Year at a glance

Winter (December, January, February)

Winter provides us with a good opportunity to get a clear picture of the vegetable bed, and decide on the work that needs doing ahead of spring. These are just some of the jobs that need to be done during this time:

• Harvest winter crops such as leeks, sprouts, parsnips.

• Prune fruit bushes.

• Mulch and feed fruit bushes.

• Stake brassicas if necessary.

• Put up brassica nets if it hasn’t already been done.

• Clear any spent crops and leaves on the vegetable bed and add to the compost heap.

• Weeds - they continue to grow in the winter, and it’s easier to remove ones with long roots like dandelions and docks now.

• Tidy and store bamboo canes and spare nets.

• Remove snow that’s collected on top of nets / fleeces.

• Dig the veg bed over– the frosty weather helps to break down any heavy clods of soil.

• Dig in some well rotted organic matter.

• Check all posts and raised beds for sturdiness.

• Order spring plants.

• Buy seeds.

Spring (March, April, May)

Spring, for most people that grow their own veg, is the most exciting time of the year. Winter is about thinking ahead, spring is the time you can start to enjoy the moment. Time spent weeding and developing food cultivation techniques now will pay dividends later.

• Harvest spring crops such as everlasting spinach, parsnips, salad onions etc.

• Continue weeding.

• Prepare bean supports.

• Sow leeks, carrots, beetroot, spring onions, parsnips etc.

• Plant broad beans, salads, celery etc.

• Feed fruit bushes.

• Protect crops from pests and late frosts with fleece.

• Feed.

• Water if the soil is dry.

• Apply slug protection.

• Check for, and keep at bay pests.

• Manure strawberry bed.

Summer (June, July, August)

At this time of year, it can feel like all the hard work has been done. However, you still need to plan ahead!

• Make successional sowings of beetroot, carrots etc.

• Net fruit bushes.

• Net brassicas.

• Plant runner beans, courgettes, tomatoes etc.

• Weed, feed and water.

• Mulch to retain moisture if necessary.

• Tie in any climbers.

• Cut back summer fruiting raspberries.

• Propagate strawberry runners.

• Plant winter crops.

• Harvest ready crops.

• Check for and keep at bay pests.

• Apply slug protection.

Autumn (September, October, November)

The leaves will be turning to beautiful shades of red and orange now, and the days will start to get noticeably shorter. Still lots to do though!

• Weed, feed, water.

• Plant winter crops.

• Harvest ready crops.

• Check for and keep at bay pests.

• Apply slug protection.

• Check brassica nets.

• Continue successional sowing of salads.

• Protect crops from early frosts.

• Take hardwood cuttings of blackcurrants, gooseberries etc.

• Begin winter digging.

• Keep bed(s) free from leaves, and put any spent crops on the compost heap.

• Check for and keep at bay pests.

• Apply slug protection.

• Plan crop rotation and veg / fruit selection for next year.