When it comes to planting vegetable seeds, the instructions on the seed packets always tell one exactly how far apart each seed must be as well as the correct depth and care to be taken to make sure you plant one seed at a time. Well, if it is the first time you are starting your own seedlings, then you won't go far wrong by applying this advice. However, over the years, I have found that there is an exception to the rule when it comes to planting beetroot seeds.

The beetroot seeds are quite large and irregular in shape and one seed can often produce more than one seedling. I always put two or three seeds into the hole in the soil - this is just incase the odd seed does not germinate - which can happen. Once planted, the soil must be kept moist - a well drained fertile soil is ideal for beetroot as well as a sunny position. After a couple of days, the seeds will start to germinate and push through the surface of the soil - and you must be on the look out for small birds that would love to eat these tiny seedlings - a bit of netting over the seedlings will stop your plants from being eaten.

As the seedlings develop, you will be able to see how many have pushed through in each hole - sometimes three or four and even six may appear. This is then the time to thin them out - and here lies the secret of good crops - do not separate them into singles - just carefully lift a clump of three or four out of the soil without disturbing the roots and replant in the soil and leave a gap of about fifteen cm. between each clump.

For some reason, beetroots like to be together and grow well when done this way. When it comes time to harvest, simply twist off the bigger ones, leaving the others to develop further. Beetroots are full of nutrients and the leaves can also be eaten - either cooked like spinach or eaten raw in a salad.

A Tip for growing veggies in containers

Published Dec 4th 2019

Most veggies do very well in containers and this is ideal if you do not have a great deal of space. However, there are some that must be planted alone in a container and not with other plants. The first one is celery - these delicious and useful veggies must have a container of their own as when they develop, they will fill the container leaving no room for other plants. I made the mistake one year of mixing some other plants in with my celery and the result was that the celery took over and the other plants died.

The next one is origanum - this wonderful herb is great in containers and looks lovely as it cascades over the sides. However , it is a vigorous grower and will soon swamp the container. And lastly, the wonderful mints -they grow well in a container and if harvested on a regular basis, will keep on growing. I would suggest that even in the open ground, one should keep mint in a container otherwise it will take over the entire garden bed.

A cure for many things

Published October 6th 2019

Bulbine - a plant that is often forgotten and yet it is one that should be in every garden. The delicate yellow flowers are loved by the beneficial insects and the fleshy leaves can be used in so many ways. For example, the jelly like sap from the leaves can be rubbed on to the skin if you have been stung by a bee. It will also sooth minor burns. Insect bites like mosquitoes can be very itchy and the bulbine sap will solve this. Sun burnt skin will be soothed by rubbing the gel on to the skin. Bulbine is easy to grow and will spread easily. It will grow in most soils and enjoys a sunny position. As a container plant it also does well. It is really a valuable plant to have in any garden.

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...Love you mom, always ❤

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Until next time...
Much Love from Cape Town, South Africa xxx
Jaynielea
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