Sowing & Growing

Sow January to April for a July to October maturity, but to obtain the earliest crops, grow in polytunnels or a greenhouse. Sow seeds under glass 0.5cm (1/4 in) deep in pots or trays of good seed sowing compost and lightly cover with a sprinkling of vermiculite or compost. Place containers in a propagator at a temperature of 18–21°C. Prick out seedlings, once large enough to handle, into 9cm (3 1/2in) pots. Transplant to the greenhouse border soil, or individual large pots, or 3 plants per growbag when 20cm (8in) high. Can also be planted outdoors once all risk of frost has passed. Plants require side shooting and support for the best yields. Water and feed plants regularly with a high potash feed once the first truss has set.