Flandria has published a calendar for its range of vegetables. It includes several kinds of early vegetables.
Now that professional vegetable production in Belgium offers a great many products all year round, the term ‘early vegetable’ has taken on a new meaning.
Among the range of Flandria vegetables available, early vegetables are currently understood to refer to:
• the first two to three weeks of the crop of glasshouse vegetables originating from new plantings;
• the first two to three weeks of the crop of field vegetables originating from new plantings or new sowings.
During this period supply varies from limited to very limited. The precise starting date of each period changes from one year to the next, depending on the weather, amongst other things.
This is the rule for most Flandria vegetables. In some cases, however, the term ‘early vegetable‘ has a slightly different meaning:
• Flandria early witloof chicory: witloof chicory (Belgian endive) forced from the first new roots of the year (as opposed to the chicory that is still being forced at that particular time from last year's roots).
• Flandria early potatoes: this refers to specific types of potatoes that are not candidates for long-term storage. Their season always ends on August 15.
Finally, there are several types of vegetables that are grown both under glass and in the open field. These have two early periods: the first two to three weeks of the glasshouse crop and the first two to three weeks of the field crop.
THE FLANDRIA EARLY VEGETABLE CALENDAR
Aubergines: half of February - beginning of March.
Asparagus:
- Glasshouse asparagus: January.
- Field asparagus: the last three weeks in April.
Cauliflower:
- Glasshouse cauliflower: December.
- Field cauliflower: first half of May.
Courgettes:
- Glasshouse courgettes: March.
- Field courgettes: May.
Cucumber: end of January until mid-February.
Sweet peppers: beginning of March (green peppers are always first).
Early potatoes: from the beginning of June until August 15.
Leeks: from June through to August 15. Early leek is another name for summer leek. It is either directly sown in spring or sown in a protected surrounding during winter and planted out in spring. The stalks are slightly more slender than those of autumn and winter leek.
Brussels sprouts: August.
Tomatoes (loose and vine): end of February until mid-March.
Lighted tomatoes: this new Flandria product was available for the first time this year from mid-January. Next winter (2004-2005) it will probably be available as early as mid-December.
Witloof chicory (Belgian endive): September.
Carrots (young carrots in bunches with the tops intact):
- Glasshouse carrots: second half of May.
- Field carrots: second half of June.
A new calendar of the main types of Belgian fruit and vegetables supplied is now available from VLAM. The calendar is in four languages (English, German, French and Dutch). Get your free copy by phoning +32/(0)2 510 62 35 or sending an e-mail to kristof.andries@vlam.be.
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