basal dressing.
Plant seedlings 30cm apart. Apply 5g
(a teaspoon) of AN per plant 3 weeks
after emergence if not using manure.
Don’t water stress. Mulch well once
plants have established. Spraying is
not necessary in winter.
The smaller ‘fancy’ lettuces, which
don’t produce heads, can be grown
at a much higher density; space 15cm
apart. Harvest before they produce
stems by which stage they may taste
bitter.
TIP
There are only so many lettuces the
family will eat! Plant the iceberg
lettuces every two weeks in winter, as
they can be held in the field for about
two weeks at this time of year.

What to plant in winter
The following crops can be grown
throughout this period: brassicas,
lettuce, carrots, Swiss chard.
From August, grow tomatoes,
capsicums, potatoes and cucurbits.

July
peas

Days
to
harve
st
120

BED PREPARATION
Peas perform well on fertile, heavy
soils but can be grown successfully on
lighter soils if a lot of compost is used.
Apply 10g of Vegefert for each seed
to be planted and mix well in. Seeds
are directly sown between 1 and 2 cm
deep, 15cm in the row and rows 40cm
apart. Keep damp and use a light
mulch to aid germination. Not all peas
need to be staked; read the label on
the packet. Sow 2 seeds per station
and weed out the weaker plant.
Apply a good mulch three weeks after
germination. Also apply 5g of AN at 3
weeks and every 3 weeks thereafter
whilst the plants are healthy.
Problems
Powdery mildew (white powdery layer
on the underside of the leaf) will be a
problem. Spray Folicur® at 5ml in 10
litres water and add a few drops of
dishwasher to assist wetting the leaves.
Allow a seven day pre-harvest interval.
Tip
When spraying there is no need
to soak the plant; it just wastes
chemicals. Stop just before the mix
drips off the leaf.

Compound fertiliser
measurements
approximations
Teaspoon = 5g
Wine bottle top = 10g
Tablespoon = 35g
Standard cup 200ml = 250g

August
Butternut
squash

Days
to
harve
st
90 -1
10

BED PREPARATION
Pre-fertilise with 20g per plant of
Vegefert and mix well in. 5g of gypsum
per seed should also be mixed in.
Use plenty of compost if growing on
a sandy soil. Sow seed 1cm Y\[