EVO Vavam AAAI pRB OI ty Kitchen m ©) 48a E F EG | KITCHENGARDEN.CO.UK | AUGUST 2014 KALE * POTATOES SALAD LEAVES BROCCOLI * FIGS , WALLED | GARDENS | TO VISIT NOW! * 5 Al a; : NEW TOOLS ON TEST WITH TOBY * MAKE A SCARECROWWhen it comes to feeding your bantams... ..pellet size is important Bantams that eat well, lay well The Smallholder Range Natural Free Range Layers Pellets are micro-sized and are ideal for Bantams to eat. Plus you are safe in the knowledge that your bantams are receiving a complete balanced diet and will produce wonderful eggs for you to enjoy. 1 Drug and Hexane free 1 Boosted with Omega 3, vitamins and minerals ree from Artificial Colours I Non-GM ingredients To find out what you've been missing, get our HOLDER FREE FACTSHEET on feeding your bantams or hens. Beer Call us today 01362 822 902 Quote Ref: One 4 BANTAMS Or visit us online www.smaltholderfeed.co.ukEDITOR'S LETTER WELCOME August can be a busy month on the plot with one eye on maintaining still-growing crops and making second or even third sowings and the other on harvesting and making use of gluts We cover all bases in this issue with features ‘on drying produce, cooking with apricots, plums and calabrese as well as sowing salads, green manures and much more. We have been out and about too this month making visits to some wonderful gardens in Norfolk and Hertfordshire and also popping in to Birmingham to visit Gardeners’ World Live where colourful fruit and veg displays such as that of Pennard Plants’ (left) proved to be the highlight of a highly enjoyable show. Organic gardening guru Charles Dowding explains how to maintain paths without turning to weedkillers and Joyce Russell has two features aimed at getting the children involved in the garden during the summer holidays. There are plans for making two simple, but practical scarecrows and a trial of kid's gardening tools — tested, not quite to destruction, by her team of young helpers. Here's to a wonderful summer of gardening (ste sg Steve Ott, editor Contact me at: sott@mortons.co.uk | 01807 529896 Find us at www kitchengarden.co.uk Contact subscriptions: 01807 529520 Follow us at facebook. com/KitchenGardenMag Wy & VAY we TORY BUCKLAND JULIE MOORE JOE MAIDEN. JOYCE RUSSELL EMMARAWLINGS ANDREW TOKELY Afemitartace on | Juleis biodynamic | Nurseryman and Practica gardener doyce | Emma sateen kitchen | Exch morth expert irdeing programmes, | gardening enthusest | broadcaster Joehas | vest ila where she | gardener and tained” | grower Anew brings Tehyhesssobeens | and atoakeen povlvy | grown nitand vegall_ | tendsto asmalholdng | horieuturstand hes | Beginer gardeners is contibutor to KGfor_ | Keeper andforaget in’ | he'lfe and brags wsthe | withhusband Ben and” | beendeputyedtor of | top tps tor rowng s tranyyears. Ths month | thelesue shebrngs usa | Deneftathislnowledge | ther chien The Gtorsevenyears in| popular co, For gist helooks at some untinl | seplerecpeformaking | every monthin KG.in | month onpage 70she | thaisaue she scoves_ | he tums i ateton to fol, rome alicomo "| curownaloholctonle. | thetwehe trne hie | heea fim projct hat wil | the dls of Ahot any, tious a new tathove qucly | omahedgeowhavest | stanton tolaleand | help wleash yourkik’ | Gardeners Wold Live at | feat rowing co, the become fim favours. ‘oroiing brea creative lens Brmingham'sNEC. | saadleave, SAVE ££s: FOR MONEY-SAVING OFFERS & GIVEAWAYS - SEE PAGES 90 & 94 wonahitchengarden.co.k auust 201413CONTENTS VICE © ON THE COVER FOLLOW US AT facebook. ‘com/kitchenGardenMag SUBSCRIBERS’ CORNER ‘This month new subscribers ean receive three Issues for just £3, plus 10 packets of seeds! pe. HAVING TROUBLE FINDING Sty YX cory or mis wacazine? Be Ack your lea newsagent ON sere on cy cachrnonh 4laucust 2014 JOBS THIS MONTH: 6 ON THE VEG PATCH Plant Christmas potatoes, sow overwintering onions, salad crops, courgettes, parsley anc koh! rab, pick apples and plums, 10 IN THE GREENHOUSE Sow beetract, Florence fennel and spring cabboges, harvest chill peppers, tend to squashes, watch out for pests 2 CONTAINER CROPS Feed and harvest tomatoes, contro vine weevil harvest fruit. 413 HOT TOPICS ‘The latest news and comment from the world of kitchen gardening 6 YOUR LETTERS AND TIPS Lear what other KG readers have beon up to and pick up some great firsthand adhice 18 QUESTION TIME Bob Flowerdew and Anne Swithinbank ansner your fut and veg growing conundrums. 02 NEXT MONTH What's in store for your September issue LAST WORD. This month KG reader Barbra Plicher on gardening in later if GET GROWING BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO SALAD LEAVES © ‘Andrew Tokely explains how to grow the fastest crop of all 24 TRIED AND TASTED € This month veg expert Joe Maiden puts poplar varieties of sprouting broccoli and kee through thei paces. ATOOL LESS ORDINARY TV gardener Toby Buckland has been ‘ying out some akernative gardering tools ~ some new and some traitiona. 6 EAT A RAINBOW! ‘The KG team travel to Gardeners’ World Live ‘0 bring you the best fram a very colourful Birmingham show, 40 FROM ONE TO THREE Plotter and gardening writer Ben Vanheems Visits» gordening couple who lovingly tend to three plots in Radlets, Hertfordshice, DEHYDRATE THIS SUMMER [Nick Ledger of UK Juicers has some great top tips to help you make the most of those excess summer harvest. PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS Charles Dowding explains how to keop paths pristine without resorting to weeckllers. avecitchengatden cokANNE'S TOP 10 ‘This month Anne Swithinbank ture her attention to some top walled gardens to visit this summer GET WATER WISE Ben Vanheems suggests some simple techniques to help reduce water use on your allotment or veg plot 60 GROW YOUR OWN SOIL IMPROVER ‘Michael Hodges of Garden Direct explains how to make the most of graen manures, ATOAST TO YOUR ELDERS Biodynamic gardener Julie Moore makes the perfect tipple from that foragers’ favourite ~ {rach eldorborriee KG cooks Gaby Bartal bond Anna Pettigrew cook pa feast using new season apricots, plums and ealabrese LOWDOWN ON...GRAPES Lucy Halliday brings you a potted guide to groming vines. 70 MAKE A SCARECROW Joyce Russel brings you a fun project that the kids wl love to get involved with A PASSION FOR PRODUCE Steve Ott visits a gardonor and chof team at ‘Congham Hall in Norfolk 20 HAVE YOU TRIED....FIGS ‘Our comprehensive guide to growing this delicious fruit. DIARY DATES Pls fll dotalls of soed and young plant suppliers and giveawaye entry form, AUGUST 2014 I WHAT TO BUY © 30 ARE YOU OUR MOST PASSIONATE PLOTTER? Enter our competition and win some great prizes worth over £1300 including 2 Haygrove polytunnel, fruit cage from Harrod Horticultural and a heated propagator. 68 WIN GARDEN FURNITURE WORTH OVER £499 ‘84 PRODUCT REVIEWS Joye Russel’ team of young testers put kid ‘gardening tool through thelr paces ‘88 GROWING GUIDES Helen Gazeley reviews the very best gerdening websites 90 GIVEAWAYS. WORTH OVER £1716 This month you could win gas barbecues, show tickets, lightweight tools, pest protection netting and hanging baskets 92 GARDEN STORE News of the bost new products and services to reach the KG offices thie month, 94 READER SAVERS = SAVE OVER £22! {A tree* blueberty plont worth £9.95 for every reader (just pay ppl, plus save on young plant collections for winter cropping, august 2014 |5JOBS THIS MONTH TASKS TO CARRY OUT ON YOUR PATCH AND UNDER COVER IN AUGUST 10-MINUTE JOBS FOR AUGUST Second early potatoes should be ready to ft during July and August. Ifthe weather i dry water the plants to holp wel the tubers prior to digging. Before lifting the whole row dig the first plant and check thatthe tubers are of good size. If not it may be worth leaving ‘them for another woek PLANT KALE if you sowed some kele seeds in April/May the young slants should be ready to plant around now. (See page 24 for more deta If you didn’t get ‘round to sowing consider ordering some young plants from a specialist oF search for some in your local garden centre Summer varieties of lettuce should be harvested regularly before they bolt (un to eee), Keep thom well watered until reeded to delay ths. Cut every ‘other plant 10 alow those remaining more room to grow and continue to protect them from slugs and other pests TEND TO BEANS Apart from regular harvesting all beans need some attention now. ‘Once the stems of climbers have reached the top of the canes nip out the tips to encourage flowers. Water during dry spells and mist the leavos in the evening to deterred spider ‘mite, Sow dwarf French bbeans in containers fora late crop in October 6lauGust 2014PLANT POTATOES ‘This is the ideal time to plant second eropping potatoes in bags, patio containers or buckets fer harvesting from Octaber onwards. Mast seed) catalogues wll offer @ smell selection of second teary varieties auch a2 Carlingford’, ‘Maris Peer” and Charlotte’, They will crop within about 11 weeks and can be eaten straight away or the tops removed and the tubers stored inthe dry compost until Christmas. Alternatively save some of your own tubers from spring plantings. Plantusing any potting compast —used or fresh growing beg compost i fine, or 2 ml purpose compast. Add §.7.Sem (23h) tothe bottom of the container and place your tubers ‘on top. Cover with anather couple of inches of ‘compost and top up repeatedly a the shoots femerge until the containers full Water and feed regulary and in order to void blight consider moving the pot into a greenhouse, polytunnel or even under # car to reduce the rsk of spores reaching the lea ON THE ~— VEG PATCH MAKE NEW SOWINGS There is stil plenty of time to sow fast growing salads suchas lettuce, pak choi, summer radish and salad leaves for convenient —_/ harvests on the plot or in small gardens. /Auunea Some, such as coloured-eafed lettuce _/ (eq Red Salad Bow!) are atractive enough to grow among lowers in the omamental border Sow in short, shallow dri, watering the ‘baie before covering with dy gil Take precautions againet luge ‘COURGETTES ‘Many crops willbe producing regular harvests now, such as courgattos. Harvest regularly to prolong cropping ‘and to ensure the fruit is young and tender. Feed outdoor and indoor crops lonce a week to maintain vigour and keep up the watering during hot spells to prevent wing and a subsequent check in growth. Regular watering can ‘alzo delay the onset of powdery mildew which nearly always attacks we towards the end of the plant useful life JOBS THIS MONTH Sl ) Sow NOW =) Lettuces, spring onions radish (summer and winter types), leaf beet, land cress, spring ‘cabbage, ofiental cabbage, ‘carrot, enave, sled leaves, kohl ‘abi, autumn onions, spring ‘abbages, salad leaves, turips. (2) PLANT Now ey Ne summer califowers, winter ‘cabbages (erly in month, ae, purple sprouting broecal port PARSLEY Sown now you should obtain some wall: ‘established plants by the winter when they will overwinter safely. Sow this useful herb 3 few seeds to acelin a tray, orn short row in the open ground. Keop the rows/trays well watered during dry spells. Some ofthe cell. raised plants can be diverted to pots for groning on the windowell in winter, the rest of the cop can be planted ut in rows about 20cm (Bin) apart in a sunny, sheltered spot (q@) HARVEST NOW SY Potatoes lettuces radish, spinach, summer eabbages, salad leaves, tomatoes, peppers, ‘aubergines,parsnips (mini roots ‘celery, summer cautflowers, endive. KG TOP TIP Plant young winter cauliflowers for harvesting from February onwards. Make sure the éround is fertile and firm well on planting. Water plants regularly in the early stages. KOHL RABI This fast growing crop should be ready or lifting within 10 weeks if sown now and this is really the last opportunity bofore winter. Hardy variates include the purple "Azure Sta’ (Marshals) Sow thinly in short rows and maintain watering during dry spells to prevent bolting. Use fleece 1 provent damage from ie beetles in the early stages and cover plants from , October to prevent frost damage. MOS 0LIWIL august 2014 |7ME JOBS THIS MONTH EARLY ONIONS Cnions need 2 long growing season to produce the best bulbs ‘and overwintering types can be sown now for eniy harvesting in ‘June next year. Suftable varieties Include the Japanese types such as “Senshyu Yellow’ and ‘Keepwell (Organic gardening Catalogue) ‘Sow thinly in rawe 25em (0n) ‘apart and thn the seedlings 22 they develop until they are approximately 10cm (din) apart. Keep down weeds with regular hoeing. See next month for ‘producing onions from auturnn planted sets. LATE CARROTS Although the main sowing window for carrots ended in June iti til worth sowing a batch of an early (oF stump-rooted variety now for harvesting in November and December. These can either be sown inthe open ground in the sual way or sown into containers land maved int the shelter of an unheated greenhouse, polytunnel fr eld frame when the frosts return. Those sown outside should bbe covered with cloches in (October to provide them with some protection Variaties auch 98 “arly Nantes’ or ‘Adelaide FY (aa) are ideal Many varieties of red and ‘white currant will be ripening this month. Cover with netting to prevent binds from taking the berries, supporting the net up off of the plants wit canes. Summer pruning usually takes place at the end of June, but if you missed this opportunity, trim back new growth now to four op five leaves, BlAUGUsT 2014 TEND TO APPLES “The fest early apples such as ‘Discovery’, “Sunrise, ‘Early Windsor’ and ‘Katy’ wl “art to ripen towards the and of the ‘month. Tey shoul be picked and eaten {rath from the ttee since they don’ store ‘as well as later ripening varieties. ‘Most of us had a bumper yea last year {for apples and other tee fut, zo you may find yield itle thin this season. However, if you are reading this in July and de have lots of fruitlets developing consider thinning the fut in early July after the natural June drop (late June/early July) ‘This involves removing any malformed or damaged fruit fest and then if necessary remove others to leave the bert single fruit in each cluster Pears are thinned to two fruit per cluster. When picking check whether the fruit Is ipe by geatl lifting in the pole of your hand and giving a gontlo twist. fit ‘comes away from the stem eal ite ripe but if not, leave It for afew more days and check again. Avoid bruising by collecting your frutn a canvas or cloth bbag, not @ wicker one unless ined with © towel or similar MORE QUICK JOBS FOR FRUIT GROWERS 1m Once strawberries fish ‘exopping cut back the old growth, taking eae not to demage any new folage which may ready be emerging form the crowns. At the same time remove any mulches used to protect fut cearier inthe summer, Harvest plums a they ripen ‘and support any branches which are drooping under the strain of the developing fruit. Consider hhonging wosp traps in the branches this nsect is becoming a nuisance and clear windfalls and any damaged fruit 10 deter them. Protect low. ‘rowing clusters of ft fom wosps ond birds with netting Summer pruning tre fut such {28 apples and pears helps to keep the growth in chack and ‘encourages the formation of Fut buds. Inthe case of apples this is done around mid-August or ‘when the current season's growth has reached 20em (in long (he length of most sacateurs, 20 use them as 8 guide). Cut bck shoots fram the inain branches to three leaves above the basal cluster ‘of buds. Cut back shoots arising from existing sdeshoots to ‘one lent Leave the others unpruned ENDIVE ‘The bitter leaves of endive can make 2 useful addition to. winter salad. Sow in cel trays orn arow in the open ground. Outside sow seeds thinly 2em (kin) deep in rows 30em (It) apart and ‘hin plants to 30cm (1) port asthe plants grow the thinnings can be used assalad leaves. Blanch the hearts to reduce bitterness: select afew plants at a time tnd Ge genty with string as Pictured below. Harvest 4-6 ‘weeks later when the leaves should be sweeter avecitchengatden cokJOBS THIS MONTH » Keep doors and windows open > Water regularly and damp down, paths on hot days > Feed tomatoes every week while they are in full production > Be vigilant and ‘act as soon as you spot problems > Make sowings for winter crops > Thin lower leaves if necessary to allow air to ciroulate Siero dea Eis Rees IN THE GREENHOUSE WITH JOYCE RUSSELL, IE mnie OTHER SOWINGS Beware! Unless you area serious: Itmoy seom an odd time to 40m pressure of winter cil. Prepare mForence fennel kchiral, hl det, dont be tempted to this vegetable, when earler” the ground by ading sme Swiss chord, and winter bite nto pe fit and chow. The towings we cropping well compost ondsowseed bout | turnpecansilbe sown now ft becomes hotter a pen, cutdcors but arow of beotoot 25cm (in) patina dll om forsomeinteresng winter but the so varity cn ayn townundercover neatly (hin) deop. Reap the ground eating fat fram pant plan and August wil goon to produce moi butnot soggy, Kyou want | m Son afew sping cabhages depending on uhen i testyyoungroots forte toreduce the rake oling ond__now ond sow mare goin harvested: Aways proceed with winter ae at peng Gow decent sized root. newt month, Am for les than caution unl youknow what your Choose shard vr Ike” Many vats wl produce AOplent om aschsouing,”_tlerancea and het sort of ety oltardy, whichis ts kal to several seedings from each nets youhave a daly need. peppers you have rodiced bolt under seed cluster and these should for this vegetable when April the be thinned when comes around: svedlings are afow Sow winter lettuce inches tallto leave | varieties once in July, once the strongest one in August and agai In to grow on at September, and you will get ‘each point staggered crops from Plants should autumn through to spring. ‘grow well Sow rocket, mizuna, i van ite rmibuna, musterd greens, | attention clayton, wintar purslane, | cover the lamb’ lettuce ete. where next few they will gro, for plenty of months, tasty salad pickings avecitchengatden cokJOBS THIS MONTH Hl PROBLEMS TO TAME RAMBLING MONSTERS WATCH OUT FOR Pumpkins de tend to ramble Shoots are quite flexible when can be evicted ence pumpkin THIS MONTH and courgette plants can young and con be routed have ripened: leave fruits on 2 spreadto cover ammetresnide where you want potting bench fr afew weeks, o 2 dire. Both ofthese can The iow of growing fo the favour develops more 18 Grey mould canbe a problem become a problem ina small pumpkins under cover is that fll, but the foliage can go to ina dul damp summer, otf greenhouse. i's a good idea _youwil et decent cropsin the compost heap. plants are grown too lose to.encourage pumpkin shoots August, even fit’ 9 poor If outdoor courgettes are ‘ogethor with poor ventilation, inthe direction of the door so summer outdoors. You can growing wel, remove all ut orn a humid environment. they can head outside, if slso use the male flowers from one from the greenhouse, or Some people mistake tis for necessary, rather then indoor pumpkins to fertiise _polytunnel, and use the space blight on tomato leaves also swamping other plants female owers outside. Plants for other things an August problem), but grey ‘mould wil laok mote raised and furl, Whatever the problem, iv’ safest to remove any leaves ‘that show signs of cisease. Ty not to spread spores while removing and don't add infected leaves directly to the compostheap. Grey moulds can affect fults such 9s ‘ strawberries and cucumbers 2s well as many leaves. on u mn aynie CTHE-COB avi 1m Red spider mite con be present for months in hot dry conditions. f you notice this Sweetcom cobs are ripe when the Climbing Franch beans and pest, thon deal witht (watering sis a the end turn brown and cucumbers can both be ‘techniques, biological controls shrivel Knowing when to pick supported by strings. tc) se t doesn't become a Comes with experience. Plant from Remember to twist the persistent problem, ‘one sowing allripan cobs around stems of cucumbers around Birds wil fly into the the some time and this ves © their supports ond polyunnel to steal ripe grapes. harvesting period of maybe 10 ‘to tie them in: French ‘The simplast way 20 keep them days. My advice ito er onthe side beans will twist and climb cut sto hang netting ever ‘of unipencss forthe fst picking, by themselves, doors and windows, rather than leave the cobs too long Both these plants can {m The caterplr season starts ‘and have them lose sweetness become quite bulky as they in earnest in August and caries Pol a husk back and look at the ‘grow and heavy crope cn into the autumn. Brassias end of «swollen cob. Do the wil pu pressure on sre a favourite, but some kernels look fll nd ripe? Ifyou supports. Check that moths lay eggs on tomato press one with your nail does 2 strings are strong enough plants. Picking the beasts off is rilky fluid come out rather then fond ad en extra strand to tn effective solution: use clear one (unripe) er no fluid at reinforce each one, ifneods loves, or tweozer, to help al overripe)? Break of a kernel be, It's better to do thi, make this 2 more pleasant jo. and eat t ifn doubt, or pick the row than to wait unt 2 1H Slugs vl eat holes in cob, cook and onjoy it. At least string snaps... and i this peppers and aubergines: the you will know then whether to happens, make a rote to foemer seam te heal small leave the others for longer, oF to Use stronger twine, or wire wounds 0 fut grow, but pick and binge! In future supports ‘the latter can rot from the L inside out. wonahltchengarden.co.sk aucust 2014 [11MME JOBS THIS MONTH TOMATOES Pick ripe frit regularly and feed ‘once 3 week with 2 high potash liquid tomate food, Bush toms need no traning other than to remove dead leaves ‘oF damaged branches, but cordon indeterminate types) which are {grown on one long, upright stem will need to have ary sideshoots removed and be tied in to their supports regulrly. I growing coutside on the patio take out the ‘growing point once plants have made four olive good trusses. This concentrates the plant’s cenergias ito ripening existing {tut rather than producing lots of smaller berries that may not ripen before autumn, CONTROL PESTS Various pests may be taking their toll now, Wet weather i ideal for slugs and snail, which can do s0 such damage to container eons: Hyou spot the sign such a= ribbled lasves combined with sime tails, check hiding places Such a under and around the pot for under the plastic of growing bbage and remove any culprits Prevent further intruders by applying 2 ring of barrier glue or copper tape around the pot, or sprinkle afew aimal-riendly lug pellets over the compost. In hot, dry weather aphids, whitefly and ted spider mites are 1 more likely to cause problems ? Treat these with an appropriate insecticide, CONTAINER CROPS OTHER JOBS TEND TO HERBS ‘There is stil time to sow seeds of herbs such as bat, coriander and also to divide mint or take heel cuttings of thyme ond tp cuttings of sage. ‘The lattor are best replaced now and again a8 they tend to become rather woody, CONTROL VINE WEEVIL ‘This isa good time to top up on the nematade- bbazed biologics! control for vine weevils (Nemasys) to reduce potential overwintering populations, Strawberries and blueberries are ‘especially wulnerable. The nematodes are only avaiable via mail order (soe our classified ads {or deta) and should be stored in the fridge Lunt needed. Simply mix with water as directed land water on. Tiss best done twice each year In spring and Ite summer/autura, HARVEST FRUIT CContainersed frult should alzo be cropping well ‘now including tre fruit euch ae cherries, ‘apricots and peaches and soft fruit such as bluoberrios and perpetual strawbortes. Protect these from birds as soon as they start t ripen ‘ond continue to feed ond water regularly For limo-hating bhieberries use rainwater.HOT TOPICS HOT TOPICS NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF GROWING YOUR OWN FRUIT AND VEG LEEDS ALLOTMENTEERS A team of sie volunteers, on ‘behalf ofthe Leeds and District Allotment Gardeners Federation, took a siver medal at Chelsea Flower Show with thei Techno Allotment Garden, This followed many previous successes creating Gemonstration allotment gardens at shows in Yorkshire. The team wore overjayed and extremely proud when awarded 3 siver medal fr their frst, attempt at creating 2 ‘gerden at the ‘world famous image of allotments not only in Leeds but alsa nationwice and ‘even internationally and encourage others to grow their own vegetables with all the benefits ‘growing your own food ean bring. Another aspectoof the garden was ta demonstrate what technica ‘and other innovotions could be creatod quite cheaply to assist with the growing of vegatables and make the vegetable garden a moro effient and very attractive place National Allotment Saciety, \wansport ond printing costs by the gardening show Alotmore Nationa Allotment Garden Trust, ‘and even more forganistion compost from Gro-well, 139 considering ‘wasneeded to Horticultural Supplies, Derbyshire, they were take the Use ofan unheated greenhouse by competing gardento—_Grewnscapes Nurseries, Leeds, and with some Cheleos a wheelbarrow supplied by Ploveys professionally however, which Horticultural Supplies, Doncaster. backed made it quite an _-Phil Gomersal, the Federation ‘onerous tek ‘Assistance was obtained inthe form of insurance cover by the organisations ‘The Federation hoped the gardon would ceate 2 good publicity officer, said the volunteers felt privileged to be ‘even going to Chelsea and regarded it as a holiday, AUSSIE BAND WITH PERMACULTURE MESSAGE ‘Western Australia's Formidable Vegetable Sound System have been described as “ecological electroswing’ busting out energetic speakeasy-styie beste with ukulele and horns They ao send cut an important message about growing your own food and sustainablty. Theis musical activism highlighting some solutions to the probloms on the planet, but dalveted in afun and entertaining ‘oy. The band ate currently on 9 world ‘tour and have recently performed at Glostonbury and there may sill be time to eatch thom at some other ‘dates around the UK. *For mote information log onto ‘ww formidablevagetable.com.au despite being costly and extremely hard work ‘The team are now back home in Yorkshire and reflecting on the ‘many memorable moments and the honour of obtaining asiver ‘medal forthe Leeds and District Gardeners Federation and City of Leeds LEFT The Leeds team: bad row from ‘Gomersll, Gill Walsh, John Dwight. MORE SLUGS? THAT'S ALL WE NEED! ‘Avnow study undertaken by scientists atthe National Museum Wales has discovered shout eight mare species of slugs and atleast three of these may be plant pests. One was ‘asmall potato eating species found on an allotment in Wales bout which itis thought, originated from Bulgaria or Ukraine. More information sw museumvales ack DO YOU HAVE SOME HOT STORIES FOR OUR NEWS PAGES? SEND THEM TO SOTT@MORTONS.CO.UK wonahltchengarden.co.sk AUGUST 2014 |13,Oe OO WIS COULD YOU BETHE NEXTWORLD JAMPION? ‘The fourth annual world Jampionships has ‘been launched to fin the best jam maker on the planet. Artisan jam makers through to sbsolute begimers from sround the world ean tenter and there are plenty of classes to appesl including a class for just men Uammy Man class) and a junior category. For more details {and to enter your jam (bofore August 15} log ‘onto wwwworldjampionships.com WORLD ro worldjampionships.com SUSTAINABLY GROWN PLANTS FOR SALE Gardener's Cottage Plants neat "Newcastle Upon Tyne has spent four years researching tho best way to grow plants in a totally peat free mada and is row launching a business selling sustainably grown perennials and orbs. Plants are grown in special blends of highly fertile ‘Quick Return’ (QR) compost ‘green warte compost, leaf mould and hop manure, all of which are totally peat free and locally sourced. Even the plant pots are recycled making the nursery operation 8 sustainable #8 possible. *For more information visit won. geplans.co.uk Andrew Davenport of Gardeners Cottage Plants has developed a sustainable method of preducing his plant stock. 14 |aucusr 2014 Plantife is urging gardeners to go native and celebrate the Best of British by growing some wild lowers in their gardens. ‘ now website The Widlower Garden has been launched which provides tips from the UKs leading botanical experts who will help show you what grows best and where, Wild flowers and plants are not only beautiful - they are an essential part of our lives. They provide {food for humana and animale and are the basis for many medicine. Without plants, bees, birds, butterfies and other wildlife would nat exist Plantes Botanical Specialist Dr Trevor Dines only grows native wildflowers and plonts in his own garden: "Did you know that many of our garden favourites, like Box, Pasqueflower (pictured) and Welsh poppy are also some of our rarest native plants? Plantie’s Wildflower Garden sim to eolebrate the native lawers we probably already grow, introduce you to a few new ones (anyone fancy a bit of Bogbean with it filly party-gir flowers?) and discover the fascinating stories behind them a8 Bish wild flowers, For more information: ww plantife.org.uk/wilelower garden PRO aSON eS NE ae me ates coer pent nel of experts who willbe pareve retens coe proceso Peers 01704 5 pi vawecitchengatden cokWoodBlocX are like WoodBlocK ve lock is perfect for. kids building blocks Raised Beds for designing and Retaining Walls, creating structures Kerbing in your garden. Seats =, Made from sustainably sourced timber and Soda manufactured in the Highlands of Scotland. nds WoodBiocX can be built on earth, grass or even Corner Boxes hard surfaces tke paving, concrete or tarmac. ‘Low Walls The clever part of WoodBiocx is thatthe blocks * are linked together using our own specially ‘Terracing made dowels and wedges, made from recycled Decking Support plastic. WoodBlacx completely removes the Planters need for any heavy iting, driling, screws or. rails. BlocX can easily be built by anyone. ..and anything ihe, r Visit us ad www.WoodBlocX.co.uk Freephone: 0800 389 1420 Email: admin@WoodBlo: Sem on & ays & Ovapes ¥ Oo a W oO = Co Y oO & PERC or turn to cider! Vigo cles: 01404 892101 wwwwigopresses.co.uk Aucusr 2014 |15YOUO ead RAISED EXPECTATIONS These ate the raised beds on my allotment that I am now trying 28 no dig, no weed! beds. Inthe autumn | spread » mixture of stable manure, seaweed and kitchan waste ovar the sol then cover with membrane. In the spring | burn holes inthe membrane with a blowtorch rather than cutting holes, which shreds it. This system seams to be working well at the ‘moment. Inthe foreground | have broad beans, in the next bed are strawberries and the far beds In the picture ore for squash, courgettes and: runner beans. J Pain, Clevedon, North Somerset HAVE YOUR SAY iN CONTACT US WITH YOUR LETTERS AND TIPS: ERAWLINGS@MORTONS.CO.UK STARRY-EYED Last year | eame across, to my delight, an unusual variation of a forget me-not growing inthe midst af the usuol blue, white ‘and pink plants ‘The same plant has sven me the same flowers again this year Is this a known variety or have! something special? ‘Thank you for such an interesting and informative magazine sdoyce Kiner, Taunton, Somerset Editor says: This looks litle ike the perennial forget*me-not reletve omphelodes “Starry Eyes, Joyce, and plants ofthat variety are quite widely available from companies such 0s Crocus.com However, | cant find an annual myosotis cr forget-me-not with those characteristics go it ‘might be worth collecting some seeds, i possible, ‘and cowing them to eee if t remains bus to type. SEND US YOUR LETTERS - EVERYONE'S A WINNER! BS {obulou range of seeds, young plant and gardening rons. You con get hla of» Send us you tps and pieures, aif your lero published you wl gt 9 £10 Dobos HAIR-RAISER FOR SLUGS ‘Twelve months ago l obtained a reasonably sized allotment. Reclaimed from the fol i had reverted to couch grass and slugs had putin on appearance. However, | have tliscovered that they do not like human hale Contact your local barber, I did and obtainod a black bin-bagful to scatter. My allotment sometimes looks lke the barber’ floor. It doesn't get pinched by birds for nesting, or Blow away. It also lasts as | have ound some after breaking the sol this ‘yeor Oh, andit's free! Roger Chamberlain, Poulton e-Fylde, Lancashire. mall your letters to ‘srawlings@mertons.co.uk Voucher Ifyou ate hcky enough to have yours chosen as ou Sta Letter you wil get 1225 voucher Your voucher willbe sent out ‘rth a Dobie catalogue and you can ‘haowe to spend your wining on a 16 |aucusr 2014 apy af the catalogue now by phoning OBES 701 7625 or go oni to wou dobes cok You can reach us by eter, ermal ove cour Facebook page: FACEBOOK COM/KITCHENGARDENMAG fr post to Lettre, Kitchen Gardon, Mortons Mesia. ‘Group, Media Cente, Morton Way, Horncastle, Uncs tN? OR PERMIT REQUIRED? Do need 2 permitto sell veg on a mal scale? Clecinyn Willams, via email Editor says: Bit of a grey area CCledvyn. My understanding is that you ae allowed to sell your surplus veg from your gete providing the afi (parking noise etd) does not cause Tren wang for a Fl find dha Lam ee SALAD LEAVES GROWING IN CONTAINERS ‘No vegetable plot? Well salad loaves can stil be easily grown ina few cortainers or growing bags on a sunny patio or even in a window box on a sunny boleony. Salad leaves do not make big roots 20 the contsiners can be quite shallow; 15cm (6in) should be sufficient, filled with good multipurpose compost. Before sowing the sed lke to wator the surface of the compost. The sued is then broadcast thinly onto the surface, followed by a ight covering with some dry sieved compost which wil soon Aucusr 2014 |25GET GROWING KALES ON TRIAL ‘have grown keles for many years, ding them a very useful crop. Ths yeer | grew four aifferent types with very diferent leof characteristics: DWARF GREEN CURLED": Ideal for winter greens. Extremely hardy, producing lots of tasty loaves which ar at their best when young (widely avilable, [B 'NERO DI TOSCANA’ Sometimes called palm tree cabbage or Cavolo Nero. ft has long, deeply bistered leaves which ae a vety deep green, almost black colour, hance another name - black kale. (widely available) HARVESTING KALES Kales are est eaten when the leaves ae young and tender, Discard any Lage leaves ealy inthe ‘aon at these become courte and tough. Ta ‘maintain quality pick the leaves regularly. The leaves ae highly nutious and contin lot of ion, Late inthe season when most ofthe lenses have heen eaten young gromth appear ight the ‘way up che stems and this too may he gathered and exten young when they ae almost delicious as the speurs. So you havea double crop. Then sehen the young flwers appear an che I 'REDBOR F1': Deep red, deeply curled leaves carried on tll hardy plants. Highly ornamental and delicious (We Fothergils) “The flowers of kale can be eaten in the same ‘way 25 sprouting broccoli. Delicious! IE 'RED RUSSIAN’ Largo flat avos with ‘soothed edges and a dark purple vein. Very tender and with good flavour. The young leaves can be used raw in salads, (SowSeeds.co.uk, Sarah Rever). HARVESTING BROCCOLI This crop is growing in your garden for along time and Kitchen Garden readers have contacted PEST PROBLEMS Slugs and snails ae most troublesome in the early stages. Apply your favourite form of slug control to combat these. te in the past eo ad when cheie plant re gai to produce some spars. Thy tll me that dhcir planes are enormous and leafy yer chey dont ‘want co perform. Myr answer is aways the same “be patient. Iewill happen and as soon as che time is ight she spears appear very quickly The larger main head will ape ist and cis should be cut befor the lowers open. Then, a umber of aller spears will appear from the Cabbage white caterpilas and mealy cabbage aphids (greently) re two other ‘common pests | spray my crop with Harrod Horticultural, which sells ‘exceptional high-quality fruitiveg ages, is offering a hoawy-duty ‘steel or aluminium walksin cage to be chosen by the winner. The cages come with heavy-duty side and roof netting ‘and a door unit. A height of 2m (ft Tin) This Paratone electte propagator has {2 strong aluminium framed top with safety glazing. The 6OW propagator is thermostatically controlled so will cutoff when the correct temperature has been ‘eached. ea! for starting off young tondor veg plants lavecitchengarden.co ckTHE SPONSORS We are grateful to the sponsors of our competition ths year. HAYGROVE ‘As a commercial fut grower ‘was a natural progression for Haygrove to move into designing YOUR PLOT COMPETITION Mimi HARROD HORTICULTURAL “This company has been producing top- quality garden products for 60 years and is ‘well aca for bringing mew clesigra on te the market. I offers an excellent mall order service ond os well as being renowned for its sturdy fruit and vegetable cages, arches and structures. It aleo sells a huge range of other gardening sundries. More information tel 0845 402 5300 waeharrodhorticulturacom ‘and producing a range of commercial polytunnels to aid frut ‘growing in our inclement weather. It then ‘took the quality design ofits commercial tunnels ond dapted them to smaller competitively priced tunnels for ‘gardeners. More information tel (0845 269 6395; waw.gardentunnels.co.tk HayGrove 0 Garden Mall Great Gardens Online KC COMPETITION QUESTIONNAIRE To enter the competition ploase copy and answer the fllowing questions and send them in to us with your photographs ‘Simply a passion for growing so don't worry if your plot is not perfect or pristine: but we ore looking fore plot wel loved with effort to grow a good varity of crops and good use ofthe space. GARDEN-MALL Gerden-Mallcouk sone ofthe UK's fastest growing online garden supplies stores, offering over 2000 garden product from gerden furniture to propegetion products. EMAIL TO: erawlinge@mortons.co.uk POST TO: Kitchen Garden Passionate Plotter Competition, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Homeaste, Lincs LN® 68 ‘The closing date forthe competition Is September 26, 2014, Judging will commence after thie date and the winnere willbe ‘announced in the December issue. Do you tend your plat on your own, if not who helps you? Do you have an allotment or veg plot in your garden (and approx size)? How long have you been growing veg? What variety of vagetable can you recommend to other kitchen gardeners? Do you grow ary veg in containers, if 0 what and how have they been grown (compost, size of pot, feeding ete)? How do you grow one particular named crop from sowing to harvest? Why are you passionate about your plot? ‘TOP THREE WINNERS ~s. ALSO RECEIVE A. FREE 12-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION TO KG - YOUR FAVOURITE GARDENING READ. Send the answers to the above questions and your ‘photographs to: Kitchen Garden Passionate Plotter ‘Competition, Mortons Mecia Group, Media Cente, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lines LNY 64R or email your rictures and answor to eralinge®@mortons.co.uk 1 We regret that photographs cannot be retumed. of gS Kitchen Se ‘event feof produc nserver ncing sured Sten el niere porns tht we Soom tobe rep to come yo by alpen mgr ena ng eet eet te ar aan ou de nih taro adh oes ‘nae ke bor ot va ters a condom pv wnehltchengarden.co.ukCULTIVATION TOOLS Siti A tool less ordinary We often stick with our traditional cultivation tools but Toby Buckland suggests some alternatives vonder what my great-great great grandfsther "Paddy O’Neale' would make of my spude, He was a navvy who dug ont Birminghamis canal shifting some 20 tons of sil evry day of che week. Hed recognise che design for sate, as spas have hardly changed since they evolked from hand-held versions of agriculeral ploughs and mining rol Lightweighe sailes-stel has been an advance especially for plots with heavy sticky soll bur ite afar that moe of ‘our garden cook are exacy the same as chose that hung in ‘our parents sheds. And its een like that for generations, ‘ven down tothe back-bending shore length of the handles that are a legacy fiom when hand-cols were used i confines ofa coal pt. Maye thie ie because I'm geting alder and my muscle ro weight ratio isin decne (ic comes to us al) or pethaps I'm js getting wiser hue Im beginning to question the wisdom ‘of using cooks cha equir dhe grunt of a navy to us, Going eo India calc this year hat made me keen co explore gardening traditions rom other parts ofthe globe swhere role have developed diferenely and requit less physical efor to se “Toby puts the long handled Azada through Its paces wnudithongarden cok AZADA The Azada fs 2 good example. Resembling ‘ wide-bladed pickaxe ‘that’s los ite upper spe it's used with the some ction as an axe chopping nto the sol to break it up. The long handle enables the weight ofthe blade +10 do the work instead of your back while on hard ground you can angle the head co that t dige with the just sharp corner ofthe blade, ‘An Azada though i’ just for digging, Ifrst came across one while ‘working 2 gardener in Bavaria because my German boss had an almost irrational dislike of Dutch hoes. He dn’ think much ofthe Netherlands anyoay but what was worse i the way the Dutch design forees you to work backwards — and ‘going backwards ‘simply int the “German way “To hoe with an ‘azada youhave to bend quite far orword because its blade is at anear right ‘angle tothe handle and if you don't you end up digging instead of hallow slicing through the top layer of soll. That said the weight ‘makes ight work of tough weede uch asthe viry roots of nettles and even takes brombles init stride. ‘Tho Azada i also a good tool for levelling seedbeds and creating seeds dil for sowing. kot Bost though for working through and softening sol before planting and cearthing-up around the stems of sweetcom and cabbages. SWISS OSCILLATING HOE For hosing there ar bettar designs. The Swiss Oscillating hoe i fantastic {or getting ito the tight corners between established plants os the shoulders above the blade help the tool brush by without damaging plants you'd rather keep. The lfference between it and a conventional fixed blade hoes is thet ‘the horse-shoe shaped blade pivots as t's pushed and pulled through the sol, The movement might be small but combined with the upor-sharp blade it makes 2 big difference acting lke the suspension of 1 cor to lessen the impact of lumps and bumps. The rocking action of the || blade also "uf the sol leaving woods on the surface and erosting ® cdust-mulch f the weather is hot or 3 ‘ith for soning i the ground is mois. | scilating hoo £34.50 and Azadas in various sizes from £18.95-£24.95 plus p&p are ovale fom ‘ww quiekerop.co.uk > AUGUST 2014 |33MEM GET GROWING SWAGE ewes while giving a gardening talkin London that I met Viedimie Kondlatyuk ‘who introduced me ‘to the Ploskorez range cof tls. He told me that ‘thay wore invonted by his Russian uncle back na time when all Soviet men with a modicum of intelligence were trained tether ae chemists or engineers. His tuncle was the latter and in his space ‘ime devieed tools that would reduce effort and mest importantly didn't require any bending down ~ something ‘that he vowed never to do! “The result was the ‘Swage’~ a multi: purpote cultivator with an adjustable hhump-backed stainiss blade for weeding, digging and when used on ‘ool very wll crafted and j) lightweight (07g ~ and you to suit your height via wing ruts that are easily undone with just your fingers. Unlike normal hoes the blade doesn't smash ‘through the top layer of sol but Hts it severing weed roots ast passos beneath the sol surface. This gentle ‘action allows air into the earth (essential, for growth) but also leaves dormant weed seeds safely buried beneath the ‘found, Viaclmi leo explsined that the "shepherds crook’ shape has another function other than allowing the to! to bbruch by crops without damage. Tue to bis grancfather's main objective the {design allows you to hook and hoist weed ile buckets off the ground without bending. (£27.99 plus pp). STORK ‘cultivator that's just the job for weeding and proparing soll its sharp blade working to a depth ‘of up to 15cm (bin) below the ground. As with the ‘Swage it can be used to aerate without churning the soll surface and is lightweight and has an adjustable head that’s so much quicker than ‘rodtionsl Dutch hoes to use. SUPPLIERS 1m verw.qualtygardentools.com for wellamade knives, sips and conventional spades 1m werstobybuckland.com ~ Khurpl triangular trowel £9.99 plus p&p 1m ver ploskoras. co.uk forthe Stork ond Swage 1m verw.quickerop co. for the Azada and Swiss Oscillating Hoe 34 [AUGUST 2014 |) can ater the angle ofthe blade KHURPI The Khu is triangular hand ‘rowel | saw and brought back from India. Unike the ‘mini-me’ spades that are conventional trowel the khurpl is more robust with a chunky angular blade made to tae the strain from your wrist when planting. teanbe Used scoop style ke @ normal trowel although in India| saw gardeners planting by driving the blade vertically into the ground and pulling back to effortlessly create a planting hole ~ ‘technique that’s also the most natural when {gardening in raised beds. The narrow blade and ‘tipped handle also makes light-work of that rormally wrist-breaking job of planting bulbs. avecitchengatden cokBioMol leey tel The alternative to glass f Ror ee orcad ee ud Chillington Traditional Garden Tools The Chillington Range of ro Hoes and Garden Tools can now be purchased on line at; www.Chillingtontoolsonline.co.uk _Orring for a brochure on 01902 826896 Like us on "Jools for the Zreat Gutdoors” Groundiege gardening tools are ightweignt but nesvy-duty tools with Aeauictencnsacn ot Aajse sao uedertectie sala heineaee Fated nominal Wolghl ef 4 ib and ere ct ene plece coneituction, Tough. Tong Rae alisbntekery Nahe sara oraneeeapentniertrasicecmcercaieana Bare the perfect length for raised beds and smaller gardening jobs GroundHog® tools are manufactured by Council Tool in North Carolina, @ family run business established in 1886. All Council Tool products are backed by more than 120 years of quality, reliability and tool-making expertise from one of the oldest forging operations In the United States ft S\N GT-108R18 226.95 GT-10PHIG 426.06) GT-106L98 426.08 Groundilog® ntteriilatesk Groundlege Platiiakash jy Cronndtieg® Gultivateritiatteck A large range of quality American-made outdoor andlgarden tools are available aa onour website or give Us call (Mon-Fri 0,30am to 48pm) to request a price liet Tel: 01827 875343 www.edgedarts.com Aucusr 2014 |35SHOW REPORT Eat a ra ow at Gardeners’ World Live ‘The KG team visit the show at the NEC in Birmingham and discover a wealth of colour from delicious veg to rival any floral display oc sun and brilliant displays were the lasting memories that the KG id Live show (june 12-15) cis year, A welcome erend for using vibrant veg Among the lowers in omamental displays by gardeners and professional designers alike proved ‘withour doubve thar eur humble vg can he every bie as beautifl as they are tasty, BALTI IN A BASKET ‘This ingpied display by President Kennedy School in Birminghem’s year 7-9 pupils contained most of the Ingredients needed to make a first class ‘radtional bat. It was just one of mary entries in the RHS Flower Show Birmingham School Gardening Competition, which tis year had 3 hanging baskets theme. wonahitchengarden.co.sk COLOURFUL EDIBLE DEEICHIES Rosemary with orange calendula and white Alpine strawberries here with blue seabious annual chrysanthemums. ‘make a lovely border edging Those beautiful mixed poppers looked like Sorrel, blood:veined sorrel and hardy cant jollybeans. (Pennard Plants) ‘gotaniums make a delightful display. Feathery bronze fennel with white daisies and Colour etuce with nastrtums, The striking purple persicaria ‘Red Dragon’. inactrtiums themselves are also edible. > aucusr 2014 |37GET GROWING A FEAST FOR SORE EYES ‘The Edlle Patches competition has become a central part of the show in Biemingham end it is always great to see displays from ‘arcinary ‘gordeners like us rather than highly pald ‘ezigners, especially whan they highlight veg, {nis also nice that visitors to the show get to choote the winner. Votes were still being cast atthe time of going to press ‘Ansley Common Allotment Association celebrated 90 years with this lovely display Part of the dazzling display rom Hatsill which was intonded to highlight the healthy Allotment and Garden Society which used a show how veg can be growm ina limited space. style that aloement gardening promates. rainbow as its inspiration (see main picture). _Aliplants were grow using organic principles. A TASTE OF THE EXTRAORDINARY Stalwarts ofthe national shows across the country each year, W Robinson & Son of Lancashire (01524 791210) and Pennard Plants of Somerset (01749 860039) were ‘there with two super displays. Many of the crops on the packed stands wore a litle lass familia, inspiring show-goers to try something new. Mini cucumber White Wonder, new from W Robinson & Son for 2015 Sweet poppet Pe Cre) How about this potfl of ideas. WRobinson shows how lettuce and brasscas can compete with any flowers fora tasty display. Planting lettuce rach (Atiplexhortens. Thisistheredeaved around the rots af brasscas ean also form and can be grown asa nombolting help prevent damage by cabbage root fy. spinach substitute. (Pannard Plants) 38 [AUGUST 2014IN THE PINK Students from the Brackenhurst campus ‘of Nottingham Trent University were at ‘the show to promote the Horticulture Outreach Project (HOP). This aims to bridge the ‘green skill’ gop by encouraging young pecplete learn basic Gardening skis ondimaybe evento. | considera career in horticulture, Pictured are Stephanie Leljnse and Eleanor Martian who helped build the display and were there to hare their massive ‘enthusiasm for a career in horticulture. THE Grggest DECORATIVE METAL WORK & IRONMONGERY RY S(O). ead Sommer eatin PREMIER (a (Lea C7, (A081 Aee cence ee Aucusr 2014 |39When Maureen and Stuart Thorne embarked on their allotment journey 42 years ago they never imagined it would blossom into the glory seen today. Benedict Vanheems s travelled to Hertfordshire to meet them. >GET GROWING PREVIOUS PAGES: The vegetable beds include beetroot ‘Boltardy’ carrot ‘mesistafly’ (protected with home-made netting), caleriac Monarch’ and fennel ‘Sit OVE: Apple “Elizon’s Orange’ ABOVE RIGHT: Maureen ‘and Stusrt Thorne, allotment holders onsite for 42 years. BELOW: An overview of the tree plots. sutcen Toone aheays ad an interest in gptdening thanks to her mother and _grandtather the decision ro rake on 3 plot athe local lloemene fed in Rudess, Herefordshire, wasnt a difficul one. Fast foward and 42 years ate, and Maureen has expanded her growing efforts ‘wish che help of hushand Stare vo incorporate chee plo cach approximately 45x15m (15055080) in area “The fie por was quite daunting bs ie wae something ‘we fele wo wanted to give cr,” explains Maureen, “We had the fies ploc for 15 years before taking onthe others in stages ax chey were vacated, mainly to sop che weeds neroaching on to out original plot.” Despite having plemy of plas from which to choose chy selected thir fist plot = tangle of perennial weeds ~ frie proximity tothe allotment water system and its unsaded, ntl position ‘With gradual improvement of the soil and pleny of igh, Maureen and Stuart are now enjoying the rewards of cis ‘wise initial decision, THREE'S COMPANY The three plot st side by side wih che original plo in the middle, This poe ha large fai age stocked wih redcunrants, blackcurrant and a gooseberry among other fruits. Ar the front ofthis cage are some blicherciex planted suraight ino ground that’s heen heavily improved wich ericaecous mix and pest. To keep che soil acide che plants ane rgulaly fed witha standard ercaceous fei To the tear of chis pl is where che bulk ofthe vegetables a 3 os iS ( > SF ‘The lefehand plo is home to Maurcens main passion, dahlias, which tke up around three-quarters of the space ‘There are also well-established honeyberries (an edible variety ofhoneysuekle), blackberries and a ow of Fambuncious dhubarb. The right-hand plo stated of life as a lower garden for Sauate’s hess, which have since been relocated ca their enen dedicated space adjacent to the allotment fel. The plot sill oes a wide variery of beetriendly flowers along with a herb girden, apples and espaiered fui res such 25, pear Conference BUILDING BOOM The fis cing tha strike visitor coche allotment site is the somewhat imposing scaffolding structures looming ‘overhead. These ae for Mautceis dahlias: “When {seared _growring dablins seriously for showing [had a make sre the flawers were covered to keep them pristine. The Framework needed to be very sturdy to suppore the trong ‘cover. In the event my husband had a customer who was in the building rade and knew where co get hold of alot af scaffolding” Alice secking permision from the council dhe framework was erected aver the lower three-quarters of 0 ‘of the plots, though today Maureen’ dahlias rescaled brck to one plot. "The covers ate set in positon as soon a the dalias begin blooming up unel they’ are cut ~ for st eo cight weeks fiom mid-August. Seurdy shoot of Monollex with integral strengthening nylon ae individually fixed down using 8 syst of strings and toggles. Thoyve lasted more than 20,yar, surviving repeated batterings from the weather to ‘Maureen a string of rational and local award, Recently added planks around the growing bed allow for cas surimming and cutting ofthe gras paths. They also retain the soil, which ges fractionally higher every yearas more organic matter is added. DAHLIA QUEEN asen has njoysdconsidele succes wth he hls having started ftom humble bginings ging afew plains Fr cn lowers" entered hrs Moors ine the Toe! Rade Horiulral Scr Show and vas surprised {0 ake fine prizSo Tarte growing afew more encing tore local shows and winning que. 1oined the Hayes Chysanemurn and Dalia Sexe once youte with people growing for how pes rane eel ; “The dilias are grow fom mers seve fom che previous eason, Thee IS PO aegrownoninaheucdgenbowewo TE poduc shoot fom whih eins ae fokenin about March, Alter wotng nd poring up they ae paced into a Cold fame to harden off edly for 1ST A planting out inte prepared pound The Stems analy suppor hy a cane and then alg wie flame thasseched over the rows and padualy raed up she plans grow tlle Depending on the eype a dala bing grown and che final loom sz equied plants willbe opped (pinched cone) one or mote esp enenrage them fo Branch nd make more seshoots and owes, Giants ight only thre neo or three Blooms per plan wie miners wll ave conddeably moe, The combination of sopping and ‘The tvee-bin compost setup made from recycled pallets wonahltchengarden.co.sk dicbudding to remave exces flower buds isa fine art. “You reed to ene the variety and eype af dala you're growing and the size of bloom you are atten” explains Maureen, A the end ofthe season foliage i left ta die back down, before the tubers are lifted, dried and dusted wich sulphur ready for storing. “ usually sone them upside down on the greenhouse bench or flor. ts impottane dhey are hep Frost fre SQUASH MIX Another of Maureeis passions are squashes, Clase pumpkins such as Atlantic Giane and ‘Jack o' Lanter rub shoulders with more unusual specimens, inchuding whac | took co be a watermelon but cured out to be a ‘Chinese winter squash. “They produce very prolifically” Masteen tells me. “I got 15 From : ‘single plant ast year and they are just so large, weighing berween Skg and kg” ‘Grovin as something of «novel the T squashes are by Maurceis own admission, nor the asticee but at prized by a local Chinese lady who cakes them for eucing TD up into clear soups where they abeorh the favour and offer welcome texture “The torpedo-chaped Pink Banan’ squash also caughe my ee. This sometimes garyancuan squash isan exceptional stort, lasting well into che following spring, “Crown Prince is another favourite varity with ts silvery grey skin and ety flesh. [start the squashes off early under protection then place a protecting frame around them ar planting at sme. If ei bi hilly you need to protct them lle to ge ther realy going” ‘thor tender toppers include sweetcorn Lark a tendetsweec variety with excllen cold voleranes, and blighe-resistane tomatocs such as “Feline “T do spray with Bordeaux mixture to guard agains blight otherwise you run che risk of losing the loc* New to Maurcen ist summer ws the British climate-frindly variety ‘Orkados it performed well and cropped early as promised MUCKY BUSINESS All of cis bounty is possible chans co a combination of muck and sea liale magic. Maureen practises a seit crop rotation, dividing hor vegetable arc into thee sections to ‘row for example, oor crops on sil char was manured fr 4 previous crop such ax heans of cahbages ‘Compost bine are dotted about the allotments, including a chnee-hin setup made from ald pales at the end of one > National ‘and local championship winner Maureen Thorne ‘deadheading dahlia, flower stems Small, decorative flower heads of dahlia "Rossendale Luke’ ‘Squash Pine Banana’ grows Up through the netting. Flower head of mina ‘somi-cactus type dala Hapet Ideal AUGUST 2014 |43GET GROWING ‘ABOVE: Checking to see ‘whether the sweetcorn “Lark is ripe fr picking. ABOVE RIGHT: Kae protected from birds and ‘other pests with secured netting. ace flowerp tennis balls o tops of ean support netting on ‘canes or posts. This also avoids spiking eyes. Clothes pegs f Make for excellent net clips. 44 |aucust 2014 of che plots ‘Dalek-syle plastic compose bins are positioned For convenicnos for wcedng and ening. The ehrec-bin system takes cate ofthe bulky material ~dahlie, grass ‘uttinge and soon ~ with one bin apen fr filling, another macuring and 2 third offering up is rich, mature compos "The Thornes use plenty of horse mane fron lacs supplits. This is stored in a uly eapacious corrugated inon-sided heap and lef to mature over several yeas so is beautifully fable on use, "There are abour 40 trilerloads in the heap which would last us theceo four years ic ‘werene topped up” Maureen describes the soil ashungey’ with gravelly, singly material jst «spit or wa down, But with fur decades worth of culevation the sil snow well-drained and loamy with few stones hindering the likes of carrots or parsnips, BUSY BEES “Much ofthe plot success must also be dawn eo Stuarts bees, which help to keep pollination levels healthy throughout che allotment fl. “One of ee lloement holders wes so pleased because he had the hex crop of broad beans hel ever had ~the bees were all ver them,” says Maureen. “Theyre very good for fruit tees and ors of other things we have. We also try to encourage bumblebees ‘which do alot of pollination roa” The orignal be plot is chock fll of eit, with freestanding apples such a Bramley’ Seeding’ and che heautifilly bhashed erieage varity ‘Elisons Orange’ plas 2 new phim that's yer to fruit. The esplier pare wore hough as double U cordons for esining into the immaculate ‘specimens seen coday. A shit of lavender ensutes that once the toes have finished blossoming there are further bee fiiendly creas co come. VISITING THE RADLETT ALLOTMENTS The Radlett Allotments are taking a rest from the National Gardens Scheme this year but should be ‘throwing apan the gates to the public next summer. Visit the website wurw.ngs.org.k for farther detalls nearer the time, Prize-winning cabbages ae protected under netting. COMMUNITY SPIRITED ‘The RadleeAlloements community area gregarious bunch, ‘opening dei plot co dhe public for che pas wo years under the National Gardens Scheme o great sucoes. “Weve also introduced a seri of mini plots, or quarter plots, which have proved very popular with those who cane manage fll ‘one. Families and older poole ~ i rings in more faces” Tes incvtable chat afer so many yeare Maroon and Sart have gone from newbies secking advice to the ones dispensing it. “When we were up here in the esl years there wercall chee old allotmens holders ~ the old regulars and knowledgeable chaps who we gleaned a lac of knowledge from,” explains Maurcen. “Forty to years ot ‘wee now the oldies Pm afiaid! Ye if there’ one thing chat allotments certainly manage, its keeping their owners young acheare, With buckets of enchusasm and hold plans forthe ‘oming yeas the Thornes ae certainly managing that vawecitchengatden cokPRESERVING Si A great way to preserve some of your excess produce is to dry it and there are some great drying machines available to help. Nick Ledger from UK Juicers has some timely advice | D cydrator ate becoming the new must-have gadget for modern, healthy kiechens. Sucesflly shaking off their image aa specialist machine nsed by intrepid arctic ‘explorers, extzeme hackpackers and raw foodies, now dehydraeors ae caching the eye of ‘everyday consumers including keen gardeners and allarmenc awners. p WHY DRY? A peat way t preserve some of your excess produce isto dry ie and there are some great drying (or dehydrating) machines avallable to hhalp you do his in simple steps Anything chat contains moisture and is edible ‘ean be dehydrated. From rice and pasta ro tomatoes and grapes, the lis sends, This is [reat news for keen gardeners and slloemene ‘oveners heeause everything in the plot can he preserved, matraly and without che need for nasty additives and preservatives, START PRESERVING Preparing praduce for preserving i very straightforward, Fruit is washed, pitted, sliced and treated with either ascorbic acid or lemon juice co prevent discolouration, Vegetables > AUGUST 2014 |45MEN GET GROWING Some veg is best blanched by boiling for 2 couple of minutes before drying. are eoated slightly diferently because chey dant have the nawraly high acidic and sugar levels of frit and ate therefore les able to prevent certain cenaymes from depleting colour and Mavous. To counteract dis, most vegetables have to be blanched before dehydrating. Hovrever, others, such a leafy greens, ‘mushrooms, onions and peppers donit require this, ‘Check your fui and vegetable categories carefully because remember tomatoes atc botaniclly considered ¢ Fri Fi ‘Once the produce has been prepared and sliced evenly, ii lid ‘oucon ways and placed in the dehydrator and Healthy snack bars can be made using ered fut. 46 |Aucust 2014 EREL Slices of tomatoes are placed on the drying tray reed to be placa in a dehydeator. the temperature selected, The heating lement warms che at while a fan distributes it evenly across the cays This process draws moisture out ofthe sw produce gendy, preventing ‘valuable enzyines and nutrients fram boeing destroyed By removing all the moire in this way, bacteria, yeast and mol cannot grows enabling the produce co be preserved. The lngeh ofthis preservation is determined by LY four main factors temperature light, moisture and osygen. Keeping itsme ss ‘cool and dark as posible wil ‘extend the length of preservation, as willsicand water tight container. CONDITIONING THE PRODUCE Before sealing the dehydrated rarer for storage it goes through a candicioning phase, which involves i being placed ina jar oF ‘other container for 7-10 days, which ic chen shaken on a daily basis to proven the contents sticking. The process ensues that any remmants of moiseute ate distributed evenly herween all the die pisces. If condensation ‘occu during this me, the ‘contents will have to be dehydrated again vo ensure all the moiecue is removed SEAL AND STORE Aer the conditioning sage the produce chen has to be stored init and watertight containers Al GRAS aay of the ait has| to be removed From che ccontsiner and one ofthe sfese and quickest ‘ways to do dis it using a vacuum sealer These scaleesremave the ait and immediately sea ic all in one sep, Healthy gadgets specialise vworwaikjuicentcom recommends the Eifel Fresherpack modes. I stored property some item ach ae pogo alee and rice can e stoned for many years with no problems, Everyday item such as fruit and vegetables can be anything from one month co one year There are many advancages to preserving by dehydrating; cher eno requirement for freezing soit daca take up valuable space or require further electricity e9 maintain its preservation, Dehydrated food alo becomes smaller and lighter, educing scorage space. Typically 2015 (kg) of apples becomes 2b (09k) of dried Teuic while 2b (hg) of juiey tomatoes will dchydrate to juse Mlb (0.3kg). This ‘makes aun harvests 0 Imuich exsie and provides an all-year-round supply. ‘When i comes to using dehydrated food some off can be used dlteedy in recipes, others vvll quite soaking in water before being cooked, “This shold he done in the fridge to prevent che grow of bacteria, Once re hnydrated produce can be cooked in the water ic was staked in though some of the more adventurous types ave ted wing oner Pid such sre hice or tack for netics Place dried fruit ‘and veg ina sealed jor vawecitchengatden cokCHOOSING A DEHYDRATOR Before choosing a dehydrator i is good practice to do some research to ensure you have the features that fit your requirements. ‘Thete are wo main types of madels: horizontal and stacked dryers. Both have advantages and disadvantages. The stacked cohydrators are usualy cheaper and smaller so can be a very good choice for people starting éehycrating forthe fst time. Drying space ie increased easly by stacking mare trays on top cof each other. A heating element stunted at the bottom of the dehydrator heats up the air, while the fan pushes it upwards. Because the heat i drawn up from the bottom, stacked dehydrators have a hole in the middla ofthe trays to allow the air to circulate, Cheaper stacking models on the market may algo need trays to change their STOKLI DEHYDRATOR WITHOUT TIMER. PRICE £119. postion inthe stack to ensure even heat ietribution and therefore require fairly regulae monitoring, Horizantal dehydrators iff from stacked in that heat is drawn from the ‘machines rear, creating even drying over alltrays. Alo, because they don’t have a ‘central hole lke the tacking types, nor stick sheets can be laid out ever the whole tray to make fruit leathers. Although horizontal dehydrators are less flexible in size, because oftheir box. ‘construction, the trays fitted in side (usually ‘between § and 10 depending on the mode! chosen) can be removed to allow larger items to be dried inside the oven. The Link multiple water buts up to save more rainwater. WATER SAVING i HEAVEN SENT ‘The average UK roof callacts upwards of 25,000 lites of rsinweter per your, ot about 130 standard water butts worth ‘That's alot of water. You can work out the exact potential of your roof using a simple bit of mathe Start by multiplying ‘the area footprint) of your roof by the average annual rainfall in your locality to {get the gross volume of rainwater that lands on your roof each yeor. Youll need ‘0 account for water loss from ‘evaporation, s0 multiply ths figure by 0.75 to get a more realistic figure of the ret volume that wll end up collected. es Make use of» house and shed roof to collect rainwater in water butts AUGUST 2014 |55MEM GET GROWING Tite water in the morning before Work so crops can dry off before nightfall Seedlings will need watering ‘oro regularly until they sre established, ‘Thoroughly pudele into postion module-aised or transplanted crops. Different crope have different moisture demands. Water accordingly ‘Apply plenty of organic rmatter to your soil, no matter what type it Sow seeds into prewatered dls during dry weather. bores the water can then drain to che roots aca ‘more leiauely pace rather than sunning straight off dhe surface. WATERING CORRECTLY “The best rime ro water is in the shen the soils sill cool From the addition of equally cool water wore check growth. This also allows any lingering moisture {to evaporate off before nightal reducing the chance of fungal infections and the ver-present thteat of shige and ena. Ifyou done have rime in the morning then watering during the cvening i proterable to watering during the day ‘when hatshsuashine will al-too-quickly wide away the moistute before is hada chance wo ‘male an impact. “Apply water carefully, Aim your watering can atthe baw of the plant, not the leaves, nd remove the rose so that che water Bove can be clineted exactly where is needed STORING WATER ‘Cleary che more rainwater you can store, che es you will have to ry on precious mains water and the happier your plant will ulkimatly be. Water ‘buces stare fom a itl s £20 wich space-siving design avaiable ro hg close ro the wall rather than balloon out like eadtional buts, naling 56 [AUGUST 2014 them is simply a mater of plumbing neo a dlawnpipe using a connect, Furcher water butes ‘can be added to cca a series of water tors, TE you wane to gee reslyeerous about storing rainwater then consider an intermediate hull container with capacives upwards of 1000 lites, Second-hand containers complete swith fed eaps are available online fom around £655 (ry DY Containers 01978 844504, vwowwd\containerscouk). Consider painting the ‘exterior ofthe container black to prevent ig penetrating the rane and eneauiraging algae ro grow. These larger containers are Meal on sllormentsor for larger kitchen gatdens where a reliable volume of on-sice water for ivigation A half yay solution are the blue barrele available fom catects or water bute specialists, Eary to clean out and cost fective (or even fre) they'e great on the side of a shed Given allie planning youl soon sar to chip away at your use of eeated tap water though a combination of sil improvement, targeted watering and by storing 2s much of the good stuf chat falls fiom che sky a yu able A ite effort now wil sive you time and effort Iseer on —and your fri and veg wil love you for ic i ore ces peer caren te The following varieties ae examples of vegetables recommended by the RHS ae drought tolerant, ‘lack Enorma’ “Blankoma’ "Kojac "Orinoco! “asta Pore srev ry Reclh ‘Zlata' i one example of many drought resistant varieties. avecitchengatden cokwww.GreenhouseSensation.co.uk TREAT A LOVED ONE THIS SUMMER Coa TT SB Co et ha: [CHEN GARDEN 1 Turn to Pages 28-29 = a TaN ne eee ee Re na ee ue ead Seen eon) ae an aise una ed ree tere ora ; ‘compact cotta Cec ote a Cece and gauge UV stable plastic. SEC eo Ce aed Fast flow drain tubes with Integral tops fl walgring cons oe ted eee ie 4 5 BACK 2 TER (8 Rainwater Terrace filin the form below and | fe ree ence ocrecus poysve| fame TenezT™ Te129.00 to (design 4 plastics Ud.) *) Rieeiarane: |p [eaeno Cis ny re pe eT TT Drenerarmentyace | [ue £129.00 ihrer rere mma eI SEND To: |(200titre) evaon Design 4 rast i enor er ‘Unit 402, Birch Park. |:200titre) BLACK 172.00 Steet the Ach Ee, ra Wetherby, West Yorkshire, [PRICE INCLUD Gane Name Address Aucusr 2014 |57MEM ADVERTISING FEATURE ark gon ens pra i ig ‘vice he bm cecr menue sndinpls hes Iminrl weer sorte available such at on the allotment. They are {fe by gravity and you can ute water from any source to irigate your plants. This could include harvested rainwater, or any water thar’ quite ‘loudy’."This makes them grea fr the eco- friendly gardener or anyone trying to save on their water bills, FEATURES: “The prime feature of Tank Fe erigation kits the unique Squeere Me" Emiter (the water fourlee at the end ofthe system) which has been os < FED inR\C™ nee gravity * The unique 7 Tank Fed SqueezeMe Emitter waterin Tank Fed Irrigation supplies gravity fed drip irrigation kits to water a whole range of plants HOW MUCH: Tank Fed Irrigation kits are available in range of sizes, The smallest kic~the 10 Plane Drip, Kit (£34.99) ~is designed co itrigate roughly 10 diferent eypes of plans. The 30 Plant Drip Kir (£89.99) ierigaes roughly 30 dilferent plants, And the 60 Shrub Drip Ki (£299.99) «an irrigate roughly 60 much lager eres, shrubs, and vines, How: A Tank Fed Itigaion kc comes with everything ‘you nced t set up your gravity fed system, apart, from a eaer bce. You can use any core af water htt or tank available so long asf an support large amounts of water and can he elevated. A larger an capacity generally will mean chat you done need to refill your can as often. The kits ‘only require a small amounc of maintenance in ‘order to work: the user needs ro make sre that the tank s topped up most probably every day ‘or nwo; to give the «trainer 3 quick clean ance in awhile; and alo to squceve the emiters ‘occasionally to flush them on, The usr can levace dhe water bute co a heighe dha suits them ~ we recommend heawcen 0.2 and Im CONTACT: WWW.TANKFEDIRRIGATION.COM @WEAREIRRIGATION BENEFITS: Overall, the benefits of the kits are: 1 They do not block ike other kits using high filtered water and can be cleared cof debris wth a simple squeeze ofthe SqueezeMe™ Emitters when needed No need for electricity or mains-fed ‘water supplies, Can be used to tigate water hungry plants alongside less thirsty ones. Suitable for use during » hosepipe ban. Long lasting 10 10 years. servicwable life of up Con be adapted and built upon at any time, 1 Manufactured in Britain tothe highest quality standards, 01482 223326 wukitchengardan cok—o Ve us Ve hae ee ads = ail ayy a a TT ee e 3 Py jgation H=~ rigation F Cs nied ge our Drip Ir ‘ eee S qu eS ¢ 4 Why not try one of our kits? Your plants will love you for it!soil @ prover Green manure crops can really improve your plot and your crops. Michael Hedges explains their benefits and suggests the right ones for your patch fom ‘greon manure’ o the initiated and the frst image tha people conjure is something, rather smelly chat you would not want eo step in. Bue noching could be further from the euth, Ifyou take a step back and ask ‘wha the basi rw materials of animal mantre ate, the answer i, of course, plant materi Teiscomposed of pas, clover, cereals and roots that have used sunlight, nustients fom dhe soil and fixed nitogen fom thea, and are powerful ‘enough to sustain animals weighing hundreds of falas. Green manures are plans that cue ou the middle-man, or mote precisely the midllecom Growing gren manure isan eaey and fective way to add vital organic matter and nutrients tothe soil ~ anywhere inthe garden or anallotment, Whenever there going to bean cempay space for six weeks oF mote, sowing a ‘geen manure is a good idea. “There ata nunaber of plans to sui diffrene situations, such athe time oF year orto Fit into a specifi pace ina crop rotation. They will ‘germinate and grow relatively quickly, suppressing weeds, providing cover for betes and other pes ‘ating creatures and preventing nutients being washed into the subsoil by ain. LEFT: Phacelia is eut down and dug in before ‘lowers but leave afew around the edge to flower to attract lots of bees. ABOVE INSET: Michael Hedges is MD of The ‘Organic Gardening Catalogue, a joint venture ‘betwoon Chase Organics Lie and Garden Organic, Europe's leading orgenie gardening organisation. avecitchengatden cokee eee ALFALFA (LUCERNE) (MEDICAGO SATIVA) Sow Apr-July. The leaves ae rich in calcium and the major oloments. Alfa ks very deep rooting and will bring trace ‘laments to the surface. It ean be eut and AUGUST 2014 |61MM GET GROWING "The rors improve soil srucrre, parsicuaey on Iheay soils and when the groen manure plans are dug back into the sol they deexyto release their ‘nuaients For whatever you plane next You can still tue green manures with ane dig'sytem as planes can be hoed off or killed with a mulch. Aucuma, sown, foe tender varictice wil di bad ever winter, leaving protective cover of dead foliage ‘Groen manure planes ae divided into two groups, nitrogen fixers and nitrogen lifters. N fixers cam absorb nitrogen from the ae through the action of bacteria chat lve in thie root systems. N fers absorb surplus sol nuesiens so they are noe wasbed away by rain, The Green ‘Manes ata Glance tale Below shows which ae in cach category Asywell sv adding structure and nutrients eo the sol, groom manures will simulate the activity ‘of benelcial micro-organisms which are essential fora heal, living si. ‘Added wll dese benefits, many green ‘manure plants will also look attractive and vibrant in an otherwise empy space, so rally, what’ ot co ike? I Diglin green manores before they mature. CLOVERS “These make excellent green manures too. Sow April August. For maximum bono, (row perennial varieties fora year or mote. Cut occasionally to promote fresh growth, use cuttings as a mulch. Clover is tlio very attractive to bees and other pollinators, Cut back after fowering to encourage new growth MALSIKE CLOVER (TRIFOLIUM HYBRIDUM) Grows on a wide range of sols, including poor acid and wet. Red/pink flowers. It fan also withstand hot and cold temperatures. (HP) CRIMSON CLOVER (TRIFOLIUM INCARNATUM) ‘Annual clover. Sow Apri-September, Waed smothering foliage and stunning flowers Good for ne-dig a dies back naturally. It prefers wall drained sol. (HHA) GREEN MANURES AT A GLANCE 62 |AucusT 2014 (TRIFOLIUM RESUPINATUM) ‘Another annual ype for short medium term se, Sow ApribMay or September it wil grow well on slightly acidic and lay sols, and tolerates poor drainage. (HA) mRED CLOVER (RIFOLIUM PRATENSE) This does bos in good loamy sels, and will establish in more shaded areas. (HP) WHITE cLoveR (TRIFOLIUM REPENS) ‘A.good cholee for strong growth to suppress weeds and produce large amounts of organic matter. (HP) MWILD WHITE CLOVER (TRIFOLIUM REPENS) Alow growing, smaller leaved white dover Can grew between rows of veg. (HP) WHERE TO BUY ‘The Organic Gardening catalogue sella range ‘of green manures and also a booklet ~ Garden (Organics guide to Green Manures. For more Information go to ww OrganicCatalogue.com ‘There are other suppliers 100 incuding many of the vegetable seed companias for details turn to page 97. IEE READER OFFER The Organic Gardening Catalogue ie offering KG readers two packets oftheir ‘green manure seeds for ONLY £2.95 ~ ‘that’s lees than half price, “The seeds are crimson clover (112g ppock) and phacelia (100g pack) for ONLY £2.98' for both, The usual catalogue price for these s £4.85, ‘To order your half price green manure ceeds phone 01982 253646 and quote code: CRIMSON’ when ordering or buy ‘online and enter the word ‘CRIMSON prior to basket checkout at ‘wow OrganleCatalogue.com “NOTE: Plus £150 pap. avecitchengatden cok‘The recent craze for foraging has brought this ancient pastime to a new generation, but whether you are an enthusiastic forager or not, you'll love Julie Moore's tips for making a tasty tipple wonuhltchengarden.co.ck a toast to your elders T: baegiing of sumer i herald by the fret appearance of the creamy-ahite, highly scented sprays of flowers ofthe elder (Sarebucts nigra) in che hedgerows. While many fo ‘eagerly gather the Dowers co make such delights ss clderllower wine and che créme dela creme Foraging dessere,clderflawerfricrs, ie would be 44ctime not to leave behind same flowers an the trees to mature into hentifl lack hers for late summer and aucumn pickings, Heavy sprays of purple- black beries seemingly ‘weigh down whole hedgerows In August and September, Although the der scems a generous gift frm Mather Naar, having so many clinary and bead uses forthe Forage, his unattractive scr shtuby re has al mage THE MAGIC OF THE ELDER TREE de spol, growing fom cuttings and rejuvenating itself fram shoots a is base. Tea power symbol a the ee of ifs death and rebieth, Inthe Celtic lunar calendar, > AUGUST 2014 |63Eldorberries ar rich in favoncids, ‘anthocyanines and heaps of vitamin C. 64 |Aucust 2014 bec and bark Early fall aes tll of ‘were hung in doorways ‘oF houscs and od yourslFom a one-w ‘world with no way of kitchenPREPARING / ELDERBERRIES It’s easier to harvest sprays of tlderberriee rather than picking individual fruit. Wash and drain the sprays of elderberries. As the stalks are mildly toxi, separate them from the berries using a fork or your hands. es handy surprising chen cha the Chatian crutch ‘demonized’ the elder ase did many of ‘the magical plante used by the Druide and other pagans. ‘Asa giver of medicine, every pare ofthe ese thas been used a onetime or another: bal, ‘buds, Masers, eaves, green and ripe bettie, root and pith, Today, elder sil plays an importane tole in herbal medicine, che lowers and erties boeing the most widely sed A RICH AUTUMN HARVEST Elderberries ually ripen during August and September; he heavy sprays of purple-blck betrce seemingly weighing down whole hedgerows. This amating annual glut is often ‘overlooked nowadays, peshape because of the tarines ofthe berries i nibbled fresh fom "The bers ar anthocyanins, vitamins A and Band conesin heaps of vitamin C, Eldetberry i used frie andoxidane powers to lower cholestrol, imprewe vision and hear health and boost the immune system. And, of course, there are many culinary tier forthe betes including jams, puddings and pics, stces, vinegars, wine an liq, Elder as a hab of growing almost anywhere ‘where humans have been, Youll find the wee on wasteland and common lands, in woods, along, ‘lay embankments and hedgerows, in churchyards and near abandoned buildings. Even if you ive in an arb area, you can ail find an ich in flavonoids clder and benefit from its magia power. Look forthe erry sthite sprays of owes in the summer note the tee and return late in che year wharves hose wonder pe betes ‘As you gather the huge sprays of purple-black berries, give thanks to che Eder Trce Mother and perhaps when you sip your warming rich Tiques during the long winter months, you to0 ws el the magi, I wonahltchengarden.co.sk ELDERBERRIES Sm CREDIENT: 1 500m (1741 oz} vodka - (Makes just Rind of half lemon T ‘over one litre) -SO0mI (17H 2) ) Y 500g (1802) red wine ripe elderberres, 350g (1202) suger stalks removed corto tarte ‘Add the elderberris and then the ‘vodka and seal the bottle Put the lemon tind in a large sterlised glass jr or bottle with @ good se. ea ] ‘Aftar three months hest the rec Wine in a saucepan. Add the suger and sie Lunt dissolved. Take off the heat to coal. Leave the jar ina dark cupboard for about three months, shaking the contents occasional 4 ‘a x Put the bottles in @ cool, dark ‘cupboard and leave for another couple of ‘months, shaking once a week. The flavours will infuse and improve with age ~ Hf you ‘can wait that long! Strain the elderbortes through @ fine sive of coffe fier, mashing the berries ‘to get the last ofthe juices out. Mix the strained eldecbery vorka withthe cooled red wine and bottle into sterlzed glaze bottles. AUGUST 2014 |65a Grave Grapes provide beautiful ornament, will fit in to as much or as little space as you like and fruit to boot! Gardening expert Lucy Halliday explains hen choosing grape bear ia tha chee ate eo asic eyes, dessee and wine grapes. Wine grapes are generally hardier and can also make super preserves and cordial They have generally smaller fruits, mote pips and lower sugar oncenc than desicet grapes, Dessert grapes are ssrceter but nead mote warmth to filly develop their sugars 4 ae bea gown undercover in Grapes nocd a ice-desining ste and a wuth= oF south-west icing poston for masimim sunshine Ald proper fpening, Akeay avoid frost pockets and if ow of wine grapes, employ a south-facing tlope and align che rows a north-south dircion co make the mort ofthe sun. Desert grapes wil sruggle to ripen unless grown in a grenhousc or perhaps in a conseratory container tae can he taken onside dhring the winter A tational method of erercoming jrape requirements inthe UK eto plane she vine Side bur tain iin undercover hough ven The idea planing time is October to March so vines rein a dormanc stat bt if you buy ontainriscd plant in summer dei flag should be sccm and belhy, Prepac the oi wel adding omport ar wel-rted manure, parca for indoor grapes. Vines ean be spaced 1.2m AR) apa sgsinse walle an fence, esving 41 3em (Si) gap tecwees the wall and base of he vine In he open, pane 1.2-1-5m (45f) apart an if planting rows, leave 151.80 (5-6) hooves tee, Wiese east {0 ain grapes aaine and can be mounted againae a wall or ence with tensioner or between take in pon ground Suiable sining methods includ the Guyot ost (one o seo main horizontal ats) or rod and spur prusing (abe lke an esplie) Keep gresbiouses vented and on watm days, damp doven the looe but not ance Nowers ot uit ane presenta pollination requtes dry atmosphere Once vines arc established, esti faking forthe fir ew yall thes bunches of grapes on three yer ald vines, five bunches on Fr year-old vines and lecehem crop fly cheteafe.a TRY THESE... (W/REGENT': Our main variety where I work at Krightshayes kitchen garden in Devon, raliable ‘and very herd black wine gtape, rieh flavour, {900d mildew resistance and beautiful auturmn colour. Pomona Fruits. 1 BOSKOOP GLORY’: A great place to start {or those new to grape growing, black prolific ‘copper with dual purpose fer wine or eating, sweet flavour and an RHS Award of Garden ‘Mest. Bucklnghsm Nurseries, Reeds Nursery QUEEN OF ESTHER’: A very pretty pink ‘rape, suitable for northerly climes with very carly mie-September fruting, good-sized spherical ie fruits. Keepers Nursery. \mFRAGOLA’: For something abit ditferent try this ‘strawberry’ grape, with a musky strawberry lke fragrant flavour tis ideal for wal training inside or out and has small, ‘bunches of large fruit and lovely autumn colour. Pomona Fruits Penni Gre W-{lltel-tise ROI cages Coenen eee nee fope go PGs olga Grapes do best when ternperstures are consistently 16°C (61F) or above fro per (eter EaeMED Uren eee Per pes eee branches to further impro Indoors grape (rere atcyg Remove all flowers for theiefi tee oes caeriots ching fet ON Nard ee pan srr Stee pimeeeeseneny 8 may be more reliable in the British climate but many varieties are highly productive outdoors too. GRAPES: WHAT TO DO WHEN > JANUARY: Plant new vines. Keep the glasshouse unheated to give dessert grapes 2 cold spell > FEBRUARY: Plant new vines. Keep up, ‘gecd ventilation through the winter > MARCH: Apply muleh while the soils ‘moist and use stones or gravel around the ‘bate of plants to suppress weeds, > APRIL: Tran established grapes, pinching out new shoots where unwanted Inline wth your chosen training syster. > MAY: Apply high potash fertiliser eg tomato food. wonahltchengarden.co.sk > JUNE: Ensure newiy planted grapes are wel watered before drought striker > JULY: Water neu planted vines when, Sry, Thin fulton dessert grapes, > AUGUST: Water outdoor vines only in prolonged drought. > SEPTEMBER: Remove loaves from the vines to let in eunight and circulate at > OCTOBER: Stat planting new vines. > NOVEMBER: Move containerized vines out ofthe conservatory Carty out main pruning > DECEMBER: Plant new vines. Carry out main pruning. SUPPLIERS KEEPERS NURSERY: 01622 726465 swvwkeepere-nursery.co.uk READS NURSERY: 01986 895555 \wvwreadsnursery.co.ke BUCKINGHAM NURSERIES: 01280 622133, ww buckinghom-nurseries.co-uk | POMONA FRUITS: 0845 676 0607 ‘vw pomonafruits. co.uk Aucust 2014 |67For the ultimate in garden style, rattan can add a touch of colonial chic. BuyDirect4U has launched three matching rattan furniture products that are just perfect for rlaxing and lounging around outdoors in the sunshine. Up for grabs for one lucky Kitchen Garden reader is the eaty to assemble day bed which has a showerproof finish and i UV and fade resistant - 0 it can ‘This attractive piece of outdoor furniture will tke just five days or less to arrive in your garden once you have placed your order online at wwrw.buydirect4U.co.uk The same site also features a great range of protective covers for gardon furniture aswell as lots of other outdoor living treats including barbecues and becue tool sets, gazebos, umbrallas hammocks and dining sets Established in 2005, ByDirecesU sources home, gorden sports and Isiure product direc from the ee ae eet than 1000 items, providing massive savings on High Street prices. The tcoaesEteeeet yf ctreeeell ‘emily company, Charles Botley & Son, petaty tates ited homewares manufacturer nthe UK, siving consumers the reassurance of align ered $3 BuyDirect4U, co.uk with excllent customer serie, HOW TO ENTER: Tobe in with fa chance of winning this fantastic Name: prize simply fill inthis form and return . 2 Kitchen Garden August 2014 Rattan AAdteSS: Furniture Competition, Mortons Media Postcode: Group Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lines LN9 61Z by Monday, August 4 Telephone: 2014. You can also enter for free ‘online at wwwkitchengardencouk Email Te and andionap Fot fl tm an sb tnbeatyoutn nnbiome intone set (ne pase co nthngudc nt No 68 |AUGUsT 2014 aveitchengatden.co ckNo More Cracked Stained Hands This Season! Cracked Hands & Feet Healed in 10 Days! Major Skin Care Breakthrough! Our amazing Beeswax Barrier Hand and Foot Cream works fast healing your cracked hands and feet. It penetrates deeply, moisturising your skin and is non greasy. It’s also water, chemical, acid, oil & dirt resistant so protects your hands from getting stained & chapped. It lasts 5 - 6 hand washes too and makes cleaning up after gardening so much easier! Mrs M wrote... Please send me another 80z tub of your season de wonderful hand cream, A whole gardeni ‘without cracked or chapped hands. Two Outstanding > Trié 1oz Travel Tub + 1/40z Pocket Tub all worth £10.90 when you buy a 2oz Tub for £11.95, (+£3.95 P&P) To claim your TWO FREE Tubs order a 20z Tub online and ‘Quote Code: KGB7A at checkout or when you phone below. (This eer is only avalabeby mal erder ad med to one purchase pe person) FREE 1oz Travel Tub + 1/40z Pocket Tub + Luxury Beeswax Teatree Lip Balm (£4.95) all worth £15.85 when you buy a 4oz Tub for £19.95. (+£3.95 P&P) To claim your THREE FREE Tubs order a doz Tub online and ‘uote Code: KG97B at checkout or when you phone below. (Ths fers ony sally ma rer ante oone purse per person) Call Free 0800 0588 911 (24/7) 100% No Risk Money Back Guarantee! www.BeeProtX.com ‘Oxderon ing or phons and Pay by Credk(Debit Card or snd your cheque to: Richard Starkie Associates, KG87, Timber Cottage Workson| | FREE Feet Too! 1/4oz/7g FREE fee Feet Too!) t/4oz/7a FREE, ui Wistow, Leicester, LE8 OOF Emai'sales@starkies.com Swinniehes Offers 76 10% OFF All Eden & Halls Greenhouses, Lean-to’s or Coldframes grewhouse FREE ACCESSORY PACK WORTH £340 When you buy any Growhouse ‘Greenhouse or Leanto Ree aide itd i 0844 880 0835 mea ‘www.greenhousebonanza.com PERT ft see our range of greenhouses, Teer tote greene ete Cquantend ak wnahltchengarden.co.sk AUGUST 2014 |69T GROWINGWEEKEND PROJECT Scarecrows have long been used to keep birds off crops. Here smallholder Joyce Russell shows you how to make them Pictures: Ben Russel fock of pigeons takes of from the rreotops everytime T open the door and step ont into the gatden, Well, that's the way i seems anya, but maybe [dont notice the times when they arent thor, a8 much as the times when 1 ‘Mose birds ar a pleasure eo have in the gatden, bur cher ae some thar can do serious damage to crops, Now, I certainly done want co banish birds from the garden, but T would like to sake them think ewice before harming my ‘vegetables and cating my frit. Tse netting, flappers, DVDs on strings, bodes on canes and tape thac hums, buc the best protection i hn people arc out and about in the garden and birds donc dare ro come too clos. real one is indoors. This works very wll, provided the scaccrow is moved around from time to time to tick the birds, Ie ane hard co make cither a scary, or fiendly, version; i's a bit of fa too, and friends som get used to the sghe ofan odd character lurking inthe basi patch, > august 2014 [71MEM GET GROWING SCARECROW 1 MATERIALS Pillowcase, buttons, fet, woo!, needle and throad Straw or old material for stuffing ‘One stick/pole 190em long ‘One stick/pole 130em long String Hat and old clothes for dressing [STEP 1: Cut a point on the end of the long ppole. This makes it eatlor to push the scarecrow into the ground. STEP 2: Uso string toto the poles midway to ‘make a cross. The proportions should equate to arms, head and lower body. Itcan be ‘easiost to ft arms through sleeves before the ‘two poles are tied together. STEP 3: Tie the top ofthe pillowcase with string ‘ond stuff ith srow, or other material. Pat the "head nto shape before tying the bottom (loosely 0 the pole wil fi at step 5). This should ‘ive you a reasonable head shape, STEP 4: Sew on buttons for eyes and felt for lips use a permanent marker to draw on 8 face. There's plenty of scope for creativty. STEP 5: Cut the wool into 30em lengths and ‘bunch there together to look like hair. Tie the ‘wool in place against the topknot of the pillowcase, Push the top of the lang pole into the pillowcase, through the loose knot at the bottom, and te firmly to fx the heed in place. ‘The arms should be directly below the head, Adjust accordingly. STEP 6: Drots the scarecrow in old clothes ‘and add ahat to cover the topknot. Make sure ‘thet are tied of pinned in place so they don't blow away Put the scarecrow in place and push the pole deep in the ground, so that ‘won't blow over ina strong wind, 72 |Aucust 2014 wmitchengardan cockbe ead MATERIALS & TOOLS An Al sited plece of plywood, MDF, of skrlor Aa sheet of paper and pen 1m Screws, screwdriver, dril, sandpaper or plane, jigsaw 150 x 20mm timber cut to the following sizes 414x200cm, 1 80cm, 2x ADem 140mm screws Permanent marker | Hot ond old clothes for dressing and a few tufts of hay forthe authentic look! STEP 1: Sand or plane timber to round edges {and cut 2 point on the end ofthe longest pece. Drillholes where the body and ‘erticulting arms wl join together. STEP 2: Screw the pieces of tmber together to form the arms and body. Allow enough length of imber above the arms for the head to fit, Use two serews to hold the 200m piece ‘and the 80cm piece rigidly together. Use one screw and allow a Ile slack atthe ‘elbow Jolts 20 these con articulote. STEP 3: Cut the shape of the head out of 2 piece of paper and use this as a template for ‘marking the head out on the plywood (or ‘other sheet materia) Use the jigsaw to cut cout the head. STEP 4: Drill ond screw to fx the heed ln place ‘at two points, Use a thie permanant marker to draw a happy face on the head! WEEKEND PROJECT ‘STEP 5: Fx clothing in place (Gungarees ae easy to ft over the frome). You can use drawing pins or 9 staple gun to fix into the wood, ote clothes on so they don't blow away. Tie hat on top to fish, Add abit of hay [poking out ofthe pockats to help give this scarecrow a traditional look Pesiton in the garden and push down deep into the ground to fixin place.Steve Ott travelled to Congham Hall in Norfolk, once a private Georgian country home, but since 1982 a thriving country house hotel, to meet the team of head gardener and chef who together work hard to feed the hotel's many guests OUT & ABOUT cris some argument about when the grand house and estite of Congham Hall in Norale was bulleand who was responsible, bu iis thought it may have been constructed some time beeween 1794 and 1826, possibly by Henry Elsden, 2 weachy King’s Lynn merchant Apa fom the bea building we se today al which hasbeen recently restored and extended, here are around 30 acres of grounds including a bean moder ganden. The ‘garden is rely thanks to recent owners Tresor and Christine Forecast wh bought Congham in 1982 and who were responsible forts hotel conversion. keen garden, Chiisine Forecast started the herb garden inthe same year and ie quikly ‘bocame renowned iit cllecion af pea 400 speci Philip Bailey has worked a¢ Congham for 18 year and ben head gardener fr che past chee. He rold me: “Mrs Forecast wis passionate abou herbs. Although she was ‘often busy’ running the horel with her husband, she would ‘often come out into the garden and help with the weeding sic neat the eth sles aes and tall eo the gueus.” ‘The Forcast cid and sold Congham Hall in 1999 after which the building was geal extended outbuildings such asthe stables were comerted into rooms, all with lower names reflecting the previous owners love of thei garden. THE GARDENER Phil rune the gardens with the help of Neil and Ben and the team also Took afer running tepats for the hotel compl. \Westarted our eur in che veg plot where Phil explained thar because clade ae so popula he cows i succession to make sate that the kitchen has rege supplies, ‘Also looking good here were cirras, cian and peas, ‘French Breakfast radish is also pop kitchen and so co i sown in succession, ‘Countes! patsnips had alteudy produced some decent rots despite 2 cold spring. ‘We contin on pat the ‘Detroit hestroot, “The chefs have had some thie week. We grow ‘Bulls Blood a well and the leaves ‘of chat variety ae wed to add colour salads The chef are busy pickling the beetroot as there i quite lot > ch the Head gardener, Philip BaileyABOVE RIGHT: These ‘Detroit’ beetroat we destined for pickling. BELOW: Cucumbers, sweet peas and herbs thrive in the protection of the polytunnel. BELOW RIGHT: The cool spring had set tomato ripening beck afew weeks. 76 |Aucust 2014 hte tha nea ing” Pil amid to going wo much parley having overestimated what the cfs might need." frlleacbaceon inex yea Some is grown inthe Sn ein cen med ava gush, The plyrnnd hele Ieshen the season, Ie ge ay ely ad rons, theoutdoor sowing wil ge hit Bist, “Here we have slic the ches d ike thigcrp and ichas done well his ya T think weve had height amount oF teatro and we ug los of mare inv he soil and weave teapiagsome of E the benefits ofthat {havea lol ‘applic of manuteand willbe eating the eat ower bordr in cheauturn, too [think itis well worth ding “The cling and runner bean aeall THE Hi! coming along well. We spend quite along time each day inthe summer harvesting. We have to keep picking the beans and cutting the courgettes~ we gros ‘Defender’ (green) and “Jemmer (pellow) They are getting deal conditions at che momer wish sun and rain at are the pumpkins Jack-O-Lantern” “MRS FORECAST’S ERB GARDEN STILL LIES AT THE PLOT” The polytunnls are used to grow herbs and tomatoes during che summer. Alka inside were chives, which ‘obviasly loved the steamy envionment, quickly recovering afer arecen rim by the chefs. Phil told me: “We have basil fon the potage, but thie is where I can give ic the bese tention in terms of watering and feeding, We leo have four varies of sweet peas — ate therefor housekeeping eo xe in srangements around the hotel. Also ‘cucumbers — jus four planes of “Passandta’ are enough ar this cime of yea eo keep che kitchens supplied "The comacoes consisted of mini yellow plum com land ted chery “Swcet Million’ arvong ochers “They are lide lat, bur ichas been alate season this year (2013). Fl kep the volume the sme next year but we wil extend this and give head chef Nik (Gee below) mote varieties next year They are not too much erouble and represent quite a saving for the kechen. Tending to them isa good rainy day job” RT OF Mrs Forecasts herb garden sil ios a che heat ofthe ploe although some has been lst cathe new hotel xpansion, "The frst section i eae che mine walk” sid Phil. "We have about eight varieties of mint here and then we have a selection of mainly perennial herbs and some Rowers such as nasturtiums. A wet, cold winter in 2012/13 meanc chat Joes of chyme and lavender died and ate having ro be replanted. Half ofthe veg pl sat in water for some time and some flowers ro, such a delphiniars were ln” ‘The wonderful old greenhouse is unheated and needs work, bur i grost feature ofthe garden and Phil is hopeful wil be restored once the hotel rexorations have been competed. Ici still used for propagation thanks to fost protection from a propagator and fan heat "The porager also rack come damage in the wet winter, but ‘sow restored. Ths is our latest generation of lettuce and iswhere I grows mich ofthe dil Ie is pretty dry in surnmer and not very fercle so lend itself quiee well to the bass bronze fennel and thyme. [is abo home to so hhandsome orach which Phil hopes to establish here and which is 4 useful hole resistane alternative ra spinach, Once the basil tart to flower they ate harvested and pascd to Nick fora delicious pesto sate and the borage is also popular with Nick for ics edible Blooms, vawecitchengatden cokTHE CUT FLOWERS AND FRUIT The cut Hower area i an essential part ofthe garden at ‘Coingham, “We have big election including eudbeckia, inna, cosmos and some perennial cut lowers. sie down ‘wid the housekeeper a the beginning ofthe year she has ther wish lise and try to supply as many as can, growing most on site.” Unfortunately a rabbit, one of many here Fad eaten the walllowers having Found a hole inthe fence surrounding the beds, “Luckily, since we have grown so ‘much, they prefer parsley to letuce!” he suid with a grin -Mosing 1 the fruit patch Phil explained: "We have some laze summer rgpberties hee and Nice has now had all the blackcurrant fr dh ktchen. The orchard includes ‘Con's (Orange Pippin’ and ‘Laxton Supeth in alerting ows “The tres are over 50 year old and sill proce well The Iaicchon wil ge the benefit of them and also if housekeeping have the sime they will patel some up in ‘bags, sell them co visitors and puc them inthe rooms for the guests. There are alo some ‘Canference’ pests and ‘other unidentilied varieties of apple.” > OUT & ABOUT “The herb garden hos received international acclaim. The cutting garden ~a blaze of