Baked Falafel

Onion

• Sow seeds in early spring or plant sets in late autumn/early spring in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
• Ensure consistent moisture during bulb development to prevent splitting.
• Space plants 10-15 cm apart in rows to allow for good bulb formation.

Garlic

• Plant individual cloves pointy-end up in autumn for a summer harvest, or in early spring in colder climates.
• Choose a sunny, well-drained bed and space cloves about 10-15 cm apart.
• Avoid planting in soil where other alliums have recently grown to prevent disease.

Parsley

• Sow seeds directly in spring or autumn in partial shade, as they can be slow to germinate.
• Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells, to encourage lush growth.
• Parsley is container-friendly; choose a pot at least 20cm deep.

Coriander

• Sow seeds successionally every 2-3 weeks from spring to late summer in a sunny spot to ensure a continuous supply.
• Provide some afternoon shade in hot climates to prevent premature bolting.
• Plant in well-drained soil and avoid overcrowding to ensure good air circulation.

• Use row covers to protect young onion and garlic plants from onion root maggots.

• Hand-pick aphids from parsley and coriander or spray with a strong jet of water to dislodge them.

• Companion plant with carrots to deter onion flies.

• Slugs and snails can be hand-picked from young herb plants in the evening.

Onion

• Harvest when the tops yellow and fall over naturally, indicating the bulbs are mature.
• Cure in a warm, dry, airy place for several weeks until the outer skins are papery before storing.
• Do not bend over onion tops prematurely, let them fall naturally for best storage life.

Garlic

• Harvest when the bottom few leaves turn yellow but there are still 4-5 green leaves, usually mid-summer.
• Gently loosen the soil around the bulbs with a fork to avoid damaging them when pulling.
• Cure bulbs in a shaded, well-ventilated area for 2-4 weeks before storing.

Parsley

• Snip outer stems at the base as needed for fresh use; regular harvesting encourages new growth.
• Harvest before flowering to maintain the best flavour.
• If the plant starts to yellow, it may be time to replant or it is too hot/dry.

Coriander

• Pick leaves from the outer parts of the plant once it's about 15 cm tall.
• Harvest whole plants before they bolt in hot weather, or if you need a large quantity.
• Regular harvesting delays bolting and encourages bushier growth.