Country Gardener’s pick of the varieties Beetroot
Bolthardy – If you are not yet a connoisseur of beetroot, go for ‘Bolthardy’. This variety is resistant to bolting and can be sown as early as the weather permits. It keeps extremely well, lasting into early spring – the flavour is excellent, fresh and sweet. Sow in April – July.
need, even in the south, a sheltered position and some form of protection to get them off to a good start. Not only do aubergines need higher temperatures they also need protection from wind. And while tomatoes will happily ripen four to six trusses of fruit outside you need to limit the number of fruits on an aubergine.
The most popular way to grow them is in an unheated greenhouse.
Sowing
Sow in February or March but remember the temperature! Seedlings emerge and grow more slowly than tomatoes but their potting on requirements remains the same.
Growing
By late spring move the growing seedlings to a larger pot which will be its home from now on. An early stout cane provides the support for what on warm sunny days in the greenhouse will start to really move on. Correct watering makes a difference. The initial slow growth means care must be taken to avoid drowning the roots. But any hot sunny day will result in rapid evaporation.
Harvesting
Aubergines are best picked before they become too seedy and bitter and watch for any dulling of skin colour or abnormality of shape such as swelling across the middle which reveals the end of growing and the start of seeding. They can keep growing well into the autumn but common sense will normally show when they are ready for picking.
Problems
Slugs enjoy aubergines so block any access to the fruit and one real danger for indoor plants is red spider mite. The predator phytoseiulus is a very reliable organic remedy.
Pablo – a good looking beetroot with uniform shape and smooth skin producing a classic round globe with bright red texture. One for the traditionalists. Sow in April – July.
Burpees Golden – a Victorian type of beetroot with a texture which is orange and gold more than the classical red. It produces healthy larger than normal round globes. One feature of this variety is the leaves which are especially tasty when cooked. Sow April/May.
Cheltenham Green Top – this is a later variety which will grow well into the winter giving longer narrow beetroots. It is very resistant to frost and is popular with many gardeners as it can be planted in October.
Aubergines
Moneymaker – a name which tomato growers will know well, this variety is one of the easiest to grow and produces long black fruit.
Barbentane – many gardeners find this the best variety to grow as it has been successful in cooler conditions. Sown in February to March it also has the advantage of being ready to harvest in high summer rather than the autumn.
Rosa Bianca – something different as this variety produces a distinctive white fruit which is rounder than the traditional fruit. Great fun to grow and also ready for July given a good summer.
Wheathill Garden Centre For all your gardening needs and much more... Open: Mon - Sat 9.00 - 5.00 Sunday 10.00 - 4.00
Moneymaker Pablo Bolthardy
Burpees Golden
Barbentane
Rosa Bianca
Tea rooms open daily.
Tel: 01963 251500 Wheathill Lane, Milborne Port, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 5EY Country Gardener
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