Kitchen Garden May 2018

Hands up if you always grow perfect veg. Me neither! No, even the best grower on the planet can always find a wonky carrot in the row or an embarrassing-looking tomato on the truss. Well now, rather than hiding your ugly roots and knobbly tubers at the bottom of the trug out of sight of friends and family, we want you to celebrate them with us this summer. We have launched two fun competitions – one for adults and one for kids – to encourage us to appreciate the less shapely, or even downright ugly, among our crops. After all, beauty is only skin deep, they are all just as tasty in the pot – and now, they could even win you a prize. Turn to page 66 to find…

10 MINUTE JOBS EARTH UP POTATOES Early varieties of potatoes planted last month should be growing well now and making new shoots. To encourage side shoots and more tubers, earth them up by pulling soil up around the plants to form ridges. Ideally, do this little and often as the stems develop. CHECK RHUBARB STEMS Rhubarb will be in full growth now and making plenty of sticks for pulling. However, a spell of dry or hot weather can cause the plants to form thick flowering stems from the centre of the clump. These should be pulled out as soon as they develop. COVER CARROTS The major pest of carrots is carrot root fly which is attracted by the scent of the carrot foliage. To protect the carrots from damage caused…

WHAT TO DO IN MAY  ■ Plant cucumbers, sweetcorn and basil when nights are above 10C (50F) ■ Plant aubergines and peppers at the end of the month if 15C (59F) temperatures can be guaranteed ■ Water grape vines regularly for productive plants ■ Plant tomatoes early in the month: keep tying stems to supports and nip out side shoots while these are small ■ Keep on top of ventilation and damp paths down to keep daytime temps below 30C (86F) if possible ■ Water carefully so no plant stands in dry or soggy compost A NEW GREENHOUSE: WINDOWS & DOORS All greenhouses have at least one door and this is adequate for a 2 x 2.5m (6½ x 8ft) structure. For anything bigger than this you really need something…

SHARE YOUR PASSION FOR GARDEN PLANTS Launched seven years ago by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), National Gardening Week (April 30 - May 6) aims to be the country’s biggest celebration of gardening. Over the years, thousands of people, gardens, charities, retailers, culture and heritage organisations and groups have got involved. The focus for 2018 is gardeners sharing their passion for plants. The RHS, therefore, is encouraging people to get involved by running their own events, doing something fun that’s gardening-related and by sharing pictures and stories on social media. The RHS will also be running activities and events at its four gardens, Harlow Carr, Wisley, Hyde Hall and Rosemoor. For more information go to: http://nationalgardeningweek.org.uk JOIN THE GREAT BRITISH BEE COUNT 2018 This year’s Great British Bee Count will…

THERAPEUTIC GARDENING I wanted to thank you for your article Gardening for Relaxation (February 2018), and your magazine in general. My daughter has just been diagnosed with a life-limiting medical condition and the news was obviously devastating. Spotting your magazine reminded me how therapeutic gardening can be; I bought your February issue and have read it cover to cover. I look forward to getting growing and outdoors for my own emotional wellbeing, plus aim to plant a variety of edible crops our family can enjoy, and a sensory garden as a bigger project. Any tips for this gratefully received. My daughter has hearing, visual and physical impairments so smell, taste and touch are hugely important for her. A healthy mummy is equally important! Dawn Thorley, Somerset TONY SAYS: We have…

HERE ARE SOME SEASUNAL HIGHLIGHTS YOU MAY WANT TO WATCH... HOW TO MAKE A BUCKET GARDEN Top tips on growing a variety of veg in a cheap bucket. HOW TO SOW CLIMBING BEANS Sowing climbing beans in home-made newspaper tubes. SOWING SPRING ONIONS Growing spring onions in a trough for greater success. GROWING COMPANION PLANTS Flowers to grow among your veggies to keep pests at bay. SOWING CAULIFLOWERS How to start off cauliflowers in cell trays. SOWING BEETROOT How to sow beetroot direct on the plot. LOOK OUT FOR LINKS TO FURTHER INFORMATIVE VIDEOS THROUGHOUT THE MAGAZINE…