Rip's DIY. How to do, make or repair anything: Sowing vegetables

ASPARAGUS:
Sow seeds direct where the plants are to remain, planting three seeds in each place 3 cm deep, and afterward thinning out the weaker ones. Mulching in early spring will assist to blanch the young shoots, and will keep the beds moist all summer. In dry seasons give an occasional soaking. After cutting, gently fork over the beds without damaging the crowns and top dress with compost. Do not cut any shoots in the first year, and gradually increase cutting in the following years. Plants will give cuttings in the third or fourth season from sowing.
Plant spacing: 60 x 30 cm.
Days to maturity: 2 – 3 years.

BEANS
Soil requirements: Avoid wet, low-lying areas and heavily shaded situations. Beans must be watered regularly during the growing season to encourage pod production. The application of fertilizers is important, avoid applying fertilizer too fat from the plant, or too close to the seed at the time of sowing.
How to sow: Sow in rows 10 cm apart and 12 cm between the seeds. Failures are generally caused by sowing too deeply, drying out, very hard compacted soil or over-watering. Climbing beans should be sown in single row with about 10 cm between seeds and will require staking.
Pests and Diseases: Rotation of crops will prevent the transmission of many soil borne diseases. Red Spider is the most prevalent insect pest with this crop.
Bush bean varieties:
Contender. Stringless. Pod length – 150 to 170 mm. Days to maturity: 50.
Topcrop. Stringless. Pod length – 130 to 150 mm. Days to maturity: 50.
Wintergreen. Stringless. Pod length – 130 to 150 mm. Days to maturity: 50.
Amy. Can be picked as a fine bean or left on the plant to become somewhat bigger. Pod length – 120 mm.
Runner bean varieties:
Lazy housewife: Stringless. Pod length – 160 to 170 mm. Days to maturity: 70-80.
Witsa. Stringless. Pod length – 150 to 160 mm. Days to maturity: 70-80.
Broad beans. Light green-brown colour. Pod length – 80 to 100 mm. Days to maturity: 70-80. Too much heat or cold causes flower drop.

BEETROOT
Soil requirements: Beetroot favours a well drained sunny position. They can rotate with green crops such as cabbage, lettuce or tomato.
How to sow: Sow the seeds direct into rows, 30 cm apart. Sparsely cover seed with soil. As beet seed has a corky outer covering soak overnight before sowing.
Cultivation: As soon as the young seedlings are established thin out. Regular watering in dry weather is essential. Liquid fertilizer during the growing period will add to the yield result.
Varieties:
Crimson globe, Detroit Dark Red, Cylindra.
Days to maturity – 60 to 65.

BROCCOLI:
Soil requirements: A well composted soil and a sunny, sheltered area.
How to sow: Cover the seeds with 1 cm soil or leaf mould, press down firmly and keep moist. If seedlings are too crowded either thin out to about 2 cm apart or prick out into another bed.
Cultivation: As soon as plants are large enough to handle, transplant to a permanent position in rows 60 cm apart. Space the seedlings 50 cm apart in the rows. Regular watering in dry weather and fortnightly applications of liquid fertilizer are recommended. The first central head appears and can be picked about three months after sowing, and picking can continue for some weeks, new shoots forming as side sprouts. Shoots are ready when they have a soft mossy appearance but they will soon break into a yellow flower, and should be picked before this stage. Pick shoots regularly to encourage production.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS:
Good sprouts are produced in areas which experience a warm initial growing period , followed by cold weather and heavy frost. Under such conditions hard, tight hearts a little smaller than a golf ball will be formed.
Requirements: These plants thrive under similar conditions to Cabbage. They favour a deeply dug, fairly rich loam in a well drained position.
How to sow: Sow seeds in rows directly or transplant. Ensure that the seed is not sown too deeply. Cover with about five cm of soil.
Cultivation: Rows about 60 cm apart and 50 cm between seedlings. Water regularly during dry weather. Fortnightly applications of liquid fertilizer are recommended. Sprouts form on a thick trunk about 60 cm long, commencing almost from the ground and finishing just under the top leaves. Pick sprouts before they burst. The “tops” can also be used for cooking when all the sprouts have been harvested.
Variety:
Long Island: Sprout diameter: 35-40 mm. Days to maturity: 80-90.

CABBAGE:
Requirements: Cabbage requires a sunny, well-drained spot with well composted soil.
How to sow: Sow seeds in rows directly or transplant.
Cultivation: Seedlings can be transplanted when 6-10 cm high. Space 50 cm between rows with plants 45 cm apart. Once established water regularly. Give liquid fertilizer fortnightly and as they commence to head-in, weekly. Cabbages are ready for picking when the heads fail to yield to pressure from the hand.
Pests and diseases: Snails and slugs are the chief enemies of cabbage seedlings. Varieties:
Brunswick: Days to maturity: 100. Head type: Flattened. Weight approx. 1.5 kg.
Drumhead: Days to maturity: 100. Head type: Flattened. Weight approx. 3-5 kg.
Cape Spitz (Sugar Loaf): Days to maturity: 80-90: Head type: Pointed: Weight approx. 2-3 kg.
Copenhagen Market: Days to maturity: 90. Head type: Semi-globe. Weight: Approx. 2.5-3 kg.
Intro: A compact smaller framed baby red cabbage. Days to maturity: 60-90. Head shape: Round. Weight 0.07-0.12 kg.
Michihili: Days to maturity: 75-80: Head type: Cylindrical. Weight approx. 2.5-3 kg.

CARROTS.
Soil requirements: Carrots thrive in deeply dug loam, and usually follow a leaf crop. Sow in a sunny, well drained position.
How to sow: Seeds are sown directly in rows spaced 25 cm apart. Draw a shallow furrow about 2 cm deep and sow the seed along this fairly thinly.
Cultivation: Seedling should be thinned out to 2-5 cm apart. Allow them to grow for a few weeks and thin out again to 10-12 cm apart.
Varieties:
Cape Market: Days to maturity: 90-130. Root shape: Slightly tapered. Root size: 20x5 cm. Good disease resistance.
Chantenay Karoo: Days to maturity: 110-150. Root shape: Pointed. Root size: 18x4.5 cm. poor disease resistance.
Nantes: Days to maturity: 110-150. Root shape: Cylindrical. Root size: 10x2.5 cm. Fair disease resistance. Sweet tasting, medium size.
Amsterdam Bak: Days to maturity: 80-90. Root shape: Small pointed. Root size: 10x1 cm. Good disease resistance. Also known as Baby Carrots.

CAULIFLOWER:
Soil requirements: Cauliflowers require well drained soil. They need copious watering during dry weather and it is advisable to make a thorough soaking once a week rather than daily sprinkling which induces only surface roots.
How to sow: Sow direct or transplant.
Cultivation: Transplant seedlings when they are 10-12 cm high, 50 cm x 50 cm. Water as soon as possible after transplanting and during very hot weather afford some shade to seedlings. As they commence to form “flowers” liquid fertilizer will be beneficial.
Varieties:
Snowball: Days to maturity: 120-140. Head size: 15-17 cm. Head shape: Deep well-rounded, white.
Grafitti F1.: An attractive purple coloured cauliflower which needs to grow to full size to obtain full colouration. Has very good heat tolerance. Will colour more intensely under warmer conditions. Days to maturity: 100-120. Ave. head mass: 1 kg.

CELERY, CELERIAC
Requirements: Sunny and well drained position, with frequent watering.
How to sow: Germination of the seed is often erratic and slow. Seed should be kept well watered during the entire germination period which might be from 21 to 50 days.
Cultivation: Seedlings should be thinned out to 5 cm apart. Water regularly in dry weather and once plants are thoroughly established, give liquid manure fortnightly.
Variety:
Tall Utah: Days to maturity: 100-120. Height: 60 cm.
Remarks: Thick riffled stems. Needs earthing up.

CUCUMBER.
How to sow: Put six or seven seeds in each clump, and afterwards thin to the three strongest plants. All vine crops, such as cucumbers, melons, pumpkins and squashes, thrive in a sheltered well drained position. Cucumbers are ready about three months from sowing. Cucumbers and other vines are subject to attacks of mildew during humid conditions and also during excessively dry conditions. Good drainage minimizes this, whilst spraying with a fungicide, at intervals is desirable.
Varieties:
Ashley: Days to maturity: 65-70. Mature fruit size: 180 x 50 mm. Dark green colour. Cylindrical, slightly spined. White flesh. Mildew resistant.
Special rust resistant: Days to maturity – 70. Mature fruit size: 19 x 5.5 cm. Cylindrical. Dark green colour with small white spines. Resistant to Powdery and Downy Mildew and has a moderate resistance to Anthracnose and regular leaf spot.
Sweet slice: Days to maturity – 70. Mature fruit size – 3 x 60 cm. Long tapered fruit with a sweet taste and unique flavour. Resistant to CMV, PM, PRSV, ZYMV.
Quest f1: Days to maturity – 40. Fruit size: 1 x 5.7cm. Suitable for pickling. Good disease tolerance.

EGGFRUIT (Brinjal).
Eggfruit require clean, weed free, deeply dug soil in a position sheltered from strong winds in the sun.
How to sow: Direct or transplant. Where seeds are sown direct into the open ground , they are set in pairs, if both germinate, one plant is pulled out. These pairs are spaced 70 cm apart in rows with the same distance between.
Cultivation: If space is limited, the stake method of growing is preferred. Each plant is provided with a 2 metre stake at the time of planting. Pinch out lateral shoots at the fork of the leaf and main stem as soon as they appear. Watering should be regular. Plants tend to carry more than 8 to 10 fruits. Any over this number should taken off. Fruits are ready for use when they have attained a rich, deep purple shade.
Varieties:
Black Beauty. Glossy black, oval-round shape about 14 x 11 cm. Days to maturity – 80 to 85.
Long purple. Purplish black, long-oblong about : 6 x 20 cm Days to maturity – 75 to 80.
Cloud Nine. An attractive fruit that is snowy white in colour. Great flavour and does not develop a bitter after taste, about 6 x 20 cm. Days to maturity – 65 to 70.
Little Finger. Dark purple slim fruit, ideal for frying, pickling and oriental dishes about 10 x 15 cm. Days to maturity – 50 to 60.
Bambino Mini Brinjal. Plants grow less than a meter tall and display large lavender flowers over an extended period, producing abundant round deep purple to black fruit about 2.5 cm diameter. Can be cooked whole, grilled or steamed for eye-catching snacks. Days to maturity – 40 to 50.

GARLIC.

LEEKS.
As a Winter vegetable, leek is often preferred to the onion. It is a hardy plant, standing severe frost.
Requirements: Leek give excellent results in any soil that is reasonably good.
How to sow: Sow seeds in seed beds, not too thickly, allowing them to develop to about 10 cm high. The seed is fairly easily raised but thorough adhesion to the soil is necessary by compacting it with a piece of flat timber after the seeds are sown.
Cultivation: Make a trench about 10 cm deep and plant the leek along this so that only the green top of the plant appears above the bottom of the trench. Spacing between the seedlings is usually 15 cm and if more than one row is desired, allow 30 to 40 cm between each row. As the plants grow the trench is filled in which assists in blanching the lower portion on the plant. Ample water is necessary during the dry weather as these plants will not thrive in drought conditions.
Variety:
Italian Giants. Days to maturity – 100 to 120.

ONION.
Requirements: Well drained composted soil. Full sun.
How to sow: Sow direct. Onion seed does not germinated readily if conditions are unfavourable. After sowing, cover with about 1 cm of soil, pressing this down firmly so as to compact all the large air spaces around the seed. Water thoroughly and keep moist until the seed germinates.
Cultivation: Thin out seedlings to 10 cm apart, making sure that only the roots are covered with soil, leaving all the green foliage above ground.
Usually onions will fail to bulb if sown at the wrong season, but this can also be caused by fertilisers with too much Nitrogen (Sulphate of Ammonia, etc.)
Harvesting and storing: The bulbs are ripe when the tops turn yellow and start to droop. Top and tail bulbs and place in a dry airy place.
Varieties:
Australian Brown. Long day variety. A medium, round, copper brown coloured onion with good storage possibility. Days to maturity – 250 to 280.
Hojem. Intermediate day length variety. A medium, round, light brown onion with fair storage possibility. Days to maturity – 220 to 230.
Texas Grano. Short day variety. A large, globe-shaped light brown onion with fair storage possibility. Days to maturity – 220 to 230.
Red Creole. A round, red Onion with firm and sweet flesh and fair storage possibility. Days to maturity – 220 to 230.
White Lisbon (Spring Onion). A very small bunching, white onion with poor storage possibility. Days to maturity – 90 to 120.

PARSLEY.

PARSNIP

PEAS.
Requirements: A sunny well-drained position. Peas grow in a variety of soils but heavy clay loams need the addition of ample quantities of compost.
How to sow: Peas should be planted 5 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart. Support in the form of wire netting or strings along the rows should be provided, as this will help to keep the plants off the ground and result in a much heavier crop.
Cultivation: When 25 cm high, hill up on either side of each row.
Varieties:
Greenfeast. A sweet and tender, pointed, dark green pea with a pod length of 90 to 100 mm. Plant height 65 cm. Days to maturity – 120.
Sugar Lea. This stringless light green Pea with a pod length of 7.5 to 10 cm has round, edible pods. This is popular variety for home gardeners. Plant height 75 to 85 cm. Days to maturity – 60 to 110.
Sugar Snap. Blunt light green, sweet, edible stringless pods 7 to 7.5 cm long. Plant height 45 to 50 cm. Days to maturity – 85 to 90.

PEPPERS.

PUMPKINS.
Spacing in home gardens should be between 2 and 3 metres. Pumpkins take approximately four to five months to mature according to the varieties used. Gathering the pumpkins should be delayed until the vines have completely died off. Retain the stem, and store in a dry airy place.
Varieties:
Flat White Boer. Flat, round, creamy white with orange flesh. Fruit weight about 10 kg.
Queensland blue. Crown shaped , blue-grey with orange flesh. Fruit weight about 2.5 to 4 kg.
Mini Pumpkin Jack be Little. Crown shaped these miniatures are a deep orange and will last up to 12 months if fully cured on the vine. Fruit size 5 x 7 cm.

SQUASHES.
The cultivation for these is the same as for Pumpkins. It is recommended that they be sown in groups 2 metres apart. Squashes will produce a yield under frost free conditions. Ideal temperatures for growth are 18°C at night and 25°C during the day. Squashes are sensitive to waterlogged conditions and prefer well drained soils. Squash, melon and cucumbers bear male and female flowers on the same plant. In order for fruit set to occur, pollen must be transmitted from the male flower to the female flower, principally by bees. If only a few bees are present in the area partial pollination will occur resulting in misshapen fruit and low yield. Spray as little insecticide as possible during flowering time.
Varieties:
Waltham (Butternut). This improved butternut has a cream skin with orange flesh and is calabash shaped. Fruit size about 220 x 90 mm. Days to maturity – 85 to 90.
Early Butternut. Substantially earlier than other butternuts with a compact vine. The even tan coloured fruit has a fine texture and sweet flavour. Ideal for use as a baby vegetable for potjiekos or roasted vegetables. Days to maturity – 82.
Green Hubbard, Chicago warted. An oval shaped dark green, heavily warted squash of about 300 x 200 mm with yellow flesh. Days to maturity – 110 to 115.
Sweet Dumpling. A baby pumpkin type with small 10 cm acorn shaped fruit usually coloured ivory and green. The sweet, tender, orange flesh is ideal for single servings. Fruit stores well for 3 to 4 months. Days to maturity – 80 to 90.
Rolet (Gem Squash). A 70 mm diameter round, dark green squash with yellow flesh. Days to maturity – 90 to 95.
Eight Ball. A round baby squash, with an attractive shiny , speckled dark exterior. A strong, open bush plant. Days to maturity – 50.
Pagoda Gold. An early maturing variety ideal for use as a baby vegetable. The deep scalloped fruit has a uniform golden yellow colour which matures to a dark yellow. The plant has a strong frame with vigorous bush and open growth habit with long stems for easy picking.
Patty Pan. A shiny light lime green coloured, scalloped fruit 6 to 8 cm wide. Used as a young, immature fruit for baby vegetable.

SWEET MELON.
Grow in full sun. Melons are strong feeders and require extra feeding. Pinch the main runners when 2 metres long or as soon as the first flower drops and the fruit starts to set. This will induce lateral growths, which in turn should be pinched as soon as the first fruits begin to set on them. In no case, however, should the pruning be done closer than two or three joints from the nearest flower or setting fruit. Raise the fruit on bits of board or stone to prevent them lying on the damp soil. If the weather is excessively hot, cover the melons. While the fruit is growing keep the vines well watered, when fruit begins to ripen, cut off the water supply as little or none is then required. Sun and air will ripen the well-developed Melon. Musk melons are more susceptible to mildew than other vine crops.
Varieties:
Hales Best. An oval, slightly ribbed salmon orange coloured fruit with a weight of 1 to 1.5 kg. Days to maturity – 90.
Sweet Delight. A round-oval light green fruit with a hard white rind. Weight approx 1.5 kg. Days to maturity – 80 to 90.

RADISH.
Requirements: Radish needs ample quantities of both fertilizer and water.
How to sow: Sow direct.
Cultivation: When seedlings have established their second leaf, thin out to 5 cm apart. Water freely during dry weather. Roots are usually ready for pulling in about six weeks. Radish must grow rapidly if they are to be of good quality.
Varieties:
Cherry Belle. A round, bright red radish.
French Breakfast. Long tapered, red and white.
Sparkler. Round, red and white.

RHUBARB.
A bold ornamental plant with large leafs and massive panicles of green/reddish flowers. Only the broad, thick greeny-red leaf stalks are edible. It is regarded as a fruit because of its high acidity and flavour. Use in pies, puddings and jams.
Requirements: Rhubarb favour a rich soil in a fairly well drained position.
How to sow: Seed is fairly easily raised and can be sown in seed boxes or beds. If sown direct sow in groups of two to three seeds.
Cultivation: Thin out plants to a space of approximately 50 cm between plants and 70 cm between rows. Limit the number of stalks taken the first season to allow the plant to establish. Plants will at times produce flowering stalks which should be removed.
Variety:
Victoria. Reddish green stalks of between 40 to 50 cm long. Cook the stalks of this perennial plant only. Days to maturity – 240.

SPINACH. SPINACH BEET
Requirements: Spinach grows in almost any moderately rich garden loam provided it is well drained.
How to sow: Sow direct. Keep moist until seeds germinate.
Cultivation: Spacing 2 x 30 cm. As the seedlings grow, thin out. Plants will also shoot again after picking.
Varieties:
Viroflay. Light green with a leaf length of 15 to 20 cm. Days to maturity – 60 to 65.
Bright Lights. Leaves are mostly medium to deep green, while a small percentage has darker tones of red and copper. Veins are primarily light green, secondary veins share the colour of the petiole (stem), example, gold, crimson and pink. The stems vary greatly in colour with the main ones being yellow, gold, pink and crimson. Every colour is present in subtle variations. Colours are richest when grown in high light conditions. Bright Lights are widely adapted and will grow in temperatures between 19°C and 38°C. The plants will tolerate light frost without damage. Leaf length – 15 to 20 cm. Days to maturity – 60 to 65. (28 days for baby vegetable use).
Spinach Beet.(Swiss Chard) Varieties:
Fordhook Giant. Dark green spinach with large leafs and thick white stems. Leaf length – 40 to 50 cm. Days to maturity – 60 to 65.
Lucullus. Large light green leaves and stems. Leaf length – 40 to 50 cm. Days to maturity – 60 to 65.

SWEETCORN AND MEALIES.
How to sow: Sow 40 cm apart with at least 1 metre between rows. Sweet corn provides a good wind shelter for most garden vegetables and it is often a practice to plant sweet corn around the exposed sides of the melon or cucumber patch. A good watering once a week is recommended during the growing season.
Cultivation: The cobs are ready for use when the silky sheen disappears from the tassel.
Sweetcorn. Bonita. A slightly pointed cob between 180 mm and 200 mm in length with 18 to 20 rows of golden kernels. Good disease resistance makes this sweet corn ideal for home gardeners. Days to maturity – 80 to 90.
Green Mealies. Kalahari Early Pearl. A medium thick cob between 120 mm and 180 mm long with 8 to 10 rows of white kernels. Days to maturity – 75 to 85.
Maize. Prolific. A super sweet sweet corn with well defined yellow kernels and excellent taste and eating qualities with a cylindrical cob. Good resistance to disease. Days to maturity – 78 to 88.

TOMATO.
Requirements: Tomatoes require clean, weed free, deeply dug soil in a position sheltered from strong winds and sun.
How to sow: Sow two or three seeds into groups 70 cm apart and 1 metre between rows. If all germinate discard the weakest two.
Cultivation: If space is limited the stake method of growing is preferred. Each plant is provided with a 2 metre stake at the time of plnting. Pinch out the lateral shoots at the fork of the leaf and the main stem as soon as they appear. Watering should be regular.
Pests and diseases: Most fungus diseases cn be prevented by fortnightly spraying. Ensure that the underside as well as the upper surface of foliage is well covered with spray.
Floradade.

TURNIPS. SWEDE
Turnips must be grown rapidly and pulled while still young.
Variety:
Early Purple Top Globe. Pointed purple and white globe of approximately 15o mm diameter. Days to maturity – 50 to 55.