grow your own – may 2015

7/23/2019 Grow Your Own May 2015

1/108PlusHOW TO BEAT PESTS SLUGS, SNAILS, CARROT FLY & APHIDS

yourownThe UKs best-selling kitchen garden magazineGrow

WIN! PRIZES WORTH OVER 3,100 RAISED

BEDS, GARDEN VOUCHERS, TOOLS & MORE!

Step-by-stepRUNNER BEANSFOR BEGINNERS

BUMPERCROPS!

Quick and easy

From plot to plate in 22 days

GARDENING ADVICE YOU CAN TRUST

May 2015 4.99 growfruitandveg.co.uk

STARTGROWING

NOW!

Tomatoes

Kale

Savoy cabbage

Winter squash

FennelChicory

KohlrabiLettuce

HOWTOGROW

MarkDiaconosguide tooutsidesowing

RobSmiths

favouriteheritagevarieties

AnneSwithinbanks

top seedmixes to try

today

SarahRavenstips onstarting

basil

BEST EVERthis year

Harvest your

SEE PAGE 79

BERRIES


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4 growfruitandveg.co.uk

72

7814

29 Beat pests and diseasesAn in-depth look at some of themost common problems forgrowers, including aphids, slugs,rabbits and tomato blight

32 Time-saving Tips forthe Busy GardenerGreat advice for a productiveseason without a lengthycommitment to the plot

34 Year Round PotagerA step-by-step guide on how tosow and plant out runner beans,plus a handy guide on how tomake a runner bean house

36 Its Our Weekend PlotMeet the women who have beenable to start growing thanks to akind land-owner

40 Edible exotics: cardoonsMandy Barber from IncredibleVegetables shares her tips oncultivating this unusual crop

41 Ask the ExpertsOur panel of experts answer

your questions on slugs, cropprotection, seedlings and more

53 Reader SurveyAnswer these questions to provideyour feedback on the magazine

58 The Urban GardenerNaomi Schillinger discussesgrowing pea shoots and lettuce

61 Garden chat withSarah RavenThis month Sarah gives her expertadviceon sowing zinnias andbasil

62The Practical GardenerSimon Akeroyd demonstratesthe best way to shape a bay tree

65 Herb growing forbeginners: OreganoTry including this Mediterraneanherb on yourplot

66 Tried and TestedDave Finkle looks at sowingand drilling products

69 People and their Plots

Phil McCann talks to an allotmentcharity worker

70 Allotment Noticeboard

A range of on-the-plot news,including how to protect yourcrops and tools

90

95

70

follow us on twitter @GYOmag or

join our forum at growfruitandveg.co.uk

Get online!

Contents

29

Vegetable advice this month:GYOs advice will help you spring into gear on the plot this May

6 This MonthCatch up with the latestgardening news and events

10 Jobs on the PlotSome great tips to make yourgrowing season more productive

12 Celebrate MayThe best way to thin outseedlings for the growingseason ahead, explainedby David Logan

14 The Vegetable GardenerInterested in growing samphireand Savoy cabbage? AnneSwithinbank explains howto get started

18, 83 Win!Enter our competitions for yourchance to get your hands onsome fantastic prizes

20 Plot EssentialsSally Nex covers how to avoidspindly asparagus and revealshow to build a carrot fly barrier

23 Grow like a Pro: kohlrabiIntroduce this tasty root toyour plot and you wont regretit. Learn the basics with the helpof Michael Michaud from SeaSpring Seeds

24 First Steps: winter squashA detailed look through thegrowing process of thisproductive veg perfectfor beginner growers

26 Sowing SuccessMark Diacono explains thedifference between outdoor

sowing methods and sharessome handy hints

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5growfruitandveg.co.uk

72 Hanging BasketsThese containers save spaceand produce tasty veg

75 Pick of the cropA selection of the best verticalplanters that will make your cropslook even more impressive

76 Growing HelpJane Perrone runs through somevaluable books and websites

78 The Fruit GardenerFind out about unusual berryvarieties with Lucy Chamberlain

84 Garden OrganicMasterclassAnton Rosenfeld looks atnew pests and diseases

87 Buying a PolytunnelThe first of a new three-part seriesfrom expert Lia Leendertz

90 Under CoverSally Nex dicusses how to controlgreenhouse temperatures

93 Beekeeping:

Buying a new swarmBBKA's Gill Maclean gives heradvice for bee enthusiasts

48

34

20

P32

P34

P79

P14

P61

PlusHOW TO BEAT PESTS SLUGS, SNAILS, CARROT FLY & APHIDS

yourownThe UKs best-selling kitchen garden magazine

GrowWI

N! PRIZESWORTH OVER3,100 RAISEDBEDS,GARDEN VOUCHERS,TOOLS& MORE!

Step-by-stepRUNNER BEANSFOR BEGINNERS

BUMPERCROPS!

Quick and easy

From plot to plate in 22 days

GARDENING ADVICE YOU CAN TRUST

May 2015 4.99 growfruitandveg.co.uk

STARTGROWING

NOW!

TomatoesKale

Savoy cabbage

Winter squash

FennelChicory

KohlrabiLettuce

HOWTOGROW

MarkDiaconosguide tooutsidesowing

RobSmiths

favouriteheritagevarieties

AnneSwithinbanks

top seedmixes to try

today

SarahRavenstips onstarting

basil

BEST EVER

this year

Harvest your

SEE PAGE 79

BERRIES

WIN!

DENING AD

WORTHE

VOUCHEN

May 2015 4.

ICE YOU CAN TR

RA3,100VER

M&TOOLSERS,

99 growfruitandveg.

UST

ISED

RE!

o.uk

STGR

ARTWING

Tom Savo Wint Fenn Kohlr

toes Kalecabbagesquashr

l Chicoryabi Lettuce

The UK

TOHOW

best-selling kitc

GROW

hen garden maga

ine

M

rk

Rob

Anne

Sarah

Plus THOW

Diacguidoutso

PESTSBEATO

nostoe

sideing

fahv

SNAISLUGS,

mithsvouriteeritagearieties

Swithinbanks

FCARROTLS,

seedtoptrytomixes

today

APHIDS&Y

Ravensontips

startingbasil

Subscribe today & save s!Call 0844 815 0030 now!

95 Keeping chickens: Hensraised as pets vs livestockLorraine Coverley explores the bestbreeds for meat and for eggs

98 Wish ListCompetitions and discounts for you

100 Seasonal ChefAccommodate radishes into moredishes with these innovative recipes

106 Behind the Sceneswith... Rob SmithThe Big Allotment Challenge winnerRob Smith talks about heritage veg

GIVEAWAY OF GREATGARDEN GOODIES!

41

Raised beds from Quickcropand other great prizes!(p. 18, 83 and 98)

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYYOUR FREE* BOOK!John Harrisons guide willanswer your allotmentquestions

6

On the coverC

SMARTGARDENING

46 Smart Gardening NewsLearn about the must havegadgets and crops for your plot

48 Step-by-StepGardening expert Emma Hardyexplains how to make a bee-friendly herb garden

50 Your Complete Guide

To... Unpredictable weatherCome rain or shine, your cropscan survive with this advice

(*excludes digital issues)

P26P106

C C

58


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Gardeners, get your beer traps and copper tape ready

research suggests that 2015 is set to be a mammoth

year for slugs and snails in fact, the worst on

record. A new report from Wyvale states that wintertemperatures have provided ideal conditions for slugs

to thrive. Offering a particular threat over this season

is the Spanish slug, which grows up to 15cm in length

and is immune to a lot of control methods thanks to

an extra layer of slime yuck! However, dont panic!

There is plenty of great advice at hand in this issue

from Kews Philip Turvil turn to page 41 for his

prevention tips.

This month...

Pest patrol

Homebase GardenAcademy has teamed upwith horticultural charity

Greenfingers, which isdedicated to providing

support for children whospend time in hospices

across the country.Academy students will

have the chance to attendworkshops put on by

Greenfingers, helping

them to learn what thecharity does and howit benefits these young

people with its speciallydesigned gardens.

Seed Pantry has

launched a brilliant newapp to help you keep

track of your crops thisyear. When you sow,

you set a crop clock thatserves as a timer, guiding

you through the process,from sowing to eating

your veg. You can evenchoose to receive alerts to

remind you of key datesfor transplanting, growingtechniques and more. The

app also has illustratedinformation, allows you to

access seeds, plants andequipment, and is an easy

way to use the companyshandy Q&A service.

Find out more atseedpantry.co.uk/app

NEWSin briefKeep up to date with the latest news and events

rom the growing community

Suttons Seeds has launched a brand new range

of seeds in conjunction with James WongsGrow for Flavourbook, which is out now

ave you tried these new seeds? Let us know by tweeting @GYOmagr commenting on Facebook facebook.com/growyourownmag

ood news! The EU hasithdrawn the seed regulationsoposed earlier in the year,hich would have seenowers prevented from

xchanging seed varieties thate not registered. This would,f course, have had a large

mpact on heritage seeds andodiversity in Europe. Theove has been welcomed byganisations such as Gardenrganic, which has been

ampaigning hard throughoute course of the regulationscussions and continues too so to ensure that these aged crops can thrive through Heritage Seed Library.

ollow the campaign on

ocial media by searchingsaveourseeds and for moreformation on HSL, turn toage 106 to hear what Bigllotment Challenge winnerob has to say about beingseed guardian.

EU seed regulations withdrawn


7/108

owing your beansis the perfect time to

et your beans in theound where they are

crop. If you live in anea prone to late frosts,

member to keep someorticultural fleece handy

help protect youngants against chilly snaps,

offer cloche cover toedlings already in place.

Training your treesAny fruit trees in your

growing space which aretrained as a fan should

now be given a little tidyup. Simply remove any

shoots that are crossingover or developing at

strange angles to keepthe shape neat and easy

to manage throughoutthe season.

The next stage intomato careSideshoots on yourtomatoes are likely to be

sprouting with abandoncoming into May pinch

these out to encouragethe plant to put energy

into growing strong andhealthy, and producing a

good yield of fruit laterin the year.

ChelseaFlower ShowTaking place between May19 and 23, this show is oneof the key events in thegardeners calendar. Backagain with a wide array of different show gardens,stalls and experts, this really is a day not to bemissed. For more information and to plan yourtrip, visit rhs.org.uk

Readersletters

Preventing carrot fly

Punam FarmahQuite a few Serrano, HungarianHot Wax, Pettie Belle,Pumpkin, Apricot,Bellaforma, AjiLimon, Raindrop,Cayenne, as wellas orange andchocolate habanero.

Jennifer LynnBowring

Nosferatu,Serrano, Joes Long,Pinochios Nose, HotCayenne and HotChilli Pepper.

Carolyn AdamsonAnaheim, PurpleJalapeo andDemon Red.

Follow us on facebookat facebook.com/growyourownmag andoin in with plenty

of discussions on alldifferent elements ofgrowing fruit and veg.

May is great for... Top eventthis month

Overto you

Share yourGYOstories, pictures, community projects and tipswith us for a chance to win a voucher from seed company

Thompson & Morgan. Each readers letter we print will win a 10 voucher and

our star letter will win a 40 voucher! Please note these will be sent out bythe end of the coverdated month. Email [email protected] or write to GYO, 25Phoenix Court, Hawkins Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8JY.

drilled a couple of holes inthem and threaded nylon

rope replacement handlesthrough. Sometimes the

simplest of ideas workso well no wonder ouryoung grandson think he

can fix anything!

Gaye Carter, via email

New lease of life

When the handle brokeon these garden carriers

(pictured) I didnt wantto throw them away

because they still werevery useful for weeding,

sieving, washing outpots or mixing potting

compost. So my husband

Writetous

Diarydates

Thinning carrots emits a strong scentthat attracts carrot root fly. I dont pull theunwanted seedlings, instead I simply snipthe leaves off with scissors. The roots witheraway quietly leaving the plants I need andthe flies never know about them.

Sandra Lawrence, via email

May 4-5, 2015Meet the edible garden

team at The RoyalBotanic Gardens,

Edinburgh. rbge.org.uk

May 7-10Malvern Spring Festival.

threecounties.co.uk

May 9, 2015Home to Roost poultry

course, Tatton Park.

tattonpark.org.uk

May 11, 2015Beekeeping at River

Cottage, Devon.rivercottage.net

May 13, 2015Creative containers at

RHS Hyde Hall, Essex.

rhs.org.uk

May 14, 2015Garden Organic AGM

and members day,

Sheepdrove Organic

Farm, Berkshire.

gardenorganic.org.uk

May 16 June 7,2015Chelsea Fringe, country-

wide. chelseafringe.com

May 17, 2015Plant fair, Doddington

Hall. doddingtonhall.com

May 17, 2015Farmers market,

Hatfield House.

hatfield-house.co.uk

May 23, 2015

Smallholdingfor beginners.

humblebynature.com

We asked ourfacebook followers

what types ofchillies they aregrowing andthere are a lot ofhot pepper fans!


8/108

Keep up with the latest news, tips and growingadvice wherever you go

IN STOREGYOmagazineis available to

buy in majorsupermarkets,including Tesco,Sainsburys andWaitrose, as wellas WHSmith,Wilko and otherindependent

newsagents.

wherever you go

IN TOUCH

five ways to stay

GYO WEBSITEf you want instant access to competitions, or to takepart in our forum that has over 59,000 members,head to growfruitandveg.co.uk. We provide growingguides, fresh news and interesting topics for you totell us about your experiences on the plot.

DIGITAL ISSUESIf youre a grower on the go, then ourGYOapp is theperfect way to access the digital copy of the magazine

for only 2.99. Its available on a range of devices (seebelow) and can also be read on a PC simply searchfor Grow Your Own at pocketmags.com

GYO ON FACEBOOK!Give us a like to join in with ourdiscussions on a number of gardeningsubjects, find out what other growers

have achieved on their plot and get inspired

Download from

Wi d St

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AVAILABLE ON YOUR DEVICE NOW!

Get in touch...the edit team can becontacted as follows:

Editor Claire Holmes01206 505 984 claire.holmes@

aceville.co.uk

Deputy Editor Laura Hillier01206 505 991

[email protected]

ON TWITTEROur Twitter page is one of the best ways to connectwith gardeners worldwide with over 19,000 followers.Let us know what youre growing and well providegreat tips and the latest news stories

Digitalissuesonly

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9/108

GYO VEG

THIS MAY

PRACTICAL ADVICE Packed full of great growing tips! YOURCO

MPLETEVEGG

UIDEMAY

Try growing this peppery root for a crop

thats ready to harvest in no time

Page 32

A great selection of growing adviceAn array of useful gardening information that will inspire you this month

An introduction to this unusual veg

from Incredible Vegetables

Michael Michaud from Sea Spring Seeds

gives his expert tips on this annual root

Page 40 Page 23

Easy to grow and rewarding, learn about

this tasty crop in the year-round potager

Page 34A detailed approach to cultivating this

brassica from Anne Swithinbank

Growers can find all they need to

know about this rewarding crop

Page 14 Page 24

Radishes

Runner beans Savoy cabbage

Cardoons Kohlrabi


Winter squash


10/108


THIS MONTHS Essential checklist

JOBSON THE

PLOT

MAYThe garden is bursting intolife at the moment and thesound of birds singing and

bees buzzing will provide a

wonderful backdrop to all ofyour jobs on the plot thismonth. Seeds will be slowlyunfurling, young plantsstretching into growth andfruit flowers blooming. Whata great time of year to beoutside! When the risk offrost has fully passed (whichis usually around mid-May

but will depend largely onyour location) theres plentyof planting out to do, andsome lucky growers mayeven be enjoying the firstasparagus spears or lettuceleaves of the season.

CROPSTO...

PROBL

EMOF THEM

ONTH:

If youre

growing these deliciousgreen spears, the last thing

you want to see is asparagusbeetle. This pest feeds on your

crops and damages them beyondrepair. If you spot the beetles,

pick them off your veg by handand dispose of accordingly.

Burn your stems at the end ofthe season to reduce the

likelihood of acomeback.

ASPARAGUS BE

ETLE

SOW Beetroot

Broad beans Brussels

sprouts

Cabbages

Calabrese

Carrots

Cauliflower

Chicory

Courgettes

French beans

Kale

Kohlrabi

Leeks

Lettuces

Parsnips

Peas

Pumpkins

Radishes

Runner beans

Salad leaves

Spinach

Sproutingbroccoli

Sweetcorn

Swiss chard

Turnips

HARVEST Asparagus

Beetroot

Broad beans

Citrus

Lettuces Peas

Radishes

Rhubarb

Spinach

Springcabbage

Springcauliflower

Swiss chard

Birds will be eagerly eyeing any emerging fruitat this time of year, so make sure you coveryour crops with netting to thwart thesehungry thieves. Put protection in placecarefully, being sure to pull it taut to reduce

the likelihood of creatures getting tangled up.

Be prepared to deal with any late frosts andhave fleece ready to cover outdoor blossoms.

Use canes to hold the material away from theflowers and prevent damage.

If you have a lot of blossoms under coverremember that bees and other insects willneed access to ensure pollination and fruitset. Remove the cover as and when you can.

Keep young trees and bushes well watered

this is important to remember as conditionswhich are too dry can cause checks togrowth and hinder yields.

Keep your eyes peeled for pests and diseases aphid populations in particular can increaserapidly if youre not careful.

THEFRUITGARDEN


11/108

May focus on: Hardening offYou can now start to think about transplanting indoor-

raised seedlings to your beds outside. These plants will

be so used to the warmth and protection of your kitchen

windowsill, however, they will need to be gradually

accustomed to the conditions outdoors to prevent all your

hard work from being in vain. To harden off your plants,

place them outside in a sheltered spot for a few hours a

day to start with, bringing them back in at night and when

temperatures plummet. Slowly increase the time they are

outside over a period of 10 to 14 days, until they are ready

to be left out all day and all night.

Keep on top of watering thismonth. Very dry spells can havelong-lasting effects on your crops.

If youre growing spinach or

lettuce in pots, thin out your seedlingsas they get larger to preventcompetition. Dont just throw away

these young shoots though theymake a tasty addition to salads.

Indoor tomatoes in pots will beromping away now. Keep well fedand remove sideshoots of cordon

plants regularly.

Protect pot-grown crops from

pests and diseases such as slugs andcarrot fly. Netting and copper tapecould be useful tools to deal with

these annoyances.

Earth up potatoes by drawingup soil around crops to coverthe new, emerging shoots.

Make sure you have supports in

place for broad beans and peasso that your plants can continuewith steady growth.

Keep a keen eye out for slugs make regular trips around yourgarden in the evening to pickthem off your plants by hand.

Along with your edible crops,weeds will be springing upeverywhere this month. Try toget rid of them as soon as theyappear to reduce competitionfor your plants.

Harvest asparagus spears beforethey reach 18cm tall and enjoytheir sought-after flavour in plentyof dishes.

You can sow sweetcorn directlyoutside when the risk of frosts

The vegetable garden:1Take softwood cuttings of herbs such asthyme and oregano and place in a heatedpropagator. Pinch out once rooted.

UNDERCOV

ER:

Makesurebeesandinsectscanaccess

anyfloweringcrops.

Addgreenhouseshadingthroughtheuseofblindsorshadepaintinpreparation.

Openventsanddoorstoboostair

flowonwarmdays.

Takea lookat greenhousegutters and

ensurethey areclear of anydebris.

Boosthumiditylevelsbydampingdown floorswithwater.

Warm upgrowbags andfull wateringcans to prevent a cold shock for seedlings.

Giveplantsenoughspaceongreenhousestagingtogivethemthebestpossiblestart.

Transplanttomatoes

asthey

outgrowtheircontain

ers.

TheHERB GARDEN:

has passed. This crop is wind-pollinated so make sure youposition your seeds in blocks.

Other seeds which can be sown

directly outside now includeFrench beans, runner beans,squash, pumpkins, kohlrabi andcauliflowers. These sowingsshould germinate fairly quickly,so ensure the ground is keptmoist and weed-free.

Look out for emerging seedlingsbecoming overcrowded and thinout as and when necessary.

Start hardening off and plantingout established seedlings whenthe weather provides moresuitable conditions.

Examine your developing brassicasregularly and remove anyyellowing leaves this will helpprevent the spread of diseasessuch as grey mould.

2Keep potted herbs such as basil well

watered to enable strong growth this monthand prevent any wilting.

3Take harvests from your leafy herbs now anduse this soft new growth in your cooking for aburst of flavour.

THECONTAINERGARDEN

YOURCO

MPLETEVEGG

UIDEMAY



12/108

PICK OF

THE CROP

EXPERT INTERVIEWSeedling Masterclass


YOURCOM

PLETEVEGGUI DEMAY

GYO VEG

THIS MONTH

CELEBRATE

So, youve sown your seeds,watched excitedly as the littlegreen heads appear and necksstrain up towards the light andnow youve got a pot full of babyseedlings. But what next? Theyoung plants are competing witheach other for light, water andnutrients, and if they get too bigthey will become very difficultto separate. Now is the time to

prick them out.I prepare my pots first, a tray

at a time filled with a loose mix ofcompost with added perlite fordrainage. The tiny roots ofseedlings can be easilywaterlogged, so a loose mix isideal for this job. Vermiculite orperlite are great, but a well-rottedleaf mould worked through yourcompost is another good option.

The next step is to tilt the potonto its side and carefullyencourage the mass of seedlings

out with a flat plant label.Carefully separate a few of theseat a time, trying to handle theroots as little as possible. Grabthem gently by their leaves and liftthem clear of the mass, dib a holein the middle of your pre-preparedpot (you can use a pen, pencil,finger or of course, a boughtdibber) and lower the roots down,gently firming around them. Thenonto the next

Dont forget to give them all agentle water when youre done.

SEASONAL ADVICE

David Logan

is the head gardenerat Doddington Hall,near Lincoln

EXPERT

Learn how to successfully thin out seedlingswith this expert advice from David LoganMAY


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14/108

THE VEGETABLEGARDENER


This month, Anne is sowing runnerbeans, growing kale and startingFlorence fennel

EXPERT ADVICE

May is a beautiful but potentially franticmonth because there is so much thatcould be done. Theres still time to sowall the roots, temperatures are warm

enough for tender veg such as tomatoes,beans, squashes and sweetcorn, plus youcan start winter brassicas. On top of this,earlier sowings need to be plantedor thinned out and weeds are growingwith gusto, requiring much hoeing andhand weeding. Yet coinciding with allthis action, there is often a hungry gapin the kitchen because May can be leanwhen it comes to harvesting. Over-wintered crops will have gone up toflower and those from earlier sowingsand plantings will barely have had timeto develop. This is where unheatedgreenhouses and polytunnels come into

their own for leafy greens mainly sownthe previous July and August.

GYOs favourite contributor reportsfrom her Devonshire veg garden

Anne Swithinbank

Anne Swithinbank

This months crops

Runner beans

Savoy cabbage Kale

Florence fennel

Samphire Parsnips

VARIETIES TO TRY Firestorm: This red-flowered runner andFrench bean cross grows and tastes like a

runner but is self-pollinating and crops morereliably when weather conditions are bad. Ivefound it productive and good. Marshalls0844 557 6700, marshalls-seeds.co.uk

Celebration: This plants attractivesalmon pink and white flowers are a delighton the veg plot but this bean is also highyielding with straight, smooth pods. KingsSeeds 01376 570 000, kingsseeds.com

White Lady: My dad sets great store bythis white-flowered bean, as he maintains itsets and delivers better than others during hotsummer spells. The abundant pods delivercrops over a long period. D.T. Brown 0845

371 0532, dtbrownseeds.co.uk

In an average year, the first or second week ofMay is a good time to get an initial batch of

runners underway, especially in milder regions.I like to sow in containers under glass, settingseeds 5cm apart in a wide pot or container,10cm deep. Once grown, harden them off andtheyll be ready for planting towards the end ofMay or beginning of June. Runners need good,deep, rich soil where their roots will find plentyof water and nourishment and as the majorityof varieties are climbers, supports are essential.The classic arrangement is to set bamboo canesor hazel or ash poles in a double row 50cmapart, with the canes 30cm apart. Each pair ispulled together over the middle and tied andthen a long pole fixed horizontally over the topsfor added sturdiness. Bean plants are set on the

inside of each cane and I find it helps to pull soiltowards the cane bases.

Sow runner beans


15/108

YOURCOMPLETEVEGG

UIDEMAY


Cropstosow&plantinMay

Sowsweetcorn Igenerallysow

intomodulesunderglassandthen

plantinblocks30-45cmapart

accordingtovariety.

SowsquashesWorthsowingdirect

aslongasyoupopacutoffplastic

bottleminiclocheoverseedsand

watchoutforslugs.

Sowoutdoorcucumbers Ridge

cucumbersareeasyandhavea

lovelyflavour.

Sowswedes Adifficultcropto

growwell.Thinto23cmapartin

rows38cmapart.

Plantaubergines,peppersand

tomatoesunderglass Lookoutfor

healthyyoungplantsinnurseries

andpotorplantingrowingbags.

Fill modules with compost, then make asmall dent in the top of each cell andsow two or three seeds. Brush compostback over the seeds to cover and presslightly. Water in and stand on staging.

Well before the seedlings become rootbound, dig them out of their cells andpot them firmly into 9cm pots. It doesno harm to bury the stem deeper tostabilise the plant.

After germination, thin the seedlingsto one per cell before the first trueleaves have grown and before theseedlings twine their roots together.Use spare seedlings to fill any gaps.

Stand the plants outdoors to feel thewind and rain before planting theminto good but firm soil. Cover toexclude cabbage white butterfliesand take steps to deter slugs.

With their large, dense hearts of crinkled leaves, Savoys are beautiful and tastycabbages for autumn and winter. You may have sown some already in March foran autumn crop, but for a winter harvest early May is a good time to start them.The old-fashioned method is to sow into drills in a seed bed and when plantshave two or three true leaves, they are transplanted 8cm apart to grow on, tobe set at final spacings of 60cm apart in June or July. These days, manygardeners prefer to sow in modules and pot them up.

Step1 Step2

Step3 Step4

Start Florence fennelCrunchy, aniseed flavoured bulbs (which

are really swollen leaf bases) are in great

demand for salads, braises and bakes.

Early sowings are apt to run up to seed

(triggered by cold or dry spells) so I rarely

sow until May. You can start this crop inmodules but I find fennel grows well from

direct sowings. Plant or thin

to 30cm each way for full

development. Sow again

in mid June for a later

crop with less chance

of bolting. Thin to

30cm each way

and if they show

signs of

flowering,

harvest and

use them

immediately.

GYO STEP-BY-STEP Grow Savoy cabbage

VARIETIES TO TRY Fennel Romanesco: This is a wellknown mid-early variety for sowing fromMarch to May. Produces a good, large bulb.Nickys Nursery 01843 600 972,nickys-nursery.co.uk

Alpine fennel Montebianco orMantblanc: Vigorous plants produce largerounded bulbs and are ideal for later sowings.Seeds of Italy 020 8427 5020,seedsofitaly.com

Sirio: Ideal for a May or June sowing.Compact plants will produce large, sweetbulbs. Seeds by Post 01827 251 511,seedsbypost.co.uk


16/108

EXPERT ADVICE Anne Swithinbank


Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov DecKale growingchart

SOW HARVEST

HARVEST

SOW

would sow any kale now. CertainlyPentland Brig, which comes intoits own in spring, delivering many

succulent leaves and floweringshoots resembling tenderstembroccoli. Tall, curly-leave kinds alsoneed time to grow large for winter.Yet sow the faster growing varietiestoo, including Nero di Toscana andRed Russian, for autumn pickings.Another sowing made in June orJuly will yield plants mainly to standover winter for more leaves inspring. Ive also experimented bystarting kale in January under glassto see what theyll manage to do

before (presumably) running up

to seed in midsummer. Also trygrowing them at closer spacingsfor cut-and-come-again leaves.

Grow kaleKale is one of those leafyvegetables that was once taken forgranted but has now become super

trendy. Ive seen an exciting rangeof colourful kales on trial,suggesting they have an even

brighter future to deliver decorativefoliage and good eating. Generally, I

VARIETIES TO TRY Marsh samphire (Salicorniaeuropaea) is available as plants fromVictoriana Nursery (01233 740 529,victoriananursery.co.uk), and seedfrom Suttons (0844 922 0606,suttons.co.uk) Agretti (Salsola soda) seeds are notalways in stock but try The Real SeedCatalogue (01239 821 107,realseeds.co.uk)

Rock samphire (Crithmummaritimum) can be bought fromChiltern Seeds (01491 824 675chilternseeds.co.uk)

KALE INCONTAINERS

In smaller gardens kale

will grow happily withone to three plants in

a large pot of goodcompost. You might

not have enough leaffor a whole portion of

veg or for smoothiesbut small quantities

are great sliced

into soups orfried as a crispy

seaweed garnish.

Every year, it is good to grow somethingdifferent and Im focusing my attention onsamphire. This salty, textural and tasty veg willlikely prove challenging, not least because thename samphire is loosely attributed to threedifferent plants from completely different plantfamilies. The one we find in restaurants is usuallythe succulent Salicornia europaea, an estuaryplant from the beet tribe also known as marshsamphire, sea asparagus, sea pickle or glasswort.You can buy plants or seeds of this annual tosow in late spring or autumn and harvest duringJuly and August. Im not expecting an easy time,

as it needs a sheltered position, sun and well-drained soil. Crucially, one has to water it with asaline solution of a teaspoon of sea salt in a pintof water. An easier alternative could be saltwort,or what the Italians call Agretti (Salsola soda).This Mediterranean annual from the amaranthtribe produces long, succulent and flavoursomebut more grass-like leaves. Seed is sown inautumn and watering with salty water is notessential. Finally, we have rock samphire(Crithmum maritimum), a perennial Europeannative in the carrot family. Apparently this istricky to germinate and does best from anautumn sowing under unheated glass. I would

grow it in a container of well-drained compost.

Grow samphire


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SEED MIXTURES

TO SOW NOW Tomato artisan bumble bee mix: Acherry tomato mix of purple, pink andstriped kinds promising heavy crops oftasty fruits that sit well on the vine ingood order. Grow indoors or (if blightis no problem) outdoors. Suttons0844 922 0606, suttons.co.uk D.T.Browns salad mix: A lovelysounding loose-leaf mix of Red SaladBowl, Green Salad Bowl, LolloRossa, Black Seeded Simpson andGrand Rapids. D.T. Brown0845 371 0532, dtbrownseeds.co.uk Carrot rainbow: You never knowwhat will come out of the groundwith this exciting mixture of orange,white, yellow and purple roots.Suttons 0844 922 0606,www.suttons.co.uk Misticanza di Radicchio: This mixedcutting of radicchios and chicoriesconsists of 12 varieties for cut-and-come-again treatment but you couldgive them more generous spacings forhearts in autumn. Broadcast sow nowand thin to 13cm apart for summerpickings or sow in July in rows forautumn/winter. Seeds of Italy

020 8427 5020, seedsofitaly.com

CropstoharvestinMaySpringcabbage ThiswouldhavebeensowninAugustandplantedduringautumnorwinteringreenhousebeds.

Calabrese Again,harvestAugust-

sowncalabresewhichwasplantedintobedsduringautumn.Leafysalads SowingsofawiderangeofleavesmadeunderglassinFebruarywillyieldcuttingsinMaywhenthereislittleelse.CauliflowerSpring-headedtypessownthepreviousspringarearealbonusastheyproducetheirmassive,tastyheadsnow.Summerspinach StartedunderglassinJanuaryorFebruaryandplantedoutunderclochesorframes,t

hiswillbereadynow.Lettuce Fast-growingsmalllettucelikeTomThumbsownearlyundercover,canbeenjoyedthismonth.

Although we are often instructedto sow parsnips as early asFebruary because they benefitfrom a long growing season, thisis rarely possible on heavier soilsand happens in my garden onlyonce in a blue moon. In mostyears, our soil remains cold andwaterlogged by regular rainfall inthe early months of the year.Some folk do well by sowing seedinto modules under glass forplanting out later but parsnipsprefer to send their roots straightdown, in situ. I find the best betis simply to wait for conditions tosettle, bearing in mind that earlyMay tends to be the cut off timefor decent sized roots (if you likemini parsnips, sow in June).Take out an even drill, soak thebase if necessary and sow threeor four seeds per station at 13-15cm intervals in rows 30cm apart.

Thin to one per station later.

ITS NOT TOOLATE FORPARSNIPS

When perusing catalogues, seedmixtures often catch my eye. While thisis a fun way of enjoying variety for theprice of one packet, there is a pitfall topoint out. Everybody usually sows morethan they need and when transplantingseedlings, we tend to look for thelargest, healthiest seedlings with thedeepest colour. This has to go out of thewindow with mixtures, otherwise youcould end up accidentally selecting just

one type. Instead, you have totransplant every seedling in one areauntil you have as many as you need,including tiny ones and pale ones, thenyoull have captured the essence of themix. If you see an exciting, odd-lookingseedling lurking in a corner, grab thattoo! The same goes when thinning rowsof direct sown seedlings, or those sownat stations. Dont leave just thehealthiest but go for a mixture.

Have fun withseed mixes


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Whilst a large vegetable plot or allotmentmay be ideal for growing a variety of crops,many of us are restricted by the size of ourgarden, especially in urban areas.Make themost out of your location with a raised bed fromQuickcrop the companys attractive productscan be arranged to suit a wide variety of sites.In this competition were giving away two cornerkits which consist of two Premier split levelbeds that measure 300cm x 120cm x 52.5cm,along with a 120cm x 120cm x 50cm and a90cm x 90cm x 50cm bed as well as threerunner up prizes. The fully assembled producttakes up a space of only 300cm and looksfantastic when planted up.

The Quickcrop website offers a range offeatures including the free raised bed designservice, as well as supplying all the seeds, plantsand tools you need to grow a variety of crops.

The company also provides an online videolibrary for advice you may need along the way.

GYOhas worked together with Quickcropto provide two winners with a set of raisedbeds each corner kit is worth 406, andthree runners up will each receive a 120cm x120cm x 35cm raised bed worth 69. Formore information on Quickcrops broad range,visit quickcrop.co.uk/raised-beds

IN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN

IN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN

Make the most of out limited gardenspace with a raised bed from Quickcrop

To be in with a chance of winning a

raised bed, follow the instructions

on page 104, or visit

growfruitandveg.co.uk/competitions

HOWTOWIN

PRIZESWORTH1,000!


UP FOR

GRABS!


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SPRING ADVICE Allotmentjobs

THIS MONTHS JOBS ON THE VEGETABLE PATCH AND PATIO

If youre sowingin dry weather,water the bottomof the drill firstand sow yourseeds. Coverlightly with drysoil and dont re-water for anatural mulch.

TheGardenersMonthlyReminderC

alendarbyMichaelLittlewood,

11.9

5fromT

heOrganicGardening

Catalogue,organiccatalogue.com

DONT FORGET:SET BEER TRAPS FOR SLUGSThe molluscs every gardener loves to hate are onthe march now, so put up your defences beforethey get to work on your newly-germinatedseedlings. A beer trap is among the most effective.You can buy slug pubs off the shelf(originalorganics.co.uk) or just make your own.Sink an empty yoghurt pot into the soil, leavingthe rim about 2cm above the soils surface sobeneficial insects like ground beetles dont fall in,then half fill it with beer. Slugs find this so

irresistible they fall in and meet a drunken end.

Whenharvestingrhubarb,pullitcarefullyawaywithyourhandsratherthancuttingitwithaknifethatwayitpartscompanywiththecrowncleanly,leavingnostumps.

GROWING TECHNIQUE:Makingalazy bedEveryone likes ashort cut.Whetherits not bothering tothin your leeksor growing dwarf peas so youdonthaveto construct supports, anything whichsavesyoutimeandeffort hasto be a goodthing.

So imagine ifyoucouldclearan overgrownplotwith thebare minimum of spadework you dontevenhave toweed. Yet youendupwithraised vegbedsthatsas richas thosemade using traditionalmethods.

Mowthe wholeareashort, then laya deepstrip of manureorcompost, about 50cm wide, straight onto the ground. Place seed potatoes alongthisstrip30 to45cmapart, coverwithmorecompost, then cutthroughthe turfoneachsideabout 45cm awayfromthis strip.Sliceunderneath soit folds upandover your spuds,thenjust leaveto grow!

Cover the upside-down turf with soildugfromthesidestripsto plantotherveg inthetopinstead. Youll find the soil youve exposed onboth sides drainsawayexcess water,alifesaver on heavysoils.Next year, topwithmore compostandcarryon growing andmakeanotheronenextdoor!

Two-litreplasticdrinkbottlesmakefantasticindividualclochestoslotoverjust-plantedbabycourgettesandsweetcorn,keepingthemtoastywarm.

Plot Essentials MayPROJECT: Puddling in leeksThere are as many ways to grow leeks as there are types ofleek to grow, but if you want to make sure yours are morelong, tender white shank than dark green leaf, try the oldgrowing trick of puddling them in.

Start by sowing direct into a seed bed a small area setapart from the rest of the veg patch where you can startslow-growing crops to transplant later. Once theyre pencil

thickness move them totheir final growingpositions, but instead of

planting them at thesame depth, make ahole about 15cm deepwith a dibber. Drop aseedling in and just fillthe hole with water dont bother to back-fill.The stem grows up indarkness inside the hole,effectively forcing it soit becomes long, whiteand deliciously tender.

Words by Sally Nex


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MUST-DO JOBSArm yourself with horticultural fleece so thatyou can protect vulnerable plants suffering

unexpected late frostsSow frost-tender crops like sweetcorn,

courgettes and pumpkins on a warm, sunnywindowsill for a great start

Thin carrots and beetroot, pinching out thesmallest to leave the strongest growing on

Snip soft young growth from rosemary andthyme as cuttings to make new plantsShear off comfrey leaves and soak for six

weeks for nutritious plant tea

HOW TO AVOID...SPINDLY ASPARAGUSYou wait two seasons while your

sparagus grows, then on day one of

our third season you find nothing but

straggle of spindly, stick-like spears to

ut. Its disappointing, to put it mildly.

Thin asparagus spears are often just

emale ones, prune them out before

hey flower and produce seed. Make

ure crowns are at least 15cm beneath

he soil surface to avoid thin stems.

Dont over-pick

sparagus,specially

when theyre

oung and

oull avoid

isastrous crops.

This isone of those vegetables thats been around for about 140years, yet has inexplicably disappeared from wider circulationdespitebeing scrumptious, easy to grow and pretty, too.

Also known as Duchessede Chambord, the Hungarian ricebean is a type of haricot. It gets its commonname from itsdiminutive size smaller than dwarf French beans, and even betterfor growingincontainers. Eat its 10cm long podslike mangetout,or wait and shell out the tiny beans inside to dry and store. Theyhave great flavour and dont need soaking like other shelling

beans just cook them for 20-25 minutes. (chilternseeds.co.uk)

NEW VARIETY:Courgette Royal Flush(Johnsons)Try this newly-arrived beauty, bredspecially for gardeners with smallplots. Its compact root system andrestrained growth habits mean itsmore comfortable in the restrictedenvironment of a pot than mostcourgettes, fruiting as prolifically asmany traditional garden-grownvarieties with dozens of tender,sweet green fruits.

(johnsons-seeds.co.uk)

HERITAGE VARIETY:HUNGARIAN RICE BEAN

Build a carrotfly barrierThe damage causedby the tiny carrot fly(or rather, by itsdirty grey maggotstunnelling aroundin your prizedroots) isdevastating andgoes largelyunseen until itstoo late and youpull your harvestonly to find itriddled with half-rotten holes.

Fortunatelythe nondescriptlittle flies which arebehind the trouble have one major weakness

they cant fly properly. At most, theyll stagger to aheady 45cm above ground so all you need is abarrier about 75cm high around your veg bed orcarrot row to protect your crop.

Sink a 1m cane at each corner, then at 1mintervals along the edges. Then stretch a length ofpolythene or insect-proof mesh to a 75cm heightaround this frame, held on to the canes with clothespegs. Fleece works well too, but is more easilydamaged. Bury the bottom 5cm in the soil so theflies cant crawl underneath, and leave in placethroughout the growing cycle to be sure of blemish-free roots for tea.

Grow soyabeans

If youre looking for anutritious and easy newcrop, look no further.Soya beans are protein-packed and delicious,especially eaten green asedamame steamedthen sprinkled with salt,sesame seeds and soysauce for a spicy,crunchy snack. You canalso make soya milk byblending the beans

with water and boiling. Add acoagulant like gypsum (from home-brew shops) forhome-produced tofu.

Soya beans normally like their summers longerand hotter than ours, but recently several cultivarshave emerged which do well in the UK includingBlack Jet (jungleseeds.co.uk) and the white-seededElena (mr-fothergills.co.uk).

Start the seeds off under cover, as you would forFrench beans, and move outside as sturdy youngplants in late April or May, planting about 15cm apartin double rows. They grow to 60cm and dont needsupporting. Pull up whole plants while the pods areimmature to eat fresh for edamame, or wait till theleaves have fallen in autumn and pick as required the pods keep quite well if left on the plant till you

need them.

In association with

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EXPERT INTERVIEW VEG MASTERCLASSS YOURCOMPLETEVEGG

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About the authorMichael Michaud and his wife runSea Spring Seeds, a Dorset-basedcompany specialising in theproduction and sale of vegetableseeds and chilli plants. They breed

crops and have developed severalnew varieties, including theDorset Naga, one of the worlds

hottest chillies. For more detailsvisit seaspringseeds.co.uk

Introduce this sweet, crunchy root toyour plot with the help of Michael Michaud

from Sea Spring Seeds

K

ohlrabi is a cold tolerant cabbage

relative producing an enlargedstem that grows just above the

soil surface. Depending on the variety,

the skin surrounding the stems can beeither purple or pale green the flesh

inside is more or less white, with a

crunchy texture and mildly sweet taste.It was once cultivated as a fodder

crop in this country, and given its

association with animals, it is notsurprising there has been a reticence

to adopt it as a garden vegetable.

Thats our loss, and now is the timeto let go of the past and give kohlrabi

the chance it deserves.

Of all the environmental factors

affecting the growth of this plant,temperature plays a particularly

Space the plants about 18 to 22cm aparteach way, and keep the soil moist to

prevent a check in growth.

Due to its family ties, kohlrabi isplagued by the standard cabbage pests,

many of which can be controlled by

draping a fine mesh over the plants.Slugs and snails are a constant threat,

though nightly ventures into the gardento collect them should act as a deterrent.Always practice good crop rotation by

growing kohlrabi and its relatives no

more than one year in four on the samepatch of ground.

To maintain quality, harvest your

kohlrabi before it gets too big anddevelops tough, spiky fibres the

standard recommendation is when the

stems are about 4 to 8cm in diameter.Modern varieties, however, may remain

in good condition for longer, and

allowing them to grow bigger probably

wont be a disaster.

Prepare for the dinner tableKohlrabi stems can be cooked like

turnips, but I think they lose most of

their appeal when heat is employed intheir preparation. In my opinion they

are better eaten raw in mixed salads or

alone, thinly sliced and simply dressedwith a bit of lemon and salt. I like to

give the stems a quick peel with a knife

and eat them like an apple. They arecrunchy, sweet and delicious and remind

me of why I garden.

Growingthis crop is a

cinch just start with

well-drained, fertilesoil that has been

worked to afine tilth

GROW LIKE A PRO:

KOHLRABI

important role. Susceptible varieties may

bolt when exposed to temperatures

below 10C for just a week, so becareful of this. Also, bear in mind that

purple varieties are traditionally believed

to be hardier and therefore better suitedfor late season cropping.

Start sowingGrowing this crop is a cinch you just

need to start with well-drained, fertilesoil that has been worked to a fine tilth.

For an early harvest, germinate seeds in

February using modular trays placed ina heated propagator. Once the roots fill

the cells, transplant the seedlings to an

unheated greenhouse or tunnel.Outdoor crops can be sown directly into

the ground from March to August.


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Winter SquashVEG MADE EASY


autumn sunshine. If it is particularly cool andwet, bring them inside and cure them in agreenhouse or conservatory. Once this has beendone, store in a cool place until you want toeat them. Some of the longer-lasting varieties

will be fine until early April.

Potential problems Slugs: These pesky creatures will happilydestroy your squash plants so dont forgetto put adequate controls in place.

Powdery mildew: This disease is recognisedby white, powdery patches, which usuallyappear on leaves and stems. Dry conditionsmake squash more susceptible to the fungus,so be sure to irrigate regularly and mulch tohelp conserve water. If you see any infectedshoots, remove them immediately.

Lack of fruit: If youre not seeing fruitsappear or any that do form are rotting whensmall dont despair. This isnt usually causedby something youve done, but byenvironmental conditions such as a coolearly summer which can result in inadequatepollination. As soon as the weather starts toheat up, pollination should improve but if youdrather not wait you could try hand pollinatingyour flowers.

With their fantastic keeping ability, tasty flesh andhuge array of shapes, sizes and colours, wintersquashes are a great addition to any veg plot

Winter squash

A beginners guide to:

Sow indoors:April MayPlant out: May JuneSow outdoors: May JuneHarvest: September October(depending on variety)Conditions: Sheltered, sunny,

fertile groundSkill level: Easy

AT A GLANCE

First of all, lets talk about the differentsquash available to grow. Generallyspeaking, there are two types winter squashand summer squash. Summer squashes, such

as courgettes, pattypan and tromboncino, areharvested when the fruits are immature, withthin skins. They need to be eaten quickly anddo not store well. Winter squash, on theother hand, have thicker skins which meansthat their soft flesh can be stored for months.They are harvested when mature aroundOctober and can be eaten all through thewinter (hence the name).

Part of the reason why winter squash areso popular is the incredible array of differentvarieties to grow. As well as traditionalpumpkin and butternut varieties, there arealso quirky trumpet-shaped types, oblongand rugby ball-sized squashes, and they

come in colours ranging from dark greenand red to cream and yellow.

The basicsWinter squashes need a long season and rich,fertile ground to thrive. Aim to sow seedsindoors around April or May, or straight outside

where they are to crop, in May or June.Because they are such greedy crops, its best toprepare the ground a few months before youplan to use your beds. Make planting pits orpockets by digging a hole the size of a spadeswidth and depth and filling with organic matter these will be ideal homes for your squashwhen you come to transplant indoor-raisedseedlings or sow seeds directly outside.Winter squashes are fairly easy to look after,and will happily romp away providing they canaccess the necessary nutrients and that youwater them well while theyre establishing.After harvesting they can keep for manymonths if cured properly. This involves

hardening off their outer skin to protect theflesh inside and is usually done naturally by the


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Heart of Gold AGM:A great-tasting acorn squash withgreen and white striped skin.

Sweet Lightning AGM:An early-ripening, dumpling-typesquash with high sugar content.The Organic Gardening Catalogue01932 253 666,organiccatalogue.com

Honey Bear AGM: The small,acorn type fruits are sweet, withoutstanding storage qualities.Nickys Nursery 01843 600 972,nickys-nursery.co.uk

Sweet Dumpling AGM:The green and white striped fruitsare highly ornamental with greatflavour.Mr Fothergills 0845 3710518, mr-fothergills.co.uk

Crown Prince AGM: Thissquash has a beautiful blue-greyskin and orange flesh with adelicious nutty flavour.Jungle Seeds 01491 614 765,jungleseeds.co.uk

Harlequin AGM: An acornsquash with delicious smoothflesh and a high sugar content.Simply Seed 0115 727 0606,simplyseed.co.uk

Sunshine AGM: A tasty,kabocha squash with an onionshape and reddish-orange skin.Kings Seeds 01376 570 000,kingsseeds.com

Rouge vif dEtampes:Known as the Cinderellapumpkin, this has medium-sized,flattened, red-orange fruits.The Organic Gardening Catalogue01932 253 666,organiccatalogue.com

Marina Di Chioggia: Thisvariety has a unique blue-greenskin and orange flesh.The Organic GardeningCatalogue 01932 253 666,organiccatalogue.com

Queensland Blue: An oldAustralian variety with squarish,deeply-ribbed metallic blue fruits.Simply Seed 0115 727 0606,

simplyseed.co.uk

Ian Tocher, ahorticulturist at RHSWisley, shares his

top 10 winter squash to try

EXPERT

RHSTop 10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10


STEP 1Sowing times vary with variety, but April or Mayis generally a good time to start winter squash.Fill pots with compost, firming down gently.

STEP 2Using water that has been brought up to roomtemperature, lightly irrigate your pots with a finerose watering can so the soil is just moist.

STEP 3Make one hole per pot 1-2cm deep with a dibber(check seed packets for the exact depth required,as this will vary with each variety).

STEP 4Gently push one winter squash seed into eachof the holes and carefully cover them backover with the soil.

STEP 5

Water in well, using a fine rose can, and placesomewhere bright and warm. Seedlings usuallyappear in seven to 10 days.

STEP 6

When plants are about a month old and the riskof frosts has passed, harden them off to outsideby leaving them out for increasingly longer spells.

CARING FOR AND HARVESTING SQUASHOnce your plants are accustomed to the outside temperatures, plant into a sunny and shelteredspot. You should have already prepared this area by digging in plenty of organic matter a fewmonths previous. Generally squashes should be planted around 1m apart although check specificguides for your variety. Firm them into the ground and give them a light dusting of generalfertiliser. Keep the soil moist and the plants well watered until they are established.

Winter squashes are sprawling plants and you may find you lose sight of your fruit as theydevelop. If the weather is wet, you may want to lift your squash off the ground, onto paving slabsto keep them dry and prevent rotting. Fruits are usually ready to harvest around October. Harvestedsquash can keep for an exceptionally long time the secret lies in making sure theyre fully cured

before storing. Eat up any that remain soft by November and keep the rest in a cool place.

STEP-BY-STEP: Sowing winter squash inside


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PRACTICAL ADVICE Seed sowing


DRILL SOWINGThis suits little, tough, easy-to-grow plantswhere each seedling produces a singlecrop, such as carrots, turnips and celeriac.

Use a string line to mark out your drill (seetop right). Draw the edge of a hoe or thecorner of a rake through the soil next to itto create a v-shaped furrow.

Pour a small amount of seed into one palm,then use the thumb and forefinger of yourother hand to pinch out some seeds andsprinkle them finely along the base of thedrill. Picture the eventual size of the carrotor beetroot and attempt to sow at a spacingthat roughly equates to the room youd likethe plant to have.

Chances are you wont sow finely enough,and will have to come along and thin out

those seedlings a few weeks later when theyappear clumped together or just too close.Be careful not to dislodge those left behind.

Sowing seeds directly into the ground

where they are to go is fairlystraightforward, and is usually most

successful if you wait for the soil to warm

a little most seeds flourish when sownfrom mid-spring onwards.

Whenever, wherever you sow, fine-

textured soil is best. Picture your emergingseedlings delicate roots setting off down

into the earth hunting for stability and water if they dont find it quickly theyll wither.A fine tilth allows them to sink below the

Get the best from your early season crops withthis guide to outside sowing from Mark Diacono

surface easily, with the air spaces allowing waterand dissolved nutrients to access the roots.

You may find, especially if your are going

to be creating a garden from scratch, that yoursoil isnt in this ideal condition to start with.

Depending on whether you favour a no-dig

approach or not, this means either a littledigging and working over with a rake until

the surface is crumbly with few big lumps,

or adding compost. Lavish a little time ongetting the soil into welcoming shape itll

pay you back in spades.

SUCCESS

Sowing

BUY THE BOOKExtracts adapted from

The New Kitchen Garden,by Mark Diacono

(Saltyard Books, 25)which is also available

as an e-book

BROADCAST SOWINGThis style best suits cut-and-come-againsalad leaves that are happy to growcheek by jowl. They are harvested whensmall so never need much space tostretch out, and harvesting is simplestwhere they grow close together in a

swathe of leaves. Draw the back of a rake across the

prepared soil to create a level surfacewith no large lumps.

Take a small handful of seeds and scatterthem across its width from side to side,starting furthest away from you andworking backwards until you havecovered the entire area evenly.

Use the rake to lightly tickle the verysurface soil so that most of the seedsare slightly covered.

Use a watering can with a fine rose tolightly water the seed drill. Keeping the

stream of water light is vital too heavyand the seeds will wash off. If in doubt,water the soil a little before sowing.


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BUCKS HORN PLANTAINPlantago coronopus. Also known as:minutina, plantago and erba stella.Hardy perennial often grown asan annual.

Starting off: The seed is tiny so sowin trays under cover from February,prick out into modules and plant outwhen roots are showing. You canalso sow direct in early spring.

Position: Most soils with gooddrainage. Sun or light shade.

Spacing: 20cm apart.

Productivity/efficiency: A small patchcan provide you with leaves forsalads or for steaming from Aprilto June (longer if you cut backflower stems).

Growing: Cut back flower stems topromote fresh leaf growth.

CHOP SUEY GREENSChrysanthemum coronarium. Alsoknown as: shungiku. Hardy annual.

Starting off: Broadcast or sow inshallow drills from spring toSeptember. Sow every few weeksfor a good succession.

Position: Very happy in sun orpart-shade.

Spacing: Thin to at least 5cm apart.

Productivity/efficiency: Harvestingis possible around six weeks aftersowing and several cuttings can behad from each sowing.

Growing: Water in dry weather. Itis fairly untroubled by pests anddiseases, but can become bitter inhot weather.

Harvest: Cut when around 10cmhigh. The flowers are also edible.

TWO UNUSUAL CROPS TO SOW NOW

STATION SOWINGSome seeds are big and tough enough thatyou can just push them into the groundand be reasonably confident that they willcome to something, broad beans and peasamong them. However, as a backup it oftenpays to station sow, that is: you sow at theeventual spacing you want the plant togrow at with no expectation of thinningout later but you plant two seeds at eachstation. This acts as a little insurance shouldone fail, and if both germinate you pull outthe smaller one as early as you spot it.

CREATINGA STRING LINEIf you are going to be sowing your crops inrows, it is important to make sure they arestraight you'll fit more in and sacrificeless space to bare soil, you'll findit easier to tell what is weed and what is

not, and it just looks better and be easierto maintain, too.

For this, a string line is a useful tool ina vegetable garden, and you can createone simply, with the use of string and twoshort pieces of wood bamboo cane isideal. Cut a length of string a bit longerthan the row you want to create. Tie oneend of the string to one of the sticks andthe other end to the second stick. Pushone stick in the soil at one end of yourrow and the other stick at the oppositeend, creating a line of string in between,which marks out your row. Wind anyexcess string around one of the sticks so

the line is taut. This then acts as a usefulbut unobtrusive guide while you aresowing your seeds.

DONT FORGET TOLABEL YOUR SEEDS!As you sow beetroot seeds, you will believe thatthere is no need to label the row. You have aphotographic memory. You have pored overcatalogues, carefully choosing this heritage seedand then chosen the perfect spot for it. You aresure you'll remember the name and location

perfectly. You wont. You will stare baffled at thisvery same spot a couple of weeks down theline, scratching you head at the mysteriouslyemerging seedlings, or worse, as you run outof space you will rake the whole area and sowagain. Label everything. Label when you firstsow. If you pot on from a seed tray into pots,label again a fresh label for every single pot.

Whenever, wherever

you sow, fine-textured

soil is best


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[email protected] tel: 01768 800 555

The Grazers FamilyEffective against damage from major garden pests

RABBITS PIGEONS DEER GEESE

S LUG S S NAIL S BUTTERFLIES CATERPILLARS


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These veg patch menaces are a far cry from the cute, fluffy creatures in children's books

and will happily destroy your carefully tended beds. Damage is caused by the rabbits

stripping and eating foliage, stems and even bark as well as digging. They are activeyear-round, with most damage being caused overnight.

It is likely that we've all encountered one typeof aphid or another over time. These little sap

suckers cause distorted growth which in turn

weakens the plant. They are usually quite easyto spot, as the colonies all gather together on

stems and leaves. There are hundreds of aphid

species in the UK, but luckily, there are lots ofdifferent control methods, so even if you do

have an infestation, you can take action!

AMike says: Aphids are difficult tocontrol, spreading rapidly, and areeven more challenging if you want to bechemical-free. Fortunately, they have manynatural enemies we can encourage intoour gardens including ladybirds, hoverflylarvae, and parasitic wasps. Some of theseare available as biological controls for usein greenhouses, polytunnels andconservatories. Try combatting greenhouseaphids with APHIDIUS, whilst glasshousewhitefly outbreaks can be controlled withENCARSIA, which is a small parasitic waspwhich lays its eggs in young whitefly.organiccatalogue.com

BEATING PESTSandDISEASES

Get on top of the garden nasties and safeguardyour crops from harm we show you how

Jonathan Tebb-Rogeris a director at Grazers

EXPERT

Mike Hedges is managingdirector at The OrganicGardening Catalogue

EXPERT

AJonathan says: Fencing is great in large gardens as a control againstrabbits, but obviously this is by no means fool-proof, as they can dig underor even chew through weaker barriers. There are other options such as mulchesand gels which serve a purpose in small plots or pots. The beauty of Grazers is itsan easy-to-use spray and is safe in an edible garden without posing any risk tochildren, pets or other wildlife. Once youve applied the spray it will be absorbedby the leaves and remains effective for up to six weeks. grazers.co.uk

This disease affects both the leaves, stems

and fruits of plants from early summeronwards, and is recognisable by large

brown patches. Blight spreads quickly, soregularly check your plants and be sure to

remove and destroy any showing the

fungal disease as soon as it is noticed.

AJill says: Late blight

(Phytophthora infestans) affectsboth tomatoes and potatoes. Thedisease survives over winter onvolunteer potatoes (plants growingfrom tubers left in the ground). Sporescan also blow in from nearby infectedcrops. In warm, wet seasons the diseasespreads rapidly its less of a problemin fine weather. Commercial potatogrowers use Smith periods to predictwhen their crops are at risk (twosuccessive days with temperaturesabove 10C and relative humidityabove 90 per cent for more than 11

hours each day). The only materials

available to gardeners for the control

of blight contain copper and areprotectants which means they haveto be applied before the plants areinfected, with coverage of all surfaces.Copper is toxic to aquatic organismsand it accumulates in the soil so wedont use it here. Last year, we hadnew blight-resistant varieties to try andIm pleased to say they did very wellin trials. The blight-tolerantoutdoor tomato collectionis available by calling01354 740 553 or onDelflands website

organicplants.co.uk

Rabbits

Aphids

Tomato blight

Jill Vaughan is a soilscientist and together

with husband John Overvoorde runs

Delfland Nurseries

EXPERT


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EXPERT ADVICE Pest control

These insects are often found to be the culprits behind small holes in the foliage of brassicas and

other leafy greens. You may actually see the beetles on the plants, but they will tend to make a

dash for it once disturbed. Seedlings are particularly vulnerable to attack, so it can be a goodidea to grow plants on in a protected environment, then transplant them to their final growing

space once they are a little bit larger.

Dr Victoria Wright istechnical advisor at Agralan

EXPERT

The nemesis of many gardeners, slugs and

snails can be a force to be reckoned with.

Munching on leaves, these hungry pestscan cause a lot of damage in a small

amount of time particularly to seedlings

and young plants which can be totallywiped out. Everyone has slightly different

ways of protecting crops usually

dependent on whether you are an organicgardener or not.

A Isobel says: In our glasshouseswe grow organic veg and getslugs all year round attacking lettuceand pak choi. We control them usingnematodes tiny worms which arenatural slug predators. Nematodescome as a paste which you water ontothe affected area. They carry bacteriawhich infects the slugs and kills them they will multiply and spread providingthe soil is warm and wet. In yourgarden you can treat slugs from Marchto October, when the soil is warmenough for the nematodes to work.Its a good thing to treat them beforeyou plant out your precious seedlings prevention is better than cure!

ladybirdplantcare.co.uk

Isobel Rae is directorat Ladybird Plant Care

EXPERT

Although they are tiny, these insects

are extremely destructive if given halfa chance to take hold in your carrotbed. The larvae produced by the littleflies will feast on the roots of yourcrop, making them unusable. Look outfor any apparent scarring on the carrot,which will be brown and run intotunnels which the maggots have madeto burrow to the centre. These tunnelscan go right through your crops and ifyou slice the carrot down the centre,you will be able to see their path. Oncethey have been present in a bed, it isbest not to use it again for a couple

of seasons to prevent repeat attacks.

AVictoria says: These small blackbeetles cause damage in spring andautumn when small holes and pits areeaten out of young leaves of lettuce,rocket, radishes and the like. But byacting early, flea beetle can be controlled.A physical barrier is the best way to stopthe pest damaging the plant. Tendamesh

is a lightweight crop cover designed tostop flea beetles and other small insectsfrom attacking your veg. It will alsoprotect against allium leaf miner, aphids,thrips and white fly. Cover immediatelyafter sowing and this mesh can remain inplace over the plants for up to eightweeks. agralan.co.uk

Julie Brandreth is directorat Gardening Naturally

EXPERT

AJulie says: These little flies will beattracted to the strong smell of carrots,so one of the best means of prevention is tosow your seeds finely. This helps to reducethe risk of female flies being attracted tothe smell of carrots during thinning out.However, if you've been a little overenthusiastic and have ended up with moreplants than you intended, carrot fencenetting is a great option. It is available on itsown or in sets and makes access difficult forthe bugs. gardening-naturally.com

Flea beetle

Slugs and snails

Carrot fly


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PRACTICAL ADVICE Speedy gardening


Growing your own fruit and veg is an enjoyable hobbybut can be time-consuming. Those of us who work long hoursor have many other responsibilities may find it difficult to maintain

crops. These constraints often force keen gardeners to give up, but thisneednt be the case. If you carefully select the veg you grow, and useclever tricks to reduce the amount of time spent tending to your plot,

its possible for anyone to grow a wide variety of delicious produce.

Our pick of the best jobs and crops for

growers who cant spend long on the plot

FOR THE BUSYGARDENER

Time-saving tips

SPEND LESSTIMEWateringProviding your plantswith moisture is vital tomaintaining their healthand vitality if youregrowing a number ofcrops, this can quickly

become a lengthy task.However, there are somethings you can considerif you cant always wateryour plants during the day.

MULCHING Not only

does this practice protectyour veg from weeds andfrost, but it also helps toretain the moisture underthe surface of the soil. Thismeans that you will haveto water less frequently.We recommend using

biodegradable materialsuch as leaf mould, gardencompost and woodchippings as a layer ofmulch to your soil around

your crops. This will needto be topped up as they

decompose into the soil they will also addnutrients, giving your

plants an extra boost.

WIND PROTECTIONKeeping your plants awayfrom the exposure ofstrong gusts can help tostop them drying out. Tryto place your crops near asheltered wall if theyre inpots or containers.

USE A HOSE Carrying aheavy watering can is not

only tiring, but it slows youdown. If you want to giveyour plants a drink in halfthe time, buy a hose witha fine rose head and givethem the supply they need.

WATER RETAININGGRANULES Thisproduct can be bought atmany garden centres andis great for containerplants as they hold water

to stop the soil absorbingit all at once.


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Time-savingtoolsYourgardeningequipmentisimportantforgettingjobsontheplotdonequicklyandefficiently.Insteadofinvestinginanumberofdifferentitems,lookoutforproductsthatsignificantlysavetimewithamultitudeofuses.Forexample,aspakecombinesthepurposeofaspadeandarake,whilstaswoehasmultipleedgeswhichmakeitmorepracticalthanaregularhoe.Awaterirrigationsystemcanalsobeincrediblyvaluableinthesummertimewhenplantsmayneedwateringregularlythroughouttheday.

REDUCE WEEDSIf you only have a small amount of freetime, the last thing youll want to do isspend it pulling dozens of weeds fromyour plot. Whilst its unlikely youllremove this problem completely,following these simple tips could

dramatically reduce the number ofthese undesirable plants.

Use biodegradable covers This form of protection smothers anyweeds that might be lurking, and canbe bought at garden centres for areasonable price.

Dig as little as possible Notonly is this tip easy to follow whenyoure short on time, but disturbingthe soil encourages unwanted plantsto grow when they would otherwiseremain dormant below the surface.

Grow your crops as closetogether as possible You dontwant your plants to be so crowdedthat they begin to compete with eachother for water and nutrients, butkeeping the space between cropsminimal will reduce the opportunityfor weeds to sprout.

CarrotsGrowing this crop until they are finger-sizedtakes only six weeks and at this stage they

are packed full of sweetness. Its best toharvest them all together as the leavesrelease a scent that attracts carrot fly oncethey have been pulled.

VARIETIES TO TRYPrimo A tasty root thats great for earlysowings. (thompson-morgan.com)Flyaway This veg has a particularlygood resistance to carrot fly, choose this fora reliable harvest. (jungleseeds.co.uk)Parmex An unusually short, round cropthats quick to mature with a great flavour.(marshalls-seeds.co.uk)

CherrytomatoesThey are renowned for incredibly fastgermination, and choosing the right varietyis crucial to reaping the rewards of the

harvest as early as possible. Its possible topick these fruits 65 days after you started try watering plants from below to preventthe development of blight.

VARIETIES TO TRYSub-Arctic Plenty One of the earliesttypes to ripen. Choose this crop if youreimpatient. (mr-fothergills.co.uk)Suncherry Premium Recommended bythe RHS as their top pick. They form aslightly flattened shape and are very quickto mature. (thompson-morgan.com)Sweet Million Choose this one ifyoure looking for reliability. They produce

fruits with a great balance of acidity andsweetness. (suttons.co.uk)

There are many varieties of veg that can begrown in a surprisingly small amount oftime. If you dont want to spend agestending to plants that are slow togerminate and mature then take a look atour recommended crops to try.

LettuceMost supplierswill tell you togrow this saladleaf until it

forms a firmheart, butmaking yourcuttings earlymeans that you can enjoy this crop as soonas 21 days after youve sown the seeds.Make sure the lettuces are close togetherfor a cut and come again harvest.

VARIETIES TO TRYLittle Gem Forms sweet, dark-greenfoliage with a crunchy texture.(seaspringseeds.co.uk)Tom Thumb One of the smallestvarieties of lettuce that will produce soft

leaves with a minimal amount of effort.(jungleseeds.co.uk)Freckles A cut-and-come-again varietythat develops a bright green colouring withsplodges of burgundy. (sowseeds.co.uk )

RadishesThese pepperylittle roots willreach fullmaturityaround 22days afteryouve sown

them. However, another option to exploreis growing them as a microgreen. It willonly take a few days for them togerminate and the seedlings can be usedon salads for an intense, clean flavour.

VARIETIES TO TRYSparkler Medium-sized crops that arereliable and easy to grow. (nickys-nursery.co.uk)Ping Pong Perfect uniform veg with amild flavour. (jungleseeds.co.uk)Cherry Belle Produces beautiful rootswith a bright red skin and clean whiteflesh. This variety is a particularly fast-

growing choice.(plantsofdistinction.co.uk)

Use clever tricks to reduce the amountof time spent tending your plot

QUICK CROPS


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PRACTICAL ADVICE Runner Beans


1Use root trainers filled with moist, goodquality compost when sowing your runnerbean seeds this crop likes to throw down

long roots and needs space to grow strongly.

Aim to sow one bean per module betweenmid-April and late May, 4-5cm deep.

2 Place your seeds under cover in apropagating case at a temperature ofabout 18 to 20C. After germination, grow on

in cooler conditions and gradually acclimatisethem to outdoor conditions with a view to

plant out at the end of May or early June.

4 To make this, start with the roof. Securethree canes together in a triangular shapeand repeat this process until you have a series

of triangles. Attach these together with onelong cane along the triangular tip, and another

two canes where the angles join at the base.

Runner beans are a common sighton veg plots across the country and

with their pretty blooms and

beautifully shaped leaves, they make astriking addition to any space. They are a

prolific and productive crop and will thrive

with minimal care, making them perfect forbeginner growers. As a climbing plant, they

require support to grow. This step-by-step

guide demonstrates what you can do if youhave space for a house-shaped construction,

but you can easily create a straightforward

wigwam if your plot is smaller. Simply stakefive or six straight canes into the ground in

a circular fashion (about 30cm apart) and

then tie them firmly together at the topusing strong twine.

A sheltered sunny spot is the best place

for your runner bean plants. Just rememberto water them regularly - especially when

the flowers start to appear.

Add these energeticclimbers to yourplot and enjoy tasty,

fresh beans on aregular basis

throughout summer

THE YEAR-ROUND

POTAGER:

PhotographybyGAPPhotos

Runnerbeans

Train thestems of your

plants to climb uptheir support bygently coaxing

the twines aroundthe canes

3 Before planting out, prepare the groundby adding plenty of organic matter. Youwill also need to construct a support system

for your plants. While a simple wigwamstructure is sufficient, if you've got the space,

a runner bean 'house' looks really striking.


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growfruitandveg.co.uk

5 Now place a number of canes into yourground in a rectangular shape whichoincides with the size of your A-frame roof,

eaving a gap on one of the sides to act as a

oorway. Secure canes horizontally near theop of your rows of canes.

6 With help, attach your A-frame to thesides of your base. The top should rest onthe horizontal canes of your frame allowingyou to secure it easily with ties. Make sure that

the structure is robust and sturdy, adding more

canes in a diagonal fashion if needed.

8 Train the stems of your plants to climb uptheir support by gently coaxing the twinesaround the canes. They should cling to your

wooden sticks and start to make their wayupward. Water your crops well as they develop

this will ensure high yields.

9 Keep an eye out for pests such as slugsand snails, and make sure you haveontrol methods in place. When the beans

each the top of their support, pinch out therowing points. This will direct your plant's

nergy into forming sideshoots.

10 Your beans should be ready to harvestfrom around June to October. Harvestwhen they are about 15cm long and before the

beans inside start to swell. Pick regularly toensure a constant supply of beans throughout

the summer months.

PROMOTIONAL OFFER

Kings Seeds is giving you the chanceto save money on seeds

35

7 Make a small hole at the base of yourcanes and carefully place the young plantsnto these, firming the soil around them. Water

n well and apply a mulch to help preservemoisture. You can also attach old CDs to your

tructure this should help deter birds.

Runner beans are one of the mostpopular vegetables to grow at home save 1 per packet on the four selected

varieties below.

BENCHMASTERThis variety showcases deep redflowers which produce tender podsthat reach up to 40cm. It'srecommended by the RHSas a perfectpollinator andis high yielding.Use code430439 to buya pack of seedsfor just 1.25(usually 2.25).

FIRESTORMThis is a truly self pollinating runnerbean and easy to grow. It boastsattractive scarlet flowers whichproduce stringless, sweet tenderbeans and setswell even inpoor weather.Use code430438 to buy apack of seedsfor just 1.25(usually 2.25).

MOONLIGHTThis white flowering, self pollinatingand high yielding variety hasexcellent flavoured pods which aresmooth andfleshy.Use code430437 to buy apack of seedsfor just 1.50(usually 2.50).

HESTIAThis produces beautiful red and

white flowers followed by 18-20cmslim stringless runner beans on bushyplants. Early to crop and ideal forplanting in potson the patio.Use code430431 to buy apack of seedsfor just 1.35(usually 2.35).

HOW TO ORDER:Go online at kingsseeds.com or call

01376 570 000, quoting the codes above.This offer is valid until April 30, 2015.

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Catherine Larner meets two time- and space-strapped gardeners who havefound a way to indulge their growing passion with the help of a kind landowner

INTERVIEW Real life stories

Its a sunny Sunday afternoon in apicturesque riverside town in Suffolk. Theair is heavy with birdsong and bees, a gentle

snip-snipping of hedge trimmers and thereassuring drone of lawnmowers as residentspotter in their borders and beds. But twokeen gardeners are shutting their front doorsbehind them, taking their hats and gloves,secateurs and twine, trugs and Thermos, and

strolling 10 minutes up the street to adifferent plot entirely.

For the past seven years good friendsDawn Avery and Hettie Hope have beentending vegetables, flowers and fruit bushesin someone elses garden. The 20m by 5mstrip is owned by a resident of the town andis part of a deceptively large garden behind anunassuming redbrick house.

Wed established that the waiting listfor the allotments in the area was a mile longbut then a friend saw an advert in the localnewsletter, says Dawn. It read: Grow yourown. Local resident would welcome a callfrom anyone interested in utilising an

established plot for growing their ownvegetables. Responding to the advert,

Dawn then accepted a simple documentdetailing the terms of their arrangement the tenants would have no rights to the land,would keep it tidy and free of rubbish, wouldnot erect any buildings, and were responsiblefor their own health and safety.

The houseowner didnt ask for anyrent, which was very generous, says Hettie,adding that she and Dawn can visit the plot

at any time. Its nice for them that peopleare using their land, but its lovely thattheyre not worried about us troopingthrough their back garden.

A new ventureHettie recalls how thrilled she was to joinDawn in taking up the plot. I was acomplete townie, up from London, sheexplains. Apart from growing a few thingsin pots, I had never really done any gardening,but for me it was all a part of moving to thecountry and my family had always done it.I remember planting carrots in my owncorner of the garden when I was a child.

So perhaps I wanted to recreate that.My garden wasnt big enough to grow

vegetables, says Dawn. I have always hadan interest in plants. I dont know where itscome from but Ive always fancied doing it.

So, both novices, with demanding jobs andbusy social lives, they knew from the outsetthat they had limited time to dedicate to theirnew pursuit. But they vowed to give it a try,helping each other along the way. Its beentrial and error, and our motto has always been

to just fit it in as we could. We were nevergoing to make hard work of it, says Dawn.

I think because we both work full time, itbecame our weekend plot really, says Hettie.If one of them cant put in the hours oneweek, the other will endeavour to be there.That is the beauty of sharing the plot. But itis always more pleasurable if we are theretogether because we get more done andhave a chat, she adds.

They started out by deciding what theywould like to grow and how they would fitit in, drawing up a plan of the garden. Iremember I laminated that first plan. Wedont do that any more! says Hettie.

Plans change. You think youre going to doone thing and it is always slightly different.

ITS BECOME OUR

WEEKEND PLOT


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1Garlic and onions pretty much lookafter themselves, and runnerbeans and autumn raspberries haveproved successful for us.

2Dont try to do too much weedinglittle and often pays off, andremember to pop up and water during

the week if theres a hot spell.

3Give it a go growing with a friendor partner is good for support.

HETTIE AND DAWNSTIPS FOR GROWERS

of muck one year, says Dawn. You feelvery virtuous digging it in but then realise itis actually full of seeds from a farmsomewhere and so you have a selectionof weeds youve never seen before.

Having to make a visit to watch theplot, rather than popping out of your backdoor, does have some drawbacks, butgenerally both Dawn and Hettie enjoy howthey are able to give gardening theirundivided attention when they are there.Occasionally they will take a bottle of winewith them, but usually there are treats of

biscuits and cake to enjoy with their flaskof tea during the weekend afternoons.

Spending extra time at the plot in thesummer is no hardship, says Hettie. Beingoutside on a light evening is a great way tounwind after being in an office all day, or atthe end of a hectic week at work.Sometimes Ive been out watering the plotand suddenly realised its really quite dark.And then Ill be walking home with a coupleof squashes under my arm. Weve both hadenormous pleasure in just being there.

There is still nothing lovelier, saysDawn,

grow your own – may 2015

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