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    Kitchen Garden - 2013-07

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    FREE SEEDS TASTY CHARD & BEETROOT/§ > Kitchen a arden DOWN-TO-EARTH ADVICE FOR GROWING FRUIT & VEG | KITCHENGARDEN.CO.UK | JULY 2013 CROPS CONTAINED Crop-growing rowed pe Ta eo TEL Pa erm eg eae Ee a cI sna s (oll eae ON se “mR Teas ©2392! eT & How TV chef James Martin grows his own ingredients ‘TRY THE ‘NEW POTATO’ SOWNOWFORLATE = NOROOMFORVEG? 4 PAGES OF IDEAS FOR BLIGHT-FREE OCAS SUMMER HARVESTS BUILD ARAISED BED = YOUR VEG PLOT IN JULY draperto es Aisa, Stainless Steel Young certifies Long Handle - Gardener ‘Gulgue a TOls ((~ Range Toa Ber oe ~ ™ 60 stainless. sioasozon Nw steel tools in the fa ternrs catalogue gardener Petrol Powered Products STOREN.3795 c Safety Node 4 0 ha Gifts SL A.-) temporary Tidying i Fe / Greenhouses ‘ r x ris A FE TZ | : All of our > ‘gardening sets h 00 ieaualanea SS gifts ee > ) emgroncts for 2013 The Gardening Catalogue 2013 eppeo? _ 80 PAGES OF tm. QUALITY PRODUCTS Foe : si a mo ‘ : and don’t forget our tools for construction work in the garden = Follow us at facebook. com/KitchenGardenMag PIPPA GREENWOOD JOYCE RUSSELL ‘gardening author end KGraguar Joyce baseline and has 2 arge garden wich eho ted with ar husband Divers and regusly ‘conibute to out ‘weekend preject popes, JAMES MARTIN (Clebty chef snd ‘tho resi frie ‘ee on our seraans, hosting the BEC’ ever popular Saturday Kitchen When tne Blows be ie chin to be found tending ae oon Pippahas appeared reguiey on BBC. (Gardeners World ants ptnelit on Radios Gardeners Question pathologist and ran the BS plot pathology department for 11 yrs, NICK HAMILTON Nick continue to dovelop Barnsdale Garden in Rul, founded by hs father and 1V garden Goat 430 yeas ago ke Gea ‘Nick ues only organe groning metode 'o produce his rope EDITOR'S LETTER The first harvests are gathered and it’s time to think about those second swings to keep the veg garden productive into the autumn and beyond. With that in mind two great gardeners, Pippa Greenwood and Nick Hamilton, contribute their top tips to help you get the most from your patch. We are joined too by celebrity chef (and heart throb) James Martin who explains why home-grown veg is so important to him, In this issue our resident plotters Joe Maiden and Andrew Tokely show you how to grow great crops of peas and the less familiar oca. The latter might offer an interesting alternative for those whose spuds suffer from that annual scourge - blight. Finally some great news for KG subscribers; look out soon for news of our subscribers’ club, which will offer you the chance to take advantage of exclusive offers and top tips from the KG team. Slee Stove Ott, editor Contact me at: sottmortans.co.uk | 01507 520306 Find us at www kitehengarden.co. uke DEBBIE COOKE Debbie is an aod wwieninggurdon designer {nd bioggor and it known ft her ove of Cobe whichncades the veg garden She is eon herb enthusiast and combutor gully IG and the KG website ANDREW TOKELY Anvrew hasbeen sowing veg for 30 years nd eontrbvtng te KG for W of those During the doy he works a hore! quay manager fr Sule beced se0d company ‘Thompson & Morgen, FOR MONEY-SAVING TIPS AND OFFERS - C wnutchongarden.cok suvy 201313 CONTENTS EXPERT ADVICE TO HELP YOU GROW GREAT FRUIT AND VEGETABLES © ON THE COVER FOLLOW US AT facebook. com/KitchenGardenMag FOR OUR CONTACT DETAILS TURN TO Pg 20 SUBSCRIBERS’ CORNER ‘THIS MONTH NEW SUBSCRIBERS CAN RECEIVE 3 ISSUES FOR £3 PLUS 10 FREE PACKETS OF VEG SEEDS! SEE PAGE 34 FOR MORE DETAILS avi TROUBLE NDING wid COPY OF HIS MAGAZINE? st Ak your lel eneapent to een Sy er 4 |suty 2013 JOBS THIS MONTH: 6 ON THE VEG PATCH <> Ive time to harvest gol, blackcurrant and) summer raspberies 9 CONTAINER CROPS Feed tomatoes and organise holiday watering 410 IN THE GREENHOUSE Watch for pests, tend to herbs and esp harvesting 42 HOT TOPICS The latest news and comment from the world of kitchen gardening 16 CHELSEA CENTENARY (Our roundup of the best of the veg from tha ‘100th Chelsea Flower Show 49 HAVE YOUR SAY LLeam what other KG readers have been up ta and pick up some great fist hand advice 22 GET GROWING @ 22 BACK TO BASICS & [Andrew Tokely explains how to grow oce, 29 ‘exotic potato substitute ‘ON MY PATCH We vsit wo more keen KG plotters. Plus send us your pictures and win prizes 22 QUESTION TIME Regular Gardeners’ Question Time panelist, Bob Flowerdew, answers your fruit and veg {growing conundrums 6 TRIED AND TASTED © ‘This month Joe Maiden turns his attention early pees 10 KING OF THE HERBS ‘Garden designer and herb enthusiast, Debbia ‘Cooke, extol the virtues of bas 44 GET THE BEST FROM YOUR FREE SEEDS «> This month colourful chard end beetroot 46 PUTTING UP A POLYTUNNEL Follow veg gardeners Sue Minton and David ‘Saunderson as they erecta polytunnel on theit Hampshire plot 52 PLOT PLANNING OFF THE SHELF Author and allotment gardener Holy Farell has a recipe for making plet planning easy. Plus ‘win a copy of Holly’s new book avechithongatden.co 56 FRUIT AT A GLANCE CHERRIES © ‘This month deputy editor Emma Rawlings ton tips on cherries for mall garcens 58 VEGETABLE TROUBLESHOOTER Lucy Haliday has all he advice you need to help yousolve problems with your peas EXTENDING THE CROPPING SEASON Gardening expert Pippa Greenwood on maintaining the harvest into the autumn. Plas save 10% ona great veg plant collection FILL THOSE SUMMER GAPS © Gardening witer Liz Dobbs visits Nick Hamilton at Barnsdale Gardens in Rutland to se what he is soming on his allotment EXPERT'S CHOICE This month Margaret Robinson of leading seed {company W Robinson & Son brings you her top five veg for any plot 2 HOW TO MAKE A DRYING CABINET Gardening author and keen allotment ‘gardener Joyce Russell has a plan for a budget ood dryer you can build in a weekend 6 RAISING THE GAME © The first of our short series from KG ledor Stave Ot on growing erope in raised beds wntehengarden.co.k A COPY OF OUR FEATURED 2 POT TO PLOT WITH JAMES MARTIN © We chat to the host of BBC TV's Saturday Kitchen and keen vag gardener 96 DIARY DATES Plus seed suppliers and giveways entry coupon 98 SEASONAL RECIPES Four pages of ideas for serving seasonal produce including courgettes, raspberries and shallots 06 LAST WORD Mote comments from KG readers, This month “John and Valerie Maule from Edinburgh JULY 2013 WIN A VIGO FRUIT PRESS & [A tere Vigo fruit eraser and press worth 12495 up for grabs. GARDEN STORE [News of the best new products and services reach the KG offices this month GROWING GUIDES Helen Gazeley eviews the very best gardening websites WIN PHOSTROGEN PRODUCTS ©} Be one of 20 lucky readers to win great prizes PRODUCT ROUNDUP...KNEELERS. Joyee Russel reviews six products designed to ‘make gardening more comfortable GIVEAWAYS WORTH OVER £1874 © ‘This month we have Southport Flower Show tickets, pruning seme, gourmet foods, Duck Tape ancl much more to give to lucky readers READER SAVERS © Free summer sowing seed collection worth ‘over £10, plus save up to £33 on vegetable seed collections, blueberries and essential ‘gardening sundries NEXT MONTH |What's in store for your new look August ius plus detalls of your next git offre seeds suey 201315 @YOUR PL JOBS TO CARRY OUT ON YOUR PATCH, PATIO AND UNDERCOVER IN JULY 10 MINUTE JOBS FOR JULY WATER, WATER, WATER Water requirements vary 80 much season to season, but litle reduces yields ike a check in growth de to lack of water or sheer drought. Potatoes certainly benefit from # good soaking a week or ‘two prior to liting as this can greatly increase the weight of erop. Pests justlove the warm summer coltions and wil inerease apace with your plants and the weeds. Get into the habit of checking ‘your eops regularly for signs of problems suchas greenfy, whitety caterpillars, slugs and snails and take steps to remove them ‘3 500n a5 spotted. Bindweed often grows among hedges and erops. Control while actively grawing and if using weedkilers; where possible unwrap, itand treaton the ground with a ‘alyphosate-based preduct or carollly paint loaves with a ge taking care not to touch your erops, KEEP COMPOSTING \With increasing harvests comes more vegetable Wimmings. Keep the composting process going by ‘adding water to the heap ifit becomes dry (ants in the heap are 2 sure sign ofthis), but don't saturate it. A compost sctvator can be useful to ick stare a ay’ heap. 6 |suty 2013 QUICK JOBS July s the middle morth of summer and it shows on the allotment. Everything ie ‘growing and the harvesting i in ful wing. Now wo begin to reap the rewards ofall of ‘the hard work and waiting especially after ‘the cold spring, It is vital that every last, scrap is picked to encourage the plants to 90 on producing 1 Lift the first early potatoes for immediate tse. Don't be tempted to lit them all at once but only dig up enough haulms for your immediate needs and store them in paper sacks ta prevent them from turing green, Carry on earthing up the other rows of the Inter potatoes Sow the seeds of Witloof chicory to provide roots to blanch during the winter months wneehongarden.cok WITH MIKE THURLOW 1g up garlle when the tops turn a strawy colour and clean the soil anay from the bulbs (of shallots so that they can ripen in the sun. Thon move both under shelter to dry 1a Keep on top of pest and disease contrel Be especially vigilant in looking out for potato blight which can arrive this month in ‘warm, humid conditions. only needs two or ‘three humid days and nights to trigger the spores. f potato blight is threstening to ‘atrve, cut down to soll evel the haulms on allof the plants 1 Keop hocing at every opportunity to keep ‘on top of woeds and create a water conserving dust mulch. Pull out or dig up the roots of perennial waeds such as docks, brambles and nettles to prevent regrowth, PLOT TASKS i SOW NOW Salad leaves*, Swiss chard, perpetual spinach, radish Fincuding winter types), Isttuce*, coriander”, Chinese leaves, chicory, encive, keh abi, peas, spinach’, turnips “Avoid sowing in hot weather PLANT NOW Broccoli, winter cabbeges, winter caulfiowers, kale, Brussels sprouts (early in month), leoks. HARVEST NOW Globe stichokos, tomatoos, broad beans, French beans, runner beans, beetroot, pepper, coreots, caullowers, cabbages, ‘cucumber, kohl rai, lettuce, ‘courgette, marrow, peas, potatoes, rash, spinach, turnips, redeurants, whitecurants, blackeurrants, gooseberrios, Iate/perpetual stranberres, summer fruting raspberries Got some nettles? Nettle tea is said to be a wonderful tonic! The Nason (BB issnene Seciety uty 2013 17 MM PLOT TASKS PERPETUAL SPINACH (Or leaf beet ast is leo known canbe sown now and should go ‘on to provide leaves until next year winen it eventually flowers ‘and needs replacing, It can be sown direct where itis o grow, but grins » head start and mare protection from posts if sown in cell trays for planting later. RUNNER BEANS ‘These canbe planted as soon a5. the fear of frost has passed - by ‘mid-June in most places. Plant 23 ‘30cm (9-1Zin) apart at the base of strong supports such as 2.4m (Bh) ‘bamboo canes or hazel poles. Alternatively for alter crop there {ssl time to sow seeds Sem (in) ‘deep in the same positions ee KOHL RABI ‘This easy and fast-growing veg is well worth a ty. itean sown ia succession (every 2:3 weeks) from ‘March to August and will prove tasty 0018 for grating into selads Cr cooking and the tops, too can bbe boiled asa green veg. Sow thinly tem (sin) dep in rows 30m (12in) apart and cover wth fine netting to keep fes beetle at bay BROAD BEANS These top-heavy plans often fall Cover just as they are nearing harvest and benefit from some support, especially on windy sites Stake vulnerable plants or run strings down exch side of the row. Alternatively make a note to grow the crop through bean netting in future years, 8 |suty 2013 BLACKCURRANTS ‘This delicious frult comes into ite own this month, Harvest straight from the bush or, since plants fruit best on one oF two ‘year-old wood, remove up toa thid ofthe oldest old branches at ground level to ‘encourage new growth fram ‘the base and pick indoors, RHUBARB ‘Stop harvesting rhubarb by the middle of July to allow the plant's remaining leaves to feed the crown for next year Feed with Growmare or ‘chicken manure or liquid feed ‘and water during dry spells to pprovent wiking, gradually reducing water a the crowns ce back in late summer. STRAWBERRIES ‘The strawberry season ‘continues with mid-season varieties coming into their ‘own this month. Mulch tinder plants with straw to kkeop the fru fram the ‘ground and protect against tain splash, Take precautions against slugs ‘and keep harvesting, ‘making sure you cover the plants well against hungry ‘wildlife that would love to share your harvest such a5, birds, mice and squirels HARVEST GA IN THE FRUIT GARDEN SUMMER RASPBERRIES ‘Continue to harvest summer respberries, pling them gently ‘away from the ‘plug’ around ‘which they form. Try to pick ‘them while the fut is tl frm, but they should come away ‘easily from the plant. Once the ‘eld canes have been harvested ‘they can be removed to ground level. Water wel during cry spell Cominue to tien new ‘canes os necessary. (CHERRIES Continue to horvest cherries ‘and to protect low-hanging fruit with netting, such as old net curtains, against marauding birds. RLIC s Given some good summer sunshine, garlic should start to fipea this month and can be harvested once the leaves have started to turn yellow and die bck. The fist stop is to carefully lft the bulbs witha fork (1). the weathers dry, leave them on the surlace of the sol to dry thoroughly for afew ours (2) before removing the leaves, giving about 10-15em (4-6) of ster intact atthe top of the bulb fyou want to string them, or just 2.5em {ii they are to be stored in ‘rays. Stinging is relatively easy and sn effective way of storing garlic and onions (3), but we will have more on thatin the August issue of Kitchen Gorden, GOOSEBERRIES AND CURRANTS Pick these as they ripen and on gooseberrles continue 10 watch for evidence of gooseberry sawly caterpillars 28 they munch into the folage. Surplus rut can be frozen or ‘ued into preserves for use later inthe year. Gooseberry Jam is easy to make sinco the fruit contain lots of pectin and usually sots easly. Its delicious, too! BELOW: Harvest summer raspberries, CONTAINER TASKS Ii aS KEEP UP SUMMER CONTAINER CARE Inthe summer containergrown fruit and veg, including patio tubs and) baskets often need attention in the form cof watering and feeding, even in ‘9 wot year outside and this is for several reasons 1m The foliage of established plants tends ‘0 deflect rainfall from the compost 1 Being ralzec from the ground and in a relatively small vole of soil or compost, the roots are more vulnerable +o drying out. Water quickly evaporates from clay pote and plastic - especially darker colours ~ hosts up quickly inthe sunshine drying out the compost inside. Sheltering wale prevent rain from reaching the compost. tm Peat and coirbased composts dry ‘out far more quickly than loam-based LEFT: There isa wide range of plant foods available for containers. . CONTAINER CROPS sow NOW iced ordre FEEDING AND WATERING TIPS weather only), dwarf French ‘beans, ball, spring onions, runner | For the reasons above your Plant your crops in self bbeans, leafy beet, bestroot, crops are completely dependant watering containers. There are spring cabbages, carrots, chicory, | on you for watering and feeding many avaiable such as the endive, poss. during the summer, a problem if Quadgrow from Greenhouse youare ten away from the Sensation (0845 602 3774), or {garden or your plot doesn't have the Essy2Grow 2 Pot Kit from 2 ready source of water Two Wests and Eliott PLANT NOW However there are lots of ways (01246 451077), ‘Summer cabbages, peppers, to reduce the number of times ML Group your pots dose aubergines, late tomatoes, celory, | youneed to water and feed your together ina sheltered spot ‘courgeties. Containers. For example you can: where they can provide mutual protection Add water retaining gel to the mf all else fails put compost when planting water-filled saucers under your HARVEST NOW Add 2 controlled-release pots on hot days and you may Courgettes,ealade, radizh, fertilizer before or after planting. find you have to overvater a spinach, corlander, bas, ‘This prevents the need foriquid litle before leaving the plants beetroot, carrots, lettuce, seding throughout crop's life. in the morning when sunshine is, potatoss, strawberries, Use a simple watering system forecast and that should stand A controlled release fertiliser can blueberries, mint, sage, marjoram, | to keep your plants happy while them in good stead until you gat be applied to the compost at thyme, peas you are away this can be fed home again in the evening, planting. Granules are ako from atap or water buttviaa Arrange a watering rota with a avalable, some pre-mixed with battery-powered water timer gardening frend. watering gels won ditchengarden.cosk suvy 201319 YOU@ YOUR PLOT This month's sunsipaned tomatoes, crunchy ‘cucumbers and frst green peppers herald the ‘abundance of summer fruits to come, Pick ‘cucumbers regularly - you can eat them at any size, but the smaller they ave, the ersper the flesh wil be. Search for those becoming yellow, bulbous and seedy beneath the foliage, ‘because leaving these on the plants can prevent new fruits from setting Finish harvesting early summer crops such ‘French beans and clear the remains promptly, otherwise they star to deplete the soll and can quickly became reservais for pests and diseases, Either sow a quick- ‘growing green manure such a¢ pphacelia or buckotheat, or ‘leh the ground to prevent it dying out before youstart preparing for autumn crops. ABOVE RIGHT: Early tomato ‘Losetto’ longside aubergines, cucumbers and peppers al soon to be harvested ‘ABOVE: Sue harvests French beans and will soon clear them to make way for 8 ‘green manere. PEST WATCH Keep a close eye on plants for the first symptoms of posts or 20s ~ attacks can quickly escalate in tho warm sholtered tnvironment undercover Help leeep plants healthy by remeving old, damaged or diseased foliage, and any fruits ‘hat have split or started to rot. For example, the bottom leaves of tomatoes often tun an unhealthy mottled brown and are obviously no use to Cosmos among the sweetcor the plant, and young ‘cucumbers or squashes may start to go mouldy at the tip if conditions are poor or the plant is carrying too mary fruit. [safest line of attack against pests, | always make room for afew Fowere that will tract beneficial insects ~ particularly hoverfies and parasitic wasps which prey on aphids (groenfiy). Sunflowers ‘and Californian poppies, for ‘example, not only help pest control but ere cheerful to look at too. Remove any diseased or emaged leaves and rotting fut 10 | suv 2013, WITH SUE STICKLAND UNDERCOVER HERBS Basil should thrive in the protection ofa ‘greenhouse or polyunnel, but aso icky produces flowering shoots Pinch out the tips ofthese regularly ta promete fresh new growah~ this will have the best favour You can algo make a second sowing ‘of basil now for an autumn harvest. Although in theory spring sown plants should ‘grow on untl the frst frosts, | find young plants tend to stand up better to autumn mouldsand wits. Parsley for winter use should sso be sown this month = in ‘modules for planting out in August lor September. This might seam early, but parsley is s0 slow to germinate and ‘grew that only midsummer sowings will ensure a plentiful winter supply. | sow both plainlesved and the curled varieties — the deep green foliage and strong taste of plairleaved parsey seems bos for complementing warming soups and other winter dishes, but cutled parsley is slower to bolt in spring ‘ABOVE: Baal should thive undercover even in poor summers. Pinch out flowering shoots to encourage fesh growth avechitchongatden.co UNDERCOVER TASKS CHECK YOUR PLANS With all summer crops in place, ‘now isthe time to update any ‘greenhouse or polytunnel plans just to make sure that they fare an accurate cecard of whet you have planted where. Last ‘minute shuffling always takes place in my tunnel 2s some plants fail o | ars tempted by ‘exotic extras. An accurate plan willhelp you get your erop rotation right and make the best use of space next year Put down a mulch now around ‘rope grown in the grouns, and itshould save you work forthe whole of the rest ofthe ‘growing season: keeping ‘moisture in the soll, suppressing weeds and helping to koep frit clean, You can use plastic sheeting, cardboard held dovwn with pegs ora thick ayer atleast Sem 2in) of an organic ‘material such as stvaw, hay or {grass mowings. These last ‘materials wil alzo leave a beneficial legacy of organic ‘matter in sol, but be aware that they might contain harmful residues if they come from lawns, pasture or cereals where \weedkilers have been used. Plant growth ean also be affected by the colour ofa rmulehing material Light coloured mulches such as fresh stra wil reflect the ight and ceanhelp frit ripen ~ for these reasons commercial growers foften plant tomatoes through plastic which is white on the surface and black underneath However, such bright mulches also prevent heat from boeing stored inthe sel during the day, and therefore night time temperatures around the plants willbe lower. n my Lnheated greenhouse and tunnel, hesitate to put down light coloured mulches before midsummer TRAINING TOMATOES Pinch out the sideshoots of cordon tomatoe and train them upwards on canes and strings. The main shoot ‘may divide atthe tp into two equally strong shoots, vihich case make a decision to take out one of them. Watch out for leafy shoots coming from the base of the plant and from the ends ofthe flower trusses a: wel from the lef ails ~ removing excess growth allows sunshine and arto the developing fru ‘Tomatoes are forgiving plants, and # you accidently snap one off atthe top ~ ot Hit spontaneously divides into two Fowering shoots - wat fora sideshoot to velop and train this upwards. tt wll eventually bbecome a thick main stem, although felting willbe delayed. Parsiy, basi, chard, spinach best, Beetroot, Florence fennel, Chinese cabbage, French beans spring onions, kel rab French beans, tomatoes ‘cucumbers, peppers, basi, ‘coriander, courgettes, beetroot, carrots, potatoes, ‘The main stems of cordon tomatows wail ‘onions, peaches, ceccasionally split inte two shoots or lower trusses. won ditchengarden.cosk suty 2013 [11 YOU & YOUR PLOT HOT TOPICS NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF GROWING YOUR OWN FRUIT AND VEG ‘There had been fears that new EU regulations tightening the marketing of plant ceproductve ‘material would mean a ban on exchanging and seling hevloom seed varieties. However last ‘minute changes have given hope to small seed suppliers. Garden Orgaric, the national charity for organic growing, has given a cautious wolcome to the new EU seed directive as 8 ‘stop in the right direction’ but with 2 need for “Villanes in the future. The new directive was made public in early May and it exempts lacal heritage seed networks auch as Garden Organics Heritage Seed Library, allowing for seed exchange ‘between individuals and groups. The divective Identified a need for more relaxed registration rules on heritage varieties ie willbe restricted to commercial growers and home gardeners ‘who will be allowed to save and swap. unapproved seed, Small organizations and Ingvidals will be able to grow and supply Unapproved vegetable seed as long as they hhave less than 10 employees and an annual tumover of les than two milion euros Garden Organic’s Heritage Seed Library conserves old varieties and by joining the Vibrary you can help keep helrloom varieties ‘growing. Alzo, a8 member, you can have up 1 six varieties from its special eatalogue which {oatures around 200 ofthe 800 it holdin its collection, For more information visit \wra.gardenorganie.org ub/hsVindex php 12 | uy 2013 FRUIT AND VEG IN TOP PLANT SHORTLIST Strawberry ‘Malling reach the UK market, A early fruiting strawberry Centenary’ and chive ‘Cha mahonia called ‘Soft with lovely flavour. Chive CCha' were shortlist Caress’ beat the fruit and_—_‘Cha Cha‘ has an exquisite the RHS Chelsea Flower vag ta the top spot but it falee inflorescence of mini Show's Plant ofthe Year. was. an achievement just to leaves instead of flowers. The award celebrates bbe shortlisted. Strawberry (below sos omarental ‘exciting new plants to ‘Malling Centenary’ isan _as well as boing edible. avechitchongatden.co SCHOOL WINS ECO PRIZE IN SCOTLAND Edinburgh's Prospect Bank Special Schools one cof Scotland's 3700 schools that are registered with the Eco-School programme which ie funded in Scotland by the Scottish Government. This programme encourages schools to improve their Food and the Environment performance and to reconnect with raw foods and seek loca seasonal crops and dishes. In 2012 Prospect Bank School took part in the One Planet Pienle competition involving 3794 nurseries, primary and secondary schools from all ever Scetland, Schools had to make their own pie using only tre Reve Wood EU BANS NEONICOTINOID PESTICIDES From December of this year three neonicotnoids (lothianidin,imidacloprid and thiametoxam) willbe banned for Use in garden chemicals, (cluding the UK) and four countries abstained. Although inconclusive, this provided an “unqualified majority” which ‘enables the commission to {roth and locally sourced ingrodionts It encouraged pupils to use fut and vegetables grou in school gardens or sourced from local suppliers. The school's produce rom ts three raised beds, including carots and onions, formed part of ts entry, together with other produce donated by local allotments. In Novernbor the school earned ithed won the competition. The prize was 8 good supply of rgoniealy approved SEER Rockdust, a volcanic dust from Scotland, {ull of minerals and trace elements to help grow vigorous, testy cops. commission has failed to take into account Defra's latest, research on the impact of neonicatineids on bumble bees in the fel, which concluded that There wil be pth ahesdwthits there i minimal ri under potential proposals. The UK existing conditions of regulated ‘exemptions for voted against the use. Furthermore, we believe the professional ban ater level of exposure is ofa Cie to vest \\ publishing te magnitude lowe for bees in bee: | own esearch on gardens, and there sno scientific tractive theimpsct of justfeation forte removal of cxopsin | reonicotinoide these products from amateur greenhouses conbumble bees garden vse." and in open-air inthe eld which Emma Hocksidge, Sal felde after conchided that Associaton head of policy sc flowering but the European Commission will view the conditions of approval ofthe pesticides as soon as new information is ‘available of within two years, Fifteen countries voted in favour ofthe ban, eight against reumstances wneehongarden.cok bees are not harmed under normal use and Commenting on this, Horticultural Trades Association director of business development Tim Bierce aid: “tie disappointing that the “This isa victory not only for the bees and other pollinators, but for independent science against the political, pro-pestcide postion adopted by UK Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and the pesticide industy.” HOT TOPICS Plant material from the 19th century has been examined to find the stain of blight that caused the potata famine, Scientists have Giscovered that ths train of blight is probably now extinct. It isn't surprising bearing in mind the fungal disease Phyrophthora infestans is orever evolving and producing new strains the latest gressive strain is called ue 13, ‘The RSPB is working hard to help hal the decine in numerous species of garden wilde, most notably hedgehogs, bees, butterflies and birds. tis urging everyone in the UK to help offer natural garden habitat to UK wildlife = however small anc seemingly insignifeant. A potted patio tub, » hanging bosket, 9 mall garden, « baleony planter — every contribution plays a vital partin giving nature a home. Bug boxes, hedgehog homes and nest boxes ~ shop bought or homemade ~all play a crucial role Vist ww rsp org uk/homes SEND THEM TO SOTT@MORTONS.CO.UK uty 2013 [13 MM HOT TOPICS The coo! start to the gardening year didn't put off thousands of Vitor to Harrogate Spring Flower Show wha enjoyed fantasti floral displays and double the number of show gardens. Kitchen Garden Live entertained the crowde with fruit and veg talks and there were mary wade sland seling their garden related wares LEEDS ALLOTMENT GARDENERS WIN BEST IN SHOW Twelve volunteers from the Leeds & District Gardeners Federation finor dati such as nesting birds and mice and a couple of robins flso intrigued younger visitors All this wasn adltion to all the fruit and vegetables on display. ‘These had been very dificult to prepare for the show due ta the Uunseasonably cold weather. Despite the team’s reservations about being prepared on tine, ‘the demonstration allotment garden looked very attractive with lots of postive comments from visitors. The suecess fellows the double gold award achieved at last years Groat Yorkshire Show where the federation plans to wore awarded a Best in Show for their exhibit: Their innovative Techno Allotment Garden was 2 exhibit again. huge success wth the crowds There was something for everyone CROWDS ENJOYED from cheap undersoil heating - VEG TALKS Kitchen Garden Lie vasa fj serie of als during the show | by fruit and vegetable experts including National Vegetable Society representatives. Also ving growing tps were KG dior Stove Ort and deputy editor Emma Rawlings. A bitof fun was had with a spin and win wheel, with members ofthe audience spinning a wheel to choose the topic of the tales and ‘wining 2 prs for therefor, CHILDREN’S SALAD CORNERS! New atthe show this pring was 2 schools competition to grow fd show a tub of salad. There Using an old radiator and an ice Cream tub to 2 solar-voltae aster for free electricity and many other innovative ideas. The rabatic scarecrow was a huge success with the children and adults alike with its lashing eyes and waving arms There was lots forthe children to participate in too, including guess the scarecrow’s name, alucky dip ‘and seed planting. Some of the were some wonderful pots of veg with added decorations and growing notes by the school childeen, Pictured right isthe entyy from Meadowside Community Primary Schoo! which won a SiverGit award A RETREAT TO RELAX IN One of the delightful small gardens atthe show was the Monastic garden created by Derby Collage students. it came complete with clisters and beds cof medicinal plants, herbs and vegetables ‘The Monaste Garden created by Derby Collage students 14 |suty 2013, Some ofthe volunteers who created the award winning display: Phi GGomersall lan Weed, Mary Dwight, Gill Walsh, John Dwight, Dave Johnson NVS WINS PREMIER GOLD ‘The National Vegetable Society won & Premier Gel for ite wonderful display of veg. No mean feat for such an early shove ‘On its exhibit was ajar of tomato cuttings. This might seem an odd inclusion, but id you know tomatoes readily root fom cuttings and you can very quickly ‘get come young plants. Simply ‘rap some tomato sideshoots into ‘jar of water and watch them root {inset} then plant up. f done in late spring te early summer you ‘can produce some later fruiting plants fom these. DON'T MISS THE AUTUMN SHOW Harrogate Autumn Flower Show ison September 13-15 so make 2 ‘mark in your diary. This fobulous event is even better for fruit and veg gatdeners who willbe amazed and inspired by the fantastic vegetable displays and giant onion competition. Phe Kitchen Garden vil be there again so come along and meet the tear. Book your tickets belore September 3 and get » discount, Cll (01423 546187 or enine on vow Slowershow.org.uk avechitchongarden.co iis ORGANIC GARDENING CATALOGUE OMe enters ei Cn og ereae eT suple: Limited Offer coe reeset Re Mia eg ea Ce Meee ae rd Pec een Call us now for your FREE copy of our 2013 catalogue OEE LE aera ee www.waterbymagic.com Cie ukl ai eae AC Garden watering systems & DIY kits Raised beds, watering from water butt. Friendly advice garden magic bringing your garden toe info@waterbymagiccom use TS 05, sensecion| C 4 out of your Grow Bags ‘Your plans wil be healthier, productive and more rufa with Hume GreenOK 608000 uy 2033 48, ebrates centenary Sa oe "aig. Chelsea Flower show just celebrated its 100th birthday this year. The first show in 1913, __ attracted 244 exhibitors and made £88 profit. Today it attracts 161,000 visitors Steve Ott and Emma Rawlings bring you some highlights from this special event K THE FORAGERS’ GARDEN The gold medal winning Homebase Garden — change = in association ciety — was designed by ‘Adam Frost, Created with the modern firnily in mind, ie wa a rlaxing gatden chat was in toch ‘with nature and provided foraging for wildlife and humans alike wich lots of fui inching full sae apple uct and vegetables grown among the rnaural plancing The garden vas pal inspized by Geoff Hamilton ornamental kitchen garden 2 Bunsdale in Rutland and many ofthe ‘vegetables wore grown by Barnsdale gardeners starting chem aff lee vinter under heat and lights to gee them ro almose macusgy forthe May show. K.GOING BACK TO THE ROOTS OF FRUIT TREES ‘A ariking frie ree, complete with its bare roo ‘system, was the centrepiece for che Ease Malling Reseatch exhibit. The display ~ The Fruit of the Tree tld che story of 100 years of scientific excellence tha has earsformed Feuitgroweingin gardens and farms, Fe ‘was from che malus specie, found in the'Tien Shan mountains thousands of years ago, that we have our modsen B apple ors coday. Ako on display were frie res grafed on different roottocks displaying their roots behind ghas panel tosh “extensive growth of more vigorous raotstocks sch at MM106 compared wich smaller root systems on M9 roarstocks. avecitchongarden.co uk ~ Show gardens are W Robinson & medal for its stu Here pictured are four the company, Margaret and Susan Robinson Information: W Robinson & Son ‘woracmammothonion. co.uk Kings Seeds had facinating exhibie packed ‘wich fine deals racing 125 years of seed retiling and vegetable growing, Lie touches included old seed sorting and sowing ools and snippets of garden sayings and historical fies Growing your oven veg has been populae for yeats Bu eas had highs and lowes. In the ‘Second World War ic peaked, chen dipped inthe 1960 when frozen veg became popular, only to resurge dighly again in the 1970s when TV comedy The Good Life hit our serens. Nove ‘growing your own is peaking again asthe British public Becomes ever more concerned about food provenance, Information: Kings Sceds sworickingssesds.com ate ERE S ay Kings Seeds Lucy Elis wearing an outfit made {rom seeds. King’s daplay won a gold medi CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW Heed gardener Charles Russel, who ‘worked 100 years ago at Reston House in Kew village, wos the inspiration for a ‘Moment in Time, the gold winning ‘exhibit put on by Pennard Plants, Two very different gardens wore shown, a ‘aditional one seen a century ago next to.a modern day plot with felt and vegetables grown in containers. All the plants were grown in Pennard Plants” Victorian walled garden in Somerset and had been tended by Roots and Shoots, ‘the London chalty which hos inner ity youngsters get into horticulture, Information: Pannard Plants wow, ponnardplants.com wneehongarden.cok uty 2013 [17 CARBON GOLD® FASTER GERMINATION ALL SOIL TYPES “IMPROVED. YIELDS ail At ie ~ SEE THE Mada ae a Tay SOIL aA Aue Pasa EN ay - Lethal Sooo eid GOING IT ALONE | With allotment sits coming undo prossure ‘from council budgets, | would like to tell you about our transformation from a council, run ste to an alotment association. Early in 2012 councilors proposed to put the tent up by 364% ovor four years starting at £23 and rising to £69 per plt plus a 20% increase for those people whe hac a 600 square yard plot. ‘Armeeting with the council was to no aval 35 the plan was passed unopposed by ‘the authority. Contact was made with cur local papers which were sympathetic local ‘aio too, athough one presenter accused us cof being drain on the tax payer. We contacted our MP but had no joy there. “The counell then asked us Hit could run a ballot to explore the possibilty of us forming an association. A ballot was held and the outcome was 80% in favour, so the Journey began. A shadow committee was foemed and contact was made with our local INSLAG (National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners) representative. It seemed daunting but there was no turning back. The council was very helpful stone ROUEN 108: 8 ing ia was delivered to help restore our roadway “which had seen na improvements for years. ‘his year, on April, we signed a lease for 20 years withthe first year rent-free, We now have a committee of cight, plus the officers, which maets roguley and the all important ret is set at £35, frozen for two ‘years, with the aim of keeping it a love as possible, Where once the allotment site was neglected and in decay, now theres alk of 18 veg box scheme with our local hospice and the local church food bank. Idea, many from the older plotholders, are for raising money, ‘open days, wife areas, hedges and more. It's hard to believe how far we've come in YOUR VIEWS J such a short time but most important ofall ‘we think we might have saved our allotments for future generations. We can {do s0 much more to help our community in ‘understanding about growing vegetables, {ult and herbs and enjoying cooking and ‘eating ina more sustainable way. ‘When frst came here 10 years ago, the site was just over half ul there being &1 plots: now all plats are taken bar one Ifyou have the chance to form an allotment association, go with i, you can do ‘somuch more. The council did us a favour, ‘we took it, you can too, Pau! Colingwood, Boston, Lines HAVE YOUR SAY WRITE OR EMAIL US WITH YOUR VIEWS, LETTERS AND TIPS GREAT VALUE CHARD {sowed some Swiss chard "Fantasy F1 from ‘Thompson and Morgan last autumn ina trough. | thought | would test tae salad leaf and just pluck some leaves off when needed. They were really tasty land the beautiful red veins in the leaves added some lovely colour | ended up leaving the plants in a mini greenhouse ‘over winter. I did manage to pick afew young leaves during the depts of winter but by early spring! thought they were past their best and was going to fempty the trough... but decided to just leave them 2 bit longer As you ean see from the picture they have sprouted again, producing a great harvest of leaves justwhen | had very itl ese to eat from the troughs and vog patches. | can thoroughly recommend growing Swiss char, its a brillant veg to grow in containersif you only have a small patch oF a courtyard garden. ‘Sally Mitchell by email Hore is my tp to stop rabbits eating young plants ~ use old Upside down hanging baskets as shown} to protect them. Richard Gater, Wombourne, West Midlands SEND US YOUR LETTERS - EVERYONE’S A WINNER! Send us yourtps and photographs, and if fabulous range of sed, young plants and you letter publsned you wil get 3 £10 gardening sunchries. You con get ld of 3 Debies voucher Ifyou are lucky enough copy of the catalogue now by phoning OBES hove yours chosen as our Star Letteryou 7017825 or go onine to wewdobies ok wil get a £25 oucher Your voucher ibe Dont forget to incude your ll address Fert cu ith» Dobie catalogue ard you on yaur emai and laters. We wll not fan choose to spend your winingr ons publish ful adsroror. Ema your laters to rawlingsmertons.co.uk ‘or post to Letters, Kitehen (Garden, Mortons Mein ‘Group, Media Cente, Morton Way, Heracastle, Une, LN 6 won ditchengarden.cosk uty 2013 [19 MM YOU & YOUR PLOT LOVELY GARDEN ‘The garden plants in the plot ‘are coming up, there’ such a lot ppeas and beans and spuds end leks, ‘and in the warm, a superb peach ‘The prety flowers are in bloom making for an outdoor room. Scented colours fil the air, 30 you relax, without a cae ‘The hanging branches ofthe tee hharbour insects on their leaves. Birds come and pack to feed, to keep the balance of nature free. ‘The lawn is cut every week, ‘and lake 29 goad, a happy test Stripes, the lines go up and down, like a putting green avin. The plossure ofthe great outdoors Is to be had, both mine and yours. Take inthe view, breathe in 3 lt, you wil enjoy your garden plot Peter Dean, Cambrige US ON FAC 20 | uty 2013 GYMOR GARDENING? {anu 2 news story saying ‘gardening was better at keeping you fitthan going to the gym. | fear iny shor bursts of eneray Inthe garden rewarded with cups of sweet tea and chocolat biscuits ‘may negate the benefits! “That sad, would ather be out inthe fresh air stoning to bird song ‘than in asweaty gym Tstening to pop music. ‘doyce Evans by email MAKE PAPER POTS SAFER Your money saving tip (KG June 2013) for making paper pots gave me toothache! No, ve not been rolling inthe catnip again just remembering the chipped tooth ‘that a staple embedded ina carot ‘gave me a few years ago. The staples will get into the sol and be 8 danger for unwary fingors and wide to... 50 please warn your readers to use a lite glue or ‘other safer methods to secure the [pots you can get staplers which ‘don't use metal stapes. Gavin Parker, Bicester, Oxon SHALLOTS MAKE GREAT SALAD ONIONS! Put a shallot into a 3in pot on » \windowsil in the kitchen, will sprout in about 8-19 days. Lett ‘grow until i's about 67in high then harvest. twill row quite quickly and give you lovely thin tender salad onions earyin the spring. Put mare shallots in a larger pot if required ‘Rober Bis, Gillingham, Dorset GREAT GOURDS | was wondering if any readers kaow of any edible gourds | can {grow? love the shapes and colours and | have an arch which would be great for ‘growing these plants over, but ‘most, believe, are non-edible. If there are any then maybe Kitchen Garden could do a feature con these? (Mr Greenwood by email EBOOK.COM/KITCHENGARDENMAG Gaiden MORTONS nr A 4 i¢ on (BB) The National Allotment Society avechitchongarden.co OEMS = ne RUS Gardening with your childzen can be geeat fun for al che amily, giving chem a bealehy pastime and an inexpensive ‘one too, Encouraging children to become budding gardeners will wive chem a fling hobby thee will last a ietime ‘Our new ‘Buddinys Greenhouse’ is specially designed for children to cacourage them to gee growing, Ie measures 6fex 4fe, and is even big enough inside for adules! Like all Gabriel Ash greenhouses, i's made from the finest Western Red Cedar and, because we know thae accidenes can happen, we've use safety glass chroughout * SUMENT FARM, oar VISIT OUR SHOWR’ FARNDON, Greenhouses | Lean To's | PatioGlasshouses | Coldframes | Shed Combi | Planthouses | Staging is NF : i Back to basics This unusual vegetable from the Andes is gaining popularity as a potato substitute; just as easy to grow and as versatile in the kitchen, but blight free, too. Andrew Tokley has all the advice you need to make them a success on your plot. 22 | uty 2013 dng member ofthe oxalisfaily (Oxalstubersa, ora produces decorative fliage that resembles a shamrock or large love, but unlike potato foliage chese leaves can he harvested and added co saad giving ia refreshing cts ois. The tubers are long and knobly and come ina rainbow of different colours and this is ofen how they at sald by mail order companies, The crop matures lat in the season and can be exten caoked like new poratocs with a mony rang added to soups, or een ra sliced oF grated, in a salad, where they will add a hine of lemon favour co che dish. IF space is Himited they grow just aswell in a container and the foliage looks as decorative on the patio asi docs in the vegetable plo EN OW TO P “Tubersate usually sent out by mailorder ‘companies fom March ra Map: Once these arrive they canbe laid our in eays in a frost-free ‘greenhouse — jus like sed potatoes ~ co chit (develop embryo shoots) before planting ‘Once showing small chit, cach tuber an be ported-up individually ico 1em (Gin) pots of silless multi-purpose ‘compen, s0 the tuber Plant The tubers are chitted prior coer is covered by is own depth with compost and {grown on in afostfece greenhouse or on the ‘windowsill These will soon produce green shots, and ill he pote with shamrock leaves ready for planting once all isk of Feoet has pst, as these plans like poatoes, ar frost-rendet, In the autumn, while winter-cigging, rake sure thaeplengy of organic: matter added tothe soll where the oca tubers are ro he planted the following spring. “This crap (as with porstoes) likes co grow in a fer sol but iadding manure to the ground, male sre i is well rotted and a leat thee years od ‘otherwise here is a danger, ificis 00 frcth the fliage will appear healthy, hue you will have very few eubers below co harves Make sure che site they ae planted in i open and in full sun to achieve the best crop. ‘Once spring asves, ake the sol to oughly level (Lose a thres-promged cultivator and a rake) then sprinkle some Growmore fertiliser 4 ‘or chicken mane pellets a a rate of gm per ‘94 m (2oz per sq yl) and lg rake cis into the surfce (Once all risk of frost has pase, che ported tubers can be planted out into rows, spacing each plant 30-45em BM (12-18in) apart and 90cm (36in)berween the wows che weather is cold BP when plancing time arvives, the planes will benefit from being covered with fleece fora few wocks until they are established. Up una July, plants will make neat mounds of foliage 3em (12) high, and after this the wu ischengarden cok in pots (ca is commonly known pe had eee! peer en peers ao Plant inplots Hervest tubere seems will stare coop over and produce long teiling runners. These can be covered over with some sol or ald compost, a this will encourage them 1 oot and tinue a bigger harvest. “Apare from watering regularly, paricalarly during dry periods, and keeping any competing ‘weeds under contol, theres ver litle se you need todo to this crop during the ‘summer monchs. From mid-September, itis important ‘keep plane watered a this will help with tuber development. ‘Applying a general paper liquid fead pvicea month from July through to Sepeember will ‘encourage trong growth and benefit he final harvest. Tuber development occurs late in dhe yea, and if aly autumn fos ae forecast the foliage will nod some protection with Hlece to keep the plants growing as long as posible, otherwise che harvest may be reduced. Fortunately, oca (as already mentioned) docs hat suffer from porate-bight so there fs no need to worry abour growing tis ceop near poraroes ‘Occasionally, the foliage can be atacked by aphids when i is young, so dis pest seen, spraying with a suitable insecticide is advised [you lve in an area wieh 2 high population ‘of slugs, just like potato tubers, oca may be areacked below ground. Tie ie not che normal slug cha can be sported above ground, but che smaller, black keeled sug, This is bese eomrolled using a naturally occurring and microscopic parsiie nematode, a binlogial contra fr slugs (called Nemaslug) that can be watered into the soil and aie thrse days will ar to seek out the slugs and kl cher, > “Andrew plants his tuber into pots te grow on prior to planting out. OCA Emm PLANTING IN CONTAINERS you are short of pot space, oca wil grow equally well n containers on 2 sunny patio. Tubers can be potted on into individual pots (as mentioned}, thon two or three ofthese plants can be ‘moved into large 40 litre containers filed with mult: purpose compost Alternatively, chitted tubers can be planted direct into large containers, ‘ree tubers per container, planting each to at least tice its depth. Stand the pots in a frost-free place, and the tubers ‘will tar to shoot and soon fill the container with very decorative foliage, Moved to 2 sunny patio to grow on ‘throughout the summer and once the days get colder in autumn, the pots can bbe moved to a greenhouse to mature. Feeding and watering should be done fon a regular basis to keep the plants ‘growing well Feed with aliquid fertiliser, such 9s a tomate food once ® week, from when the containers start to produce an attractive mound of follage. uty 2013 |23 ‘Avold picking too mony eer Se et Reema Laren teats ANDREW'S PICK OF THE VARIETIES The choice and supply f= Atthe time of writing the bers limited in the case of suppliers below had run outwith eeam, pink and orange ‘cas due tothe sudden of stocks, butitie worth skins and varying shades of Fiee in popularity ofthis vsking the websites to inner flesh all with a zesty tasty tuber, demand request an email when lemony favour Thompton & cften outstrips supply at stocks become available Morgan to: 0844 573 1818, ‘the moment fgsin so that you ean try wirwthompeon- However, once you have them for yourself next yeer, morgan com) some, you can save some ‘Hf you already have some sold of the bast tubers for then please let usknow by Real Seeds tel: 01239. planting the following year: how you enjoyed them. 821107, ww.eaeeds co.) eee 24 |suty 2013 HARVESTING ‘Osa leaves canbe picked and used ro add some ‘eu ang co salads, Mixed in with other green leaves they cettinly bring a salad co ie, ‘Oca plants are unusual as they do not iniite tuber production until the day length shortens inthe aucumn eo les than 12 hours daylight Some tubers may form on the stems and these should be harvested before the fist frost The underground tubers shold not be harvested until the foliage has become frosced and dics back in late November and December ‘Once fosted, wait for ewo weeks then carefully Ife dhe ebers aking cave aot to bruise them ‘When freshly lifted, the tubers have an intense tangy lemoniness caused by oxalic cid, che same as found in shubssb. Ifche tubers are left in the ‘open om alight windowsill fara few days this souess will be greatly reduced, making chem more appealing to et rave ‘Oca eer ean be stored for several months ina «cool fosefice shed ~ unlike poratoes they do not need tobe kepe inthe dark and wont go green, instead the light helps to swecten the eabers ‘©aa canbe boiled, haked and fied, they ean ako be used to ad flavour int rut crumbles ‘wala eaten rw grated or sliced inaslad, making this an extremely versatile paca subsite ‘Yu wil find some moe ideas and comments regarding the preparation and serving of tubers ‘on che Thompson & Morgan websie. Follow thie links heel *blog.thompson-morgan ‘conn/gardening-newsocathe-csc-tet ras! “The leaves look like shamrock or clover and have ap nt lemony favour. avechitchongatden.co grew house greenhouses LG AN anes Quality Red Cedar greenhouses available ina range of sizes. NOW FROM’ £1095. + FREE DELIVERY REO cus ts 6x8 NOWL129529 Upright coldframe NOW£399-09 ——coldframe Now£199.00 + FREE DELIVERY -anpeses- +FREEDELIVERY —sRP-#340 + FREEDELIVERY To see our range of greenhouses lean-to's, and greenhouse related equipment visit www.greenhousebonanza.com YOU@YOUR PLOT Fy thought knocking your lice veg pach ico shape ook hard work then spare a dhught for Mike “Madden and hs paencr Joyce who live neat Edinburgh. Noc only hae they buted co ge their garden ina shape onc, bur when a hea pump installation and drainage project wenc badly wrong they had w do ical Lover again, tice. Pls added to his serious health sea ‘meant tis became one heroic garden project If this wasnt ‘enough pressure the couple then agreed to open cheir garden for charicysecting 2 deadline wo get the garden into shape. Mike and Joyce took on their gan in 1995, ahalFacte plor with views over che Penland Hills They bile a house 26 | uty 2013 Creating any garden has its challenges but for Mike Madden and his partner Joyce the project ran far from smoothly ABOVE: Sweetcorn in one of tho polytunnels BELOW: Clearing the garden initally took alot of worl, frst and then sex about cackling their plot. The fise problem was the heavy clay sol dat dried ove to concrete Mike ssid: "Tired cultivator fora weck, a big diesel, _Afterabout 10 pases a the fest ewo beds’ it had only ‘gone dowen about halfan inch I chen used a pick axe and Pitch bar to exeavate down pase che pan to form a sump whenever we planted a bush or eee. We chislled ou bed after bed through brute force and added ae nach ‘composcimanure as we could find.” Then in Novernber 2000 Mike fell wid a brain bhaemorthage and, combined with long term family illacses and subsequent heteavements,chis mane thatthe garden reccived minimal stenton Fr thece or four years, by which time most of dhe heds had been completely taken over by che woods In 2011 Mike ook extly retirement and Joyce sold her business meaning the couple could Finally get to grips with whac they had started co all the (almost) Lost Garden of Halmyre. However, the road eo a beautifil garden is paved with challenges expecially for the Maddens. Mike and Joyce decided on some improvements tosheir house which inclided insalling s heat ‘pump and chs involved laying a loop of pipes under pate ofthe garden, Mike sid: "Watching 3 6.5-t0n skid steer drilling sig driving up the bed finally broughe Thome the eealsation that as we had promised afew he garden for charity under the Scottish Garden Scheme this same year, Thad my work years earlier to open avecitchongarden.co uk READERS’ PLOTS [mm “The work took longer than planned ~ thee weeks — ‘due to the hard layer of rock beneath the garden and What was the iesues withthe high water table that ruled im an exces of rllion gallons of water being brought co the eer iu kad we edieaed surf spud 8 on your plot to be ied hac was broken during dhe works and a wal last year? along two sides ofthe garden bul to preven water raining trom ee ils and Hoong the garden. “Best moment woe Bei thar wae enough ferurned out the heat whan the barb ‘pump pipework was lad wrong so thisall had to be dug pushed the la off Lup agin ad because che wall had hens heen bu, che the compost bin lawn bad to be used forthe sol heaps. Then the watse covering it. Finally seas draining away propely soa second land drain had so somathing ln the bre bate arden was not Despite he major setbacks, Mike and ayes hated on totally trashed in dliggng foe Scoland as they inconporated five tonnes of foctit was rnushoom compos oimpeote the =o spectacle in io “During the above we had elected to divide the other and quality. Or so bres into ele be ied in time forthe opening snd Tam tle, don’ ‘ot chance’ ~ marked ae ‘work in progres ke hub.” said Mike, > SHARE YOUR PLOT WITH KG READERS ~ EMAIL YOUR PICTURES TO ERAWLINGS@MORTONS.CO.UK wnehitchengarden.co.k uty 2013 |27 COMPOST TRIAL Mice was inepired by a compost trial run by John ‘Walker and featured in the May/June 2012 issues oF KG. "I planted up two pairs of aubergines in Identical pots, one of each inthe propriotary mix and the second of wach in compost rile ror ry own heap. The fst par were given chemical ‘oedl and the erganie ones some comfrey qui. The results wore astounding, se attached picture - erganic comfray-fe plants to the left! 28 | uty 2013 “Finally che garden open day arsived. Af ll dhe rain in the preven weeks i eld ofall aernaon and indeed it was quite sunny, We had 70 visions who were kindly very ‘complimentary in thee comments, Wich the gate money and sile proceeds we took £424 forthe charities” ike and Joyce’ vegetable garden is spread over diferent parc of the garden in raised beds, They also have three apple wees which ate being cordom ersined against the ‘ouch facing wal inthe main flower bed. Joyce has ahr plot in fone ofthe kitchen. A polyrunnel houses a mature tow of asparagus which gives good crops each year Bese the tunnel ia composting ate, “There isa row of four 3x 3x Sf New Zealand box «ype bins and number of ‘Dalek’ bins: one of which doubles tp asa shubarb force in the early pare ofthe yen” sid Mike. The bine allow quite a sope for mixing gluts of _grcenfbrown wastc aver the year and together they produce sound foe cubic yards of good quality compost each year Mike i passionate about gardening organically and he also males plenty of comfrey fed and he has a wormery at well as all the compost bins. avechitchongarden.co READERS’ PLOTS GUERNSEY GROWING SUCCESS FOR TRACEY Tracey Bran from St Peter's on Guernsey loves to grow organic produce for her family on her garden plot and it Ted somcincs i thd all started when an old greenhouse was nearly thrown out. hs my aught Abbi and [My husband, Chis, will help with che awkward jobs such p the water butt or collecting and the lc atthe bottom of the garden, approximately 40f by 208 which is Fenced in co stop the rabbits, Tako have a 16K by 18f greenhouse and ha year claimed an area previo h woodchips For my reetcorn~ I seem to be always running out of space bitten, 1 needed mor birthday present. > vunaleced T have oso compost bins which fry o rotate. My daughter pt abit slo coneibuces to these with iter ‘tay concenes and old straw bedding and along with catdboard that Isheed from household packaging, i seems a stop the grass cuttings from making a slimy mess currently haves watcr burt, with plans for more. My Jnushand i a painer/decorator and saves industial size pots for me. My childeen save llly sticks tor plant labels. As ost garden backs on toa nature reserve, neces ate abundant fnd I make neve ta for plane fed. To the frone of our hhouse i the sa and we collec seaweed to pus on the garden through the winter: [rots dosen and is ighdly dug in at the beginning ofthe new season, My vg plot is ako divided into beds with recycled laminate Hoorn, ice | start harvesting in May/June I done usally need to >buy any veg during summer and freeze any surplus co use in winter ~ namely eaevts, beans, broceali cabbage and a ‘courgetcHtomato mix which the children love Bg with cheese and pasta I dont prow much cling che wincer months as we get stong ‘winds from the sea which ply havoc ‘with growing. The freezer empties by January/February —eypieal hungry ‘3p scenario! The most important reason for re ta grow my own veg is Iknossng thar our food has’ heen treated with any chemicasfpestildes «xe, Also, gives me somewhere site off and relax SEND US YOUR PICTURES OF YOUR PLOTS Send by emal 10: erawings@mertons

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