What is the Spring hungry gap?

In early Spring, most of the produce planted before Winter has been harvested. During Winter the days are too short for plants to grow, so it is difficult to plant anything much. This means that by early Spring there can be a gap in produce, with not much to go around. Crops planted in late Winter aren't ready yet. On top of this, it is usually the pest insects such as thrips and aphids that emerge first in Spring, often ravaging leafy greens before predatory insects have properly woken up from Winter hibernation or arrived from elsewhere on warm winds. 

What can you do about it?

Whilst many people simply accept that there won't be much to harvest at this time, there are other options. Planting more before Winter to see you through until October when new season crops are ready can help. Getting crops in the ground in early July as soon as the days extend beyond 10 hours is also key. Focusing on root vegetables that won't be affected by sucking insects can work well. Planting crops like zucchini, beans and cucumbers from as early as mid-August, depending on the weather, also brings in another crop that usually isn't affected by sucking insects and will only increase in harvest as the weather warms. 

Still to come

Next time I will talk about harvesting, curing and storing garlic. 

This week's recipe links

Feel-Good Zucchini Muffins from Pinch of Yum. 

Zesty Courgette Chutney from River Cottage. 

Fancy Toast with Pea Shoots from A Couple Cooks. 

Cosy Swiss Chard Soup with Potatoes from Connoisseurus Veg. 

More info

To read more about what's happening on our local organic farm this week as we grow and care for veggies for our box delivery, check out this week's newsletter here.