The Italian Gardener Pty Ltd
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The Italian Gardener Pty Ltd
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The following information is
supplied in good faith, but The Italian Gardener Pty Ltd takes no responsibility
for its accuracy. There are a number of publications from commercial
organisations, and other publishers including magazines that can be consulted
for further information. The web is also a good place to check
out. Lettuce Lettuce prefers full sun
and loose, fertile soil and is tolerant of cold weather, so that in moderate
climates can be grown throughout the year. Can be started under glass in the
winter, or sown direct into the garden in rows 30cm apart once the weather warms
up. Start transplants 6 weeks before setting out with 2-3 seeds per plastic
cell, cover lightly with soil (0.3cm), and thin to one plant. For cutting
lettuce broadcast seed (ideally 2.5cm spacing) on a smooth, well-prepared bed
and rake in or cover with soil, tamp down and water well. Harvest when plants
are about 10-15cm tall. Chicory, Raddicchio and
Endive Heading chicory/radicchio and
endive do best when they mature in the cool weather of late autumn to early
spring, but cutting varieties can be grown at any time of year. Broadcast sow
cutting varieties aiming for a seed every 2cm or so, cover lightly and water.
Larger varieties can be started in a seed bed 5-6 week prior to planting out, or
direct sow and thin to one plant every 20- 30cm. Note that heading radicchio
tends to grow a mass of loose leaves but after some time a solid head will
develop. Tomatoes Tomatoes are warm weather plants
and will not tolerate frost, so to get an early start to the season, they are
best grown from 6-7 week-old transplants. Seed should be planted in moist seed
starting soil 0.6cm deep and kept warm and damp until they emerge in 5-10 days.
As soon as they are through the soil they need to have exposure to about 12
hours light per day and this can be provided naturally in a warm green house, or
by fluorescent lighting 10cm above the seedlings, or a combination of
both. When the seedlings get their
first set of true leaves (about 5cm high) they should be transplanted into 10cm
pots. Plant the seedlings deeper than they were (almost up to the first leaves)
and grow on in warm, light conditions. About a week before you plant them out,
acclimatize them by putting outside in a sheltered spot for a few hours, and
increase the exposure each day. Plant out in the afternoon, or on a cloudy day
and water in well. Space 45cm apart if they are to be staked and
pruned. Peppers and
Eggplant Peppers and Eggplants are
warm weather lovers and will not tolerate cold so, to get an early start to the
season, they are best grown from 8-10 week-old transplants. Seed should be
planted in moist seed starting soil 0.6cm deep and kept warm (30 degrees C) and
damp until they emerge in 5-10 days. As soon as they are through the soil they
need to have exposure to about 12 hours light per day and this can be provided
naturally in a warm green house, or by fluorescent lighting 10cm above the
seedlings, or a combination of both. When the seedlings get their
first set of true leaves (about 5cm high) they should be transplanted into 10cm
pots. Plant the seedlings slightly deeper than they were and grow on in warm,
light conditions. About a week before you plant them out, acclimatize them by
putting outside in a sheltered spot for a few hours, and increase the exposure
each day. Plant out in the afternoon, or on a cloudy day and water in well.
Space peppers 30-45cm apart, and eggplants 45cm apart and provide support if
necessary. Leaf
Greens Direct seed as soon as the
weather is warm, although you can get away to a quick start in colder regions by
planting seedlings of chard. Both chard and cima di rapa (sounds so much better
than turnip greens!) prefer full sun and light soil but can tolerate mild frost
and so are ideal as winter vegetables in more mild climates. Spinach will only
do well in cool weather so plant with this in mind. Pick cima di rapa as soon as
the flowering head (similar to broccoli) develops, but before it starts to
flower, whereas the outer leaves of chard and spinach can be picked
progressively. Cutting varieties of chard such as verde da taglio, can be cut
off a few centimeters from the soil line and it will
regrow. Cabbage Family This group can be grown from
transplants or direct seeded once the weather warms up, but are relatively heavy
feeders and do best with a fertile soil on the alkaline side. Younger
transplants (5-6 weeks) do best. Most of the family do better maturing at cooler
times of the year, and this particularly applies to kale (cavolo nero) which is
at its best when picked following a frost. Both zucchini and squash
require warm soil and a sunny position with fertile soil to do well. Direct sow
(1.3cm deep) or use 4-5 week old transplants with 4-5 seeds in a circle (thin to
2-3) for zucchini, and in hills or rows for squash. Transplants should be grown
in 10-15cm pots by planting 3-4 seeds and thinning to
2). As for zucchini, cucumbers
and melons will only do well in warm weather and can be grown from transplants
although, like zucchini, they resent root disturbance. For direct seeding plant
5-6 seeds 2.5cm deep in a 25cm circle and thin to 2-3plants. For trellising,
thin the plants to 15cm in
rows. Root Vegetables Onions and Others Onions prefer fertile, well-drained soil and can be grown from
transplants or direct seeded. Start transplants 8-10 weeks before setting out,
and for direct seeding thin to 10cm in rows. They have shallow roots so weed
control and regular watering are
important.
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