Vegetable

Variety

Sowing Dates

Propagation

Spacing

Planting details

Planting to harvesting

Duration of season

Artichoke, Jerusalem

Fuseau, Gerard, Tina

Plant tubers in February to March

Select good tubers from previous year

30cm x 90cm

Grow like potatoes in drills

35 weeks

October to April

Aubergine

Black Beauty

Sow in March at 20°C

Sow in seed trays and prick out into 7cm pots when first true leaf

appears

45cm x 45cm

Only grows with protection (polytunnel)

20 weeks

Harvest weekly from July to October

Bean, Broad (autumn sown)

Super Aquadulce

Sow  in October to November

Sow seed direct into the ground about 5cm deep

25cm x 25cm

or

40cm x 10cm

Suitable only in mild areas

30 weeks

Once ready harvest pods weekly or fortnightly from May to July

Bean, Broad (spring sown)

Witkeim

Sow from February to May

Sow seed direct into the ground about 5cm deep

25cm x 25cm

or

40cm x 10cm

Later sowings may be less successful due to blackfly attack

15 weeks

June to late August

Bean, French (dwarf)

Maxi,

Purple Teepee

Sow from late April to June

For early crops sow indoors in small pots, later sow direct into the ground

25cm x 25cm

Tender crop which dislikes exposed sites or cold spells

12 weeks

June to late September

Bean, French (climbing)

Eva, Blue Lake

Sow from late April to June

For early crops sow indoors in small pots, later sow direct into the ground

20cm x 40cm

Needs to be trained up canes or string

15 weeks

July to October

Vegetable

Variety

Sowing Dates

Propagation

Spacing

Planting details

Planting to harvesting

Duration of season

Bean, Runner

Enorma,

Streamline

Sow from late April to June

For early crops sow indoors in small pots, later sow direct into the ground

20cm x 40cm

Needs to be trained up canes or string

16 weeks

July to October

Beetroot

Red Ball,

Cylindra,

Detroit 2 Bolivar

For continuity:

1. Feb-March with protection

2. mid April – May

3. Late May-June for storage

Normally sown direct into the ground about 2cm deep

23cm x 8cm or

15cm x 15cm

Beetroot seeds are clusters of seeds, so they need to be thinned as early as possible

Earlies:

8-10 weeks

Storage:

20 weeks

1. May-July

2. July- Sep

3. Oct-April

Brussels Sprouts

Igor F1

1. Late Feb

2. Mar-April

3. May

For early crops sow indoors in modular trays at 15°C.  Later sowing can be made in outdoor seedbeds

Dwarf types:

60cm x 60cm

Normal types:

90cm x 90cm

Firm ground is essential.  It also helps to earth them up

30-36 weeks

Sep- April

Cabbage, Chinese

1. May

2. mid June/July

3. August

For early sowings a bolt resistant cultivar is required.  The later sowings will need to be planted in a tunnel.

30cm x 30cm or more if larger heads are required

Keep soil moist at all times

10 weeks

1. July-August

2. September

3. October

Cabbage, Spring

Hispi  F1,

Pixie,

Mid August

Sow in modules or open seedbed and plant out in late September

30cm x 30cm

In cold areas protect with cloches

30-36 weeks

May – June

Cabbage, Summer

Derby Day,

Greyhound

1. February

2. March-April

The early sowing in modules requires a temp. of  15°C and should be planted in a tunnel.  The April sowing can be planted outdoors in May

40cm x 40cm

The spacing can be closer and the young plants can be thinned as spring greens

15-20 weeks

1. May-June

2. July-Sep

Cabbage, Winter

January King,

Late April – mid May

Sow in modules or in open seedbed

50cm x 50cm

Beneficial to earth up stems

20-25 weeks

September -January

Cabbage, red

Rodynda

Late April – mid May

Sow in modules or in open seedbed

50cm x 50cm

Beneficial to earth up stems

20-25 weeks

September -January

Calabrese

For continuity:

1. Feb-March

2. April-June

3. July

Sow in modules at 15°C.  The early sowings need to be planted in a tunnel.  The April-June sowing grow outdoors.  July sowing indoors.

35cm x 35cm

After cutting the central head many side shoots can be harvested over the following weeks

10-15 weeks

May-Nov

Carrots, early

Amsterdam Forcing,

Early Nantes

1. Feb-March

2. April-May

The first sowing will only be possible in a tunnel. From April onwards outdoor sowing can be risked in mild areas.  Seeds are sown direct into the ground.

15cm x 5cm

or

20cm x 4cm

Never attempt to transplant carrots as they will fork

14-20 weeks

1. May-June

2. July-Sep

Carrots, maincrop

Rothild,

Chantenay,

Autumn King

May-June

Direct sow seeds about 2cm deep

20cm x 5cm

If you want to avoid the first carrot root fly season, sow only in late May/early June

20-24 weeks

October/ November

Cauliflower, Winter

Di Sicilia Violetta

June

Plant out in mid summer

60cm x 70cm

Only suitable in mild areas which are not too wet in winter

50 weeks

April

Vegetable

Variety

Sowing Dates

Propagation

Spacing

Planting details

Planting to harvesting

Duration of season

Cauliflower, Summer

February-March

Plant out in April – May

60cm x 50cm

Harden off well before planting out especially early in the year

20 weeks

July-September

Cauliflower, Autumn

April-early June

Plant May-July

60cm x 60cm

20 weeks

September-November

Celeriac

Prinz,

Ibis

Mid March in modules

Plant late May

35cm x 35cm

Harden off well and plant after the last frost or protect them with a cloche

30 weeks

October and store in sand until March

Celery

Victoria,

Lathom Blanching Galaxy

1. late February

2. late March – late April

3. May – June

1. Plant in tunnel in late April

2. Plant outside late May – June

3. Plant in tunnel in late June-July

25cm x 25cm

equidistant spacing in block formation

Keep plants well watered

16-20 weeks

1. June

2. July –August

3. September - November

Courgette

Defender F1,

Partenon F1,

Zuboda,

Soleil F1 (yellow)

1. mid – March

2. late April

3. late May

1. Plant in tunnel late April

2. Plant outside in late May – early June

3. Plant in tunnel in late June

90cm apart

Protect from frost if necessary.  Harvest regularly, at least twice a week during summer

10-14 weeks

1. June –September

2. July –October

3. August – November

Vegetable

Variety

Sowing Dates

Propagation

Spacing

Planting details

Planting to harvesting

Duration of season

Cucumber

Choose all-female F1 hybrids

1. mid March

2. later April

Sow in heating bench and pot on into 9cm pots and plant in tunnel

1. mid May

2. June

45cm apart

Train vertically  along string or cane

15 weeks

1. early July – September

2. late July - October

Endive

Many types, curly and broad leaved types

1. February -March

2. April –  June

3. July – August

1. Plant in tunnel in late March – late April

2. Plant outside in May – July

3. Plant in tunnel in August - September

30cm x 30cm

Can be used as cut and come again salad crop

14-16 weeks

1. May – June

2. July – August

3. September - November

Fennel, Florence

Romanesco,

Mega

1. late April

2. mid June – July

1. Plant bolt resistant variety in earlyJune in tunnel or outdoors

2. Plant in tunnel in July – August

35cm x 35cm

Prefers to grow in the warmer part of the year

12-14 weeks

1. August

2. September - October

Garlic

Thermidrome, ,(autumn), Printanor (spring)

1. Plant cloves in November

2. Plant in February – March

20cm x 30cm

Harvest when leaves turn yellow, before they fall over

24-38 weeks

1. July – August

2. August – September

They store until March in a dry frost free place

Vegetable

Variety

Sowing Dates

Propagation

Spacing

Planting details

Planting to harvesting

Duration of season

Kale

Redbor F1,

Westland Winter,

Nero di Toscana

Sow May – June

Plant out in mid June – July

60cm x 60cm

An easy vegetable to grow

24 weeks

Harvest from September until February

Kohlrabi

Azur Star, Lanro

1. February

2. Late March – May

3. June – July

1. Plant in tunnel in late March – early April

2. Plant outside in May – July

3. Plant in tunnel in July – August

25cm x 25cm

It’s important not to plant seedlings too deep otherwise the ‘bulb’ will rot

8 - 14 weeks

1. May

2. Late June – September

3. September - November

Leeks

Zermatt (summer/

autumn)

Hannibal (autumn/winter)

Bluegreen Winter (winter),

Musselborough (winter/srping)

1. February

2. March – April

3. May

1. Plant out in mid April

2. Plant out in May- June

3. Plant out in July

15cm x 30cm

Ensure that you grow the right varieties for each season

25-35 weeks

1. August – September

2. October – December

3. January - March

Vegetable

Variety

Sowing Dates

Propagation

Spacing

Planting details

Planting to harvesting

Duration of season

Lettuce

Too many to list

1. late January-March

2. April – June

3. July – August

4. September

1. Plant in tunnel in March-April

2. Plant outside

12-14 weeks

Onion (from sets)

Japanese types

Normal types

1. September-October

2. March-April

Plant direct into ground

15cm x 15cm

or

25cm x 5cm

18 weeks

1. June –July

2. August – September

They will keep until March-April

Onion (from seeds)

Rijnsburger,

Sturon

Sow late January to March

Plant in April – May

25cm x 25cm

Sow 4 seeds per module

26 weeks

Harvest late August – September, store in dry place until March/April

Parsnip

White Gem,

Avonresister,

Gladiator F1

Sow March to May

Sow direct when ground is ready

30cm x 15cm

(large roots) or

20cm x 7cm

(small roots)

Thin early to required spacing

28-32 weeks

Harvest September-November, store in sand until April

Vegetable

Variety

Sowing Dates

Propagation

Spacing

Planting details

Planting to harvesting

Duration of season

Pea,

Shelling Peas

Feltham First (early)

Greenshaft (main)

1. February

2. March- April

3. May- June

1. Plant in Tunnel in March

2. Direct sow outside

3. Direct sow outside

Wide drill (10cm), sow seeds 7cm apart.

Provide climbing support

14-16 weeks

1. late April – July

2. July – September

3. August - October

Pea,

Mangetout

Oregon Sugar Pod

1. February

2. March- April

3. May- June

1. Plant in Tunnel in March

2. Direct sow outside

3. Direct sow outside

Wide drill (10cm), sow seeds 7cm apart.

Provide climbing support

14-16 weeks

1. late April – July

2. July – September

3. August – October

Pea,

Sugar Snap

Sugar Snap

1. February

2. March- April

3. May- June

1. Plant in tunnel in March

2. Direct sow outside

3. Direct sow outside

Wide drill (10cm), sow seeds 7cm apart.

Provide climbing support

14-16 weeks

1. late April – July

2. July – September

3. August – October

Pepper (sweet)

Bendigo F1,

Jumbo

Sow in February at 20C , then pot on into9cm pots

Plant in tunnel in May

45cm each way in a double row per bed

Sometimes simple staking is required

24-26 weeks

Harvest from late July - October

Vegetable

Variety

Sowing Dates

Propagation

Spacing

Planting details

Planting to harvesting

Duration of season

Pepper (Chilli)

Hungarian Wax,  De Cayenne, Ring of Fire

Sow in February at 20C , then pot on into9cm pots

Plant in tunnel in May

45cm each way in a double row per bed

Sometimes simple staking is required

24-26 weeks

Harvest from late July - October

Potatoes (early)

Homeguard,

Orla,

1. February-March

2. mid March – April

1. Plant chitted tubers in tunnel

2. Plant chitted tubers outside

30cm in rows 50cm apart

Earthing up,

Frost protection is required

12-16 weeks

1. May – June

2. July - September

Potatoes

(main)

Sante, Valor,

Many others

April

Plant tubers outside

40cm in rows

60-80cm apart

Earthing up,

Frost protection is required

20-24

weeks

Radish (summer)

Cherry Belle,

Florent

1. February-March

2. April – July

3. August- September

1. Sow direct in tunnel

2. Sow direct in open ground

3. Sow direct in tunnel

Sowing Depth: 10mm

10cm in rows 25cm apart

Make successional sowings as radishes deteriorate quickly once mature.

4 –6 weeks

1. March- April

2. May- September

3. September- October

Radish (winter)

Black Spanish,

China Rose

Sow in June – July

Sow in situ outdoors and thin to required spacing at seedling stage

15cm in rows 30cm apart

Thin seedlings to required spacing when young

12-14 weeks

1. September- October

2. Harvest in October and store in sand until March

Vegetable

Variety

Sowing Dates

Propagation/Planting

Spacing

Planting details

Planting to harvesting

Duration of season

Rocket, Salad

Rucola

1. January-March

2. April- August

3. September- October

1. Sow in modular trays (4seeds/cell) at 15-18C, plant in a polytunnel

2. As above or sow in-situ outdoors

3. Sow in modular trays (4seeds/cell), plant in a polytunnel

20cm in rows 25cm apart

Harvest leaves regularly.  Beware of fleabeetle attack in May/June on outdoor crop

4-8 weeks

1. March- May

2. May – September

3. November- April

Shallots

Sante

Plant sets in February till early April

Plant in firm soil, push set into the soil to half its own depth, so that tips are protruding

18cm apart each way

Note: each set develops into a cluster of about 8 shallots

20-25 weeks

July- August

Spinach, Annual

Palco, Tarpy F1

1. February- April

2. May- August

3. September- October

1. Sow in modular trays (1seed/cell) or sow in situ in a polytunnel

2. Sow in situ outdoors

3. Sow in modular trays, plant in polytunnel or sow in situ.

10-15cm apart in rows 20-25cm apart

The closer the spacing the smaller the leaves (baby spinach).  In summer plants tend to bolt prematurely

4-7 weeks

1. March- May

2. June- September

3. October- March

Spinach, Perpetual

No variety

1. February- March

2. April- August

3. September- October

1. Sow in modular trays (1seed/cell), plant in polytunnel.

2. Sow in situ outdoors or in modular trays

3. Sow in modular trays, plant in polytunnel or sow in situ.

30cm apart in rows 35cm apart

Each seed produces 3-5 seedlings which need thinning at propagation stage.

Harvest regularly

15 weeks

1. late March- May

2. June- October

3. October- March

Swede

Magres, Whilhelmsburger

Sow late April until mid June

Sow in situ outdoors

25cm apart in rows 35cm apart

Thin early  to required spacing

22-26 weeks

1. September

2. October for storing sand

Vegetable

Variety

Sowing Dates

Propagation/Planting

Spacing

Planting details

Planting to harvesting

Duration of season

Sweetcorn

Golden Bantam, Black Aztec

1. Mid to late April

2. May

1. Sow single seed in deep modular tray, plant in polytunnel in early June

2. Sow in situ or in deep modular trays for outdoor crop

40cm apart in rows 60cm apart

Pick cobs when at best, they deteriorate quickly.  To assist in pollination plant in blocks (rather than single rows) and occasionally shake the plant to assist in pollination

15-20 weeks

1. August- September

2. September- October

Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard,

Ruby Chard,

Bright Lights

1. February-  March

3. April- August

4. September- October

1. Sow in modular trays (1seed/cell), plant in polytunnel.

2. Sow in situ outdoors or in modular trays

3. Sow in modular trays, plant in polytunnel or sow in situ.

30cm apart in rows 35cm apart

Each seed produces 3-5 seedlings which need thinning at propagation stage.

Harvest regularly

15 weeks

4. late March- May

5. June- October

6. October- March

Tomato

Too many to list

1. Mid February until mid March

2. March- April

1. Sow in seed trays and prick out into small pots for growing in a polytunnel. Plant in May

2. Same for growing outdoors. Plant in June

45cm apart each way (double row)

Yield of outdoor tomatoes is very unreliable in Ireland.

Staking an side shooting necessary every week

20-22 weeks

1. July- October

2. August- September

Turnip

Milan Purple Top, White Globe

1. February- April

2. May- July

3. August- September

1. Sow in modular trays (1seed/cell), plant in polytunnel

2. Sow in situ outdoors

3. Sow in situ in polytunnel

10cm apart in rows 25cm apart

Beware of fleabeetle attack in May/June on outdoor crop.  Thin early to required spacing

8-12 weeks

1. April- June

2. July- September

3. October- November

For an updated version of the file please go here