Sowing & Growing

Sow May to June thinly in a well prepared seed bed in shallow drills 1.5cm (1/2″) deep in short rows. Alternatively sow the seeds thinly in seed trays or two seeds per cell in modules under glass at 13°C.

Outdoor sowings should be thinned out to 7-10cm (3-4in) apart , then once plants are large enough , lifted and transplanted to their final planting positions 45cm (18in) apart and 60cm (24in) between the rows to grow on to maturity. As soon as glasshouse seedlings show their first pair of leaves, prick off into trays 5cm apart or thin modules to one seedling per cell. Gradually harden off before planting out when about 15cm tall to the same spacings as detailed above.

Maturity is between November to February, can also be sown direct outside and harvested when young as a baby leaf, and eaten raw as a healthy addition to a salad.