Harvesting Edible Plants in April
Spring is here, and it's time to get your hands dirty! If you're looking to grow delicious courgettes, summer squash, and asparagus in your garden, follow these expert tips for a bountiful harvest.
**Courgettes and Squash**
Courgettes and summer squash are warm-weather crops that thrive in the spring months. To grow them successfully starting in April, follow these steps:
1. Timing: April is ideal for starting seeds indoors or direct sowing outdoors after the last frost. For direct sowing, wait until soil temperatures are consistently above 18°C for good germination.
2. Starting from Seed: You can start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost date. For outdoor planting, direct sow seeds 1 inch deep in hills or rows. Plant 6-8 seeds per 1-foot diameter hill, thin to 3-4 plants when true leaves appear.
3. Soil and Location: Choose a location with full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily) and soil that is rich, well-draining, and kept consistently moist but not waterlogged during germination.
4. Spacing and Support: Traditional bush varieties grow well without support, but for saving space or improving airflow, consider growing squash vertically on a sturdy pole or trellis.
5. Germination & Early Care: Seed germination usually occurs within 5-10 days at temperatures between 18-30°C. Keep soil damp but not soaked. Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding once true leaves appear.
6. Pollination: Courgettes and squash have separate male and female flowers. If you notice fruit withering, hand-pollinate by transferring pollen from male to female flowers to increase yields.
7. Harvesting: Pick courgettes and summer squash when they are young and tender for best flavor, typically 8-12 inches long for zucchini varieties. Frequent harvesting encourages more fruit production.
**Asparagus**
April is also the perfect time to plant asparagus crowns for a new bed. A new asparagus bed should be planted every 8-10 years, and it takes at least 2 years before you can harvest from asparagus crowns.
1. Planting: Make a 20cm deep trench with a 10cm high hump, and gradually fill back up to ground level as shoots appear.
2. Spacing: Space asparagus plants about 45cm apart in rows that are 1m apart.
3. Soil Preparation: Asparagus plants need extra drainage and lots of organic matter in heavy soil.
4. Harvesting: Harvest asparagus spears by cutting into the soil to avoid damaging the deep crown.
By following these steps, you can enjoy the taste of home-grown courgettes, squash, and asparagus, which are all tastier than store-bought. Happy gardening!
[1] https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=446 [2] https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/howto/grow_courgettes [3] https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-veg/how-to-grow-courgettes/ [4] https://www.gardenmyths.org/myths/harvesting-courgettes-encourages-more-fruit-set
Enhance your home-and-garden lifestyle this spring by learning how to grow courgettes, summer squash, and asparagus. For courgettes and summer squash, start seeds indoors in April or sow directly in the garden once soil temperatures reach 18°C. Asparagus, on the other hand, should be planted as crowns in April for a new bed, as it takes at least 2 years before harvesting. Don't forget to follow expert tips for optimal growth, pollination, and harvesting to enjoy fresh, home-grown produce that outshines store-bought varieties.
