MONTHLY TOPICS FOR KITCHEN GARDENING DAYS
2010

(To be read in conjunction with the ‘Daily Programme’: these ‘topics’ are in addition to each day’s discussion of current veg in the ground, basic principles, garden inspection & questions). With the morning session so full of information, the day’s topics & practical demonstrations mostly take place during the afternoon session.

FEBRUARY

Spells the end of summer, and an abundance of summer veg…….pumpkins, melons, cucumbers & courgettes, tomatoes, capsicum, aubergine & sweet corn……
This month’s topics will include:
  • End of summer crops, those that may linger longer & how to care for them
  • Harvesting & collecting seed from the summer’s veg to save for propagating next season
  • Planning autumn crop rotation and soil preparation for winter veg, barrowing in compost & the chook tractor.
  • Fruiting vines – passionfruit, grapes & kiwifruit
Lunch on the day may include: last of the maincrop beans, zucchinis, tomatoes, basil and figs, a variety of leaves and herbs.

MARCH

The beginning of autumn, so much to plan and do …..for all our winter veg should be planted by the end of next month…..and still we eat the late summer veg, ripened in the autumn sun..
This month’s topics will include:
  • Building structures for peas & broad beans
  • Seedlings in the cold frame for planting out – brassicas & leafy greens, including chicory & radicchio
  • Planting legumes & roots in situ
  • Winter herbs (coriander, dill, chervil), leafy greens & rocket
Lunch on the day may include: tomatoes, aubergine, capsicum, lovage, figs and a variety of leaves and herbs…..

APRIL

The days are getting cooler, with a chill in the evening air…..a sense of excitement at the approaching winter. Now the main winter crops are in the ground…..
This month’s topics will include:
  • Compost & worms: all you need to know and starting a new compost heap
  • Pruning espalier fruit trees
  • Garlic & watercress
  • Fruit trees to plant: olives, figs, persimmon, quince, citrus, as well as pomegranate & elderberry
Lunch on the day may include: tomatoes, capsicum, aubergine, pesto, lettuce & lovage, borlotti beans, quince or persimmon, and a variety of leaves and herbs.

MAY

The late days of autumn can be magic….what a time to be out in the garden making plans, moving plants…..
This month’s topics will include:
  • Perennial veg: globe & Jerusalem artichoke, asparagus & rhubarb
  • Organic feeding regime for winter crops
  • Plan ahead with catalogues, discuss potato varieties – its time to order…
  • A green manure crop
Lunch on the day may include: celeriac, Jerusalem artichokes, beetroot, pomegranate, nasturtium flowers, and a variety of salad leaves and herbs.

JUNE

Winter is truly with us……rug up & listen to warming topics….
This month’s topics will include:
  • Emphasis on kitchen staples & successional sowing (leek, carrot, beet, spring onion etc.)
  • Propagating seed indoors for summer veg (tomato, aubergine, capsicum) & you thought it would be all about winter, but we want tomatoes for Christmas!
  • Trace elements – what are they, how & when to apply them
  • Pruning olive trees
    • Lunch on the day may include: Jerusalem artichoke, pumpkin, pomegranate, mandarins, and a variety of leaves and herbs

JULY

Mid-winter & time to plan for spring….. learn some seasonal jobs among friends, which makes them much more fun….
This month’s topics will include:
  • Planting onions
  • Berries: varieties, planting, pruning, staking
  • Getting ahead of spring/summer pests: fruit fly lures & peach-leaf curl
  • Fruit trees – pruning & whitewash paste
  • Care of winter veg, tips & tricks for a bumper harvest
Lunch on the day may include: pea & broad bean shoots, winter roots & Brussels sprouts, celeriac & cavolo nero or other kale, chicory or leek

AUGUST

And a hint of spring is in the air…..peas, peas & more peas….so much to do, best get cracking…. This month’s topics will include:
  • Planning the spring crop rotation, and soil preparation for summer veg. Once again the chook tractor & wheelbarrow will be hard at work.
  • Planting potatoes
  • Tomatoes, the next step: our secrets for healthy seedlings
  • Companion planting and edible flowers
Lunch on the day may include: peas, fennel, oranges, carrots, radicchio and other strong winter leaves & herbs.

SEPTEMBER

Spring, glorious spring…..a time for feasting on all that has been growing through the winter months….broad beans, broad beans & more broad beans…. This month’s topics will include:
  • Structures for summer veg: tunnels, teepees & boxes for beans, tomatoes, aubergines & capsicums
  • Summer crops: planting out seed, seedlings and summer herbs
  • Citrus – pruning, fertilising & pest control
  • Turning in the green manure crop & introducing green garlic
Lunch on the day may include: broad beans, asparagus, spring onions, flowering thyme, beetroot, and a variety of leaves & herbs.

OCTOBER

Now the days are really warming up, and summer is around the corner….welcome the globe artichokes…. This month’s topics will include:
  • Planning structures for pumpkins, melons, cucumbers & squash to shade summer leafy greens
  • Tropical & Thai herbs & spices, fruit & veg
  • Summer veg pest protection
  • Harvesting garlic
Lunch on the day may include: globe artichokes, broad beans, asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries, green garlic and a variety of leaves & herbs.

NOVEMBER

As the thrill of Christmas approaches and that long summer looms, there is much to do in preparation before we can put our feet up…. This month’s topics will include:
  • Making our own fungicides & insecticides: organic pest control!
  • Taking care of our summer crops, with an organic feeding regime: worm liquid, seaweed and comfrey tea
  • Discuss summer fruiting veg in detail
  • Winter veg: seed collecting for propagating next season & sowing ahead for Brussels sprouts & purple broccoli!
Lunch on the day may include: asparagus, watercress & other leafy greens, summer berries & early summer veg.