Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2024 i Kitchen Garden

WISE WORDS “An optimistic gardener is one who believes that whatever goes down must come up.” (Leslie Hall, American satirical rap artist) “Have you viewed us on YouTube yet?” SEEDS, ARTICHOKES AND KALES Steve has done it again and ordered far too many seeds. Every day the postman brings more! He has been raiding the catalogues of heritage companies such as Real Seeds and Pennard Plants for something a bit out of the ordinary and as well as some unusual kales and onions hopes to grow some interesting gnarly squashes such as ‘Marina di Chioggia’ and ‘Galeux D’Eysines’ (peanut squash). Progress report to come! Tony isn’t alone in his interest in perennial veg. Emma is also keen and has nursed some ‘Daubenton’s Variegated’ kale through the winter including some cuttings…

GET GROWING RAISED BEDS Raised beds have established themselves as a fixture in many kitchen gardens. Growing at ground level works too of course, but raised beds offer advantages that have made them the go-to growing solution for an ever-increasing band of plucky gardeners. Personally, I’ma huge fan of raised beds and there are two main reasons for this. The first is that they dry out a lot quicker following a wet winter. As I write this, my garden is sopping wet – saturated to the point where only wellies will do following days of rain. There are great big standing puddles out there and my lawn looks more like a swamp. And yet my raised beds remain in good shape. No waterlogging there. The second reason is the pleasing symmetry…

EARLY PICKINGS Those starting out in growing might assume there’s little home-grown produce available over winter. But if you’re organised, maintaining a supply of food over this period isn’t a problem. Leeks, kales, cabbages, chard, over-winter salads and stored produce such as potatoes, squashes and carrots all contribute to a reasonable supply. In fact, it’s the months of April, May and June when there’s the least produce available from your garden – and this time of year has been coined the ‘hungry gap’. During this period, the winter crops have stopped producing, started to bolt or given up, but the spring crops are not yet ready. However, with a bit of adjustment and some organic growing techniques, it’s still possible to be eating things you’ve grown yourself. PROTECT YOUR PLANTS…

BEETROOT Beetroot is one of the staples of the summer kitchen, its earthy flavour popular with many. These days it comes in a number of striking colours and different shapes, so offers a visual feast too! SEEDS AND SOWING Seeds usually come as a cluster of about three seeds (multigerm), though you can also get monogerm ones that are just one seed. The former will need thinning out once seedlings have established themselves. You can sow direct into soil outside from March onwards (better under a cloche initially) 2.5cm (1in) deep, 10cm (4in) apart with rows 30cm (12in) apart. Alternatively, start them offunder cover (cold frame, cloche, greenhouse or polytunnel) in modular cell trays filled with multipurpose compost. This way you can control the conditions a little better. The young…

CREATURE FEATURE Beyond the industrious honeybees and charming bumblebees we are so familiar with, there are a vast array of solitary bees to be found in the UK – around 220 of our 250 native bee species are solitary bees! April is a fantastic time to see them, and some of the most conspicuous are our mining bees. You may find a little ‘volcano mound’ of earth in the lawn, or under flowering trees like hawthorn and apple – evidence of the tawny mining bee (Andrena fulva) creating her nest. She is very distinctive – her abdomen and thorax are covered with a dense ginger fuzz, making her look almost teddy-bear like. Her mate is far smaller and less distinctive, although you may still be able to identify him by…

WORTH OVER £930 NATURAL SOLUTIONS Neudorff, a pioneer in natural gardening since 1854, is one of the few companies worldwide to develop its own plant protection and plant care products, with the widest range of products certified by the Organic Farmers’ and Growers’ Association. Since entering the UK market in 2012, the company has built up an enviable reputation for offering the highest-quality gardening products that are gentle to people, pets and the environment. Four KG readers will be all set for the growing season with a bumper bundle of six key Neudorff products to feed and protect their plants and control weeds. They’ll get one-litre bottles of Organic Multipurpose Plant Feed, Organic Rose Feed, Super Strength Seaweed Extract, BugFree Bug and Larvae Killer Concentrate and WeedFree Plus Concentrate, plus…

SOIL CARE GET GROWING Topsoil is the first layer of soil that we encounter as gardeners. It is the top few inches and is critical to the lives of almost all terrestrial plants. And, because nearly all life on Earth depends on plants – directly or indirectly – topsoil is responsible for a lot. In its natural state, topsoil is a thriving ecosystem full of life. One handful of healthy garden soil can contain more lives than humans who have ever lived on the planet. The organisms within the topsoil interact with one another, creating soil structure, releasing nutrients and maintaining the health of our plants. Like all ecosystems, the soil is self-regulating. The general rule within an ecosystem is that all organisms work together to create optimal living conditions for…

HERO VEG Of the hundreds of thousands of allotments and vegetable gardens in the UK, every one of them may share a majority of common crops, but those crops will be grown as a unique selection of varieties that is exclusive to that one garden. Crops are the colours, varieties are the shades, and there are limitless combinations for the gardener to choose. For new gardeners it can be both exciting and overwhelming to see so many different options, so to make decision making a little easier there are two routes that you can focus on when it comes to deciding what varieties of each crop to sow. The first is homing in on your chosen hero varieties. These are known for their reliability, deliciousness and generous yields. In essence,…

Asparagus is among the first fresh veg to be ready for harvesting in the spring and with the right varieties can go on from mid-April to mid-June. It does take a little commitment; plants need a permanent home and spears should not be harvested from young plants until the second year after planting to give them time to establish and build strength. Plants can be grown from seed, but it is quicker to buy ready-grown young plants which are supplied as spider-like crowns with fleshy roots, each with several healthy buds. For the longest period of cropping look for an early and late variety (see opposite page). This is a long-term crop which may be productive for up to 20 years, so it is worth prepping the ground well before…

POTTING TRAY & SHELF Made from recycled polypropylene, this is a large tray which will contain your seed and potting compost. The detachable shelf has three recessed pockets for seeds and potting accessories such as vermiculite, dibber, widger, plant labels and pens. Tray dimensions: W61 x D55 x H20cm (W24 x D21½ x H8in) MARSHALLS GARDEN www.marshallsgarden.com TEL: 01480 774555 PRODUCT CODE: 10909090 PRICE: £19.99 * Prices correct at time of publication KG VERDICT This is an excellent piece of equipment to have when you’re filling seed trays and pots as it keeps the compost from spilling over and any excess is easily gathered up. This is a good size and will sit perfectly on a potting table or on greenhouse staging. The detachable tray is very useful for keeping…

HERBS TO HAND VegTrug’s best-selling Herb Garden is the perfect solution for bringing your herbs to your doorstep. Its eight deep pockets provide ample room for cultivating a variety of herbs, while preventing competition for space and ensuring good drainage. Boasting sturdy and durable construction from high-quality 100% FSC-certified wood, it stands 80cm (31½in) high. It holds 45 to 55 litres of soil and comes with eight pre-formed liners. The Herb Garden is delivered flat-packed for simple home assembly. Price: £99.99 with free p&p www.vegtrug.com Tel: 01206 230025 SUBSCRIBER SAVING: 20% off the Herb Garden until April 30, 2024 SET TO THRIVE PolyThrive is a unique product – a naturally occurring mineral fertiliser composed of sulphates of potassium, calcium and magnesium (NPK 0-0-14) with traces of boron, iron, manganese, zinc,…

LAST WORD Having an allotment brings a sense of joy and satisfaction. Of course, there’s always disappointment when produce fails to grow or hard work goes unrewarded, but being surrounded by like-minded souls means we can share the same emotions knowing we’re not alone. It’s particularly good as we get on well with our fellow allotmenteers and we’re very blessed in that regard. That’snot to say there is no fierce competition to produce the best fruit or vegetables. We all want to grow something that’s better than our plot neighbours; the smugness when we can cheerfully say: “Sorry to hear your spuds didn’t come up to expectations – we had a particularly excellent crop this year.” But there’s no malice, it’s all done with a smirk and a smile and…

JOBS FOR THE MONTH SOW SWEETCORN The choice of sweetcorn varieties on offer now from seed companies is enormous. Choose from yellow corn, heritage corns in rainbow colours, babycorn, corn for popping or for grinding into flour. Sweetcorn cross-pollinates easily so be sure to grow different varieties as far apart as possible. Sweetcorn is not frost hardy, so start it under cover around mid-April, or three weeks or so before your last frost date. Sow into module trays (or loo roll tubes), one kernel in each, at a depth of about 1cm (½in). Protect from mice until they have germinated. Plant out when around 8cm (3in) tall, after the danger of frost has passed, in a grid 35cm (14in) or so apart. Babycorn is planted around 20cm (8in) apart. Corn…

MALVERN SPRING FESTIVAL Top gardening celebrities are among the line-up for this year’s Malvern Spring Festival (May 9-12). Taking centre stage at the Festival Theatre this year will be Alan Titchmarsh MBE plus Gardeners’ World presenters Adam Frost and Frances Tophill, with Frances sharing insights into how to care for a small garden, along with a fresh approach to growing your own. Further special guests will include multi-awardwinning RHS gold medallist, Jekka McVicar, who will host a herb growing masterclass, sharing tips and insights for both beginners and seasoned gardeners. To add to the distinguished line-up of special guests, the festival will feature the very first RHS show and feature gardens of 2024, a showcase of some of the UK’s top nurseries and plant experts on display throughout the Floral…

A NEW KITCHEN GARDEN GET GROWING NEW SERIES Normally at the beginning of April I’m starting to prepare to sow and plant vegetables in the garden, but this year that will all have to wait a little longer until our new raised beds are built and filled with soil. I can’t say that I’m too worried about a delayed start because late sown veg tends to catch up. In fact, with many types of veg it’s better to wait a few weeks to allow the soil to warm up or dry out a little before sowing and planting. I’m sure we’ll still get good crops later this summer. With the plot now cleared of old shrubs and the ash tree we can really get cracking with creating a new kitchen garden.…

FRENCH BEANS GET GROWING French beans, the unsung heroes of the vegetable world, are a practical choice for any gardener who is looking to maximise their space and enjoy a tasty crop during the summer months. Also known as ‘green beans’ or ‘string beans’ (even though the more modern ones are completely stringless), they can be found in pretty much every allotment and back garden, in one form or another. As straightforward as they are versatile, these beans come in two forms: the lofty climbers and the compact dwarfs. Climbers will need the support of canes or netting and will reward you with a steady supply of beans over several months, while dwarf varieties are perfect for squeezing into those spare corners of your garden or even greenhouse, offering a quick…

WHEN IS IT POSSIBLE TO MAKE OUTDOOR SOWINGS? This varies depending on where you live and what the weather is like in early spring. In the south of the country if the spring is mild then you could start sowing in March but in the north, it may not be until late April or May. The average peak time is during the month of April. AM I BETTER SOWING SEEDS CLOSE TOGETHER TO ENSURE I GET A GOOD ROW OF SEEDLINGS? You are better off doing this for certain types of crops. If you sow carrots thinly you invariably get gaps in the row. That said, if you sow too thickly it is really difficult to thin out thick clumps of seedlings. You need to sow enough to allow for…

READER’S GARDEN Like many gardeners your love of gardening came from spending time with a family member. Can you tell us more about that. As a boy, I spent most weekends standing in the ‘hut’ belonging to my grandfather (affectionately known as ‘Jacky’), peering on tiptoes at the old-fashioned tools and gardening projects spread across his wellworn work bench. Jacky was a character to say the least and I cherished those days spent pottering around the garden, learning his traditional gardening methods. Just after Jacky passed away, I found a battered old notebook of his tucked away in a drawer in the hut (which now takes pride of place in my garden) that contained over 20 years of hand drawings of his allotment, planting schemes and detailed dated lists of…

Asparagus is expensive to buy in the shops but easy to grow and tastes delicious freshly harvested from the garden. There is no other vegetable that beats home-grown asparagus, simply steamed and served with melting butter – the best way to enjoy full-flavoured, deliciously sweet and tender spears! Once established, 12 plants will produce an average crop of 10kg (22lb) annually for 12 years or more. Pomona Fruits Ltd supplies large one-year-old crowns which will establish quickly so that you can harvest your first crop (the company recommends doing this only sparingly) just one year after planting. Plants should be spaced 38cm (15in) apart in rows 1m (3ft 3in) apart. SAVE £3 'GIJNLIM F1' This male dominant F1 hybrid variety produces heavy crops of succulent green spears just one year…