Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2019 i Kitchen Garden

Most of us can risk some sowings this month – if not outside then in a propagator indoors. But perhaps even more exciting are the slowly improving conditions – an end to the short, gloomy days of winter and more chances to get your hands into the soil. In this issue we have three pages of practical top tips from Joyce Russell to help you get the best from your early sowings, while Ben Vanheems looks at ways to make your gardening pound go further during your next trip to the garden centre. There is advice on growing outdoor tomatoes and the best varieties to beat the blight from Simon Crawford, a pioneering tomato breeder, while for carrot lovers, KG regular Rob Smith looks at ways to beat the dreaded…

POTTING CITRUS & POTATOES March is when things really start to get busy for the undercover gardener now the days are getting longer and the temperatures rising. In my heated greenhouse the citrus fruits are just starting to make new growth, which means it’s a good time to pot them into larger pots if needed. As citrus prefer slightly acidic conditions, I use a mix of John Innes and ericaceous compost which suits them well. In the polytunnel I’m potting chitted potato tubers into small pots. This is a good way to start them into growth ready for planting in the garden or potting into larger pots in a few weeks’ time. This allows you to start growing in a small space. HARVEST CURLY KALE Curly kale is a good…

Thank you for all the help given in Kitchen Garden magazine. I have been reading your magazine since at least 2012. Before that I knew very little about vegetable growing. It’s helped me a lot and thank you for all the seed packets each month. For the first time I tried aubergines last year and I got fruit (growing them outside). I enjoyed the ‘Yellow Delight’ tomatoes too. It must have been the summer weather last year, but I grew swedes bigger than any other year! Ralph L Wigley, Middlesex TONY SAYS: Well done Ralph, especially with your aubergines grown outside. Not always the easiest crop to grow!…

RUST DISEASES These appear as yellow-brown spots that release spores on the undersides of leaves, weakening bushes in severe cases. Gooseberry rust overwinters on sedges. HOW TO CONTROL: Rusts have to be tolerated in the absence of approved fungicides, although pruning out the worst affected shoots and removing nearby sedges can help. CURRANT APHIDS These are very common on foliage and stems but seldom do serious damage in gardens. HOW TO CONTROL: Where populations appear numerous, intervention with insecticides such as natural pyrethrum, fatty acids (soap) or oils is justified. POWDERY MILDEWS These cover the upper surface of leaves with white-grey fungal powder, affecting a wide range of plants. American gooseberry mildew is especially aggressive, killing young shoots and covering developing fruits with brown mould. HOW TO CONTROL: Try resistant…

PROS: ■ They keep pest numbers such as slugs and snails down ■ They weed out unneeded weeds ■ They produce a usually consistent supply of fresh, rich eggs to your household and possibly surplus to give to friends, neighbours or sell at the door ■ They add a step in your plan to be more self-sufficient as a whole ■ They add beauty and interest to a garden with a choice of colours and breeds ■ They provide a constant source of entertainment with their charismatic approach to life ■ If you wanted you could have a dual-purpose duck for meat too CONS: ■ Certain breeds can cause problems with excessive noise – think of your neighbours! Most are quieter and gentle in their voice but breeds such as…

All recipes are by volume not weight. You can use any vessel to measure your ingredients, so long as you’re consistent! ■ SEED-SOWING MIX: 2 parts sieved mature garden compost (or bought multi-purpose compost), 2 parts coir or sieved mature leafmould, 1 part perlite ■ POTTING-ON MIX: as for seed-sowing mix plus 1-2 handfuls of worm castings per bucket of mix ■ CONTAINER CROPS MIX: 2 parts sieved mature garden compost, 1 part coir or sieved leafmould, then 2-3 handfuls perlite per 50 litres of mix plus slow-release organic fertiliser according to packet instructions.…

The past two summers have seen excellent fruit tree crops in many places, with pear yields as good as any I’ve ever seen in over 40 years of growing. This welcome news has been caused not just by thousands of knowledgeable and determined gardeners, feeding and pruning carefully countrywide, nor high-tech advancements in plant breeding, but instead is greatly thanks to a spell of favourable weather conditions. THE WEATHER EFFECT In 2016-17, the winter was mild followed by a fairly uninspiring, mostly damp summer, with tree growth suddenly halted by a hot period in June, which encouraged prolific fruiting during the following year. The much delayed spring of 2018 meant that when things finally warmed up, trees had experienced an extra-long dormant period, which initiated fruit buds to their fullest…

With cucumber plants, the fruit is formed behind the female flowers. For outdoor varieties, known as ridge cucumbers, both male and female flowers are necessary for pollination. But for greenhouse cucumbers go for all-female varieties which (generally) do not produce male flowers and do not require pollination. If – as occasionally they might – they do produce male flowers, these need to be removed straight away as pollination of the female flowers will result in bitter fruit. It is quite easy to distinguish male and female flowers: the former have just a thin stem whereas female flowers have a swelling at the base (like a mini-cucumber).…

It’s that time of year again – when seed packets start to line up in boxes and gardeners’ minds turn to the business of sowing. There’s a temptation to sow too early of course and especially so if the sun starts to shine as days lengthen out. There’s little to gain from sowing seeds in cold soil, or trying to keep seedlings warm without the right equipment, but there is a lot to gain from knowing the best time to sow and learning a bit about what will help seeds to germinate and grow into strong and healthy young plants. WHEN TO SOW “There’s little to gain from sowing seeds in cold soil, or trying to keep seedlings warm without the right equipment” If you look at the back of…

Even if you never feel tempted to have a go yourself (and by the end of this article I sincerely hope you will!), knowing a little about how fruit trees are grown will help you become more familiar with your own trees and know what to look for when buying new ones. Last month we looked at rootstocks, what they are and why they are used. If you didn’t manage to read that article, I’d strongly recommend finding a copy and having a look through. The choice of rootstock is one of the most important decisions to be made when selecting a new tree. By itself though, a rootstock is of little value – sure, an apple stock such as MM106 will grow and produce fruit, but they will be…

I grew up in central Scotland, but as far as vegetables were concerned, in central Europe. My Hungarian father was the gardener and cook in our household, so kohl rabi and celeriac were everyday crops, and – despite my Scottish mother’s continuing resistance – garlic was mandatory. Another perfectly ordinary crop was Hamburg parsley. British tastes have caught up in the intervening 40 years, but while other ‘continental’ crops have become familiar, Hamburg parsley remains obscure – even among gardeners. Quite why is a mystery. Edible roots and leaves make it a dual-purpose crop which – once safely germinated – is easy to grow. Rugged hardiness lets you harvest it for six months of the year. Roots that combine the flavours of parsley, parsnip and celery make a delectable addition…

1. Planting in the soil can be done using a five-week-old plant any time after the danger of frost has passed. For an indeterminate variety crop, support systems are the key to planting directly in soil beds. The use of a stake or sturdy cane with associated side-shooting and tying-in at 10-15cm (4-6in) intervals and the removal of the growing point after the plant reaches the height of the support, is usually successful. 2. Recently, the American style tomato cage has become available in the UK and this has the advantage of eliminating the need for regular side-shooting of indeterminate plants, producing a large tomato ‘bush’. The cage must be sturdy and can be substituted by a 30cm (12in) diameter cylinder of wire stock fencing, supported by a stake. 3.…

POTATO GROWING POTS This pack of three pots offers a unique system of growing potatoes, with a standard outer pot and an inner pot that allows you to see roots and tubers. H 45 x W 30cm (18 x 30in). GREENHOUSE SENSATION www.greenhousesensation.co.uk TEL: 0845 602 3774 PRODUCT CODE: N/A PRICE: £ 21.95 KG VERDICT An ingeniously simple but effective product. We liked the way you can harvest potatoes a little at a time, so that more tubers can develop as more space is created. They will accommodate up to three seed potatoes. Quality ★★★★★ Effectiveness ★★★★★ Value for money ★★★★★ POTATO PATIO PLANTERS Suitable for your patio, pathway or balcony, these planters are made from woven polyethylene and are large enough to hold between three to five seed potatoes…

TOP SOIL - DELIVERED If your soil could use improvement, a delivery of quality topsoil will set you up for the season. Rolawn, which has supplied the landscaping industry for many years, has developed a range of topsoils to meet the needs of gardeners. Rolawn Vegetable & Fruit Topsoil is a fertile blend of topsoil, organic matter and soil conditioners, formulated to suit a wide range of crops. It does not contain manures, which are variable and potentially harmful, and is peat-free. It is screened to 20mm (¾in), and is friable and easy to work. Rolawn sources its topsoil according to stringent protocols to ensure it is consistent and contamination-free. It is certified suitable for residential growing, as detailed in BS3882:2015, the British standard for topsoil. Rolawn Vegetable & Fruit…

Prue Leith’s culinary career is somewhat of a marvel. Johannesburg-born Leith has been a constant presence in the food industry ever since she first opened up her eponymous, Michelin-starred restaurant in 1969. She’s also found the time to pen a number of fiction books, open Leith’s School of Food and Wine for budding gastronomes, and even had a brief – and admittedly “unsuccessful” – stint as a greengrocer! And now she is, of course, part of the biggest baking show in TV history: The Great British Bake Off. Ably stepping into the sizeable shoes of a certain Mary Berry when the series made the leap from BBC to Channel 4 last year, Leith is revelling in her newfound fame among young foodies in what would be, to many, the autumn…

10 MINUTE JOBS KEEP PLANTS FROST-FREE Cover new planted onion and potato beds. The former are more likely to bolt if they are frosted when small and potato leaves can be killed by frost if they emerge in cold weather. Weight down edges of the covering material so it doesn’t blow away. EDGE BEDS Trim grass edges so growth doesn’t reach into the soil of the bed. This tidies up the look of the garden and helps to define the beds. Tackle one bed at a time and spread the task over a few days if you have a large vegetable plot. MANAGE POTTING BENCHES Keep benches clear and remove debris after each potting and sowing session. You can collect any spilled compost in a bucket and use this when…

■ Tender vegetables such as courgettes, sweetcorn and dwarf French beans can be sown now in cell trays. With just a little gentle heat they will soon germinate. ■ As the soil warms up weeds will start to grow, so hand weed or hoe them off regularly to prevent them establishing. ■ Indoor peaches and nectarines can be pollinated by gently dabbing the open flowers with a soft paint brush to move pollen from flower to flower. ■ Carry on sowing tomato seeds in small pots to produce plants for planting out in a cold greenhouse or polytunnel in May. ■ As soon as the first potatoes in the polytunnel push through, earth them up with soil when the growth is several inches tall.…

LONDON POTATO DAY MARCH 3. Garden Museum, Lambeth Palace Road, SE1. Many varieties seed potato, advice, talks. 11am-4pm. 020 7401 8865 www.gardenmuseum.org.uk CONWY SEED FAIR MARCH 26. Conwy, North Wales. Plant stalls, seeds, seed potatoes, home produce and crafts in the High Street and Square. 9am-4pm. www.conwybeekeepers.org.uk BASICS OF ORGANIC VEGETABLE GROWING MARCH 4. Barnsdale Gardens, The Avenue, Exton, Oakham, Rutland. Theory and practical for those new to veg gardening or organic methods. 10am-4pm. Book on 01572 813200 www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk For a full list of shows, festivals, events and courses this month please visit our website www.kitchengarden.co.uk  and choose the Diary Dates category. PLEASE NOTE We have made every effort to ensure these details were correct at the time of going to press, but recommend you check with the…

PLUMPUDDING: Buy a few basic tools to start with. Fork, trowel, rake and hoe. After weeding, feed your soil to get things off to a good start. Don’t spend a fortune on poisons and herbicides – they aren’t necessary. Grow a small number of vegetables that you like to eat and don’t try to grow too many, you can always sow some more as the season progresses. WESTI: Walk around your site/neighbourhood. Look what is growing well, especially those closest to you. Take your time, don’t do your back in clearing it all in one go. Clear a bit and plant in that, then clear the next bit to sow or plant in that. Year 1 is getting what crops you can but taking notes of successes and failures so…

FRUITLESS RASPBERRIES I bought some basket raspberries last year and they failed to mature and produce fruit. They had plenty of greenery on them. They have been living in my greenhouse all winter. They seem to be putting out new shoots from the root base. Should I leave them in baskets or would it be better to plant them in pots? John Tyson, via email David Patch, professional nurseryman, R V Roger Ltd DAVID SAYS: The only variety of hanging basket raspberry I know of is a floricane variety – that is, it produces fruit on one-year-old wood. I’d leave the plants as they are, don’t prune anything, and you should get fruit this summer on the growth it produced last year. Prune out any fruiting stems once they have…

‘Pinstripe F1’ aubergines are my favourite crop to grow. I start the germination process in February. I start them in John Innes seedling compost mix and use toilet roll holders to sow into as they can be transplanted straight into the ground and they grow strong, long roots. These then go into clear storage containers and are placed into the greenhouse. I spray them weekly with rain water (provides more nutrients) as they like humid conditions. Wait till they’re large enough to transplant into large terracotta pots or in rows with spacing at around 25cm. The soil in the pots is a mixture of well-rotted manure, compost and gravel. Once they are in, I surround the plants with 20mm of gravel to help retain moisture – this also radiates heat…

If you’re looking for an easy to grow, nutritious and delicious vegetable, look no further than the humble carrot. Once a staple of the lower classes, these colourful roots can now be found braised in high-end restaurants. From their original guise as purple and white woody roots, this ever-popular vegetable can now be found in many colours including red, white, yellow and, of course, orange. Carrots also now come in differing shapes, from the typical pointed, conical-shaped varieties such as ‘Nantes’, through to the more spherical ‘Rondo’ and the extra wide ‘Oxheart’. Ever popular because they can be eaten cooked or raw, plus the fact children seem to demolish them quicker than Bugs Bunny, carrots seem to be a ‘must-grow’ for everyone. However, there is always a fly in the…

Look, I’ll admit it: I’m a bit of a cheapskate. But then I suspect – and please don’t take this the wrong way – you probably are too! Saving a few readies is one of the reasons many of us choose to grow our own after all. Along with outstanding taste and the freshest food you could ever enjoy, of course. One of the great things about home-grown fruit and veg is that the same harvests can be had for either pennies or pounds – which is up to you and it depends on how much time and skill you care to devote. Personal wealth needn’t matter; gardening is a great leveller. I love to get away with doing things on a shoestring, though it isn’t all about saving money.…

■ TOMATO: Scoop out seeds from ripe fruits into a glass of water. Stir daily for up to a week until the seeds separate from the pulp. Drain, rinse and dry on a paper towel then store. ■ BEANS: Leave pods to fully mature on the plant then shell the crisp, dry pods to extract the seeds. Dry the seeds further on a warm indoor windowsill then store. ■ LETTUCE: Pull up plants once the fluffy seedheads have formed then hang upside down under cover to finish drying. Rub the seedheads between your hands to release the seeds. Lightly blow across the collected seeds to separate the chaff. Store.…

Having its origins in Asia more than 2000 years ago, the cucumber is now grown and eaten throughout the world. And what UK kitchen would not be complete without the aroma of a freshly cut cucumber announcing that summer truly has arrived? Fortunately, growing greenhouse cucumbers is not difficult. Of course, you do need to create a warm and light environment, but you don’t have to have an expensive greenhouse, or greenhouse at all, as there are lots of inexpensive options available. Plastic coverings can be bought which will provide the necessarily warm conditions for the plants to thrive in. SOWING Sow seeds 1cm (½in) deep in multipurpose compost either in 7.5cm (3in) diameter pots or in modular seed trays and water in. If you have a heated greenhouse or…

■ ‘PASSANDRA F1’: This is a great snack variety, producing crisp, smooth, dark green fruits about 15cm (6in) long. All-female type, maturing within 12 weeks of sowing. Good resistance to mosaic virus and mildew. (Dobies) ■ ‘FEMSPOT F1’: An early cropping all-female variety, producing long, ribbed cucumbers without bitterness. (Kings) ■ ‘BELLA F1’: This produces long, slightly ribbed, dark green fruits with resistance to powdery mildew. Heavy cropping. (Suttons) ■ ‘ANBAR F1’: An all-female variety. The fruit sets in clusters and has excellent resistance to mosaic virus. (Marshalls)…

The most common technique is called a whip and tongue graft – there are many other methods of grafting, but if your rootstock and scion material are about the same dimensions then using a whip and tongue is the most straightforward and effective. STEP 1: Cut both the top of the rootstock and the bottom of the scion with sloping cuts which mirror each other. If this is your first time it is well worth practising with some waste prunings first. The cut part should be about 4cm (1½in) long. The idea is that the two cut faces will fit together seamlessly, like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. STEP 2: Make a ‘tongue’ in both rootstock and scion, which will help strengthen the graft. Take hold of the scion…

In Germany, Hamburg parsley is one of the vegetables known as Suppengrün (soup greens), added to the water for boiling meat or poultry, which is then used as stock for soup. Sauté the diced roots with onions and garlic at the start of a soup or sauce recipe, to form the base layer of flavour, or add larger chunks to a vegetable or chicken soup. Make your Hamburg parsley into a cream soup with onion, carrot and celery, seasoned with its own leaves and thickened with sour cream. Slow-cook it in a stew or casserole alongside other winter roots. Mash steamed roots with two to three times the quantity of potato, or with swede or celeriac, to make a parsley-infused accompaniment for meat or fish, or a topping for a…

INDETERMINATE TYPES FOR STAKING OR CAGES: ■ ‘MOUNTAIN MAGIC’: Good blight resistance and flavour, mid-sized fruits (T&M, D T Brown, Simplyseed.co.uk ■ ‘CRIMSON CRUSH’: Good blight resistance and flavour, medium large fruits (Suttons, Dobies) ■ ‘PRIMABELLA’: Good blight resistance, cocktail-sized fruits (T&M, Victoriana Nursery) ■ ‘PRIMAVERA’: Good blight resistance, mid-sized fruits (Victoriana Nursery) ■ ‘OH HAPPY DAY’: Good blight resistance, small beefsteak fruits, excellent for soups and salsa (Mr Fothergill’s, Plants of Distinction) DETERMINATE BUSH TYPES For large pots and baskets: ■ ‘KORALIK’: Intermediate resistance to blight, small cherry fruit, quite vigorous ■ ‘LIZZANO F1’: Intermediate resistance to blight, small cherry fruit (Suttons) ■ ‘ROMELLO F1’: Intermediate resistance to blight, small plum fruit (T&M) For medium size pots and baskets (35cm/14in): ■ ‘SUMMERLAST F1’: An excellent new variety with good…

PLANT ONION SETS STEP 1: Small sets are the easiest way to grow onions. These part-formed bulbs should be disease-free and all ready to grow when planted. White varieties often grow larger bulbs than red ones. Choose sets that are firm and haven’t started to sprout – plants from large sets are more likely to bolt and tiny ones take too long to get growing. Discard any that show signs of mould. STEP 2: Dig compost or well-rotted manure into the bed and firm the soil before planting. You can tread on the bed provided soil isn’t wet and sticky. Rake some wood ash or powdered seaweed into the surface, to provide potash. Add a scatter of lime to acid soils and then either plant direct or through holes cut…

■ As soon as you empty a watering can, refill it from the tap or water butt and stand in the greenhouse or polytunnel to allow the water temperature to rise slightly. This prevents seedlings and young plants from getting a cold shock when you next water. ■ To maximise the use of your propagator or heated bench, as soon as seedlings have germinated and have had several days to become established, move them off to free up room for more seed sowing. ■ Spend a little time working out where you are going to sow or plant vegetables over the coming months. Ideally, draw a simple plan to make sure you can fit everything in that you want to grow and remember to reserve space for later plantings. ■…

BARGAIN MARKERS These are my cheap and cheerful version of bed markers for my plot. I see many places which sell the iron ones for about £30-plus but as I try to spend as little as possible I decided to make my own. These poles are basic plant prop poles (from local stores) which have been sanded and resprayed. With a simple piece of wood that hangs on the pole to show what veggies have been planted, they are easily removed too, so if you change the bed the following year you can hang a new wooden sign in its place. Who needs to spend lots! These cost me about 90p in total each to make. Bargain. Danielle Wilson, Nottingham GUILTY, M’LUD! Great article on security in February issue of…

Our Star Question winner will receive vouchers worth £25; the writers of all other questions printed will receive a £10 voucher. They can be redeemed against any products in the latest Mr Fothergill’s catalogue, which will be sent out with the vouchers so you can choose from the massive range of quality products, including seeds and garden equipment. To receive a free catalogue, call 08453 710518 or visit www.mr-fothergills.co.uk Email questions to tflanagan@mortons.co.uk or post to Question Time, Kitchen Garden, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR. Please include your full address on letters and emails. We do not publish full addresses.…

MOUNTFIELD Mountfield has been one of the UK’s leading lawnmower manufacturers for more than 50 years and its lawnmowers, lawn tractors and garden care products all share a reputation for outstanding quality and reliability. Why not view all the ranges on the Mountfield website: www.mountfieldlawnmowers.co.uk WOLF-GARTEN The WOLF-Garten gardening tool collection offers the total solution for soil and cultivation, lawn care, tree and shrub care and general garden maintenance. The WOLF-Garten philosophy is to provide gardening tools and machinery of premium quality and performance. www.wolfgartentools.co.uk, tel 01869 363674 HARROD HORTICULTURAL This company has been producing top quality garden products for 60 years and is innovative in bringing new designs on to the market. It offers an excellent mail order service and as well as being renowned for its sturdy fruit…

Whether for the garden, allotment or smallholding, there are several positives to keeping your own ducks in a step towards more self-sufficiency and improving the condition of your patch, wherever you grow your crops. Ducks can be hugely beneficial to a garden and can assist a gardener. For example, they are fantastic weeders and pest controllers. They will keep the weeds and smaller, unneeded plants out by eating them efficiently as they wander around their domain regularly, and will also eat up many pests. They adore slugs and snails as a delicious snack so can help keep these at a lower level; thus, hopefully giving your plants such as lettuces, courgettes and strawberries half a chance to grow or fruit successfully. However, naturally there are drawbacks to having ducks in…

STEP 1 Cut newspaper into strips. To make a pot, place a glass jar at one end of a strip, open end facing out and sticking out. Tightly roll the newspaper around the jar. STEP 2 Turn the jar upside down while holding the newspaper firmly around it. Now fold and crease the paper on to the bottom of the jar to make the pot’s base. STEP 3 Turn back over and flatten down the bottom of the pot. Now twist and slide the jar out. Fold down the top centimetre of paper to firm up the rim of the pot.…

■ SAVE YOUR OWN SEEDS: Visit www.realseeds.co.uk/seedsavinginfo.html for a comprehensive guide to saving seeds. ■ FREE STUFF: From plastic pots to complete greenhouses – you’ll be surprised what you can get for free or next to nothing. Check local Facebook groups, Gumtree (www.gumtree.com)or sites such as Freecycle (www.freecycle.org). ■ GET WEAVING: Try weaving your own garden structures, panels and sculptures. Kits and weaving rods available at World of Willow: www.worldofwillow.co.uk…

■ CUCUMBER MOSAIC VIRUS: Leaves becomes a mottled yellow and curl downwards. Fruit becomes distorted and growth is stunted. Older plants may survive but younger ones need to be burnt. ■ GLASSHOUSE RED SPIDER MITE: These tiny mites are actually yellowy-green and appear on the underside of leaves. Fine silk webbing will also be in evidence at leaf axils. Phytoseiulus, a natural predator (available from www.organiccatalogue.com), can be introduced to control this pest. ■ POWDERY MILDEW: A fungal disease in which the leaves acquire a powdery covering of spores, leading to the debilitation of the plant. More prominent when the weather is dry so keep compost moist. Sprays are available such as: Ecofective Bug + Mildew Control.…

New-bought seed is often sold in sealed foil packets. It will give best germination rates when freshly opened and the viability of the seed starts to deteriorate after that. Store your seeds in a cool, dry place to help them last as long as possible. Some seed has much poorer germination after one year. It may be worth sowing if seedlings only take a few days to come up – you won’t waste much time if you have to sow fresh seeds to replace them. If seed takes two or three weeks before seedlings appear, then you lose too much growing time if a lot of seeds fail. Sow more seeds when using older packets. This helps to compensate for any increase in failure rate. AS A ROUGH GUIDE ■…

■ STOCK – also called the rootstock, this is the root system that the tree is to be grown on. Can be chosen to control the overall vigour of the tree. ■ SCION – the piece of stem of the desired variety of fruit tree to be propagated. ■ UNION – the spot of the tree where the stock is joined to the scion. ■ TOP-WORKING – grafting higher up on a plant, e.g. at the top of a stem or trunk. ■ BENCH GRAFTING – using rootstocks that have been potted up, so grafting takes place in a greenhouse at a bench rather than out in the fields.…

INDOORS (GREENHOUSE) ■ Clean and wash greenhouse with warm diluted Citrox, as well as the seedling pots, trays and propagator lids. ■ Sow peas; my favourite are heritage purple podded and ‘Telephone’ peas. ■ Many annual flowers can be sown in an unheated greenhouse, always starting with companion flowers calendula, marigold and tagetes. ■ Start at home, long growing season seeds like celery and celeriac. Sprinkle seeds on to compost placed in a small seed pot with a piece of plastic tied around to hold in the warm air. Seeds will germinate within a week. Remove cover as soon as seeds germinate and allow seedlings to grow stronger prior to repotting individually. OUTDOORS ■ Dig previous season’s brassica bed; which will be this season’s potato bed (rotation). Remove only a…

Tomatoes remain one of the most popular crops for the home gardener in the UK, perhaps because of their adaptability to different environments or perhaps because nothing beats picking and eating a fully ripened tomato from your own plant. For those gardeners who lack a greenhouse or polytunnel, growing tomatoes outdoors is the only option and this can present a particular set of issues, not least of which is tomato blight. Modern varieties and newer growing methods have made the culture of outdoor tomatoes easier because of earlier ripening and improved disease resistance, offering gardeners a number of alternatives for growing them inexpensively at home. SOWING THE CROP “Modern varieties and newer growing methods have made the culture of outdoor tomatoes easier” Sowing seeds and growing young plants at home…

CAULIFLOWER & BLUE CHEESE STUFFED MUSHROOMS These tasty mushrooms take no time to prepare and make an excellent starter or light meal. Perfect with a glass of dry white wine. SERVES 4 Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes ■ ½ head cauliflower, finely chopped ■ 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped ■ 2 tsp thyme ■ 4 portobello mushrooms ■ 2 tsp butter ■ A glug of olive oil ■ 50g/1¾oz Shropshire blue, or equivalent ■ 50g/1¾oz white breadcrumbs ■ 50g/1¾oz fresh parsley ■ Salt and pepper to taste 1. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. 2. Put the portobello mushrooms on a baking tray. Divide the butter between each mushroom. Season with salt and pepper. Bake for 10 minutes. 3. Heat the olive oil in a frying…