A Well Stocked Cold Frame

The seedlings are really racing ahead now after the spell of sunny weather that we've had. I've had a good tidy out in the greenhouse today and moved the bigger ones into the cold frame to make room for the little ones that are coming through. In this picture you can see kale, turnips, beets and parsnips which will all soon be ready for the move out into the big wide world.

For the kale and parsnips these are the only ones that I'll plant this year, though I have got another batch of parsnips that I started straight in the ground. In a week or two I'll put them outside where they'll stay right through the winter until we're ready to eat them. For the beets and turnips they are just the first batch of many that will be planted in succession throughout the season so that I've got the longest possible harvest. I'm trying five different varieties of beetroots which will be planted in roughly fortnightly intervals, with the same regime used for my turnips.

It may seem a bit of bother to spread things out like this but it is really worth the effort to extend your picking season, no matter how small a plot you're working on.

Comments

[Shawn]

Liz,

I played along with the tag. Check my blog.
Shawn @Steed Farms

[Liz]

Make sure you're using fresh parsnip seeds. They're the one thing I don't keep from year to year because the fertility of the seeds drops right off.

[Matron]

I have intermittend success with my parsnips. 2006 they were great, 2007 they were a complete failure. Right now I am going to try pre-germinating them on wet kitchen paper before planting them out into specially prepared holes.

[Cat]

Ohhh, you seem to be organised than me!! I'm just kind of swaying along at the moment. need to get planting other stuff to, as you say, extend the season. Must...go...home...and... plant...more....stuff!!!