Grow Your Own March 2023

GIANT VEG: EASY WAYS TO GROW
RECORD-BREAKING CROPS AT HOME TOP RHS

growfruitandveg.co.uk March 2023 ADVICE
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Mark Lane Kim Stoddart David Domoney
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Seed to fork: Easy recipes to turn your harvests into meals to please a crowd!
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Editor’s Letter
WELCOME Can’t get enough of Grow

EDITORIAL …to the March issue of Grow
Editor Your Own! Here on the GYO Your Own? Catch up on
Laura Hillier team, we are all thrilled to any mags you’ve missed
laura.hillier@dcthomson.co.uk
see spring on the horizon, with the DC Thomson
Senior Content Creator
and we are itching to get Shop by heading to
Emily Peagram dcthomsonshop.co.uk
emily.peagram@dcthomson.co.uk started with our favourite crops! Propagators
Content Writer are being dusted off up and down the country,
Sophie King seed tins are out, and we are ready to get started!
sophie.king@dcthomson.co.uk As ever, our wonderful experts are on hand to share their tips on getting
DESIGN the best from your plot this spring. Anne Swithinbank will be focusing on
Art Director James Philp climbing peas for growing in pots (page 18), the RHS are delving into the
Designers world of carrots (page 22) and watermelon (page 25), while Mark Lane is
Debbie Pratt, Lee Francis, continuing to set up his brand-new garden (page 16), and Nick Bailey puts
Gemma Eales & Cat Morton
another unsung garden hero under the microscope (page 14).
ADVERTISING As well as all this, we will be sharing our five favourite tomatoes (page
Deputy Group Advertising
Manager
42), the unusual fruit you should try (page 78) and how to grow without a
Daniel Hewlett 01206 505 950 garden (page 56) – yes, really!
daniel.hewlett@dcthomson.co.uk We hope you enjoy the magazine, and do get in touch and share what is
Business Solutions Manager going on in your garden this month – use the hashtag #growwithgyo and you
Amy Shaw could see your photos featured in the magazine next month.
amy.shaw@dcthomson.co.uk
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growfruitandveg.co.uk 3
March’s
CONTENTS
Smart gardening
52 Smart news
54 Smart design
56 Smart guide: Growing without a garden
Regulars
7 This month
8 Have your say
10 Jobs on the plot
12 Charles Dowding’s no dig FAQs
14 Nick Bailey: What Lies Beneath
16 Mark Lane’s new garden diary
18 Anne Swithinbank: Climbing peas
30 Plot essentials
44 Subscribe today!
84 #growwithgyo
90 Ellen Mary: Samphire
RHS
22 Growing guide: Carrots
25 Edible exotics: Watermelon
26 Forest gardening
28 RHS diary dates
More growing advice

18
33 Sow your bonus seeds
42 Top 5 tomatoes
46 Pick of the crop: Cloches and
cold frames
10
48 Spring essentials
51 Emily’s top 5
58 Kim Stoddart: Climate change
gardening
61 Ask the experts
64 David Domoney: Pink borders
66 Garden Organic
68 Under cover
70 Glorious greenhouses
73 Top 8 destinations to see blossom
this year
77 Gooseberries
78 Top 5 unusual fruits
81 Crops to sow and harvest
87 Tried and tested: Propagators
92 The possibility of a garden
94 Allotment inspirations
97 Seasonal recipes
102 Reader offers
106 Growing world-record vegetables 98
4 growfruitandveg.co.uk
RECORD-BREAKING CROPS AT HOME TOP RHS
ADVICE
Contents
growfruitandveg.co.uk March 2023
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•S
SMALL TODAY AND
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21 RHS advice GYO BE

PICKS RI
42 Top 5 tomatoes 5 of the best
•S
It’s time to get key crops out of the tomatoes UBSC
58 Kim Stoddart
R
64 David Domoney REVEALED Save BE S Access our member
CL
ME M
78 Unusual fruits The unusual only content plus
£££s
UB
97 Seed to fork fruits you receive your free*
must try! By taking herb and
flower cuttings essentials kit
Enjoy your bonus seeds Mark Lane
Join me on my new
garden journey of
Kim Stoddart
Design ideas
for a climate
David Domoney
Create beautiful
floral borders with
(digital copies excluded)! discovery proof plot my advice
Seed to fork: Easy recipes to turn your harvests into meals to please a crowd!
94
Worth
giftstoyou.com/GCD1
offer here!
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seed
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22 Beetroot
Renova
Monogerm cylindrical
variety
Sow: Apr-Jul • Harvest:
Jul-Oct
Beta vulgaris
Botanical name
Cosmos
Seashells
Easy, elegant border
plant
Sow: Feb-May • Flowers:
Mixed
Great alternative to watercress
Sow: Mar-Sep • Harvest: Apr-Nov
Jun-Oct
Cosmos bipinnatus
Cress
American Land
Sow:
Lavender
French Laven
Unusual scented der
leaves and
Feb-Jun • Flowers:
flowers
Jun-Sep
stoechas
Lavandula
Classic
Sow:
Thym
strong
Feb-May
Sow
year
ly fla
• Har
by
endin
Packe
d in
g
voured
vest:
e
Mar-No
herb
v
us vulga
Thym ical name
Botan
ris
,
arket
Newm
Kentford,
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Garden report
This month…
Stay up to date with all the latest growing news
Bee conservation efforts succeed
NEWS
in brief
We’re not quite out of the

One of the UK’s rarest bumblebees, the shrill carder cold yet, with frosts still making
bee (Bombus sylvarum), has seen its population soar themselves welcome on plots
since the introduction of conservation efforts led by across the UK, and while we
the Woodland Trust and the Bumblebee Conservation protect our sowings from
chilly weather, it’s important to
Trust. Victory Wood – a very fitting name considering
bear wildlife in mind, too. The
its success – is a 140-hectare site in Kent which
RSPB has published three top
has been transformed into a mixture of woodland,
tips for helping birds during
scrub and grassland from its humble roots as arable
cold snaps, from bird feed
farmland. The shrill carder bee was first discovered
recommendations to tips for
at the site four years ago, after which volunteers
providing shelter. It’s never
helped the charities to introduce foraging and nesting
too late to lend our feathered
sites. This has proved very successful: the population
friends a helping hand! Visit
has dramatically increased, with as many as 121
rspb.org.uk to learn more
bees recorded on one day. To find out more, head to
woodlandtrust.org.uk The RHS have published
their gardening predictions
for 2023, and they’re looking
fantastic. Houseplants are
WE LOVE set to flourish as we turn the
central heating down during
the increasingly hot summer
Wakehurst’s Nature Heroes season, and growers are
A new family programme is set to launch at predicted to set their green-
Kew’s Sussex garden, Wakehurst, this year, thumbs on regenerative
inspiring budding gardeners and conservationists. gardening – meaning we’ll
Children are invited to get involved in a different see a lot more peat-free and
nature-saving mission every holiday as part organic products taking centre-
of a superhero squad. They can even wear a stage. Dried flowers are also
superhero cape as they build their practical skills, making a comeback, so don’t
earning embroidered badges on each visit to the forget to sow some blooms
gardens. From building wormeries to making seed alongside your fruit and veg.
bombs, there’s plenty of fun to be had. For more Go to rhs.org.uk to read the
information, visit kew.org/wakehurst full list.
Our March highlights...

TOP CROP
THIS MONTH
Carrots
You can start
growing this veg
Seven
patch classic this
month. Make sure
the soil is finely
prepared and
protect early sowings
in ten
with cloches and
That’s how many
you’ll be well on millennials
LAURA EMILY SOPHIE your way to tasty
“Tomatoes are my “If you’re looking to I’d love to see the best home-grown roots consider
favourite crop, and I love experiment with new blossom displays the UK this season. The
the varieties on page RHS are on hand
themselves
fruits on your plot, check has to offer this spring, and
42 – just need to work out our list of unusual I’m feeling really inspired with a beginners’ ‘plant parents’
out if I’ve got space for varieties on page 78 and by the National Trust’s top guide containing SOURCE: ONEPOLL
them all!!” be inspired!” picks on page 73. everything you need
to know on page 22.
Mail
HAVE YOUR
Get in touch with your growing stories & snaps
Say
Seed sorting
“Time to sort and prepare my seeds
for this year. After some thought and
discovering some unused file dividers,
Write to us
Share your garden tales,
I’ve sorted my flower seeds by month pictures, community projects
of planting and the vegetable seeds in and tips with us for a chance
alphabetical order.” to see yourself on the pages
Steve Watkin via Email of GYO by emailing: sophie.
king@dcthomson.co.uk
facebook.com/
growyourownmag
@gyomag
instagram.com/
growyourownmag
OVER
toYOU
We asked our readers
which wildlife visitors
they like to see on the plot.
Wildlife haven Here’s what they said...
“I love any wildlife but my favourite so far “Newts, toads, frogs, bees,
was the hummingbird moth. I’m still waiting butterflies and birds.
for a hedgehog.” Everything really.”
@selkis13 on Twitter @my_dog_our_garden
on Instagram
Show us your garden pics! “I regularly enjoy frogs,

toads, slow-worms and
adders! Along with an
occasional stoat and
plenty of robins. Right
now, there are dozens of
redwings noisily feasting
on fallen apples in the
orchard.”
@pumadoggy on
Twitter
“I have deer that venture

into my garden. This year
“These beauties were pulled we had a mother and
yesterday. I’ve got so many her two fawns visit – it’s
left and luckily they’re still always lovely watching
looking good. They were them. Luckily, they just
sown early August – the eat the weeds and grass
“The joy of growing is variety is ‘Autumn King’. and haven’t spotted all
unmatched.” @queenofseed on my fruit and veg… yet.”
@indiangreendreams Instagram “My favourite visitor.” @welliesandwaffles
on Instagram queenofseed.co.uk @lovely_plot on Twitter on Instagram
Expert advice
March’s
BEST CROPS!
Our experts offer top advice on a range of edibles this month
RHS Katy Prentice
18 Climbing peas
22Cracking carrots
42 Top tomatoes
Anne Swithinbank explains how The RHS gives us the lowdown We weigh in on the best varieties
to grow this delicious vertical on this popular addition to the you should try this season –
veg in pots veg patch it’s hard to decide!
68
Greenhouse cucumbers
78 Unusual fruits
106 Record veg
Sally Nex provides top tips and Add some quirkiness to your plot Learn how to grow huge vegetables
advice for growing cukes under and impress the neighbours with from world record-holder
cover this season these unique varieties Lee Herrington
Jobs
on the Plot
It’s time to spring into action! Lighter
days and warmer temperatures are
on the horizon, and there are plenty
of sowing opportunities to kickstart
your season. Keep an eye on soil
temperatures, and only sow directly
into the veg bed when conditions
have reached at least 7°C.
The Herb Garden

Directly sow seeds of tender
herbs such as dill, chervil
and coriander on the plot
and enjoy delicious pickings
to add to your dishes this
summer. Successional Seasonal tasks
sowings will ensure a The vegetable patch
fresh supply of leaves all To accommodate a wide range of crops,
season – and it’s hard to add well-rotted manure to your plot
and dig in thoroughly. Wait a few weeks
beat the flavour of home- before sowing, as this can scorch crops.
grown ingredients! Carefully remove large stones from
the veg bed and add a dose of sand to
lighten the consistency before directly
sowing carrot seeds into the ground.
Container growing Use cloches to protect radish and
If you’re planning to grow tomatoes in lettuce seedlings from frosts and slugs.
pots, sow the seeds in trays filled with Save space on the plot for veg that
good-quality compost and place in an needs to be planted outside come May/
unheated greenhouse. It’s always a good June, such as tomatoes and peppers.
idea to warm the soil up for a few days
before you start! Plant shallot sets this month, leaving
15cm of space between each bulb and
Replace the top 2.5cm of soil of arranging them in rows 30cm apart to
established crops growing in tubs allow enough room for development.
with fresh compost to give them a Weed and mulch established beds of
nutritional boost. asparagus crops to ensure a successful
If the weather turns dry, water pots season ahead. You can also plant more
regularly to ensure even soil moisture. crowns to enjoy in a few years.
Remember to focus on the roots and Place early chitted potatoes into the
not the foliage to avoid the spread of ground towards the end of the month
fungal diseases. when the weather becomes warmer.
Expert advice
PROBLEM OF THE MONTH:
Onion white rot
Onion white rot is a serious fungal
disease which affects alliums –
particularly onions, garlic and leeks
– causing wilting and yellowing
foliage. Plants fade away from April
to June, and the bulb turns to white
dust. As the disease progresses, a
white cotton- like fungal growth with
black dots becomes visible. You
should destroy all infected material
and refrain from growing this type
of veg in the infected area for at least
15 years to prevent future crops
becoming infected.
Fertilisers
Focus March marks the
on this: start of the growing
Under cover season, and using
If temperatures rise, open greenhouse fertilisers can help
vents to allow a good level of ventilation, ensure the success of your crops.
but always shut them at night to avoid If you have any patio trees, give
the cold weather from creeping in and them a feed of sulphate of potash
affecting your seedlings.
to encourage flower and fruit
Water crops in containers regularly to production. It is also a good idea
avoid dehydration, yellowing foliage and to add organic fertiliser to fruit
stunted growth.
trees and shrubs at this time of
As the weather becomes milder, young
weeds will begin to shoot up. Remove
Fruits of your labour year – remove any mulch, feed
Mulch established fruit trees with around their roots, water well and
them immediately from borders as this
well help to control them. You should well-rotted manure or garden add new mulch. Try to use organic
be able to do this by hand if you catch compost to retain moisture types rather than chemical ones to
them early. and nutrients in the soil while provide a slow release of nutrients.
smothering weeds. Remember to A sudden increase in growth early
If you’re suffering from an infestation avoid the base of the trunk.
of mice, sow pea seeds in modules in the season can put plants at risk
under the protection of a glass house It’s time to start planting apple, from disease and pests.
before transplanting. cherry, fig and many other fruit
trees in a sunny, sheltered spot on
Allow adequate spacings between the plot.
edibles in your greenhouse. This will
help to prevent fungal diseases as the Feed blueberry plants with a dose
humidity levels rise. of ericaceous fertiliser to boost
the acidity of the soil and to keep
this edible strong and healthy
throughout the season.
Plant summer-fruiting raspberry
canes such as ‘Ruby Beauty’ or ‘Glen
Ample’ in your garden or allotment
and you could soon be enjoying a
plentiful supply of this juicy fruit.
Cover rhubarb crops with
old buckets to encourage the
development of long, pale stalks
with an enhanced sweet flavour.
This technique is known as forcing.
Charles
Dowding's
No dig FAQs
Charles gets to the bottom of some common
queries about this handy gardening method
of your plants and the soil structure.
O
ften, the same questions third week is just warm enough. Lay a
pop up, and this month I'm Going forward, the structure of your cover of fleece on top of newly sown
answering three of them. soil will continually be improving beds to aid germination. You should
All of my explanations are based without you interfering at all. This find that tap roots go down evenly and
on long experience, affording is both easier and more effective in successfully, from seeds which you
me a clear view of methods that terms of aeration and drainage. sow in the surface mulch of compost.
work, and a few that don’t! If you are planning to sow small
seeds, direct, use a reasonably fine Do I need to fork to
How do I convert from compost. For squash and potatoes, loosen the soil?
dug soil to no dig? the organic matter can be lumpier, This question is based on a
This is a simple process, based on such as animal manures with straw. misunderstanding that soil needs to be
encouraging soil organisms to do the actually loose for plant roots to grow.
work. The exact method depends on Does it matter if soil is I run a trial at Homeacres with two
how many weeds there are, which hard and clay? strips side-by-side, each one 2m wide
ones, and the condition of the surface. With very few exceptions, the answer and 9m long. I grow the same vegetables
If the soil surface is uneven, use a is no. Usually when people ask this, in each strip and there is just one
rake to make it level. You may need to they are referring to soil that has a difference between them: one of the
use a spade to level off any peaks of natural firmness, or even may be hard strips we loosen soil every year with a
heavy soil, moving it into any hollows. because it's dry. Truly-compacted soil fork, and put the compost on top after
Only if there are too many weeds is rare, and you will know it by a bad doing that; the other strip has the same
to remove by hand, lay cardboard smell of sulphur and water lying for a compost on top but is never forked.
over all surfaces, both beds and paths. long time after rain. A one-off forking Over nine years of harvests, the
It's important to cover pathways can help loosen this rare problem. Clay forked strip has given 978kg vegetables,
because otherwise perennial weeds soils grow fantastic plants with no dig, I while the no dig strip has given 1051kg.
such as couch grass will simply know from long and happy experience. So that’s seven per cent more harvests
spread back into your beds. In contrast, loose soil has more air from doing less work, every year.
Finally, spread and holds less moisture. Soil that is too I suspect that forking the soil
organic matter loose can result in plants falling over. breaks mycelial networks,
as surface Roots like firm soil, and I rarely stake which are important in
mulch, and my Brussels sprouts, for example – they helping plant roots to find
soil organisms lean away from the wind but do not fall nutrients and moisture. We
will multiply over or suffer root damage in wind. give the same amount of water
underneath and No dig maintains firm soil in an open to both strips, everything is
within it, to the state, and this month is a good time to the same, except for the soil of
advantage sow carrots and parsnips – around the one being forked once a year.
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Nick Bailey
What Lies
Beneath
PLANTS WITH
HUMAN TRAITS!
This month, Nick uncovers some of
the similarities plants have with us –
yes, really!
I
f you’ve ever watched Little Shop of Have you noticed how plants, particularly plethora of scents, many of which humans
Horrors or read The Day of the Triffids, seedlings, will lean towards the light? and animals are drawn to. Arguably, most
you’ll have indulged in the fantasy This, of course, does not happen by of these scents are created by plants to
that plants are sentient. These dramatic chance. The plant is doing its utmost ensure pollination or distribution, but
creations play with the idea that plants to ensure survival and that it gets the astonishing plants can themselves also
have free will, think, move and respond maximum amount of light possible. But perceive scent. They don’t have the
to the world around them. Well, I’ll let you how does it do this and how does it know complex olfactory systems of humans and
into a secret: it's all true! Plants can see, where the light is? Well, this is where a many other mammals, but they do have
smell, feel and remember. But just to be plant’s senses both inform it and trigger the capacity to pick up scents carrying
clear, I’m not suggesting we're about to be activity. When a plant pulls towards light important messages. Perhaps the best
invaded or taken over by evil plants hell- it is effectively ‘seeing’ light thanks to a known of these is the distress hormone
bent on planetary destruction, but plants phenomenon known as phototropism. grass and other plants release when they
really do sense the world and respond to it This was proven by Darwin back in are cut or damaged. This ‘scent’ is ‘smelt’
in a surprisingly animal-like way. 1880. Even more fascinating is its means by other species nearby alerting them to
of leaning towards the light. Plants do the danger. So that apparently romantic
this by increasing the volume of cells on ‘fresh’ smell of cut grass is effectively
the side of the stem which is receiving thousands of individual blades screaming
least light. This in turn pushes the stem ‘Oi, lads, there’s a bison/mower/goose
over and toward the source of light. chomping on me – put up your defences!’
Pretty amazing, right? But that’s just one What this practically means for grass and
of the numerous ‘senses’ plants rely on. thousands of other species susceptible
Species across the world have evolved a to animal attack is that they release a
"When a plant pulls towards light it

is effectively ‘seeing’ light thanks to a
phenomenon known as phototropism"
Expert advice
landed on a bloom, and for many plants

this triggers pollen release. So, plants are
FUN FACT pretty much deaf, but they can certainly
feel. They respond to touch, hot and cold,
and to the environment around them.
"In order to close at Vines, for example, can feel when
their extending tendrils come into
great speed, the Venus contact with an object which they
flytrap needs to have two of can potentially attach themselves to.
series of compounds making the sensory hairs in its trap I saw this in action last summer in
their leaves less palatable to my own garden and in plant-terms
the diners. Another example of
touched. Therefore, it has to it can happen at lightning-fast speed.
plants' capacity to smell happens remember the first touch I attached a potted perennial sweet
on vast container ships leaving (albeit for a few seconds) and pea to a mesh panel with string and in
the tropics bound for colder under two hours its own tendrils had
climes. Bananas and other tropical await the second touch reached out, ‘felt’ and begun wrapping
fruits are often picked when they before it snaps closed" themselves onto the mesh!
are not fully ripe. Shipping companies But perhaps the most astounding
then pump ethylene gas into the hold, sentient-like quality many plants have
thus accelerating ripening ready for is memory. An obvious example is the
delivery to your local supermarket. Venus flytrap. In order to close at great
While ethylene is naturally produced by speed, it needs to have two of the sensory
plants, artificially introducing it into their hairs in its trap touched. Therefore, it has
environment allows them to ‘smell’ this to remember the first touch (albeit for a
compound and respond by speeding up few seconds) and await the second touch
their ripening. before it snaps closed. More astonishingly,
So, all of this, along with numerous Arabidopsis (a brassica weed) can
other examples, shows that plants remember the length of the previous night.
can, in their own way, ‘see’ and smell. It then uses this remembered information
But what about other senses such as to allocate starch reserves, by the hour, the
hearing? Little credible research exists following night to ensure it continues its
in this field, though there is constant biological processes.
speculation that playing Britney Spears So, plants really do have some
to your cucumbers increases their yield. senses similar to our own, and each
However, about as close as we can get is extraordinary and fascinating. But
to such a claim comes in the form of fear not: it’s not very likely that the
plant responses to the vibration of bees’ cactus on your kitchen windowsill
wings. Numerous species ‘feel’ rather than is going to come for you in the
hear the buzz of a bee’s wings once it’s middle of the night!
MY NEW
GARDEN DIARY
It is an exciting month of crop planning and
measuring up in Mark’s new space
W
ith any garden, it’s measurement, I shall put an 80cm-wide
essential to make a plan pathway, and if possible, a turning area
of what you want to grow, at one end. I know 20cm doesn’t sound
where you want to grow a lot, but every centimetre counts when
them and whether or not you’ll be getting the most from your plot. If I don’t
picking them regularly, which means have the space for the turning
accessible pathways and access points. circle, however, I shall leave
Being a wheelchair user, I always it out, but I’ll know that
have to think about the hard-landscaping I can go forward and
so that I can get around easily. I backward, up and down
recommend, where possible, that the hard-standing of the
pathways are a minimum of 1.0m wide path and not end up in a flower
and that turning circles are at least or veggie bed.
2.0m in diameter. Of course, this The same type of measurements are
isn’t always possible, but never important for pushing wheelbarrows,
under-estimate the amount so measure their length and width and
of space you need to make work out the minimum amount of space
gardening easier and fun. you’ll need. Fill your wheelbarrow with
Last month I described the a bag of compost, a couple of potted
area around my new greenhouse. plants and a few tools (because, let’s face
There will be the creation of a 2.5m it, if you’re like me, you’ll cram as much
‘alley’ where I want to put some cold as you possibly can into the barrow or
frames, a border and a couple of water trolley to prevent you having to go back
butts. If I added a 1.0m-wide pathway and forth to the potting shed) and then
there would be little space for the try manoeuvring it. An empty barrow
aforementioned. So, I’ve measured will make it easier, but it will not be
my new wheelchairs and the widest realistic. Taking measurements right at
one is c. 70cm wide (max.). Taking this the start, marking it out with string or
Expert advice
“Never
underestimate the
amount of space
environmentally-
friendly spray you need to make
paint and gardening easier
undertaking a few
moves around the
and fun”
plot will pay off later
and for years to come.
I’m also going to try
out different cold frames. DIY
versions made from old bricks just
piled up with some panes of glass laid frame or on the windowsill. For the
on top are relatively cheap to make, and, hardy annuals I shall opt for Calendula,
Calendula
of course, polycarbonate can be used Cerinthe, Helianthus, Scabiosa,
Scabiosa Matthiola
instead of glass. Wooden cold frames, and Centaurea.. I’ll probably sow these
in kit form, are easy to put together and in rills around the cut-and-come-again
will keep out the worst of the spring lettuces and strawberries and use them With better weather in the spring,
weather. And, if budget permits, I’ll add as companion plants for the veggies and I’m really tempted to start in the back
some brick-built ones, using mortar, and fruits. Also, edible flowers look lovely garden, but I must sit on my hands and
hinged glass doors, as well as a raised garnishing salads. think of myself as one of my garden
bed with a purpose-built cold frame top/ In the warmer environment of the design clients and draw up a concept
lid that can be removed in the summer. greenhouse, I’ll sow half-hardy annuals and planting plan for the entire garden.
Next, I’ll sit down and make a rough into coir pellets, such as Cosmos, Tagetes, I have an image in my head of how I
plan of the garden’s borders and work nasturtiums and Zinnia. These will all want the garden to look, but I know as
out what I’m going to grow in each be used for cutting only, so think about I get to understand my garden more,
space. With the soil warming up in the amount of space each plant takes up I shall want to tweak a few design
March, and spring finally here, hardy when fully grown and sow the number features. One thing I do want to do
annuals can be sown directly outside, you’ll need plus a couple of spares, just in is create an evergreen backbone
whereas half-hardy annuals should be case. Don’t be tempted to sow the whole to the garden, with good structure
started off inside the greenhouse, cold packet of seeds. and architecture.
Anne Swithinbank
Grow climbing peas
Anne is adding this delicious crop to her
plot that will let you make the most
of your vertical space
P
eas are an attractive crop and bumper crop, the opportunity to taste them
although traditionally grown in freshly picked is too good to miss. Sowings
rows, they also perform well in can take place in February or early March
large containers fitted with pea sticks. under unheated glass but are generally
Using tendrils to cling, plants hoist best left until the latter half of March or
themselves up their supports to show off April outdoors because a combination of
their flowers and pods. Pea blossom is cold and wet is liable to rot the seeds.
white or purple-pink and because the Fill a pot at least 30cm wide with good
anthers release their pollen before the potting compost. A half and half mix of
flower bud opens, they are self- John Innes No 2 and a peat-free compost
pollinating. As well as ensuring a good with 10 per cent grit added usually works
set, this means they usually come true well. Sow seeds 8cm apart across the top,
from home-collected seed. Not bury them by their own size with compost
surprisingly, the blooms resemble those of and water in. Cover the surface at least by
sweet peas with upper standard petals, night to keep mice off. After germination,
lower keels and wings at the side. Pods gently push three twiggy sticks in around
can be green, pink-flushed or purple and the edge and tie the tops together to make
according to variety will yield peas for an attractive wigwam shape. Alternatively,
podding: crunchy sugar snaps eaten start the pea seeds four to a 9cm pot first
whole either raw or briefly cooked, and and plant these into the larger container.
flat, mangetout types. Fertiliser in the compost will run out after a
Anyone with a sunny outdoor space, month or so, so liquid feed weekly using a
however small, can find room for a pot of well-balanced feed initially and then with
peas, and although you won’t have a high potash as pods form.
3 VARIETIES TO TRY:
‘Alderman Main’
If all you want is to pop a
pod and eat the tender
succulent peas inside,
then this reliable old
variety climbing to 1.8m
will deliver the goods.
White flowers set to long
pods packed with 9-12 peas.
(premierseedsdirect.com)
‘Purple Magnolia’
Said to be the first purple-podded
snap pea, this ticks all the boxes for a
container grown pea. It is tall at 1.8m,
the blooms are pink and maroon and
the green peas lie within crunchy
purple pods best harvested young
and tender. (sowseeds.co.uk)
‘Spring Blush’
Although this sugar snap is
described as being 75cm tall, my
plants raced up to 1.5m. Pink and
purple flowers set to green-rimmed
pods flushed rosy pink. These were
tender to eat even when quite
mature. (thompson-morgan.com)
Expert advice
If you have…
15 minutes:
Order wasabi
This somewhat
mysterious brassica
is best described as
Japanese horseradish;
its stout rhizome
yields heat and flavour.
Growing this plant is a
challenge, but the motive lies
in harvesting an expensive crop fresh.
The plant enjoys cool, shady conditions
and moist but free-draining soil. Some
growers mulch with a generous shingle
layer to keep the stem clean and hold
moisture. Others will plant their wasabi in
pots, as they dislike cold winters and must
be brought under glass or covered with a
layer of straw and fleece. The rhizome is
ready to harvest in two or three years.
If you have…
30 minutes:
Position a
chilli pepper
Chillies (capsicums)
have been eaten by
humans since around
7500 BC. One well-grown
plant could yield enough
fruits to keep you supplied for a
season. Choose a young plant or two now,
jalapeno or cayenne, and grow it on a
warm, sunny windowsill. Pot the plant on
when required and later, when there is
no more danger of frost, stand it out in a
sheltered spot and feed fortnightly with a
high potash feed once flowers form. Small
chilli plants such as ‘Numex Twilight’
bearing multi-coloured fruits are easily
grown permanently indoors.
If you have…
60 minutes:
Sow silver and
green-seeded
broad beans
To really show off
during broad bean
season (usually June
and July), look forward
to surprising guests with an
attractive mixture of silver and green,
superbly tender beans. For silver, it is
hard to beat good old, hardy ‘Aquadulce
Claudia’, and for green, ‘Masterpiece
Green Longpod’. Sow in February or
March into deep trays or modules under
glass, or direct to light soil. It is said that
aromatic annual summer savory is a
good companion plant for repelling
blackfly on beans.
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RHS Advice
Garden projects from experts at the Royal Horticultural Society
Your RHS
professionals Anne Charlotte
Adam Rodick
HOW TO: Sow carrots, grow watermelons and learn about forest gardening
Growing guide
22 Horticultural advisor Anne Adam
reveals the how to produce prize-
worthy carrots this year
25 26
Edible exotics
25 RHS horticulturalist Charlotte
Rodick explains how to produce this
mighty fruit on your plot
RHS forest gardening

26 Find out more about this
fascinating way of producing stunning
plants year-round
Diary dates
28 Find out what’s on at the RHS this
month, from spring flower shows to a
Go Green Weekend
28
22 Turn the page for RHS advice on March jobs

RHS BEGINNERS’ GUIDE:
CARROTS Get the best from these tasty roots with

RHS secrets to success from horticultural
advisor Anne Adam
T
he flavour of fresh, crunchy
carrots straight from the garden
or allotment is hard to beat. These
roots are very versatile and can be eaten
raw or cooked, or even made into a
delicious cake. By sowing regularly from
early-spring until summer you could be
harvesting your home-grown roots from
early-summer right through until late-
autumn, and even store some for use over
the winter.
Which variety?
Carrots are grouped according to their
maturity, shape, and size, although
there is some overlap between
groups. Early carrots such
as Amsterdam and Nantes
types are good for your
75%
first sowings. of Britons say
Maincrop types such
as ‘Berlicum’ and ‘Autumn they tuck into
King’, while taking longer carrots on a
to mature, produce larger
roots and are better for regular basis the soil is warmer. the cultivar. Initially pull some young roots
winter storage. Small round- Source: British Carrot Watch out for slug from a few places along the row to allow
rooted carrots are good for Growers Association
damage at this stage the remainder to grow larger. With bigger
containers and poor soils. As as they like to feed on roots and on heavy soils it’s best ease the
well as traditional orange types, young seedlings. crop from the ground with a fork.
look out for white, yellow or purple To grow carrots in a container, In mild areas with light soil you
roots which are an interesting addition choose one at least 45cm deep and fill can leave carrots in the ground over
to recipes. with multipurpose potting compost. Keep winter. Cover the row with dry mulch,
the crop well-watered and thin so the for example straw, up to 30cm thick to
How to grow plants have room to develop good roots. protect from frost. Watch out for damage
Choose an open, sunny site with fertile, from mice, slugs and carrot fly. In colder
well-drained soil to grow your carrots. Growing on areas lift your carrots and store good
Round or stump-rooted types are best Once the seedlings are large enough to quality roots indoors, layered in boxes
for stony, very shallow or heavy clay handle, carefully thin them to 5-7.5cm filled with sand. Larger roots will last
soil. If you struggle to grow a good crop apart. The young seedlings are easily longer in storage so eat the smaller
in the ground you could grow some in a smothered by weeds, so you’ll need to roots first.
container, which works well. weed the crop regularly until the leaf
You can add well-rotted compost or canopy suppresses any competition. Pest watch
manure to the ground during the previous Damage to the roots during thinning Carrot fly larvae can be a troublesome
growing season, but don’t add it just and weeding can release the odour that pest tunnelling into the developing roots
before sowing as it may cause the roots attracts carrot fly, so handle the plants to feed and making the crop inedible. The
to fork. This may also happen if the soil with care. most effective way to limit damage to your
is stony or the bed is poorly prepared as Carrots are fairly drought-resistant crop from this pest is to completely cover
they try to grow around any obstacles. but will benefit from a thorough soaking, it with insect-proof mesh, making sure
Before sowing, dig over the ground, wetting the ground to a depth of 25cm, you bury the mesh in the ground to stop
remove any stones and make sure the every two weeks in very dry weather. the flies sneaking underneath. The first
area is weed-free. Prepare a fine seedbed Beware of overwatering as roots are generation of carrot fly usually emerges
and rake it level. Take out a shallow drill sweeter in relatively dry conditions and around early-May so you may be able to
with a hoe and water the base. Sow the too much water may lead to leafy growth avoid some damage by sowing after this
seeds 1-2cm deep in rows 15-30cm apart. at the expense of roots. point. Harvesting your crop before late-
Try to sow the seed thinly to avoid the Sometimes, if dry weather is followed August can reduce damage to the roots
need for thinning them out later. It’s best by very wet conditions the roots may from the second generation. You could
to sow seeds directly into the ground as split. This erratic growth is caused by also grow a partially resistant cultivar like
carrots don’t transplant very readily. the irregular water supply, so ensuring ‘Flyaway’ to reduce the risk of damage.
For an early crop, cover the ground you keep to a watering routine can help Sometimes you may find aphids on
with fleece or cloches in late winter and avoid this. the foliage or around the shoot tips – these
sow seed once the soil is warm in late will suck the sap and may encourage the
February or March. Otherwise, wait Rich pickings growth of sooty mould. Potential damage
until April to make your first sowing, as You can start harvesting carrots from can be limited by squashing them with
germination will be much quicker once 10-16 weeks after sowing depending on your fingers.
RHS Jobs to do in March
Edible exotics:
WATERMELON
RHS horticulturalist Charlotte Rodick explains
how to produce this mighty fruit on your plot
W
atermelon (Citrullus lanatus) their vigour controlled by pinching out. which is over 90 per cent water and
is a popular and widely Outdoors it is best to allow stems, which contains good levels of vitamins C and
available fruit in the cucumber can grow to 4m, to scramble naturally. A, however they can be stored for two
(Curcurbitacae) family. Native of tropical Ensure plants are consistently watered and to three weeks. Watermelon rind can be
and subtropical Africa, it has been in apply a high potassium fertiliser weekly made into conserves, reduced to syrup
cultivation for thousands of years and throughout the growing season. or crystallised and the oily seeds can
is today grown and exported around Ventilate well during flowering to be roasted, ground and baked or used
the world by countries including China, encourage pollination and thin fruits once as a livestock feed, so it really is a very
Turkey and Iran. 2.5cm in diameter to two to four per plant. versatile crop!
Watermelon cultivation is generally Pinch out shoots several leaves beyond a
the same as that for other melons, however developing fruit and support individual RECOMMENDED VARIETIES
they require warmer temperatures for fruits with netting or wooden boards. Naturally there is great variation within
optimum growth, of between 25-30°C, and Cover outdoor crops with a cloche or the species, and this has been exploited
are therefore best grown in a greenhouse fleece to encourage ripening if summer by breeders over the last century to
or polytunnel. Outdoor cultivation is weather is poor. create a whole host of cultivars showing
possible in the UK in very sunny, sheltered Plants may be affected by red spider differences in vigour, earliness of
beds in the mildest parts. mite, aphids and whitefly, especially under harvest, fruit shape, colour and taste.
cover, as well as bean seed fly, slugs and Two of the notable developments
START SOWING snails. Common diseases include powdery include the introduction of seedless
Sow seed individually in small pots in mildew, foot and root rots and cucumber watermelon types in the 1980s, now a
mid-spring, providing plenty of warmth mosaic virus, the latter being particularly commercially significant proportion of
and moisture for good germination. Once troublesome if not caught and controlled in the market, and novelty, space-saving
seedlings have set five leaves, transplant a prompt manner. square fruits which were introduced
into large containers or grow bags for from Japan in the last decade. Popular
indoor crops or a large, fertile, free- HOW TO HARVEST cultivars include ‘Charleston Grey’, a
draining bed for outdoor ones, spacing Fruits are ready for harvest four to five slow-growing, sprawling plant bearing
plants 60-100cm apart. Protect young months after sowing once they have oblong light-green fruits, and ‘Sugar
plants if there is still a risk of frost. developed a strong colour and sound a Baby’ which bears small, round,
dull thud when tapped. Use a sharp knife sweet fruits on a compact plant. Those
CONTINUED CARE to cut away ripe fruits, handling carefully reported to crop well in cooler climates
To maximise space, plants grown under to avoid damage. Watermelons are usually include the varieties ‘Red Star’ and
cover can be trained up cane supports and eaten fresh for their refreshing juicy pulp, ‘Blacktail Mountain’.
Attracting
Pollinators in a
Forest Garden
Create a healthy eco system in your own
garden with Charlie’s expert advice
C
harlie Munro is the Ornamental idea that each one of us can replicate our
and Turf maintenance Professional very own ecosystem in a much smaller
Work Placement (PWP) at RHS space. Whether you have an apartment
Garden Bridgewater, and is involved in with a balcony, a backyard in a terraced
all aspects of ornamental horticulture house or a small garden or allotment plot,
and turf/meadow care practised at RHS you can create your own forest garden
Bridgewater. The garden is very rich in anywhere you like. They require very
plant diversity, with over 260,000 plants little maintenance and once you’ve set out
added prior to opening in the spring of your idea you can sit back and let nature
2021. Charlie shares some tips on helping do its magic and your garden will attract
pollinators in your patch. an abundance of pollinators and wildlife.”
Charlie said: “One of the most
pollinator-friendly ways you can utilise Plant choices
your own gardening space is by creating “For my ideal forest-like garden, I have
a forest garden.” chosen a range of pollinator friendly
What is forest gardening?

plants listed below. I’ve also included the
names of some pollinators each plant
“Forest gardens
Forest gardening was a concept created attracts. require very little
by Robert Hart during the 1970s in which “For the canopy, cherries are
he found that unlike many cultivated popular amongst pollinators. Prunus maintenance”
gardens, woodlands had their own ‘Amanogawa’ is a great choice of cherry
unique way of growing plants, where tree for bees. Apple trees such as
various species stacked themselves to Malus ‘Evereste’ are beneficial to birds, “I adore the dainty blue flowers of bee-
find their own requirements within their butterflies, moths and other pollinators. friendly Myosotis arvensis (plant May-
‘level’ – a nature ladder. The beauty about these is that they can June) and Hyacinthus orientalis (very
Hart replicated this by layering wild be planted at any time of the year, or beneficial to mason bees in particular as
woodland plants on a smaller scale to kept in a large pot. it produces pollen in early spring. Plant
show people how they could grow their “I recommend plants like Berberis Sep-November) in the herbaceous layer.
own forest garden using fruits, herbs, vulgaris (beneficial to birds. Plant Nov- “On the soil surface you could use
vegetables and other plants. March) and Viburnum opulus (attracts a a raised bed or earth patch. I would
Charlie added: “One of the things I variety of wildlife and pollinators. Plant recommend cover crops such as Galium
like most about forest gardening is the Sep-Oct) for the shrub layer. odoratum (beneficial to many pollinators.
Plant in spring) and Viola sororia (eaten
by the larva of various butterfly species.
Plant any time of year).
“I love the fresh green foliage of the
Hosta ‘minuteman’ which attracts bees for
the rhizosphere layer. For another natural
look, how about planting Allium ursinum
which provides an early source of nectar
for pollinators.
“If you have any other space, for
example walls, fences or railings, add
some climbing plants such as Hedera
helix which provides shelter and berries
for birds, nectar for pollinators and leaves
for caterpillars. Pyracantha ‘Soleil d’Or’ is
another good choice as it flowers in
spring and bears berries in autumn
which provide two seasons of food for
bees and wildlife.”
RHS Jobs to do in March
Have you tried
forest gardening
before? Which varieties
have you included in
each layer? We’d love to
see your designs – send
and tag us in your
photos!
RHS
EVENTS
Diary
dates
Looking for some
garden inspiration?
learning about the environment,
All gardens: Here’s what’s going on with opportunities to meet experts,
A Celebration of Tulips, March-May
Enjoy the sight of thousands of tulips at the RHS in March attend talks, and learn how to upcycle
items that can be saved from going
across all five RHS Gardens as they to landfill. Don’t miss the display of
provide a visual feast of spring colour in showcase pieces inspired by a sculptures using recycled items!
a variety of shapes, sizes and tones. connection to nature, created using an Alpine Garden Society Show,
Mother’s Day, 19 March infinite range of materials. 25 March
Take in the beautiful sights at one of Cyclamen Show, 25 March Come along and see some of the
the five RHS Gardens, enjoy a delicious The Cyclamen Society bring prize best-grown alpines in the country.
afternoon tea, and browse the shops for specimens and expert knowledge to There will be a showcase of the
thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts. RHS Harlow Carr to celebrate these finest varieties of these hardy little
attractive spring plants. Visitors can horticultural gems and UK alpine
RHS Garden Bridgewater: also discover a selection of plants and plant growers on hand to give advice.
Walkies at Bridgewater, Dates TBC seeds for sale.
Explore the beautiful outdoor areas of RHS Garden Wisley:
RHS Garden Bridgewater with your four- RHS Garden Hyde Hall: Houseplant Takeover: Deep Sea
legged friend. RHS Daffodil Show, 22-23 March Dive, 4 February – 12 March
Potting Shed Exhibitions: What’s Come along to RHS Hyde Hall’s Daffodil Be transported to a colourful
Next for RHS Bridgewater?, March Show to see hundreds of daffodils on reef below the surface of the sea.
A small exhibit focusing on the next display, along with the opportunity for Discover familiar houseplants
phase of the RHS Garden Bridgewater avid gardeners to learn more about mixed with weird and wonderful
development on the terraces. daffodils and enjoy swathes of yellow specimens amongst shipwrecks and
flowers scattered around the gardens. treasure chests.
RHS Garden Harlow Carr: Bonsai Society Show, 11-12 March
Japanese Shop, 7 January – 19 March RHS Garden Rosemoor: Enjoy beautiful spring-themed bonsai
The hugely popular Japanese shop Spring Flower Show, displays as well as advice and
returns with products sourced from 11-12 March demonstrations on growing, repotting
all over Japan including stunning silk Come and view exquisite displays and training them. There will also
kimonos, traditional kokeshi dolls, of top-quality blooms. Focusing be plants and bonsai equipment for
exquisite tableware and beautiful on camellias, early magnolias and sale for all sized trees as well as the
art prints. rhododendrons, in addition to the RHS wonderful handmade ‘accent’ pots
Bathhouse Exhibitions – BAMM Early Camellia competition, the show that are always hugely popular.
North Exhibition ‘Coast and includes classes on ornamental shrubs Orchid Show, 17-19 March
Country’, 23 March – 16 April and a Rosemoor Daffodil and RHS Marvel at stunning displays from
Discover this unique art form in Hyacinth competition, too. 10 specialist orchid growers, with
an entirely new way as the British Go Green Weekend, 18-19 March opportunities to buy plants, attend
Association for Modern Mosaic A weekend of education, fun and talks and receive expert advice.
P E C IAL Deliv
dir ered
S ERS! yourect to
OFF door
!
Grow your own Trees

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Your Plot
ESSENTIALS
This month's jobs on the vegetable
patch and patio
WORDS: Sally Nex
GROWING TECHNIQUE:
DIVISIONS
Making new plants can sound daunting what with all those
different types of cuttings and talk of leaf nodes and heels.
But there’s one propagation method anyone can try.
Division works best for clump-formers like chives, marjoram,
mint and bergamot which spread sideways, putting out more
roots and shoots as they go, until after three or four years they
cover a sizeable patch.
Once you see new growth in spring, dig the whole clump up,
then pull it apart into fist-sized pieces. You may be able to do
this with your hands, but it’s fine to chop it apart with a spade
or even cut it up with an old breadknife. The important thing is
that each section has a good chunk of roots and some buds.
Pot up the sections for planting later or simply replant
straight away, firming them in then watering well. Your new
plants should burst into growth as soon as the weather warms.
30-minute job:
DON’T FORGET: Start a cut flower garden
TOP UP If you buy flowers from the shops, stop for a moment
CONTAINERS to think about where they come from. Cut flowers
can have a sky-high carbon footprint, as they’re
Compost in containers often grown in heated greenhouses or imported. But
doesn’t hold on to you can avoid all that, save money and still fill your
vases all year round if you grow your own.
nutrients forever – Think of flowers as another harvest, just like
and even if you feed beans, courgettes or sweetcorn, grown in rows and
sown successionally for a steady supply. Start with
regularly, by the end
annuals: cosmos, bishop’s weed (Ammi majus),
of a long season there’s cornflowers and of course sweet peas are all easy
little left to nourish your from seed sown direct or into pots under cover to
plant out later.
plants. So, this month, Save yourself some trouble by growing
reboot any crops which perennials, too, for flowers which come back year
grow permanently after year: penstemons, aquilegias, oxeye daisies and
astrantia all produce flowers on long, wiry stems
in containers such as perfect for cutting. Add flowers with good seedheads
herbs, citrus and fruit. like alliums, grasses and honesty, plus evergreen
Scrape out the top 5-8cm foliage plants like rosemary and myrtle, and you’ll fill
winter vases, too.
of old compost, then Keep stems straight by supporting annuals with
replace it with fresh, jute pea netting stretched horizontally over young
plants, held in place with canes. Deadhead regularly,
ideally loam-based John
water in dry weather, and resow spent annuals
Innes No. 3 for longer- straight away for armfuls of blooms right through
lasting nutrients. the year.
Expert advice
LAY A CARDBOARD WEED BARRIER VARIETIES TO TRY
Perennial weeds like
bindweed and couch grass
are maddening: the moment
NEW VARIETY:
you’ve weeded them out
Calabrese
they spring up again like
‘Blue Finn’
Calabrese is a
the many-headed hydra to
must-have summer
strangle your crops all over
brassica as it’s one of
again. It’s all a bit of a waste
the few veg kids eat
of effort – so give yourself
without complaining
a breather.
(it’s also a favourite with
A temporary cardboard
grown-ups!). Start from seed
weed barrier holds back
now, pot on while they grow, then
the invaders for one season
once the plants fill a 10cm pot, plant outdoors
of blissfully weed-free
20-30cm apart under a cage of insect-proof
growing. Start by hoeing
mesh to keep the butterflies off. This sturdy
off any weed growth that’s
and reliable variety is bred for compactness – it
already appeared, then
grows just 45cm tall – yet doesn’t compromise
cover the soil in thick
on the size of those big, blue-green heads. It’s an
cardboard, making sure
early cropper too, so sow two or three batches
there are no gaps. Wet the
for a steady supply throughout the season.
cardboard and tread it down so it’s snug struggle to punch through the thick (thompson-morgan.com)
against the soil, then cover with a 10cm cardboard. It takes months for the
mulch of garden compost, digestate or cardboard to break down enough to let
municipal green waste.
HERITAGE VARIETY:
some weeds through – but by then your Buckler-leaf
Plant and sow straight into the mulch: crops are mature and you’re already
your crops will grow down happily
sorrel
harvesting, so it’s too late for them to do The sorrel family
through the clean soil, but the weeds will any harm. is the definition of
easy-going: they’ll
grow anywhere,
even in deep shade,
HOW TO AVOID... with little care. But
dock-like garden- and
DODGY POTTING COMPOST red-veined sorrels can be
invasive – so if you want the
tangy, lemony flavours but with more finesse,
try diminutive, altogether more modest buckler
leaf sorrel instead. It’s low-growing and pretty,
with delicate shield-shaped pale green leaves
that look and taste fantastic in salads. The
word ‘buckler’ comes from ‘buckler’ shields
used by mediaeval soldiers: buckler sorrel was
originally grown in monastery gardens where
it was prized for its high vitamin C content and
used to cure scurvy.
EXOTIC
VARIETY:
Bitter gourd
The entire cucurbit
family – cucumbers,
melons, courgettes
and the like – is
immensely satisfying
to grow: sow in April
Every gardener seems to have a tale of woe about potting compost recently. If and by July you’re fighting
you’ve had batches of seedlings failing to thrive, or crops stopping in their tracks back a jungle of enthusiastic
when potted into containers of multipurpose, it’s likely you’ve fallen foul of a bad foliage. So it is with this enormous cucumber-
batch of compost. like Asian squash. Grow just like a greenhouse
Boost your chances of getting hold of a bag of the good stuff by buying only cucumber, cutting the warty fruits at 15-20cm
respected brands – look out for recommendations by well-known gardeners long while young and still green. Salting
and compost trials like those run by Gardening Which? each year. Supply chain removes the bitterness: peel off the skin, then
disruptions since the pandemic mean even the best sometimes fall short though slice lengthways and remove the flesh and
– so where you can, make your own. Potting mixes are easy to blend from garden seeds, rub generously with salt and soak in
compost, soil and leafmould: they’re peat-free, plastic-free, and best of all, you’re in water for 10 minutes before slicing and cooking
charge of quality control. like aubergines in stir-fries and curries.
Delightful Double Begonias BUY THE
COLLECTION OF
25 FOR ONLY
£22.47
• Providing high-impact
colour that will reward
AND SAVE 50%
you over the warmer
months with very little
fuss.
• One of the absolute

must-haves in any
summer container
display, begonias are
long flowering and very
reliable.
• Double Begonias provide

twice the flower power
of the single variety and
make the perfect compact
patio display.
• The tubers can be lifted

and stored over winter
offering many years of
pleasure and enjoyment.
Supplied as exhibition-
sized 5-6cm tubers.
Mature height 30cm.
YELLOW WHITE PINK
ITEM CODE PRICE

25 Double Begonia Collection
PD236 £22.47 + P&P
(5 of each colour)
5 Begonia Double Yellow PD232 £8.99 + P&P
5 Begonia Double White PD234 £8.99 + P&P
5 Begonia Double Pink PD235 £8.99 + P&P
5 Begonia Double Red PD231 £8.99 + P&P
5 Begonia Double Orange PD233 £8.99 + P&P RED ORANGE
FREEPHONE: 0800 318 846 quoting appropriate code ONLINE: www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk

Lines open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. Please allow up to 28 days for delivery. Order while
stock lasts. P&P £3.95 per order to one address. Please note that due to current Brexit legislation
we are currently not able to dispatch plants for delivery to Northern Ireland addresses. We
apologise for any inconvenience.
FREE SEEDS • FREE SEEDS • FREE SEEDS • FREE SEEDS
SOW YOUR
FREE
SEEDS!
Our guide to sowing and growing
your bonus seeds
Beetroot
S OW
‘Renova’ T•
H A RV ES
This delicious variety
•H
produces cylindrical Sow
A RV ES
roots which are brilliant Apr-Jul
sources of folate
and potassium. As a
Harvest
monogerm type, only
Jul-Oct
•
one or two seedlings • S OW T
emerge per seed ‘cluster’,
meaning far less time
spent thinning!
Finely prepare and water

fertile soil before sowing
thinly, 2.5cm deep,
outdoors. Allow 30cm
spacings between rows.
Once seedlings appear
– usually within one to
three weeks – thin to
10cm apart. Keep the
plants well-watered until
they are established.
Store harvested roots in
dry sand to keep them Average
for winter, and make sure

you twist the leaves off
to stop the colour from
bleeding. Mr Fothergill’s
recommends sowing
every three weeks for
a continuous supply of
young beets. It’s also a
good idea to harvest
every other beet from a
row once they are 5cm Beetroot
in diameter to give the Renova
Monogerm cylindrical variety
remaining roots a chance Sow: Apr-Jul • Harvest: Jul-Oct
to mature.
Beta vulgaris

Enough for
Cosmos
T • S OW ‘Seashells Mixed’
A RV ES
•H
Sow These elegant border blooms are well worth adding
Feb-May to your garden or allotment. They flower for a
A RV ES
long period, are easy to grow and produce unique
Harvest tubular petals alongside attractive fern-like foliage.
•H
Jun-Oct
• S OW T
If you’re going to be starting this variety indoors,
sow 0.5cm deep in trays of compost and
water well.
Cosmos
Seashells Mixed Pop the tray in a warm position and keep it moist
Easy, elegant border plant
Sow: Feb-May • Flowers: Jun-Oct until seedlings appear – usually within two or
Cosmos bipinnatus
three weeks.
Once the seedlings are large enough to handle,
transplant them to other trays, 5cm apart, and
place these in a cooler, but not cold, place. Make
sure you handle the seedlings by the leaves rather
than the stems.
Harden the plants off before you plant them out
30cm apart, avoiding frosts.
If you’d prefer to start your cosmos outdoors,
sow 1.5cm deep into finely prepared soil – though
cosmos will thrive in poor soils, too – which has
already been watered.
Once seedlings emerge, thin to 30cm apart and
keep the remaining young plants well-watered
until they are established.
To keep your cosmos flowering for as long as
possible, deadhead them regularly.
Courgette ‘Alfresco’ Average
These attractive fruits boast great flavour

and store really well. ‘Alfresco’ produces firm
courgettes which are an excellent source of
vitamin C.
Sow indoors, 1.5cm deep into small pots of

compost. Sow the seeds on their edges to
prevent rotting. Water the pots well and pop
them in a warm place.
Kept moist, seedlings will usually emerge within
a week or two. Courgette
Alfresco F1
Harden plants off before planting them out 60cm Attractive fruit with fine, firm texture
Sow: Mar-May • Harvest: Jul-Oct
apart after the last frosts. Cucurbita pepo
If you’d rather start these courgettes outdoors,

sow them directly, 1.5cm deep, into their final
positions. Finely prepare and water the bed
beforehand, and allow 60cm between each
sowing. Sow two seeds per position.
S OW
Protect early sowings with cloches and wait for T•
H A RV ES
seedlings to emerge. Thin to leave the stronger

•H
plant. Keep the plants well-watered until they

Sow
Mar-May
A RV ES
are established.
Once the courgettes have reached 15cm in Harvest
length, you can begin to harvest them. Or, leave Jul-Oct
•
them to mature as marrows. Mr Fothergill’s • S OW T

recommends harvesting regularly to encourage
them to crop through the season. Do not eat
bitter-tasting fruits.

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Laura Hillier, Head online to discover interviews, ideas and
Editor
“If you’re looking for more top tips to help you on your gardening journey
tips, insightful interviews and
ideas for the garden, check
out our downloadable guides
at growfruitandveg.co.uk/
download-guides. Here, you’ll
discover comprehensive growing
guides, expert interviews and a
range of projects to help you get
the most from your time in
the garden.”
Top Handy growing guides

projects Follow our easy step-by-steps for veg growing success.
to try Our How to Grow guides take you through the
Get more
essentials, from soil conditions and position to when to
from your
sow and how to feed each variety for bumper yields.
garden with
some easy
project ideas.
Discover
Jane Moore’s Interviews with
advice the experts
on using walls as growing space, Bex We’ve chatted with expert
Partridge’s tips on pressing blooms, and gardeners to discover the
Annabelle Padwick’s advice on getting secrets of their success. Read
kids involved on the plot. about how allotmenteer Kirsty
Ward set up her plot to help
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Essential her mission to bring gardening
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There are plenty of city growers.
practical guides to
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and simple steps for
healthier soil, to how
to reap the benefits
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wildlife into Visit growfruitandveg.
your garden.
co.uk/download-guides
Cress
‘American Land’
Quick and easy to grow, this cress
variety offers a delicious peppery kick
and plenty of vitamin C to boot. The
bigger the leaf, the hotter the flavour!
Choose a cropping location with fertile,

moisture-retentive soil and water well.
Partial shade is ideal.
Cress Sow seeds thinly, 1.5cm deep, leaving
American Land
Great alternative to watercress
Sow: Mar-Sep • Harvest: Apr-Nov
15cm between rows for cut-and-come-
Beta vulgaris again baby leaves. Cress grown for this
purpose can also be sown thinly into
25cm pots. For mature leaves, allow
25cm between rows.
Thinning isn’t necessary after
seedlings emerge, which usually takes
between seven and 14 days, but the
young plants should be kept moist.
S OW
T•
If you’re aiming for mature plants,
however, thin to 25cm apart to give
A RV ES
•H
Sow them room to grow on.
Mar-Sep
A RV ES
Once the plants are 10cm tall, pick
Harvest a few baby leaves from each to
•H
Apr-Nov encourage them to grow back for up to

T four cuts.
• S OW Mature plants can be harvested whole
from May onwards. Sow successionally
for continuous harvests.
Lavender Average
‘French Lavender’ S OW
T•
H A RV ES
•H
Bees will love you for sowing this shrub

in your outdoor space. French lavender
Sow
Feb-Jun
A RV ES
provides unique, aromatic flowers and

leaves and is perfect for cottage gardens, Harvest
borders and containers. Jun-Sep
•
• S OW T
Sow 0.5cm deep in a tray of compost and
place either in a cold frame or unheated
greenhouse or a warm kitchen windowsill. Lavender
Keep the soil moist and wait for seedlings French Lavender
Unusual scented leaves and flowers
to appear. This usually takes three to Sow: Feb-Jun • Flowers: Jun-Sep
six weeks. Lavandula stoechas
Once seedlings are large enough to handle,

transplant them to 8cm pots. Make sure
you hold them by the leaves instead of
the stem.
Harden plants off before planting them out,
leaving 40cm spacings between each plant.
French lavender does best in well-drained
soil and a sheltered spot.
If you’re transplanting during the autumn,
protect them with cloches over winter. Or,
wait to plant them out the following spring.
It’s always a good idea to protect plants
with a mulch like straw over the winter.
Expect flowers the year after sowing.

S OW
Lettuce ‘Salad Bowl’
T• Grow this non-hearting variety for summer salads or a fresh
H A RV ES
•H
Sow accompaniment to main meals. The leaves are easy to grow and a
Mar-Aug good source of vitamins.
A RV ES
Harvest Sow seeds outside at a depth of 1.5cm, into a pre-prepared patch
Apr-Oct of soil. Space rows at a distance of 25cm apart.
•
• S OW T
You will start to see seedlings develop within one to two weeks
from sowing. It’s a good idea to protect early sowings with cloches.
Baby leaves can be harvested when ready, but if growing for
Lettuce larger plants, thin so the remaining plants are 20cm apart. Keep
Salad Bowl
Easy, just pick leaves as required these well-watered until they are established.
Sow: Mar-Aug • Harvest: Apr-Oct
Lactuca sativa
For a continuous supply of salad leaves, sow seeds every two or
three weeks.
Pick the leaves when they are the size you desire. This variety can
be grown as cut-and-come-again baby leaves, so you can harvest
them around four times.
You might have

Melon ‘Melba’ received melon ‘Em
ir F1’
Gone are the days of only being able to grow tropical with your issue in
stead of
fruits inside the greenhouse – this tasty variety can melon ‘Melba’ – th
is
be grown outdoors in a warm, sheltered position. growing variety is fast-
another
great choice for gr
owing
Sow 0.5cm deep into a pot of compost, water melons outdoors
in a
well and place somewhere warm like a sunny spot!
kitchen windowsill.
Keep the soil moist and wait for seedlings to appear.
This usually takes a week or two.
Once seedlings are 10-15cm tall, transplant them to
Melon
individual pots and keep them in cooler conditions – Melba
Fragrant, sweet tasty orange flesh
just nowhere too chilly! Sow: Feb-Apr • Harvest: Aug-Oct
Then, plant out to large pots, growing bags or a Cucumis melo
greenhouse border. Give these plants plenty of

support and keep watering consistent. S OW
Pinch out the growing tip once five or six leaves have T•
A RV ES
•H
formed. After fruits have formed, liquid feed weekly. Sow
If you’re growing these plants on outside, make sure Feb-Apr
A RV ES
they are in a sunny position and expect crops to be
smaller and later to mature. Harvest
•H
Aug-Oct
• S OW T
Average
Pepper ‘(Hot) De Cayenne’

This heavy cropper produces lots of long, slim red fruits which look as good
as they taste. Harvests make an ideal addition to salads and stews.
Indoors, sow seeds thinly, 0.5cm deep, in a tray filled with compost. Water well
and keep the tray in a warm spot, ideally 15-20°C.
Kept moist, seedlings will normally appear within 7-21 days. Once they are
large enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots and keep these in
cooler conditions.
This variety can be planted out between May and June. There are plenty
Pepper of options for where to plant these – growing bags, large containers or a
(Hot) De Cayenne
Long slim chillies with a bit of a bite
greenhouse border are all good candidates.
Sow: Feb-Apr • Harvest: Jul-Oct
If you want to grow these spicy fruits outside, hold off indoor sowing until
T • S OW D: GB UK PLANT PASSPORT A: Capsicum annuum B: 21546 C:
March or April.
Slowly harden off plants, making sure to avoid frosts. Plant out in a warm,
A RV ES
•H
Sow bright, sheltered spot, 40cm apart, once the risk of frost has passed completely.
Feb-Apr
A RV ES
To encourage fruit to set, spray flowers gently with tepid water and feed the
Harvest plant often after flowers appear.
•H
Jul-Oct Harvest fruits between July and October. Bear in mind that outdoor plants
• S OW T will produce smaller fruits that crop later as opposed to those grown in
a greenhouse.

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Average
S OW
Radish
T• ‘Scarlet Globe’
A RV ES
•H
Sow This vigorous old favourite
Feb-Sep
A RV ES
offers crisp, round radishes
which make the perfect gap
Harvest crop for quick harvests.
•H
Apr-Oct They’re a great choice for
• S OW T
raised beds, too.
Radish Finely prepare and water

Scarlet Globe
Easily grown, with good ‘bite’ cropping location before
Sow: Feb-Sep • Harvest: Apr-Oct
Raphanus sativus
sowing thinly, 1.5cm deep, into
well-drained soil. Allow 23cm
between rows and protect
early sowings with cloches.
Seedlings usually emerge
within a week to 10 days,
after which you should keep
the plants well-watered until
they are established. Watering
encourages the roots to grow
quickly and prevents them
from going woody.
Thinning is only necessary if
the plants are overcrowded.
Sow every two to three weeks
for continuous harvests – “little
and often,” as Mr Fothergill’s
recommends.
Thyme Average
With its wonderful flavour and compatibility

with many different ingredients, thyme is a
must for any keen gardener. Discover how
easy it is to grow.
Sow the seeds 0.5cm deep in small individual

pots filled with multipurpose compost. Water
well and place on a warm, sunny windowsill.
Keep the soil consistently moist. Seedlings
should appear within 28 days. Thyme
Once the young plants have outgrown their
Classic strongly flavoured herb
pots, transplant them into 8cm containers. Sow: Feb-May • Harvest: Mar-Nov
Remember to water them well to help them Thymus vulgaris
settle into their new home.

Once the frosts have passed (May or June) it
is time to gradually accustom your plants to
outdoor conditions. Do this by extending the
time they are placed outside each day over a
S OW
T•
two-week period.
When they are ready, plant out your thyme
A RV ES
•H
plants on the plot, leaving 25cm between Sow

each one. Be sure to choose a site with well- Feb-May
A RV ES
drained soil.
You can pick the leaves well into winter Harvest
•H
provided you give the plants adequate frost Mar-Nov

• S OW T
protection, such as a cloche. Cut off any
flowering shoots to ensure that your leaves
have the best possible flavour.

Tomato ‘Tigerella’
‘Tigerella’ has a very distinctive
striped skin, with tasty, eye-catching
fruits on bountiful trusses – a great
talking point on the plot!
Sow indoors, 0.5cm deep, in pots

of compost and place somewhere
warm like a kitchen windowsill.
Keep the pots moist and wait for
seedlings to appear for a week
or two.
Once the young plants are 10-15cm
tall, transplant them to individual
pots and grow them on in
cooler conditions.
Plant out to large pots, growing bags
or a greenhouse border between
April and May. Make sure you
support the plants and keep on top of
S OW
T•
removing the side-shoots. After five
or six trusses have set, pinch out the
H A RV ES
•H
Sow growing tip.
Jan-Apr
A RV ES
If you’re planning on keeping
outdoor crops, wait until March or
Harvest April before sowing indoors.
Jun-Oct Harden the plants off before planting
•
Tomato • S OW T
Tigerella
Eye-catching with great flavour
them out in warm, well-drained
Sow: Jan-Apr • Harvest: Jun-Oct soil, 45cm apart, after the last frosts.
Harvest from August.
D: GB UK PLANT PASSPORT A: Solanum lycopersicum B: 21546 C:
Viola
‘Johnny Jump Up’
Also known as heartsease, ‘Johnny Jump Up’
produces delicate tricolour faces for a wonderful
addition to pots, beds and edging. It makes a hardy
perennial, but grow as a biennial or annual for the
best blooms.
If you’d like your plants to flower the same year

you sow them, sow indoors, 0.5cm deep, in a tray
of compost. Water well and place somewhere Viola
Johnny Jump Up
warm like a kitchen windowsill. Heartsease, the original gift of love
Sow: Feb-Jul • Flowers: May-Oct
Keep the tray moist and wait two to four weeks for Viola tricolor
seedlings to appear.
Once they are large enough to handle (by the
leaf), transplant to other trays, 5cm apart.
Harden plants off before planting them out after
the last frosts, keeping 15cm spacings between
each plant. S OW
If you’d rather sow outside, finely prepare and T•
A RV ES
•H
water a seedbed and sow thinly, 0.5cm deep. Sow

Once seedlings emerge, thin to 5cm apart. Then, Feb-Jul
A RV ES
from late summer, plant the violas out into their

flowering position, allowing 15cm between Flowers
•H
each plant. May-Oct

T
Deadhead the violas to keep them flowering for as • S OW
long as possible, and feed during the late summer
to encourage them to bloom into the autumn.

TOP 5
‘Sungold’ ‘Gardener’s Delight’
Hailed the tastiest tomato variety by more We couldn’t forget this classic. Loved
growers than we can count, ‘Sungold’ is a by growers everywhere, ‘Gardener’s
Tomatoes
firm favourite. It holds an RHS AGM, and it’s Delight’ is the quintessential red cherry
not difficult to see why. ‘Sungold’ produces tomato. These bite-sized treats make the
super-sweet, golden, thin-skinned cherry perfect snack or a tasty addition to the
tomatoes which are surprisingly hardy salad bowl. It’s a reliable variety, and
– with care and a cool greenhouse, you one that’s easy to grow and maintain.
could be picking into the winter months. Just remember to support the plants
Remember to pinch out the side-shoots – as (the trusses will be heavily laden with
Need some variety ‘Sungold’ is a cordon variety, you’ll need tomatoes!) and don’t let them dry out.
to stay on top of this to encourage strong Kept away from frosts, these plants can
inspiration this trusses bursting with delicious fruits. keep producing fruits until November.
season? Take a look at
1
our top tomato picks
I
to help you decide
what to sow in 2023
t’s easy to see why tomatoes are
such a popular crop amongst
gardeners: there are so many
2
interesting varieties available,
and each offers a unique flavour
alongside varying colours, shapes
and sizes. It’s also difficult to beat the
feeling you get from picking fresh,
sun-warmed toms from your plants!
With the right care and attention,
you could be harvesting heavy
yields. Here, we’re highlighting some
varieties which deserve the spotlight
this year.
Tag us...
What are your favourite tomato
varieties? We’d love to see what Supplier: Supplier:
you’re growing, so do tag us in your Nicky’s Nursery Kings Seeds
social media posts! nickys-nursery.co.uk kingsseeds.com
Growing recommendations
‘Golden Sunrise’ ‘Black Russian’ ‘Cuore di Bue’
Add some extra sunshine to your growing This one is a real favourite amongst If you’re searching for a meaty beefsteak
space with this cheerful variety. The our readers. ‘Black Russian’ produces tomato that’s packed with flavour, look
medium-sized tomatoes are bright yellow medium-sized tomatoes which are no further than this fantastic variety. It’s
with an outstanding sweet flavour, making described as tasting both sweet and an indeterminate cordon type which is
them a striking addition to salads. This acidic, with a complex smoky flavour. perfect for indoor or outdoor growing.
variety matures early and produces lots The fruits are dark mahogany-brown and The attractive orange-red fruits are heart-
and lots of delicious fruits. Sow between ripen quickly. They’re also easy to grow, shaped, ribbed and bursting with flavour –
January and April and harvest all the way making them a great choice for beginners they’re a dream for Mediterranean cuisine
into October, making sure to pinch out looking to grow their first toms. Give this enthusiasts. Keep the compost moist but
side-shoots along the way. Also, remember cordon variety lots of sun and remember don’t water too much and you’ll have
to water and feed the plants regularly to pinch out the side-shoots for strong, some tasty oxhearts to experiment with in
after the first truss has set. fruitful plants. the kitchen.
3 4 5
Supplier: Supplier: Supplier:

Pennard Plants Marshalls Sow Seeds
pennardplants.com Marshallsgarden.com sowseeds.co.uk
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PICK OF THE CROP
Cloches
and cold
frames
Protect young plants
Sleeper Cold Frame and warm the soil Victorian Bell Cloche
(£229.99) (£11.99)
Protect your plants against frost over with
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Standard Easy Rowlinson Timber Cloche Tunnel Kits

Polytunnels (£24.60) Cold Frame (£124.99) (from £24.66)
Made from tough UV stabilised 150-micron This robust timber cold frame is made from These flexible garden cloche tunnel kits
polythene. Forms a complete barrier, FSC timber that is pressure treated for long come complete with everything you need
retaining warmth and moisture. Ken Muir life, with two opening lids. William James including a cover. Gardening Naturally
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growfruitandveg.co.uk 16:30
47
Advertorial feature
The top spring

ESSENTIALS
Have a productive start to the season
by investing in some handy garden kit
M
arch is a peak month
for sowing, growing
and planting, so it’s
crucial that all growers have the
equipment needed to produce
quality fruit and vegetables.
Pots, dibbers, trowels, bags of
compost and cloches are just a
handful of examples of kit that
can help you sow like a pro,
giving tender plants the best
possible start and increasing
your chances of harvesting
delicious crops later in the year.
It’s a good idea to take a
stock check of any regularly
used items, such as containers,
propagators and horticultural
fleece. With wear and tear they
can quickly become unfit for
purpose, so make a list of any
bits that could do with being
replaced or even upgraded.
Read on for some suggestions
of top spring essentials for the
year ahead and beyond!
Advertorial feature
Dalefoot Wool Compost
for Potting
“Peat-free potting compost”. A wonderful
potting compost made from sheep’s wool,
comfrey and bracken with natural water
retention and slow-release nutrients.
Perfect for growing flowers in containers,
raised beds and hanging baskets where
water retention is key. Now endorsed
by the Eden Project, we want to inspire
Britain’s gardeners to embrace sustainable
gardening and switch to using “climate
positive” peat-free compost. Order now at
dalefootcomposts.co.uk
Carbon Gold Protect your plot

Biochar Seed Compost is a coir-based with Strulch
compost which includes biochar Mulching is good growing practice.
enriched with natural biology to Strulch stops germination of weeds
give the best growing conditions for by blocking light. Not only does it
your seeds. It does not contain any offer frost protection, the embedded
synthetic chemicals, peat, or green minerals and texture of Strulch deters
waste and has been certified by the slugs and snails. Strulch has a neutral
Soil Association for organic growing, pH so it can be used anywhere on the
which means it will provide your plot. Buy direct in bulk or in smaller
plants with the best possible start! Visit amounts from our stockists.
carbongold.com strulch.co.uk or call 01943 863610
Soft Butterfly
Netting from Cloche Hoops from
Gardening Naturally New Line CSM Plant Supports
Protect your precious crops from butterfly Red & Black Gloves Home-grown happiness. You can protect
attacks with Soft Butterfly Netting. This Super grippy gloves with a lightweight your crops easily from wind, pets and
soft mesh netting will stop cabbage white breathable bright red back. Washable at pests with our cloche hoops, all pre-formed
butterflies and birds ruining your vegetables, 40 degrees with neutral detergents, ideal in strong 6mm galvanised or Natural
especially brassica plants, like cabbage and for most gardening jobs and extremely unpainted steel. The hoops can be used
kale. Enjoy the fruits of your labour with comfortable for long-term wear. to create your own garden cloche of any
Gardening Naturally’s Soft Butterfly Netting, Visit to order yours now. length. Pack of 4. Handmade in Tenbury
available in green or black. Order yours via centresalesgloves.co.uk Wells, Worcestershire. To order yours
gardening-naturally.com visit plantsupports.co.uk
Mulching is good gardening practice because the organic matter enriches
the soil and improves structure and drainage over time. Mulching also stops
weeds germinating and helps overwintering your plot. Your plants are given
the best conditions to thrive.
Dual Action Strulch does all this and acts as a deterrent to slugs and snails -
the most annoying pests in the garden!
The physical properties of Strulch together with the embedded minerals are
unpleasant to them but harmless to other wildlife. Strulch has a neutral pH so
can be used anywhere in the garden.
Buy in bulk or in smaller quantities

through our stockists. Available in 9kg
bags from our stockists. For best value
buy direct in bulk on pallets of 12, 25, 40 or 48
13.5kg bags. Also used by the RHS.
Expert advice
Emily’s top 5 for

MARCH
GYO’s senior content creator
Emily shares some tips and resources
to help you on the plot
Read this
One of your main aims for the new season might
be to increase the wildlife visiting your plot.
Gardening for Wildlife is the crucial companion
to novices and expert gardeners alike. Adrian
Thomas dispels myths and offers new insights,
helping everyone understand what to do so
gardens, large or small, can become ideal homes
for wildlife. Bloomsbury Publishing, RRP £25.
Use this
If you’ve been keeping a gardening journal, place
close attention to where you grew your favourite
vegetables last year. Sweetcorn, cucumbers,
squashes, courgettes and more will benefit from
a crop rotation system, so it’s good to record their
growing spots on the plot to shake things up.
Sow this
Aubergines are one of my favourite vegetables,
and March is the perfect month to sow the seeds.
Start them outside or under cover, although
the plants do well in humid conditions, so a
greenhouse is ideal. There are so many varieties
you can experiment with, with all kinds of colour
and pattern variations!
Watch this
Keeping a consistent eye on your carrot crops is
crucial this month, as carrot fly will be waiting to
attack these precious roots. Try to keep netting as
tight as possible so that these critters don’t have a
chance to get to the soil surrounding your carrots.
Harvest this
Purple sprouting broccoli is in season this month.
Simply cut the stems using a sharp garden knife
and delicately steam them or add them to stir
fries. They have a wonderful flavour and their
colour adds a certain touch of magic.
SMART
NEWS
The only pages modern
gardeners need for brilliant
growing ideas
GYO Spotlight:
Unusual veg to grow in 2023
The Independent has compiled a helpful list of some
weird and wonderful varieties of vegetables that
could make for an interesting addition to your plot
this year. Including callaloo, white aubergines and
multicoloured sweetcorn, there is something to suit
every growing space, no matter how large or small.
Experimenting with new varieties is an excellent way
to expand your growing repertoire and also add a
dash of new colours to your plot. Online suppliers
are adding more and more new varieties of classic
vegetables to their stock each year – let us know if
you choose to try anything new via our social media
channels. We’d love to see what you produce!
LET US INTRODUCE YOU TO... Starting up...

A WINDOWSILL
Broccoli SOWING STATION
‘Nine Star’
A rare heritage variety If you haven’t got the luxury of an under
that’s very hardy, cover space such as a greenhouse, then
producing a large, central, you’ll need to be a bit more creative when
cauliflower-like white head it comes to nurturing your new sowings. A
each spring, surrounded sunny windowsill indoors makes an ideal
by up to 15 smaller white nursery, as long as you follow these tips.
multi-heads. Grows First of all, you’ll need a good collection
approximately 1m high of seed trays – these can be purchased
and will last for up to three online or at any garden centre, or you
years before plants lose make use of any suitable cartons. Fill
vigour. Purchase seeds with compost, level them out and press
from kingsseeds.com down lightly. It’s a good idea to leave
Lettuce ‘Miniko’ the filled trays indoors for a few days to
A mini iceberg allow the compost to warm up first.
variety that produces Keep an eye on the temperature –
tasty heads weighing windowsills will provide warmth during
280-350g which are sunny days, but spring evenings are
full of crunch. Ideal often pretty chilly. To avoid inconsistent
for growers who temperatures, make sure you bring your
are short of space, trays further indoors at night.
allowing the harvest
of one lettuce per Keep a water spray bottle next to your
meal. Perfect for trays to give your seeds/seedlings a
spring, summer or light watering. This will prevent soil
autumn maturity. saturation. Cover seed trays with
Buy seeds from clingfilm while you’re waiting for
kingsseeds.com germination to help warm the soil.
Smart gardening
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A Plant and After
AC
• S M A RT F
Plant Orchid pump

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Did you know? & feed contain

• S M A RT F
Some chilli varieties can take organic ingredients

up to five weeks to germinate!
including seaweed
Source: extract and plant-derived amino acids.
South Devon Chilli Farm
CT
Each is designed to stimulate healthy

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A growth for all indoor plants. The ready-

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to-use liquid will deliver the perfect 2ml
New allotment advice dose which can be added directly to the
If you’ve taken on the venture of base of the plant and watered in for a
a brand-new allotment this year, quick, mess-free application. Order yours
it’s not uncommon to feel a little from rootgrow.co.uk
overwhelmed. If your new site has
been left to overgrow and you’re Grazers
having to tackle plenty of tidying Grazers strengthens
jobs before you can even begin and stimulates growth
your own growing season, then uniquely without
take a look at The Herald’s article harming the pests
that breaks down the process into themselves and, in the
manageable steps. With time and case of G2 Slug & Snail,
a bit of patience, you’ll soon have a leaving the mollusc
wonderfully organised space that as a safe food source,
will be ready to produce bundles attracting beneficial
of delicious harvests. If you are wildlife into your garden. Available
new to allotment gardening, be online and in garden centres. To find
sure to connect with us! We’d love out more, call 01768 800 555 or visit
to see any photos of your allotment grazers.co.uk
transformation process.
Smart design:
RAIN GARDENS
Kim Stoddart and Sally Morgan introduce
a style of growing that will make your
garden more resilient than ever
A
rain garden is just like a sunken sheer volume of rainwater
bed, positioned carefully to demands, into a further
collect runoff from surfaces overspill area). This
in your outside space. In addition to should always be
temporarily holding stormwater and situated well away
slowing down runoff from hard surfaces, from septic tanks
it has the bonus function of acting as and wells.
a natural filter for the water running Also, do bear
through it. It’s stocked with plants that in mind that
are able to cope with being flooded because you’ll be
on a temporary basis, thereby also relying on your
making an attractive natural feature out rain garden to
of your useful ally in the battle against allow water to soak
flood prevention. away into the ground, Kim Stoddart
it’s prudent to check

Choosing a location that you’ve chosen the
The best place to build your rain right place (and soil)
garden is several metres away from for such a job.
the house on a flat area or gentle slope A simple
(less than 10 degrees). This way, swales percolation test
Portrait photography by John Williams Photography and Jayne Lloyd

and drainpipes can direct the water is recommended valuable gardens
into this area, where it will collect and before you start can be any shape,
slowly drain into the ground (or if construction. You but they do benefit
need soil that from being as large
allows water as possible so they
to drain can effectively deal
away at a with an excess of rain
rate of at in a heavy storm. With
least 5cm Sally Morgan this in mind, aim for 3m
per hour. wide or more. As a general
If percolation rule of thumb, the surface area of
rates are slow, you your rain garden should be at least 10-20
either need to find per cent of the total area of impermeable
a different spot or surfaces that drain into it, including the
improve the soil roof. If it’s too small, it will simply get
with gravel or grit. waterlogged too quickly and overflow.
A rain garden
may not suit Building your rain garden
gardens with To construct your rain garden, mark out
heavy clay or the boundaries and dig out the soil to a
a naturally high depth of roughly 45cm, creating a shallow
water table, as saucer-shaped depression. Make sure
the water will be the edges are level and create an earth
too slow in draining mound (berm) on the downhill side to
away. In these hold the water with an overflow zone
cases, a bog garden (which can simply be a notch in the berm
may be better suited that allows excess water to seep away
to take advantage of the toward a channel or drain). Mix organic
waterlogged conditions. These matter and grit into the soil and refill the
Smart gardening
rain garden to the original level. When getting established. During this
it comes to planting, a good root system initial period, the plants will be
will hold the soil and take up water, less able to cope with loads of
and the more plants, the merrier. water, so don’t allow too much
Also, in terms of construction, rain rain to collect there by deepening
gardens tend to have three growing the overspill area to let more water
zones to bear in mind when choosing out. It may also help to place rocks
your plants: near the entrance to the rain garden
The bottom of the rain garden will to slow down the flow of water and
hold the most water and for the longest prevent the plants and soil from being
period of time. washed out.
The sloping sides of the garden will Another option is a rain garden
be wet but for shorter periods of time. planter — this is a large container that conditions, rather than trying to fight
Ideally these plants need a good root receives water from a downspout and against them, through the creation of a
system to stabilize the slopes. has an overflow pipe leading to the bog garden filled with species that love
The upper area will be the least drain. The planter intercepts the rain the water. There is always the future
wet. It’s also good to use a dense and and holds it back before discharging risk that a bog garden will dry out in a
diverse mix of plants so that if some to the drain, rather like a rain barrel, drought, so make sure you incorporate
fail, others may thrive. Given the but far more attractive. The planter plenty of compost or organic matter
damp nature of the bed, avoid any has a deep gravel layer at the base around the planting to enable it to
of Mediterranean origin and go for and is then filled with compost mixed retain moisture.
species suited to wet or waterlogged with grit and planted with water-loving
conditions because they have to be plants such as iris, sedges, and rush.
able to cope with waterlogging around
their roots on a temporary basis. BOG GARDENS The Climate Change
If you have a low-lying area of the Garden by Sally
Managing the garden garden that is always wet and collects Morgan & Kim
In the first year you may have to water rainwater, then maybe it’s best to just Stoddart, £18.99
in dry periods and while the plants are work with these somewhat soggy Cool Springs Press.
Smart guide:
GROWING
WITHOUT A
GARDEN
You don’t have to have an expansive
outdoor space – or in fact, any outdoor
space at all – to grow your own this year
Wonderful windowsills
T
he luxury of a vast growing
space isn’t a possibility for Don’t allow windowsill space to go
everyone – and in fact, sometimes to waste – maximise these warm,
a garden of any type isn’t an option. This bright sun-traps that offer fantastic
means that unconventional thinking growing conditions for many plants. As
when it comes to gardening can be a mentioned, chillies can blossom if placed
necessity. In fact, demand for small- on a warm windowsill, but there are
space growing solutions seem to be also plenty of other edibles that
on the up, so we are here to prove you will thrive here.
really can grow without a garden! Why not have all
your culinary herbs
Indoor ideas at your fingertips
Venturing indoors might not seem the by starting off a
most natural thing for a gardener to do. windowsill herb
But, there’s plenty that can be produced garden? They’ll
from the comfort of your own home, look great adding
which is particularly handy in the some greenery this time, plants
cooler months of the year (even if you to your kitchen. should have
do have a big plot to grow in the rest Try growing on reached up to six
of the time!), and means your crops are the windowsill in inches and even
always right at hand. a trough, individual started to flower
Mushrooms may not always be top pots, or upcycle some (which, by chance, are
of everyone’s lists, but when you’re old tin cans. This means also edible). Cut leaves
looking for something to try inside, their you have fragrant leaves for a tasty salad addition as
penchant for warm conditions means to hand, right where you need and when you require them.
your home is an ideal location. For ease, them! Just remember that most herbs
choose one of the growing kits on offer, like free-draining soil, so watch out for Bountiful balconies
as these simply require some regular them becoming too waterlogged. Start Depending on where you live, balconies
moisture to begin growing. You can with staples like basil, mint, parsley, might be your small gateway to nature,
even tuck them out of the way for most chives and coriander, and get more somewhere to sit and watch the busy
of the time they take to grow, making experimental as you get more confident. city life go by below, or simply the area
them a versatile and fun indoor option. We all know the drill when it comes you dry your laundry. When it’s the only
As well as being hugely productive, to growing cress on a windowsill. You outdoor space you may have, it can seem
chillies can double up as an attractive moisten some tissue paper, cover with like filling it with plants might be a bit
houseplant that will really ‘wow’ guests, seeds, and if growing in a small container, intrusive, but when you’re picking some
too. Think about the variety you’d most cover the top with clingfilm to help tomatoes from your grow-bag in summer,
like to eat (considering the heat ratings lock in the moisture. This is obviously taking a bite out of the first strawberry
that you will be able to handle) and a neat little experiment to spark the from your hanging basket, or lifting spuds
start at the end of winter in a heated grandchildren’s interest in gardening, from a tub, the transformation will have
propagator or toasty airing cupboard to due to the sheer speed of germination. been well worth your time and efforts.
help prompt germination. Later, move However, if you want to level up your To get the most out of your narrow and
to a sunny windowsill, and don’t forget cress-growing skills, try seeds on the restrictive balcony space, put any existing
to open windows when flowering to surface of compost in a small pot, and structures to good use by incorporating
encourage insects to pollinate. allow to flourish for around a month. At them into your growing plans.
Smart gardening
Keep
experimenting
More than anything
else, if you’re limited
on space, it’s worth
remembering that
you’re never going
to be harvesting
the quantity of crops
that somebody with an
allotment is enjoying. Once
you stop comparing what you’re
doing to your friend that has a much
larger plot to grow in, you can start
enjoying what you are able to achieve.
Have fun, always think innovatively
and creatively, and never be afraid to
experiment – there’s always next year
if things don’t quite go to plan. There’s
truly something incredibly rewarding
about producing tasty crops, especially
when, on paper, the odds should be
stacked against you. Don’t forget to
keep us up to date with your small-
space growing tips, tricks and success
stories by tagging us in your photos on
social media.
Climate Change Savvy
by design
This month, Kim Stoddart outlines simple How to create more
predator habitats
ways to shore up defences and build resilience Some form of water source is useful to
help draw in beneficial creatures like
no matter the size of your veg growing space amphibians, be it a more elaborate wildlife
pond or a simple sink basin buried into
A
ll too often in gardening, things turn will help you shore up the defences the ground or placed on your patio. Do
are over-complicated. You just against our whatever-the-weather future. place some bricks inside to ensure
have to look at the exacting creatures can get out as well as in.
planting instructions on many a seed Boost biodiversity and Leafmould, twig or log piles can
packet for a perfect case in point. Yet natural pest control provide a beneficial habitat for a range
natural resilience often means less is With milder, wetter winters, more of wildlife as ground cover is most
actually more. Less keeping nature droughts and topsy-turvy growing beneficial for the likes of ground
meticulously in check, more stepping seasons overall, there are more beetles, earwigs and newts (to name
back and allowing natural systems to opportunities for pests to proliferate but a few). A few upturned pots can
flourish. Less watering and feeding of through overwintering and more also provide a welcome sanctuary. You
plants, more building soil health and breeding potential, and also through the can make a design feature out of
biodiversity. Less following particular risk of invasive species moving in as our these spaces.
rules and instructions, more thinking on climate warms. So the more predators you A further wildlife area can be created
your feet and following your instinct. have at your disposal, the better able you easily by just allowing grass to grow
No matter the size of your edible growing will be to keep potential plant destroyers long and weeds to grow normally. I
space, there are lots of ways to weave in in check. Also, you want to make it harder even grow a little patch of stinging
this nature-minded approach which in for pests to find what they are looking for. nettles in the polytunnels to help draw
in ladybirds and lacewings (great for
aphid control). Just don’t allow weeds
“You can make a design feature out to self-seed and take over.
Do feed the birds – they are truly
of habitat spaces for predators” amazing predators.
Expert advice
Get mixed climate change threat) – it’s much Drought resilience

planting
GYO harder for the likes of any airborne Bare soil will dry out quickly from the
Also known as
polyculture, this
nature-friendly way
of planting is
says disease such as blight to move from
plant to plant when you have distancing
in-between. Mixed planting works well
in any sized planting space, and light-
glare of the sun, so get used to
maximising available growing space with
ground cover around plants.
Use quick growing crops and herbs
absolutely amazing Attract plenty on-the-soil crops like salad leaves and and salad leaves as fillers.
as it makes it trickier of predators to nasturtium can be used as fillers to Mixed planting also helps here.
for pests to cause target the critters maximise available space. Mulching plants (in pots or the
damage to planting. who have eyes on ground) with local materials you can
If you imagine the your produce! Think layered protection readily source also really helps afford
principles of My gardens lie in an exposed protection. Choose from
companion planting, spot over 700 feet above sea comfrey, compost, leaf
like marigolds and level. To afford protection mould (or just leaves),
onions around carrots to deter the carrot from strong winds, cardboard, grass
fly, just on a much bigger, more free- flooding and my clippings, wood chip
spirited way, this gives you a little taste of private water supply and sheep wool, all
how this works. There are no exacting running almost just a thin layer to
formulas here though – you just need to completely dry, help keep the ground
allow roughly six feet between plants of here’s what I have moist underneath.
the same family and mix other plants done to help. Consider creating
in-between. This way, with lots of layers, gravel gardens
different smells, textures and foliage, your Flooding around perennials and
cabbage white butterfly and dastardly protection herbs. The Beth Chatto
pals can’t get a foothold so easily. I don’t I have a swale at the back Gravel Gardens are a
net any of my brassicas in my gardens of the garden which features perfect example of this
because I simply don’t need to. You might long grass, lots of trees and resilient method. No watering
get the odd caterpillar nibble, sure, but shrubs to help soak up water and also a is required.
it’s not so easy for them to spread. channel which diverts water away. The
The same goes for disease (also a raised beds and permeable gravel
pathways I use along with raised beds Kim Stoddart runs online and
enable the water to soak away. The in-person courses from her
Top Plant herbs like mint between permaculture principle of slow it, climate change training gardens
tip! crops to confuse and deter spread it, sink it, readily applies here. in West Wales. Find out more at
pests – their strong aromas
can mask the enticing smell of your Hard surfaces are the enemy as water greenrocketcourses.com
crops, and even repel critters entirely! levels can build quickly.
Two size ranges: a 4 metre wide range (above) and a
3 metre wide range (right). A variety of lengths available.
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Ask the experts
MEET OUR PANEL

Emily
Peagram
is senior
content creator at
Grow Your Own
magazine
Dominica
McKevitt
is Head Gardener
at Ardgillan Castle
Mike
Thurlow
is a retired
head gardener
and gardening
author
Ask the
Laura
Hillier
is editor at
Grow Your Own
experts
magazine
Got a niggling problem that you want one

of our esteemed gardening experts to aid
you with? Email your question to:
emily.peagram@dcthomson.co.uk for the
chance to see it featured on these pages.
Get the best from your plot with
advice from our garden pros
Seedling care masterclass

Q My chilli seedlings haven’t germinated! Where have
I gone wrong? Janie Newell, via email Q My tomato seedlings have started to rot at the base
of the stem – some have even collapsed! What’s
going on? David Joy, via email
Emily says: “Chillies can be stubborn when it comes to those
early stages of life. They require plenty of warmth. I often start Emily says: “With the excitement of a new season ahead of
my seeds in my airing cupboard as this provides the intense us, it’s common for growers to give new seedlings a little too
temperatures they prefer. Be aware of inconsistent temperatures much TLC. Water seedlings every two or three days, checking
if you’re growing them on a kitchen windowsill, and remember moisture levels with your finger first. Watering too much will
to move them further indoors at night to keep the chill away cause the compost to become saturated, which leaves stems
from your seeds. Keep the soil moist and be patient, as sitting in water for long periods of time. This can cause the rot
germination could take up to three weeks. As long as the seeds you’re seeing now, and may have devastating circumstances.
are in date and you give them the appropriate care, they will Showing a little bit of restraint will actually be better for your
soon appear.” young plants!”
Perfect parsnips
Q I’ve heard parsnips can be tricky to germinate. Is there
anything I can do to increase my chances of success?
Jeremy Knight, via email
Mike says: “I can’t imagine many of us would appreciate being dragged

out of a warm room and plunged into a freezing bath. But that’s exactly
what we do to parsnip seeds every February. Parsnips require warmth to
grow successfully. They are Mediterranean plants introduced to Britain
by the Romans. Don’t sow too early – forget February. Mid-March to mid-
May is okay. Wait until soil temperature has reached a minimum of 9°C,
preferably an optimum temperature 10°C/12°C. Ideally, select F1 strains
for reliable germination, disease resistance and uniformity. Before sowing
Beans in containers you could soak the seeds overnight or, better still, chit them. Spread the
seeds out on damp kitchen paper, waiting until white roots emerge before
Q How can I get the best out of dwarf French
beans in pots? Diana Suckling, via email sowing. Don’t pull, but cut away the unwanted seedlings to avoid root
disturbance. Water beforehand and afterwards to soften the soil and to
Dominica says: “Dwarf French beans are very well suited deter carrot root fly.”
to growing in pots due to their short growth habit. It is best
to sow them under protection if possible but this is not
essential. They can be sown in their final pots or in smaller
containers if space is limited. French beans should only be
hardened off and moved, or sown outdoors, when the risk
of frost is gone. If sowing directly outdoors, protect the seed
from mice, and also protect young plants from slugs and
snails as they emerge above the compost. When growing in
pots, always fill them with compost, whether homemade or
bought compost. Never use soil as it becomes compacted
in the pots due to the continuous watering. When the
beans are ready to harvest, remove the pods regularly to
encourage continuity.”
Plot organisation
Q What groups do I need to split my veg into in order to get the most from
crop rotation? Gary Heard, via email
Laura says: “Depending on how many different plants you grow, there are typically
five groups that separate your edibles and these should be followed in order to reap the
rewards of crop rotation. Split your crops into brassicas (Brussels sprouts, cabbages,
broccoli etc.), legumes (peas and beans), onions, potatoes and roots (beetroot, carrots,
parsnips etc.). By using a three- or four-year routine, this technique simply involves moving
each group around in a circle in the order that has been listed above on an annual basis.
Give crop rotation a try to enjoy fantastic results for the season ahead.”
Ask the experts
PEST FOCUS:
Slugs
These slimy critters are a common
sight in most gardens – find out how
you can keep them at bay
If you have ever noticed slime-covered

holes on the leaves of your edibles, slugs
are most likely to be the cause of the
damage. They target a wide range of
crops, such as peas, beans, potato tubers
and lettuce, so it’s important to keep
them away from your harvests.
Slugs are often visible after a period
of rainfall. Their long, slimy bodies
can be seen crawling over all sorts of
vegetation. There are several colour
variations, ranging from brown to grey
to black. They are also active after dusk –
why not try going out to your plot with a
flashlight and collecting these gastropods
in a container? They can be left out for
birds to feed on them, but make sure this
is far away from your edibles.
Beer traps are another option –
recycle a yoghurt pot by cleaning it out
thoroughly, filling it to around 1cm before
the top with beer and partially burying
it in the ground. Egg shells are also said
to deter these slimy gastropods from
reaching your prized plants. Simply
crush the shells and scatter the pieces
all around your most vulnerable edibles.
Copper rings can be purchased for the
protection of individual crops.
If the problem becomes severe there
are organic slug pellets available, but be
careful when using them around pets
and children. Another solution would
be to use nematodes to combat the
issue. There are products available that
contain these microscopic creatures –
mix them with water to activate their
pest-control qualities and irrigate the
soil with the solution. Once under the
earth, nematodes will enter the body
of every slug they find and feed on
them. Remember to read the packet
instructions and apply this at a suitable
time of the year in order to achieve the
most successful results.
David Domoney:
How to create
a pink border
Enjoy a pretty pink plot this season with the help
of David’s expert design choices
Middleweight champions
T
he idea of pink borders may purple and white whilst young. The leaves
conjure up light pastel cottage have a marbled effect which makes them A firm favourite in so many garden
borders full of soft and sweeping look almost hand-painted, before being styles is the Allium hollandicum (Dutch
foliage. Rather than a one-dimensional purple all over as they mature. The garlic) with the purple globe-like flowers
colour border, add depth to the scheme striking leaves are joined by small yellow that are a magnet for bees like
by building up different shades of pink flowers that are popular with pollinators, honeybees. The upright growth of these
and layering different heights. then red berries. perennials makes them fantastic located
Many people associate pink with If you have one of these already or in the middle of a border where the
femininity, although there are many other want to propagate one from the garden of flowers almost look like floating orbs. To
links to the colour such as love, kindness, a friend, you can do so by semi-hardwood grow these bold, architectural plants, the
calmness, and relaxation. Even within the cuttings. The best time of year to do this is bulbs should be planted during autumn
scale of pinks, there are some that are during late summer or early autumn. To in a sheltered spot with plenty of sun.
more relaxing, and more vibrant tones take the best cuttings, choose a section of Plant the bulbs between 10-20cm apart,
that are more stimulating. this year’s growth where the base of the at a depth four times the size of the bulb.
With plenty of flower and foliage cut is hard, but the tip is soft. The cutting The bulbs won’t appreciate much
choices for colour through the year, you should be between 10-15cm in length. disturbance, so planting them in a
can have a pink border that’s full Remove leaves from the bottom so there border full of evergreens and perennials
of depth. are around four leaves on the cutting. is great for reducing the likelihood of
Then, before planting, dip the cutting in disturbing them.
Pretty in pink rooting powder to encourage growth. The Complement the height of the alliums
Give the best backdrop with Berberis cuttings can then be planted into a with Salvia (sage) ‘Wendy’s Wish’ which
thunbergii f. atropurpurea (Japanese container using peat-free well-drained has red stems and foliage that has a
barberry) ‘Rose Glow’ that grows up to compost and covered with a plastic bag, citrusy fragrance for a really fresh scent
1.5m tall and 1.5m wide. This shrub has positioned on a brightly lit windowsill when you walk past. The dark pink
dense growth of leaves that are pink, or greenhouse. flowers bloom from summer and into
Expert advice
autumn, looking wonderful against the shaded spot in well-drained soil, 30cm tall, with flattened clusters of pink
red stems. Growing up to 1m tall, they are preferably loam or sandy soil. blooms. The sweetly scented flowers are
a perfect partner for the Allium Similarly, the silvery evergreen foliage another selling point for this perennial at
hollandicum because their foliage will of Lychnis coronaria (rose campion) is the front of the border. It is an annual, so
hide the strap-like leaves of the Allium well-suited to the front of the border it can be enjoyed during spring and
which fade by the time the flowers bloom. because it allows the plants in the middle summer, and the front of the border
to be fully appreciated. On top of erect can be given a new lease of life the
Edible ornamentals stems, the tiny pink flowers put on a show following year.
Incorporating edible plants into with their vibrant pink colour in summer. There are so many choices of pretty
ornamental borders is such a great way Through the season, deadheading flowers and vibrant pink plants with flowers
of appreciating the whole of your garden. as they die will help to prolong flowering. and foliage that will add something
It also allows you to interact with borders Like the alum root, the rose campion will special to your borders. With layers upon
and planting schemes that tend to just be appreciate well-drained loam or sandy layers of texture, there will be just the
maintained and appreciated for their soil to thrive. right mix of flowers and foliage at the
beauty or fragrance. For your pink For fluffy pink texture, Iberis right heights to fully appreciate the
border, Beta vulgaris (chard) is a fantastic umbellata (garden candytuft) grows up to structure of the plants.
crop to choose. A variety like ‘Peppermint’
with pink and white two-tone stems is a
great twist on the vegetable.
Sow the seeds or plant seedlings
outdoors between April and July and
have harvests from July through until
November. Within this time, the stems will
be sure to catch your eye within the pink
border. The young stems and leaves can
be harvested for use in salads,
sandwiches and stir fries.
Small but mighty

A fantastic addition to the front of your
shades of pink border is Heuchera (alum
root) ‘Paris’ which has rich, veiny foliage
and delicate-looking flower spires. For
added depth to the border, these spires
create a screen whilst still revealing the
plants behind through the gaps thanks to
the thin, upright stems. Reaching a height
of 35cm tall, this evergreen perennial is
great for giving that bit of interest year-
round. Grow it in a sunny or partially
March in your
ORGANIC GARDEN
Things really step up a gear on the plot this
month, and Emma is on hand to share her
essential tasks to keep things ticking over
T
he madness of March is upon us, it’s So, let’s start with seed sowing and what under cover we are sowing tomatoes,
manic mayhem and I love it! This I’m hoping to be successful with this beetroots, kohl rabi, lettuces, beans and
is an exciting time in the gardening year. Considering last year’s exceptional cucumber, to name a few.
calendar when seed sowing fills up every heatwave, I have extended our perennial We will also be sowing our hardy
available space. We tend to start most vegetable area and am going to grow annuals. We sow most directly, but also
of our seeds of indoors and they quickly amaranth and red orach as well as maize get a few going indoors to have ready to
take over the glasshouse, cold frame, and chickpeas to see if these are more fill any gaps as they appear throughout
polytunnel and windowsills. tolerant of our ever-changing weather the year. I try to go for flowers that will
conditions. However, the old stalwarts give me a long flowering period, attract
such as beetroot, carrot and kale will still beneficial creatures, deter pests and
have a place. generally germinate easily. My favourites
As the days lengthen and the weather are cosmos, French marigolds, calendula,
starts to warm up, it’s probably the right borage and snapdragons.
time to start sowing directly into the Whenever you’re sowing outside,
ground. Exact timing will depend on remember to clear the weeds and rake
where you live, but a good indicator of the soil to a fine tilth.
whether the soil is at the right temperature Of course, seed sowing is not the only
is to see if the annual weed seedlings have job this time of year; mulching is also high
started to germinate. If they have, it’s time on my ‘to-do’ list. There are many benefits
to start thinking about sowing. to mulching and spring is an ideal time
I tend to sow carrots, spinach, peas, to do it. The main reason I like to mulch
spring onions and radish directly, while is to protect the soil, but it also helps to
Expert advice
save water, suppress weeds, improve
the soil structure, encourage beneficial
soil organisms and, if you’re using a
biodegradable mulch, release nutrients.
Applying your mulch now is also much
easier as herbaceous plants are dormant
and the annual weeds haven’t yet
germinated. A word of warning, though: if
you have Mediterranean plants, they don’t
want too much moisture in the soil, so
go steady!
A mulch 7.5cm deep is ideal, but
as long as it’s at least 5cm you will see
some benefit. Avoid applying it when the
ground is frozen and don’t put it too close
to any tree or shrub stems - this can cause
softening which may lead to rotting or
opportunities for diseases to get in.
When it comes to what to use
as a mulch, there are a few options.
Homemade compost is always my first
choice, but rotted organic manures and/
or leafmould also make excellent mulches.
These are all biodegradable, so they break
down slowly and will add some nutrient and more reliable, and March is the
value into your soil. perfect time to take them.
Alternatively, non-biodegradable By now they should have started to
mulches such as sheet mulching, gravel produce some new shoots or be showing
and slate will also help keep in moisture an eye (a little knobbly bit!) on the tuber.
and suppress weeds. The final reason I Once the shoots are approximately 8cm
like to mulch is that it makes the garden long, cut the stem with a sharp knife just
look tidy – those who have read my under where the shoot emerges from the
column before will know I’m definitely a tuber (if you can get a bit of tuber, even
neat gardener! better). Then remove the lower leaves and
Last month I shared why I love dahlias insert the stem into a small pot filled with
so much – in my opinion, every garden organic peat-free potting compost. You
should have at least one. But one of the can use a rooting hormone if you prefer,
best things about dahlias is that they are but it’s not essential. Ideally, put three
easy to propagate, and in these trying cuttings into a pot and water well.
times, who wouldn’t want plants for free? Put the pot in a propagator if you have
Dahlias can be propagated by division or one – if not, cover it with a clear plastic
by taking cuttings. I find cuttings easier bag secured with an elastic band to help
conserve moisture. Then place in a warm,

light spot. Don’t be alarmed if they wilt
initially – they usually pick up.
After about a month, your cutting
should have rooted. Try to avoid tugging
on them (I must admit I always do!) but
wait for them to produce new leaves.
You can also divide dahlia tubers by
ensuring each piece has a little bit of root
and a new shoot or eye, but I find cuttings
simpler and more reliable.
As always, take time to enjoy
the garden – even gardeners need a
break sometimes.
MARCH
UNDER
COVER Make the most of your
greenhouse and polytunnel
with these top tips and
growing advice
WORDS: Sally Nex
Dos & Don’ts

DO pull out trays of yacon tubers,
dormant since you lifted them last
autumn, and pot them up ready for a
new season. Squeeze them first to make
sure they’ve stayed firm, then plant in a
How to avoid: Thinning seedlings two-litre pot of multipurpose compost so
the tip of the crown is just at soil level.
Of all the spring chores, thinning turnips. Sow a pinch Water them in and keep frost-free, and
seedlings must be the most frustrating. of 5-7 seeds in you’ll have new shoots within a couple
You spend ages on your hands and 5cm newspaper of weeks.
knees winkling out the tiniest shoots to pots, then DON’T wait for strawberries any longer
leave the strongest behind, and all to plant the than you absolutely have to. Pop glass
throw perfectly good seedlings on the seedlings out cloches over rows of early-fruiting
compost heap. as a cluster, varieties like ‘Honeoye’ to intensify the
It doesn’t have to be like this. 10-15cm early spring sunshine and bring them
Station sow, making little dents at between each into flower weeks earlier than usual.
the final spacings you want then clump. The plants Once you have flowers, open up the
sowing two or three seeds in each; push each other apart as they grow: ends to let the bees in (hand-pollinating
helps too) and you’ll have sweet red
or, multisow fast-growing veg like carefully harvest the largest and
berries up to a month earlier than usual.
beetroot, leeks, spring onions and leave the rest to grow on.
Sowing now: 3 VARIETIES TO TRY:

Greenhouse cucumbers ‘Femspot’ is a rock-solid reliable
Greenhouse cucumbers are quite different from all-female variety producing
outdoor varieties. For one thing, they’re more elegant: classic long (25-30cm) dark green
the long, smooth-skinned cucumbers you buy in the cukes by the dozen, and earlier
shops are all greenhouse varieties. Outdoor or ‘ridge’ than most other varieties, too
cucumbers are said to have a better flavour, but tend (simplyseed.co.uk)
to have stumpier fruits with thick, slightly warty skin
which must be peeled off before eating. ‘La Diva’ avoids having to deal
The other major difference is in pollination with that annoying half-cucumber
requirements. Outdoor cucumbers need male and kicking about in the bottom of
female flowers to cross-pollinate and set fruit. Indoor greenhouse cucumbers produce fruit the fridge: the fruit is snack-
whether or not the flowers are pollinated. What’s more, if it’s a variety which produces both male sized and perfect for lunchboxes
and female flowers and you let them cross-pollinate, the resulting fruit tastes unappetisingly bitter (sarahraven.com)
– so pollination is positively to be discouraged. ‘Crystal Lemon’ is a fine old
If you want to try one of the fine old varieties like ‘Telegraph’ which does produce male heritage variety with bright yellow,
flowers, make it a twice-weekly task to pick off all male flowers, with straight stalks, to leave only tennis-ball sized fruits: it grows
female flowers (with a mini-fruit behind). Easier, though, is simply to grow a modern all-female indoors or outdoors but you’ll get
variety, bred to produce only female flowers so you’re never troubled by bitter fruits. The seed is earlier and more fruits under glass
more expensive, but you get back all the hours you’d otherwise be spending peering at cucumber (nickys-nursery.co.uk)
flowers – so it’s worth it in the long run.
Expert advice
Step-by-step: Plant up a potato sack METHOD
Even if you’ve got plenty of room in the garden, it’s still worth planting some spuds
in sacks to grow under glass for super-early new potatoes, weeks sooner than those
grown outside.
1 2
Fast-growing early ‘new’ potato varieties You can buy purpose-made potato sacks
do best in sacks, especially if you’re made of jute with openable flaps in the Root an avocado stone
growing for a quick crop. They also make bottom for harvesting (crocus.co.uk), or Global warming is bringing many
smaller plants, so they’re happier with the simply repurpose a spent compost sack. tropical fruits within our reach –
restrictions of container life. You’ll need Turn it inside out (if the black side is and the latest is the avocado, now
three or four seed potatoes per sack: chit outwards, it absorbs more warmth, helping able to fruit in the UK in super-mild
them first, setting them in eggboxes for a your plants to grow) and punch a few holes climates like London. Avocado trees
fortnight to sprout, for a head start. in the bottom with a fork for drainage. are hardier than you think and even
survive a degree or so of frost: if you
3 4 can track down the variety ‘Brogden’
it’s said to tolerate -6°C.
Even in microclimates the
trees take years to fruit, though, so
start your quest for home-grown
avocadoes now! You can root
avocado stones by using toothpicks
to suspend them over a glass of
water with the rounded bottom just
submerged – but it’s a hit-and-miss
method and you’re often better off
simply planting it. Bury the stone in a
pot of compost so the tip is just poking
Tip about 15cm of compost into the bottom of As the shoots grow, keep burying the stem out, and water well. Keep really
the sack with a handful of seaweed meal mixed with more compost so just the topmost leaves warm – at least 18°C – and damp, and
in for extra nutrition, then place your seed are showing until the whole sack is full. Keep prepare to be patient: it can be six
potatoes on top with the end with most shoots your spuds well-watered and feed weekly weeks or more before the tip finally
uppermost. Cover them with another 15cm of with liquid seaweed or compost tea. Your splits and a fat shoot emerges.
seaweed-improved compost and water them in spuds should be ready once the plants are
well. Keep them in the greenhouse for now. flowering: simply tip out the lot and enjoy.
Weekend Project: Make your own seed trays

Right about now the greenhouse is Collect together some thin pieces of
filling fast with seed trays packed with scrap wood – pallet slats or shiplap
burgeoning seedlings, keeping your pots from old fencing panels work well –
in order and occasionally acting as a and cut them into lengths. You’ll need
stand-in shoebox for plant labels, seed four 35cm lengths – two wide (10cm)
packets and all the other detritus of a and two narrow (5cm) – plus two
busy seed-growing season. We couldn’t shorter narrow pieces about 22cm long.
do without them. Take the two long and two short
But plastic seed trays are expensive narrow pieces, stand them on their
to buy – and though you can reuse them edges and nail them together to make
for years, they eventually crack (often a rectangular box. Lay this flat and
shedding plastic microfragments into the simply nail the wider pieces on top
soil as they do so) and invariably wind up to make the base of the seed tray,
in landfill one day. Wooden seed trays, leaving a 1cm gap between the slats for
though, are climate-friendly, zero-pollution drainage. Turn it the right way up, fill it
and best of all, easy to make for free. with compost and sow!
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#BlossomWatch
Trees in blossom in
May in the Orchard
at Nunnington Hall,
North Yorkshire.
National Trust Images
Robert Morris.
8 destinations for
blossom magic
The National Trust showcase which of its gardens will be offering the
most breathtaking blossom displays this spring
A
fter a long, cold winter, what could
be more cheering than the sight of
"Bring on the blossom," says the striking snow-white magnolias as well
– perfect for lounging under on a sunny
clouds of pastel blossom covering the National Trust – here are spring day.
branches and fluttering to the ground? eight places you can immerse
The National Trust planted 15,000 more yourself in extraordinary Greys Court, Oxfordshire
blossom trees across its gardens and parks
in 2022 to give nature and people a brighter blossom landscapes this year After a redesign and new planting last
year, the Cherry Garden at Greys Court in
future, meaning there’s never been a better Oxfordshire will be fully open this spring.
time to enjoy this beautiful spring spectacle. Dunham Massey, Cheshire The borders have been stripped back in
This year, the charity’s #BlossomWatch Dunham Massey in Cheshire has one line with the original vision for the garden,
campaign returns, encouraging everyone of the best spring blossom displays in creating striking contrasts between the
to take a moment to enjoy the fleeting northern England. The garden brims with extravagant cherry blossom, clipped grass
beauty of blossom and to share blooms, especially cherry and crab apple and historic flint walls. There are small
their blossom images on social which make a beautiful combination. flowering fruit trees dotted all around the
media. #BlossomWatch kicks Interactive blossom-themed events walled gardens, and the crab apple arches
off around the spring equinox, are planned for spring to help visitors put on a real show in May. The trees have
with a week-long celebration get involved and make the most of the been trained over hoops and entwined with
following at the end of April. season. Later in the season, look out for clematis to create a scented flowery tunnel.
come into flower in the first or second
Apple blossom at Gibside,
Tyne & Wear © National week of May, and are underplanted with
Trust Images a carpet of pink, red, white and black
Tom Carr tulips. The cherry and tulip avenue leads
the eye across far-reaching views of the
Kentish Weald beyond.
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire

Elizabethan Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire
is famous for having ‘more glass than
wall’, but in spring the gardens become
the star. The orchards are full of fruit
from pear to greengage and damson,
including ornamental crab apples which
produce large, white scented blooms
in the annual spring blossom display.
These are complemented by local apple
varieties including ‘Newton Wonder’,
developed in Melbourne, Derbyshire,
Brockhampton Estate, orchards are often among the first in the and ‘Bramley Seedling’, hailing from
Herefordshire country to bloom. In the 19th-century the Southwell, Nottinghamshire.
No guide to blossom destinations can Tamar Valley was once a famous area for
leave out Herefordshire! The romantic market gardening, with hundreds of acres Nunnington Hall, North
timber-framed manor house at of blooming orchards in spring. Today this Yorkshire
Brockhampton Estate is surrounded by tradition is preserved at Cotehele, where As spring arrives, the orchards at
orchards which change with the seasons you’ll find orchards full of the famous Nunnington Hall in North Yorkshire
and enhance the beauty of the house itself. Tamar Valley cherries and more than 125 burst into life with clouds of pear, apple
Brockhampton’s lost orchards have been traditional apple varieties, alongside pear and cherry blossom. The gardens here
reinstated and re-imagined, most recently and walnut trees. are managed organically, with sheep
with the creation of a new orchard fleece packed around young fruit
shaped like an apple which celebrates Emmetts Garden, Kent trees to act as a mulch. Each year the
the fascinating history of how apples first For the perfect spring photo, head to gardeners install local beehives – as
arrived in England, and the many benefits Emmetts Garden in Kent, where 48 Prunus well as pollinating the blossom, these
fruiting trees can provide for wildlife. serrulata ‘Fugenzo’ cherry trees are produce delicious honey with a delicate
shaped into an unusual ‘lollipop’ style, taste that varies depending on what is in
Cotehele, Cornwall which was how they were originally flower at the time.
Get the blossom season off to an early start grown by the Lubbock family over a
with a visit to Cotehele in Cornwall, whose century ago. Their beautiful pink blossoms Wimpole, Cambridgeshire
More orchards await at Wimpole in
Cambridgeshire, a working estate still
The Cherry Garden in April guided by the seasons. You can see
at Greys Court, Oxfordshire. a huge variety of over 300 fruit trees
National Trust Images which give a procession of blossom
Hugh Mothersole
throughout spring. Beginning with
apricot, plum and greengage, the
blossom then appears on the apple and
pear trees and is finally rounded off by
medlar and quince in late spring. Come
harvest time, the fruit is used to produce
Wimpole apple juice. Within the Walled
Gardens, you can also find espaliered
fruit trees, and ornamental cherry trees
with delicate pink flowers can be found
across the Pleasure Grounds.
More top places

for BLOSSOM:
Barrington Court, Somerset
Chartwell, Kent
Killerton, Devon
Quarry Bank, Cheshire
Trelissick, Cornwall
Hinton Ampner, Hampshire
Wightwick Manor, West Midlands
Expert advice
Trees in blossom at the edge

of Windermere, Low Wray
Campsite, Cumbria © National
Create your own Trust Images, Paul Harris
BLOSSOM DISPLAYS “For something a little different, consider

growing the Japanese apricot (Prunus
with these expert tips: mume). They flower on bare green

stems early in the year before the leaves
come out, giving a striking abundance
“In general, the normal pruning regimes buds. Cutting after flowering (late May/ of flamboyant flowers. The one I love is
for shrubs and fruit trees are the ones that early June) would be ideal but hedgerows 'Beni-chidori', which has dark pink flowers
encourage blossom. Don’t forget the ‘right are full of bird nests then, so we delay in February and March (depending
plant, right place’ rule – if too large a plant hedge-cutting until August, and check for on temperatures).
needs keeping smaller by regular pruning, hedgerow residents before cutting.” “A fun way to grow this plant is to stool
you may actually reduce the amount of Heather Birkett, Senior Gardener, Acorn (cut back hard) annually, to keep a set of
blossom it has.” Bank, Cumbria vigorous twigs regenerating each year.
Glyn Smith, Head Gardener, Plant several close together and then stool
Erddig, Wrexham All citrus trees have fantastic smelling them to produce a burst of colour each
blossom, so you should grow the trees spring, a bit like a firework display.”
“My absolute favourite tree for a smaller that will produce the fruit you want to eat. John Lanyon, Garden Manager,
garden is Amelanchier lamarkii. It's an all- Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi) and lemon Trelissick, Glendurgan, Trerice
season giver, with glowing copper foliage (Citrus x limon) tend to be the hardiest and Bosloe
emerging among its loose white blossom and most vigorous, but there are plenty of
in spring, maturing to an attractive glossy orange varieties that are easy to grow and
canopy for summer, and giving gorgeous provide delicious fruit as well. My absolute
red-gold autumn leaf colour and dark favourite is blood orange (Citrus sinensis
berries in the autumn and winter. I like 'Sanguinello Blood').
them best grown as a multi-stem where Martin Stott, Head Gardener,
they give good impact and don't grow too Saltram, Devon
big. Amelanchier canadensis is a smaller,
more shrub-like species.” “When pruning our cordon apple trees,
Dea Fischer, Senior Gardener, Oxburgh I wait until winter dormancy and leaf
Hall, Norfolk drop has occurred rather than pruning in
August as is usually the rule. Otherwise, it
“Hedgerows can be full of is too warm for our trees and they respond
blossom if they are cut at by blooming in autumn and we lose the Blossom and Daffodils on
the right time of year. Avoid following year’s cropping.” the Park View Walk at
cutting in winter as this can Wimpole Estate, National
Andy Eddy, Head Gardener, Osterley
easily remove the flower Trust Images, Mike Selby
Park and House, London
GET MORE FROM
GROW YOUR OWN
Expert advice
Your Plot Seed

ing
Sow
30 minute job:
Make new yacon
plants for free
VARIETIES TO TRY
NEW VARIETY:
Cucumber
‘Chompers’
ESSENTIALS
This month’s jobs on the
A new spring is nudging its way through
the frozen earth at last and all sorts of things
are starting to sprout in anticipation of the
growing season to come. Yacon tubers,
Outdoor, or ridge
cucumbers, are a
great alternative
if you don’t have
a greenhouse, but
kept carefully squirrelled away in boxes
vegetable patch and patio of just-damp compost in a frost-free shed
the fruits themselves
take some getting used
WORDS: Sally Nex over winter, respond quickly to the rising
to with their thick, warty skins and short,
temperatures so check them weekly for
stubby shape. This new outdoor cuke is
signs of life.
GROWING TECHNIQUE: a step closer to the elegance of a long,
Join our thriving online community which has

Once you see live buds swelling on the
REPOT MINT crowns, pot them up and bring them back
smooth-skinned greenhouse fruit, though.
It’s enormous, for a start, up to 25cm long,
Mint is one of those collector’s plants. Once you’ve into active growth. This is also your chance with a thin, gently striped skin you don’t
discovered the delights of growing refreshing peppermint to bulk up your supplies by propagating have to remove before you slice. Give it your
for tea, or spicy spearmint for mint sauce, you just want
more: perhaps downy-leaved apple mint, or fragrant eau
new plants from the caudices – the cluster of
smaller roots at the base of the stem.
sunniest spot and some sturdy supports to
scramble up to enjoy long, sweet cucumbers
Garden report
de cologne mint to pop into sachets tied under the hot tap Take a knife and cut the crown up into by summer, no greenhouse required.
This month…
of your bath for a reviving soak. several smaller pieces, following the ‘seam’ (dobies.co.uk)
Whichever mint you grow, though, you must keep
GYO between each lumpy section and making
NEWS
them to a container or they’ll spread rapidly and take
over your garden – you can always bury the pot in the
ground to include mint among other herbs. But mint is
such a fast-growing plant it quickly exhausts the compost
says sure each chunk has at least one sprouting
bud. You should be able to create between
five and 10 new plants from the original
crown, depending on how big it was.
HERITAGE
VARIETY:
Lettuce
‘Little Gem’ in brief
in a pot, so to keep it growing strongly, repot it each Seaweed can be When you’re
Pot up each of these sections individually,
spring. Tip the plant out of its container and divide into used to make growing in
with the buds sitting at or just below
two or three healthy chunks. Repot one chunk into fresh
compost in the original container and pot up the rest
garden nutrient
tea and added to
compost level. Water in and keep in a containers you’re
always on the lookout
Keep up to date with the latest news from the growing world B&Q owner Kingfisher
has taken wildlife-
greenhouse while they grow into healthy
separately to boost your collection or pass on to friends. compost for good quality dwarf
young plants. In early summer, harden them
off carefully and plant outside in a sunny, varieties of your favourite Make waves for wildlife harming slug pellets off
its shelves ahead of a
25%
free-draining spot. veg – and this little cos lettuce is one of the
over 60,000 members and features growing

best. Bred in France, it’s still popular in
The Wildlife Trusts and the RHS have joined forces to call on government ban on their
gardens on both sides of the Channel almost growers to install a garden pond. 2019’s Wild About Gardens outdoor use from spring
a century later, admired for its neat, upright challenge has been set up to save Britain’s wildlife, as now 2020. The pesticide,
heads, superb flavour and densely-packed,
HOW TO AVOID... crunchy hearts. More recently, it’s found
13 per cent of our freshwater and wetland species are under used to kill off slugs
threat from extinction. This is due to the UK’s rapid loss of contains the chemical
In 2018, 18-34 year olds accounted ONION SETS POPPING a new role as a star plant for relatively
restricted 21st century veg patches; grow ponds, rivers and streams, and is reflected in last year’s metadehyde, that has
for 25% of lawn and garden spending
Source: National Garden Association
OUT OF THE GROUND plenty, as you’ll need a couple of heads
per salad, and re-sow monthly through the
RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch that revealed that frog and toad
sightings are down by 17 and 30 per cent since 2014. Pond
been outed by DEFRA
as posing a significant
season for a continuous supply.
flowers, plants and running water are all a space for frogs, threat to birds, other
EXOTIC toads, newts and hedgehogs to drink, feed, breed and shelter. mammals and our water
DON’T FORGET: VARIETY: If you want to help out, but lack room, don’t fear, as even the quality. The pellets will be
CLOCHE STRAWBERRIES USE SEAWEED FOR MULCHING Amaranth smallest of spaces can accommodate a pocket pond (a mini replaced by alternatives.
If we lived in a
Pop individual cloches or glass barn-style After a long, stormy winter, seaweed lies thick on the beaches, washed warmer corner
version of a regular garden pond) – simply fill an old sink or Urban growing is
up on the incoming tide. Seize your chance to collect it and you’ll have of the world, bowl with water, plant it up outside and wait for creatures to continuing to rise in
row covers over strawberry plants now the veg equivalent of a superfood on your hands. Seaweed is packed amaranth would arrive. The added bonus for veg growers? Visiting frogs will popularity, as a recent
and you’ll intensify the feeblest early with trace minerals, plus growth-stimulating plant hormones; it breaks be as familiar to us happily gobble up slugs, helping you to keep on top of pests. study has shown. The
spring sunshine, raising temperatures down easily and even repels slugs, which avoid crawling across its salty as lettuce or spinach.
guides, competitions, blogs and more! Find us at...

surface. Plus, it’s completely free! Also known as callaloo, European Federation of
underneath to the positively summery You should ask the local council, harbourmaster or owner if it’s each stage of growth provides a different Green Roofs and Walls
and kidding your plants into thinking a private beach for permission before collecting large quantities of crop. Its seedlings are delicious snipped has revealed that the
it’s time to wake up and start flowering. seaweed, but you’ll rarely be refused. Collect unattached seaweed from
Birds are often blamed for the curious surface. Or the soil may be too firm for at 5-8cm tall as microgreens; or let it grow of Gary’s late grandmother
area of green roofs in the
Open the ends regularly for ventilation
halfway up the beach, and don’t strip the beach as seaweed provides an
important habitat for wildlife.
phenomenon of just-planted onion sets
popping out of the soil overnight. But there
roots to punch through, so they raise the
set upwards instead. Push the set directly
WE LOVE
to about 30cm tall and harvest its young,
tender leaves and stems. Wait till it flowers
who was supported by
Macmillan during her
Greater London area is
and to let pollinating insects in and Spread your seaweed straight away, while it’s still fresh, in a thick
is little documented evidence of clandestine into the ground when planting and you risk – spectacularly – and sets seed and you equal to a whopping 1.5
layer directly on the soil. Pull the mulch away from the stems of any cancer diagnosis and will
remember to water regularly, especially set-pulling raids; and onion sets still jump compacting the soil beneath. Instead, make get a protein-packed and gluten-free grain, million m2. This goes to
plants. You don’t have to rinse it first, as most of the salt dissolves with
loose even when netted against birds. a hole first with a trowel about 5cm deep, similar to quinoa. Rinse thoroughly to tell the tale of a fictional
in particularly sunny weather, to enjoy the first rainfalls, but if the weather is dry spread out the seaweed and Marbles, buttons, and 100 show even if you only
It’s more likely the problem lies in then drop the set in so the tip is just at the wash away the bitter saponins, then boil couple – a photographer
your first sweet fruits by late May – a hose it down with plenty of fresh water before mulching. for 20 minutes and enjoy inother curiosities will line
tasty tabbouleh have a small balcony
the soil. Ground can ‘heave’ after heavy soil’s surface. Firm in and with luck, and an artist – and the
good month earlier than usual! rain, pushing unrooted sets above the it should stay put. or pilafs. the walls and populate or windowsill there
legacy they left behind
the flower borders of are plenty of ways to
through objects they loved.
Gary Bristow’s get growing, such as
38 growfruitandveg.co.uk growfruitandveg.co.uk 39 Macmillan Features of the garden
Legacy Garden for this windowboxes, pots and
include a planting scheme
year’s RHS Malvern Spring trellis. There are also
of perennials, bulbs, self-
Garden report Festival. The garden has many dwarf varieties
seeding plants, and various-
of fruit and veg bred
This month…
Keep up to date with the latest news from the growing world
NEWS
in brief
B&Q owner Kingfisher
has taken wildlife-
been created in memory sized totem pole structures.
The RHS xxxxxx specifically for growing
in urban plots.
Make waves for wildlife

The Wildlife Trusts and the RHS have joined forces to call on
growers to install a garden pond. 2019’s Wild About Gardens
challenge has been set up to save Britain’s wildlife, as now
harming slug pellets off
its shelves ahead of a
government ban on their
outdoor use from spring
2020. The pesticide,
June is great for…
TOP EVENT
70%
13 per cent of our freshwater and wetland species are under used to kill off slugs
threat from extinction. This is due to the UK’s rapid loss of contains the chemical
ponds, rivers and streams, and is reflected in last year’s metadehyde, that has
RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch that revealed that frog and toad been outed by DEFRA
sightings are down by 17 and 30 per cent since 2014. Pond
flowers, plants and running water are all a space for frogs,
toads, newts and hedgehogs to drink, feed, breed and shelter.
If you want to help out, but lack room, don’t fear, as even the
as posing a significant
threat to birds, other
mammals and our water
THIS MONTH
quality. The pellets will be
smallest of spaces can accommodate a pocket pond (a mini replaced by alternatives.
growfruitandveg.co.uk
version of a regular garden pond) – simply fill an old sink or
bowl with water, plant it up outside and wait for creatures to
Urban growing is
continuing to rise in
Head over to Woburn
arrive. The added bonus for veg growers? Visiting frogs will
happily gobble up slugs, helping you to keep on top of pests.
popularity, as a recent
Abbey Garden Show
study has shown. The
European Federation of
Green Roofs and Walls
has revealed that the
2019 from the 22-23 of British
of Gary’s late grandmother
June to see helpful
WE LOVE who was supported by
Macmillan during her
cancer diagnosis and will
area of green roofs in the
Greater London area is
equal to a whopping 1.5
demonstrations and
gardeners buy
million m2. This goes to
Marbles, buttons, and 100
other curiosities will line
the walls and populate
tell the tale of a fictional
couple – a photographer
and an artist – and the
show even if you only
have a small balcony
or windowsill there
to hear talks and food for wildlife
legacy they left behind
are plenty of ways to Q&As hosted by RHS
the flower borders of
Gary Bristow’s Macmillan
Legacy Garden for this
year’s RHS Malvern Spring
through objects they loved.
Features of the garden
include a planting scheme
get growing, such as
windowboxes, pots and
trellis. There are also
ambassador Pippa or provide
of perennials, bulbs, self-
many dwarf varieties
Festival. The garden has
been created in memory
seeding plants, and various-
sized totem pole structures.
The RHS xxxxxx
of fruit and veg bred
specifically for growing
in urban plots.
Greenwood and BBC
Gardeners’ World
a home for
HOEING PINCHING OUT THINNING
June is great for… Use a hoe to remove Pinch out the top Thin pears, plums,
presenter Adam wildlife in their
TOP EVENT Frost plus rare access
THIS MONTH
Head over to Woburn
Abbey Garden Show
70% of British
any unwanted
greenery and stones
growing tips on
your broad bean
peaches and
nectarines trees and to the gardens. To
find out more and
garden
2019 from the 22-23 from between rows plants as these other fruit bushes to Source: Wyevale Garden Centres
June to see helpful
gardeners buy to book tickets visit
demonstrations and
to hear talks and food for wildlife of crops attract aphids maximise fruit yields
Q&As hosted by RHS
or provide woburnabbey.co.uk
ambassador Pippa
Greenwood and BBC
Gardeners’ World
a home for
HOEING PINCHING OUT THINNING
Use a hoe to remove Pinch out the top Thin pears, plums, presenter Adam wildlife in their
Frost plus rare access
any unwanted growing tips on peaches and
to the gardens. To garden
greenery and stones your broad bean nectarines trees and
from between rows
of crops
plants as these
attract aphids
other fruit bushes to
maximise fruit yields
find out more and
to book tickets visit
Source: Wyevale Garden Centres growfruitandveg.co.uk 7
woburnabbey.co.uk
Look at your harvests!
FOR EVEN MORE FRUIT AND

VEG ADVICE, CHECK OUT
OUR FAB SELECTION OF
owers_food_
love this photo that @fl gram! DOWNLOADABLE GUIDES
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GYO winter (stunting the plant’s growth).
says Therefore, a fruit cage is recommended,

but if you don’t have one, try other
preventative measures such taut netting
or placing a scaring device nearby.
For the best You’ll also need to watch out for two
results, plant common diseases: gooseberry mildew
gooseberries and the larvae of the gooseberry sawfly.
in rich, moist The fungal disease gooseberry mildew
and slightly is encouraged by a lack of air circulation
acidic soil and can be avoided by giving your bush
sufficient spacing, pruning effectively, and
opting for a resistant type (such as ‘Invicta’
or ‘Capitivator’ varieties). Keep an eye
out for the tell-tale symptoms of a greyish-
GUARANTEE GLORIOUS white powdery layer on leaves and stems,

or as a felt-like coating on fruits. If blight
does strike, remove affected leaves and
GOOSEBERRIES stems and dispose of them, and prune the

bush to create better air circulation.
Beware of gooseberry sawfly, too.
Inspect the underside of leaves regularly
Enjoy a generous supply of these fruits this from mid-late spring onwards for these
caterpillar-like larvae that can cause
summer by following our simple advice severe problems to your plant in a short
space of time. If you find any, remove by
hand immediately and beware that there
G
ooseberries may have developed grown before. Once in place, back-fill and
a reputation as a hardy plant firm the soil to hold it securely in position. can be several generations each year, so
which is easy to grow anywhere, you’ll need to remain vigilant.
but if you want to get the best from this Retain moisture
crop you’ll need to look after it properly. Gooseberries thrive in rich, moist and Reaping the rewards
Luckily for those of us growing in the UK, slightly acidic soil, so the damp ground Once the hot sun hits towards the end
the gooseberry plant is well-suited to our conditions in the UK are ideal. Help them of May, your gooseberry bush should be
cold, wet weather conditions, so you could along by maintaining moisture through offering plenty of juicy pickings. There are
see big, juicy berries in no time. mulching and gentle watering in early some delicious recipes waiting to be made
If you’re looking to plant bare-root summer. Avoid a sudden burst of heavy from these under-ripe gooseberries – try
gooseberries, you should do so now, watering after a dry spell, as this will crumbles, jam and pies. Pick every other
during early spring. Before planting out, cause the fruits to swell too quickly and berry and leave the remainder to ripen up
re-invigorate your bare-root plants by split, increasing their chances of disease. for later in the summer. Ripe gooseberries
leaving them to soak in a bucket of water will be more fragile and prone to bursting,
for 20 minutes. This will help them to Pruning and thinning so take care when picking the softer
establish once placed in the ground. If you’re yet to prune an established ones. The good news is they will also be
bush, do so now before it bursts into leaf. sweeter and full of flavour, so you can
Location, location, location Thinning around half the bush in May snack on them straight from the bush!
Choose a spot that gets ample sunshine or early June will give the remaining
in order to boost your plant’s chances fruits the chance to explode into juicy,
of producing sumptuous berries. You’ll ripe berries. Prune again around June
also want it to be easily accessible for to reduce all new sideshoots to just five
picking fruit in the summer. Prepare the leaves to increase light flow and make it
soil by digging a large hole and forking easier to pick fruits.
well-rotted manure into the base. When
you position the plant, use the ‘tide mark’ Avoid pests and diseases
(where the lighter part of the stem meets There are three main problems that may
the darker part) to inform the height that it prevent your plant from fruiting. Birds
needs to be below the ground, as it’s best can be a nuisance as they will peck away
to maintain it at the same level as it was at fruits in the summer and buds in the
Tayberry Boysenberry
5 TOP This fruit is a cross between a raspberry This crop is a mixture of loganberry,
and a blackberry. It is red in colour but dewberry, blackberry and raspberry
longer in size that both parent yields – some which is thornless and very
fruits grow to 5cm in length! The harvests productive. The fruits are black,
work well in jams due to their sweet taste, juicy and sweet with hints of a wild
Unusual fruits
but they can also be enjoyed straight from blackberry flavour. The plants are
the plant. It can take up to five years for drought-resistant and requires well-
the plant to reach its ultimate height of drained soil. They respond well to
around 2.5m. Most varieties produce heavy fan training, ideal for decorating or
yields and cope well with cold weather, so covering walls or fences, and require
Add these stunning they’re a hardy choice, too. Ideally, provide plenty of mulch to keep them at
tayberries with support. their best.
and productive crops
to your growing space
this year and enjoy
pickings that you
can’t buy from the
supermarket
1 2
I
f you’re looking for a productive
yet unusual edible to grow over the
coming seasons then hybrid berries
and other forms of unusual fruits are
an excellent option. There are many
types to choose from and your decision
will depend on personal
preference. Another
consideration will need to Which of these
be the amount of space at varieties have
your disposal. Always do you heard of
your research and check before? Have we
what size your chosen missed any of your
crops will grow to at full favourites?
maturity. Some cultivars
may require another
variety to be paired with
to achieve wind pollination, while others
may do better growing pots – there’s a
lot to think about, but once you’ve put
in that initial groundwork, you’ll soon
be rewarded with a treasure trove of
delightful fruits. Follow this guide to
select the best crops for you.
Tag us...
Show us your fruit trees and share
your best pointers for productive Supplier: Supplier:
results by tagging us on Instragram Blackmoor Nurseries Pomona Fruits
@growyourownmag blackmoor.co.uk pomonafruits.co.uk
Growing advice
Japanese wineberry Kiwiberries Pink blueberry
With this edible you may receive smaller Free yourself of the chore of removing In spring, this crop produces small bell-
harvests than other types of hybrid berry, the furry skin associated with regular shaped flowers with a pink hue which
but the compensation is a wonderful crop kiwi fruit with these tropical-flavoured change from white to a deep glossy
of small, sweet fruits that change from treats. Kiwiberries are grape-sized and pink. The plants require an acidic soil
yellow to red. The Japanese wineberry skin-free, making them perfect for packed with a high organic matter. If kept in the
belongs to the rose family, and the stems lunches and fruit salads. Grow in a sunny container, an ericaceous potting compost
are covered in red bristles which give greenhouse or outdoors in full sun after should be used. The plants should ideally
this plant a very unique appearance. The you have acclimatised the plants to UK be fed with a high nitrogen liquid fertiliser
plants are self-fertile and have a good, outdoor conditions. When the plants at 10-day intervals until they start to
upright growing habit. Once harvested, are young, harden them off by placing flower. Pick the berries when they have
the berries are delicious in pies and a them outdoors only on sunny days and started to soften – they can be frozen or
number of other desserts. bringing them indoors in the evening. stored fridge for about two weeks.
3 4 5
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fruit bushes, trees and a huge range of plants and vegetables. All are
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“Plant asparagus
crowns in well-
drained soil” SOW &
HARVEST
SOW
Artichokes: Sow 13mm deep in a seedbed, with around three seeds
per drill. Leave 25-30cm between drills and rows. You can sow in
pots instead – just be sure to use good compost.
Asparagus: It’s a good time to plant crowns in well-drained soil.

Plants like an open, sunny area but can still develop well in partial
shade. Dig a trench 30cm wide and around 20cm deep before
adding manure or similar matter. Cover with a layer of soil before
creating a ridge and adding the crowns.
Aubergines: Sow in modules and leave to germinate in a spot

between 18 and 21°C. Aubergines need a warm, sunny place to
develop fully.
Beetroot: Using a cane, create a 2cm dip in the soil, planting seeds
10cm apart. Cover with soil and water thoroughly.
Broad beans: An ideal job for the season, sow your broad beans
now for deep roots and a healthy plant. Use root trainers if you can,
planting seeds around 2cm deep before covering with compost.
Cabbage: Certain varieties can be sown out in the open in March.

Sow seeds 1.5cm deep, in rows 15cm apart. Put them into a seedbed
before transplanting into their final position. Be sure to protect them
from pests, as cabbages are particularly susceptible.
Carrot: You can sow carrots now, but be wary in regions where
there is still a chance of frost.
Chillies: Sow 0.5cm deep and 45cm apart, with 60cm between rows.
Chillies need a warm sunny spot and are best-suited to greenhouses
and full sun. Water little and often.
Blackcurrants: These hardy bushes can grow in most conditions
but prefer well-drained soil. A single bush can yield 4-5kg of fruit.
Blueberries: These bushes thrive in soil with a pH of 5.5 or lower.

Use ericaceous compost and grow in containers.
Potatoes: Start to chit your seed potatoes in February. First earlies

should be sown by March, with second earlies and main crop
potatoes by May.
Redcurrants and whitecurrants: Bare-root currant bushes

should be planted in neutral to acidic soil between November and
Kale: Sow 1cm deep in seedbeds. Try and plant in their final position March. Leave 1.5m spacings between each bush.
as many varieties of kale prefer not to be transplanted.
Rhubarb: If necessary, cover plants with rhubarb forcing pots
Leeks: Plant seeds 1cm deep in rows spaced 15cm apart.
surrounded by a layer of straw.
Lettuce: Sow seeds thinly, 13mm deep and in rows with 30cm
between them. Lettuce can be grown throughout the year.
HARVEST
Onions and shallots: Plant onion sets 10cm apart and shallots 25cm. Cabbage: The perfect accompaniment to a wide variety of meals,
These are ideal projects for first-time growers. Plant single onion sets cabbage is a wonderfully versatile leaf. Harvest now.
into modules and leave in a bright, cool spot until roots appear at the
bottom of the tray. Plant out in one month. Kale: Cut side shoots from the main stem using a sharp knife.
These shoots should be ready to pick now as small, tender leaves.
Parsnips: For best results, sow seeds 1.3cm deep at 15cm intervals, in
rows 30cm apart. Leeks: It’s time to get the last of your leek crop out of the ground.
Carefully lever them out using a fork. Leeks are perfect for soups
Pea: Create a flat-bottomed trench 5cm deep and sow seedlings 6cm and stews.
apart. Warm the soil beforehand and cover seedlings with fleece.
Rhubarb: If you’ve forced your rhubarb, it could be ready to
Swiss chard: Sow seeds 1cm deep and 2.5cm apart in a compost-
harvest. Perfect for a nice crumble.
filled container. Place in a sheltered, sunny spot and water.
Tomatoes: Sow seeds 0.5cm deep in compost-filled pots of modules. Spinach: Spinach is another fantastically versatile leaf, and it’s
Keep the compost moist and wait seven to 14 days to see seedlings time to harvest it now. These dark leaves will be perfect for pasta
appear from the soil. dishes, salads and a myriad of kitchen uses.
Turnips: Prepare seed drills 1.5cm deep where the turnips will crop. Spring onions: Look for plants roughly 15cm in height. Spring
Sow seeds and wait 14-21 days before your seedlings appear. onions are best harvested when they are small and tender. These
will add bags of flavour to salads, stir fries and more.
PLANT Sprouting broccoli: Use a sharp knife to cut the stems. Do so

Apples: Young apple trees should be planted in a sheltered, sunny when the broccoli heads are formed, but before the plant flowers.
spot, avoiding shallow or poorly drained soil. It’s a good time of year
to establish fruit trees and bushes – make sure they’re in a sheltered Swiss chard and leaf beet: You might only just be planting your
spot with plenty of sun. Pears are an exception, best planted in Swiss chard, but for those ahead of the game it’s time to harvest.
January and February. The leaves and shoots are delicious and nutritious.
wwithg
ro
yo
#g
WELCOME TO
#growwithgyo
wing s are now bu rstin g out of the starting gates, and we
Spring so
e here to celebrate th is m on th of action on the plot!
ar
S
pring is in the air, and we can You can also get bare root fruit We haven’t quite reached the
finally get started with some of trees in the ground this month, hungry gap, and harvests are still
those key garden sowings we but don’t delay, as things will be coming in from winter salads,
have been itching to get underway. bursting into life any moment now, cabbage, sprouts, broccoli, and
Although we will need to proceed so this is the final opportunity more, so there are still plenty of
with caution with outdoor sowings, before the trees come out of their rewards to be had after a busy day
and perhaps hold off on some things if dormant period. These new fruit on the plot and in the greenhouse!
you are in a particularly chilly area, it trees can also have their formative We can’t wait to see what you’ve
is truly wonderful to be able to feel the prune, to help you create a good been doing on the plot this month,
hope of those first seedlings of spring open shape and encourage healthy so do get in touch on our social
and the growing season ahead of us! and productive growth. media platforms and you might see
your pictures on these very pages!
Contact us here!
@GYOmag
@growyourownmag
@growyourmag
Grow along
What we’d like to see your pics of in these very spots in the
coming months – make sure to get in touch on social media,
using the #growwithgyo hashtag!
harvests gators
Winter salad Planted strawberry runn
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Product review
TRIED&
TESTED:
Propagators Value
Durability
This month, Simon Practicality
Akeroyd is testing
Heated self-watering propagator
propagators to get his (Early Grow) £39.95
This 3-bay windowsill propagator is ideal at this time of year as it
sowing season out of enables me to get all my seedlings underway in my small growing
the starting gates space. Not only does it fit perfectly on my windowsill, but it is also
self-watering. The lids are robust as they are made of shatterproof
plastic, meaning I do not need to worry about occasionally knocking
them over when busily tending my seedlings. There is a large
T
his is an important time of year for many of us as we make
a start on getting our seedlings underway. Most of us use 1.4-litre reservoir and capillary matting contained within the tray,
propagators during these winter months to provide extra meaning I don’t need to panic if I’ve forgotten to water the plants.
warmth and protection, and there’s a huge range of different types There is also a built-in heater, keeping the temperature between
available to suit most budgets and horticultural requirements. 16 and 21 degrees. The lids have an adjustable ventilation control,
These include basic, small heat mats to large propagators which allows me to control the air flow and humidity, meaning I can
with fancy lights. At the top of the range, propagators include create the best environment possible for my plants to grow in.
thermostats which enable the temperature to be controlled to
within 1 degree, whereas at the other end of the spectrum there
are compact, heated propagators that simply plug in and will fit on
most people’s windowsill or kitchen table.
Value
Durability
Practicality
Fab Four electric propagator

(Kings Seeds) £24
This is a basic electric propagator, ideal for gardeners just starting
out. It is also suitable for those on a budget, and due to its compact
size (40cm x 24cm), it is useful for those with limited space who are
looking to get their plants started. This propagator doesn’t have a
thermostat but instead raises the ambient temperature for the plants
by about eight degrees. The inbuilt heating element uses a power
consumption of only 10 watts, making it very energy efficient. There
are four individual quarter seed trays, hence the name Fab Four,
which is great for growing a wide variety of different crops. Each
WHERE TO BUY... unit has a lid with adjustable ventilation on the top, preventing the
Early Grow, earlygrow.co.uk plants from over-heating, drying out or developing fungus problems.
Kings Seeds, kingsseeds.com All in all, it is an ideal, compact propagator for gardeners who are
on a budget and short on space.
Expert9 advice
SERIES 9 OUT NOW! SERIES OUT NOW!
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hilarious stories in-between. There’s also plenty
of discussion about horticultural news stories and
the top tasks for the week on the plot. If you haven’t
caught up with the previous seasons yet, make sure
you have a listen as there are plenty of great guests
and fantastic tips you won’t want to miss!
We embrace every aspect of cultivating fruit and
#1
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GARDENING for WELLBEING:
HOW TO GROW
Samphire
it grows perfectly well in most gardens,
Add this deliciously savoury crop to especially in containers. It’s always a
superb talking point for garden visitors
your list of harvests this year, and try and when served up for dinner with
Ellen’s irresistible recipe! family and friends. Even Shakespeare
referred to it growing on the white cliffs
of Dover in King Leah. It is named after
V
arious colours return to the garden nectar. Enjoy every minute you can outside Saint Pierre, the patron saint of fishermen,
as the spring bulbs grow taller by in the kitchen garden. thought to be because of the original
the day and morning birdsong starts plants that grow in northern Europe and
to fill the air with joy – March is just the tonic About samphire coastal marshes. Samphire is pretty easy
we all need after a long winter. Keen to get You may know samphire as a succulent, to grow with a very distinct salty flavour.
outside and enjoy the first of the blue skies branched herb, woody at the base and It is nutritionally packed with goodness
and longer days towards to the end of the found growing on rocks around the from magnesium to calcium, vitamins A, B
month, seed packets get ripped open, seed sea in the salt spray. It looks a bit like a and C, plus antioxidants.
trays begin taking over the windowsills and thick, succulent grass growing around
the gardening year kicks off again. Springtime coastal areas. However, you don’t need How to grow samphire
means so much to so many people, showing a beachside home to grow samphire as Growing samphire is very easy, but the
how waiting in hope is totally worth it and salty flavour comes from the salt spray
that after the harder days, better ones are to Only use sea salt to mix in and water they naturally grow in, so you
come. The seasons and garden can teach us
Top the water trays because any will need to recreate that environment for
so much! Enjoy the fragrances beginning to
tip! other salt will likely kill the the taste. Either purchase a small plant
waft by from spring flowering plants, plus the plant. Try to recreate their natural and place it where you want it to grow
first of the bees sleepily searching for early environment. or sow seeds undercover from March
Expert advice
Lemon and
samphire pasta
Serves: 2
GARDENING
FOR
Samphire is low in calories and
wellbeing can be eaten raw or cooked
by steaming, boiling or frying.
It makes a lovely side
dish or can be added
to salads, noodles and
many different pasta
dishes as well. The stems don’t
need to be cut into chunks and
neither do you need to add salt to the
recipe. Generally, samphire needs
about 5 minutes of cooking time, but Method
this may be longer if the stems are 1 Cook the linguine in a saucepan of
older. This pasta recipe is about as boiling water (al dente preferable).
easy as it comes and the combination 2 While the pasta is cooking, use a
of samphire with lemon has a light, pan to soften the 2 cloves of garlic in
refreshing flavour. olive oil.
3 Add the samphire to the garlic and
Ingredients: fry for another 5 minutes.
125g linguine (or pasta of choice)
4 Strain the pasta and add to the garlic
Dash of olive oil
and samphire.
2 x garlic cloves
GYO Handful of samphire 5 Mix together well and squeeze in
says Half a lemon

Chopped parsley to taste
1 x tbsp hemp seeds (per person)
the lemon.
6 Serve with a topping of chopped
parsley and hemp seeds.
This unique
crop is great to May, covering with a light sprinkle of
for any spot – compost, and keep moist until seedlings
even container are ready to be potted up. I grow mine in
growing! a container with well-drained, sandy soil
(good quality peat-free compost mixed
with some sharp sand or horticultural
grit) and it stands in a tray of pebbles
filled with water and sea salt added (one
teaspoon per pint of water). Grow on a
patio, balcony or windowsill. If you want
to grow it outside in the ground, again
make sure the soil is sandy and the area
is protected over winter. Samphire can be
grown as a perennial, bringing it inside
undercover over winter, or allow it to
flower and self-seed as an annual (the
seeds are practically invisible) outside. If
you do grow it as an annual, don’t harvest
later in the season, allowing the stems to
turn a reddish/brown before they flower
and set seed.
Harvesting
Harvest as and when needed, but if you
need to harvest a lot, limit it to only once
a month. Just snip the green fleshy stems
as you need them. From one small plant, a
handful each month is usually doable, but
larger plants in containers, or if you have
a plant growing in the ground, means
you’ll be snipping a lot more.
THE
Possibility
OF A GARDEN
Allotment holder James Martin shares his story of
his family plot, and what it does for them
Allotment growing
T
his is our family allotment that we had a big clearing job on our hands. getting creative you can make planters
have had for nearly two years now. We started by fencing two sides of our out of anything. We did ours from old
Let me introduce myself: my name double plot as the other two had trees and pallets and pallet collars which work a
is James Martin and my wife is Philippa. hedges. Once it was secure it meant our treat and are kind on the bank balance.
We have four children who love to come border terriers (Ronnie and Radley) could We found a polytunnel that was
down to our allotment and get stuck in come down and help as they both love to perfect – it was 6m x 3m which gave us
getting their hands dirty. dig and get filthy. room to grow our temperate plants in.
I have been an avid gardener for a The next big job was to sort out a shed Back in June 2022, our youngest
little over 10 years now and one of my and a water source. We searched high son Oscar was diagnosed with Acute
greatest passions in life is trying to pass and low for an off-the-shelf shed, but didn't Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. This certainly
down my knowledge to my children, find anything substantial enough, so I put the brakes on any more plans that we
helping them learn how and why we grow opted for one made out of pallets. This is a had. I think the first six months we spent
our own fruit and vegetables and trying brilliant way of recycling and saving a bit more time in the hospital than at home
to be a little more self-sufficient. Now we of money. Once completed, I worked out so it was difficult to get up there and sow
certainly don't grow enough to live off our it cost just under £350, but this certainly seeds and keep on top of the maintenance,
own produce, but what we do grow tastes isn't one of those flimsy things – hopefully but we did, bit by bit.
absolutely amazing and certainly won't it will last a lifetime. The mainframe was I will never forget the first time I took
be beaten by any shop-bought vegetables built from euro pallets and then cladded Oscar back to the allotment – watching
from the supermarket. We found that we with tongue and groove boards. This him pick tomatoes and peppers, seeing
were buying things and they sometimes obviously added to the cost, as did the his smile was priceless. As time has gone
lacked flavour and didn't last that long, so roofing and the ironmongery. on, we have been able to do bits, little
we wanted to try and find a better option. After this it was on to the water and often we have found the easiest,
My next step was to email our local problem. I went and bought a 1,000l IBC and slowly but surely, it's now a fully
council who then put us on a long waiting tank, foolishly thinking this would be working plot giving back some tasty and
list. I would advise that if you're interested enough. Looking back over the last crazy beautiful produce.
in having one, get your name down summer, where my polytunnel reached Gardening has been our little escape
sooner rather than later as we had to wait temperatures of over 50°C, it was obvious from all the trips to and from hospital
nearly four years before we got the call to that we’d need more. I have now added to and dealing with a new way of life. It has
say a plot had become available. this and we are up to about 9,000l. helped us physically but most importantly
No sooner had I finished signing for it, Once the backbone of the allotment mentally, and for that I will be eternally
we were down there, clearing the plot and was sorted, it was time to plan out all the grateful that we found it. There are so
making a fence around it and pulling up raised beds and source a polytunnel. By many benefits to it, so if you are thinking
huge perennial weeds. The first three of taking the next step with an allotment, I
months were quite a slog – endless would highly recommend you do
hours of hard graft with not much in – we’ve never looked back. If you
return in the way of food. In my head I would like to follow our journey, we
had a plan, but things often changed as are over on Instagram @a_life_in_the_
the weeks went by. My main aim was garden and would love to hear from
to have our patch of land ready to go you if you have ever gone through
by the spring, and as we took it over in a similar experience. Some of our
October, this didn't give us much time best advice we could give would
given our busy lives. be to talk, don't bottle things up, get
Our plot of land was a new outside and connect with nature.
allotment, but this didn't mean the I think gardening has to be one of
ground was any good. It was full the most powerful things to combat
of weeds and the old remnants of stress, anxiety and depression and if I
allotments gone by. Bits of metal and can help at least one person, I will be
plastic were all that was left so we extremely happy.
March’s
ALLOTMENT Q&As
We’d love to know...
INSPIRATIONS
Tips, advice and more from the March plot
Q Which is your
favourite season in
the garden?
“It has to be late spring – still full of
expectations for the upcoming season.
The autumn-sown and planted stuff is
usually coming along nicely and sowings
are going in.”
@alan_dutton5 on Instagram
“Autumn: the garden aromas, the colours
and that great produce for enjoying, then
as well as to preserve. Love it.”
@philipfriend01 on Twitter
“My favourite season to indoor garden
is between spring and fall. I live in NYC
and yearly I try to grow herbs, tomatoes
and peppers. The heating units by the
window in my apartment suck the life out
of any garden, making it challenging to
grow in the winter season.”
@FoodExplora on Twitter
Spring jobs
Lauren Lawless is Marketing and PR Co-ordinator for the Did you know?
National Allotment Society A serving of kale
The plot is starting to wake up as ventilation must be made on warm
days slowly lengthen again and the days, just enough to allow excess
contains more
clocks go forward at the end of the moisture and condensation to escape, absorbable calcium than
month. Now is the time to crack on
with getting your allotment ready for
as this can easily lead to fungal
problems. Try and keep watering in a
a small carton of milk.
SOURCE: MR FOTHERGILL’S BLOG
new plantings and to tentatively sow greenhouse to a bare minimum and
the first produce of the year. not splash over the staging and
In warmer districts, many sowings flooring, especially in unheated
can be made this month. It may still houses. Keep all young seedlings as
be better to delay a month to six close to the glass as possible to
weeks in colder areas. Early direct prevent legginess. Where a heated
sowings of suitable varieties of peas greenhouse is available, sow tomatoes,
and broad beans can be made under cucumbers, peppers, melons, and
cloches in sunny sheltered positions. aubergines.
Seedbeds should be made ready and Additionally, lots of vegetables can
covered with cold frames early in the be planted under cloches at this time
month for direct sowings. Where of year, such as carrots, spinach and
greenhouses are in use, careful the earliest potatoes.
Allotments
Restoration and Cultivation

Nature’s Tools
My grumpy digging companion
The phacelia carpet and digging Purple kale under a frosted net
There are times when subtle forms help. The green crop had blanketed out
of help come indirectly, from the
unlikeliest of allies, even allies that
last summer appeared more as a foe
any weed growth since the first shoots
of August-sown seed had emerged from
the parched summer soil – a big bonus.
Nigel’s
than a friend. We rarely define
luxuriant foliage or the vagaries of
And once cut down, the crop formed a
wonderful underfoot carpet, alleviating Photography Tip
weather as help. masses of boot-clogging mud as the SHUTTER SPEED
While the winter darkness gathered foliage were dug into the soil.
and November temperatures declined, The arrival of cold weather, hard Like many aspects of photography,
some progress had been made in overnight frosts and daytime photographic terms need to be
tackling last spring and summer’s temperatures barely above freezing considered carefully. Shutter speed is
explosive growth of native species: point immediately struck the rampant actually a constant, but the constant is
colourful, architecturally attractive, but remnants of strangling summer growth, the speed of the shutter curtains which
mainly the type we all like to control. rigidly freezing it in nature’s icy grip. allow light, momentarily, to hit the film or
It’s fair to say that the short daylight Visually beautiful, winter became an sensor. Wherever the shutter speed dial
hours caught us out for cutting down unexpected ally as the old foliage is set, the shutter curtains travel to open
weed-clogged areas, or digging the collapsed down to a manageable and close at exactly the same speed,
ground over in preparation for ground-level thatch. whether at 1/30 of a second or 1/2000.
February and March planting. At least The harvest from our original The term ‘shutter speed’ actually means
we had been able to restore one plot had provided us with a good the predetermined time to which the
southerly plot extension, allowing the supply of leeks, carrots, kale and film or camera sensor is exposed to
broad beans to be removed from their Brussels sprouts. Now, as March folds light. And as will be outlined in the next
pots to enjoy a winter space and forge back the cold cloak of winter, we are photo tip, the sensitivity of a film or
strong roots as spring warmth settles able to balance our own restoration sensor, the shutter speed and aperture –
on the earth. and cultivation activities with those f/stop – are the interrelated trinity that
However, scything through the subtle touches which nature sometimes define major aspects that provide well
phacelia ready for digging in provided provides, unexpectedly and evenly-exposed photographic images.
two unforeseen and subtle forms of unconditionally.
Nigel Housden is a professional photographer and

photojournalist, with a deep interest in conservation, natural
history, travel by bicycle and sustainable living. He is
extensively published with an extensive client portfolio which,
over the last twenty-five years, has included the BBC, Sky
News, UK news media and major publishing houses globally.
!
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Seasonal recipes
Mouth-watering
RECIPES FOR
MARCH Make the most of seasonal produce with the help
of these irresistible dishes that are sure to
please your friends and family
Alice Liveing’s Potato, Ingredients: the eggs, spring onions, dill and some
Spring Onion and 250g cooked new potatoes, sliced seasoning. At this point, turn on your grill.
4 Clarence Court Burford Brown eggs
Feta Frittata
A superbly simple one-pan recipe,
1 handful of dill
4 spring onions, finely sliced
2 Tip the eggs into a frying pan, mix
quickly, lower the heat, then sprinkle
over the crumbled feta.
Alice Liveing’s delightful frittata 100g feta, crumbled
offers a healthy yet hearty meal that
the whole family can enjoy!
Olive oil 3 After about 8 mins, once the top side
has almost set, pop under the grill for
2-3 mins or until firm and golden. Slide out
Method: of the pan and serve!
Serves 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
1 In a small non-stick frying pan, heat oil
over a medium heat. Add potatoes, then
fry until beginning to crisp; this should take
Recipe and image provided by
Clarence Court. For more recipes go to
around 8 mins. In a bowl, whisk together clarencecourt.co.uk
Roasted Cauliflower Curry 2 tbsps tomato puree large pan. Once hot, add the onion and fry
This is the easiest vegan curry ever, 125ml vegetable stock for 8-10 minutes, or until soft and translucent.
which makes it perfect for a comforting 400ml can coconut milk Add the garlic and curry powder, stir well
weeknight supper. Packed with veg and 1 tbsp sugar and fry for a further minute or so, until the
gently spiced, it’s sure to become a new 2 large handfuls spinach spices release their fragrance.
family favourite.
Serves 4
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
To serve: rice, sliced red onion, toasted
cashew nuts and fresh coriander
3 Add the tomato puree, vegetable
stock, coconut milk and sugar into
the pan. Season generously with salt and
Prep time: 10 minutes black pepper, then bring the sauce to a
Cooking time: 25 minutes Method: simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring
Ingredients:
1 large cauliflower
1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/Gas
mark 6. Cut the cauliflower into florets and
its leaves into thirds. Place onto a baking tray
occasionally, until slightly reduced.
4 Add the roasted cauliflower and spinach

into the pan. Stir well and continue to
3 tbsps olive oil and drizzle with 2 tbsps of the oil, cumin and simmer for a further 2-3 minutes, until the
2 tsps cumin a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Give spinach has wilted. Taste and adjust the
1 onion finely chopped everything a mix then roast in the oven for 25 seasoning if required.
2 cloves of garlic minced
2 heaped tbsps curry powder (any heat
you like)
minutes, until soft and starting to char.
2 Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the

remaining oil over a medium heat in a
5 Serve the curry with rice and topped
with thinly sliced red onion, fresh
coriander and toasted cashew nuts.
Seasonal recipes
Rhubarb crumble muffins
A classic pudding in muffin form, this is a great crowd
pleaser that’s absolutely packed with flavour. Give
them a try – you won’t regret it!
Serves 12
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients: 1 tsp lemon juice

250g plain flour plus extra 2 tsps vanilla extract
for dusting 200g fresh rhubarb
150g caster sugar chopped into 1cm pieces
2 tsps baking powder
Pinch of salt For the crumble topping:
250ml milk 45g plain flour
75g yoghurt 1.5 tbsp vegan butter
60ml flavourless oil plus 40g brown sugar
extra for greasing 1 tsp ground ginger
Method:
1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/Gas mark 6 and

grease and flour the 12 holes of a muffin tin.
2 Start by making the crumble topping. Combine the

plain flour, vegan butter, brown sugar and ground
ginger in a bowl. Use your fingers to rub the mixture
together, until you have what resembles rough breadcrumbs.
Set aside for later use.
3 Combine the plain flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in

a mixing bowl. In another bowl or jug, whisk together the
milk, yoghurt, oil, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Pour the wet
ingredients into the dry and fold gently until just combined,
being careful not to over-mix. Stir through the rhubarb.
4 Divide the mixture between the 12 muffin holes. Top each

one with a generous sprinkle of the crumble topping, then
bake for 18-22 minutes, or until an inserted skewer comes out
clean. Allow to cool fully before tucking in.
Visit the website

Recipes and images
provided by
Georgie Eats. Go to
georgieeats.co.uk
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COMING NEXT
Month Mark Lane’s garden design

Mark is cracking on with his brand-new garden – take a look to see
what plants and crops he’ll be adding to his space next month!
April issue on sale
February 23rd
Top jobs from Garden Organic

Complete some of your seasonal plot tasks using some fantastic
organic methods, with the help of Garden Organic experts
How to grow Romanesco Kim Stoddart’s peat-free guide

Anne explains how to get the very best from this stunning veg, Make the change and go peat-free with Kim’s top tips and
as well as other cauliflower varieties product recommendations
PLUS
WIN! Plenty of chances to win amazing prizes
NEWS! Big stories from the world of gardening
DISCUSSION! Top experts answer your questions
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CULTIVATION
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If you’re a school or community garden with
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Community Gardens
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fter a huge 10th year of Cultivation
Street in 2022, the largest national This category rewards gardening
community garden campaign is projects bursting with community spirit.
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the campaign is sponsored by Miracle prize – £250; two highly commended
Gro®, helping to encourage schools and prizes of a Miracle Gro® hamper each.
communities across the UK to share their
stories and get gardening. Over the years, Gardens for Better Health
more than £180,000 worth of prizes have This category rewards gardens that
been awarded to deserving community and have a positive impact on the mental or
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prizes and Miracle Gro® hampers up for 1st prize – £1000; 2nd prize – £500; 3rd
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growfruitandveg.co.uk growfruitandveg.co.uk 103

85
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COMPETITION FORM Title Forename Surname

To be in with a chance of winning
one of our fantastic prizes, correctly Address
answer the question below by ticking Postcode
the corresponding box then send us
Telephone* Email
f
your completed form. Entries must
be received by Thursday 9th March Male ☐ Female ☐ * To receive deliveries entrants must provide a daytime contact telephone number
2023. One photocopied or handwritten
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• Gooseberries This competition is open to all UK residents aged 18 or over, excluding employees or agents of the
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(Please tick)
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Send your entries to: the coupon provided or online at growfruitandveg.co.uk/competitions. It cannot be exchanged for cash, or
replaced if lost or damaged. Illegible entries and those that do not abide by these terms and conditions will
Elizabeth Fordham, be disqualified. Prizes must be taken as stated and cannot be deferred. The decision of the judge is final
Grow Your Own, 21-23 and no correspondence will be entered into. CLOSING DATE: Thursday 9th March 2023. Winners will be
notified by post, a list of winners will be available in writing on request from Liz Fordham, 21/23 Phoenix
Phoenix Court, Hawkins Road,
Court, Hawkins Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8JY.
Colchester, CO2 8JY
GROWING WORLD-RECORD
VEGETABLES
with Lee Herrington
Bronte Heritage Collection Ambassador
Lee Herrington reveals his secrets to
giant vegetable success
How long have you been growing Do you garden differently when We had a ridiculously hot summer this
giant vegetables for? growing for show compared to year which was causing problems for
I’ve been growing giant vegetables growing for eating? many growers when trying to set their
competitively since 2015. This year I Absolutely. A lot of the giant varieties runner beans for shows. Once the beans
achieved two world records: one for require a long growing season. It’s not had set, I fed them with a combination of
the longest runner bean and one for the true in all cases but many are started Brontë Seaweed Plant Food and Brontë
heaviest runner bean. It’s taken me seven off under lights as early as December, Organic Multi-Purpose Plant Food.
years to achieve this. then transferred to my greenhouse or
polytunnel to be planted out around What top tips would you pass
How did you get into producing May-time when the risk of hard frosts has onto readers who are looking to
giant veg? gone. By the time some plants are ready grow huge, record-holding veg
Back in 2014 I attended the Malvern to be set down into their final planting themselves?
Autumn show for the first time. Although holes they can be in pots ranging Attend the shows! You’ll get to meet
I had an allotment, I had never grown from three to 10 litres in size, bursting some of the top growers in the country.
vegetables competitively to show. I with roots. These lovely people quite often produce
remember going into these big marquees For me, re-selection is a key factor their own seed which they’ll happily
where quality veg was being displayed at this stage. As an example, I could either sell to you at a reasonable price
and being in absolute awe at what have started off the season by sowing 24 or even give you for free. I can’t stress
growers there had produced – it was giant cabbage seeds, however it would enough the importance of good genetics.
absolute perfection. I had never seen always have been with a mind set to only Without them, you’re never going to be
anything like it. take through the six strongest and most able to produce the big stuff.
As I moved around the showground I vigorous plants to the final stage. Don’t expect huge results straight
came across the Giant Veg Marquee. As As the season progresses, I concentrate away. Growing giant veg is a learning
I entered it and gazed upon what was on on disease prevention, pruning, pest curve. My ultimate aim every year is to
display, I knew I’d somehow have to get control, weeding and feeding. beat my personal best.
involved. It was like I’d stepped into my Finally, don’t get frustrated with it all.
own version of a fairy-tale! Everything in What gardening practices or It should be fun! I still have a lot more
there was super-sized! Onions the size of products helped you grow the record- heartache and failure than success. One
footballs, marrows the size of crocodiles holding bean? of the most over used phrases on our
– that was it! I was sold. I had to somehow Along with the genetics, setting the seed plot is “There’s always next year…”
get seeds to grow these giants. late, I believe, was key to my success. But it’s true, isn’t it?
Find a range of excellent gardening products and tools at bronteheritage.com and lovegardening.com
Give your seeds and cuttings a head start
Large Double Height Extendable Propagator Heated Self-Watering Windowsill Propagator
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If you love your garden then you should
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GIANT VEG: EASY WAYS TO GROW

RECORD-BREAKING CROPS AT HOME TOP RHS

starting gates – we show you how

WELCOME Can’t get enough of Grow

More growing advice

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We’re not quite out of the

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Wildlife haven Here’s what they said...

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