GrowBlog

Growing Kale – a Great Alternative to Cabbage

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:57:18 GMT

Kale has had a bad press for a long time. Goodness knows why, although it’s reputation as a poor man’s vegetable hasn’t helped. It’s also fed to cattle, which never does much for a veggie’s image. I’m delighted that it’s undergoing a renaissance. It started a few years ago when the dark, dramatic Cavolo Nero appeared in seed catalogues, and since then more and more varieties have been released. This is particularly good for potagers, where the enormous variety of colours and leaf shapes offered by kale add character to the mixed borders.

How to Make Great Salads with Garden Lettuce

Fri, 11 May 2012 07:44:55 GMT

Lettuce is wonderfully easy to grow and there are a wealth of varieties available so why not try some delicious new combinations in this guide to creating great salads.

Growing in Module Trays

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:14:57 GMT

If you’re growing vegetables in any quantity it pays to be well organised, both on and off the veg plot. Maintaining records of what is sown, where and when is a must and will help you to get the most from your patch but organising the raising of seedlings is vital too and that's where module trays can be a godsend...

Growing Carrots with Character

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:49:30 GMT

Home-grown carrots have a freshness and flavor that's hard to beat and by following these simple tips you'll find them easy to grow too.

Growing Potatoes the No-Dig Way

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 06:36:56 GMT

Growing potatoes can be hard work but it doesn't have to be that way. Using the no-dig (lasagne) method and following some simple steps can yield a wonderful harvest and remove the need to weed them.

Using Grass clippings as Vegetable Garden Mulch

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:04:25 GMT

Many gardeners don't know that grass cuttings can be used as mulch that is good for plants and keeps weeds down. Follow our tips to make sure you get the best results in your vegetable garden.

Perfect Parsnips Every Time

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:26:42 GMT

Some vegetables are notorious for their prolific, even rambunctious behaviour: sow, cover over, water... and stand well back! I’m thinking of the likes of, for example, climbing beans, courgettes/zucchinis and potatoes. Other vegetables need a little encouragement or have the reputation as being something of a prima donna. While parsnips are certainly vigorous once they’re established, many kitchen gardeners find them nothing short of stubborn to get going. The reason, I suspect, is a combination of shoddy seeds, sowing too early and, dare I say it, a lack of patience. Rake aside this trio of barriers and your parsnips will germinate without a hitch...

How to Successfully Take Cuttings of Herbs

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:03:26 GMT

Taking cuttings is a surprisingly easy way to propagate herbs and by following these easy instructions you can have a fresh new supply of plants for your herb garden at no costs.

Ten Top Tips for Growing Onions from Seed

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:10:12 GMT

In the past year, both Ben Vanheems and I have written about the virtues of growing onions from seed. We left out many small details, which I've been keeping track of in recent weeks as I've been growing onions from seed myself. Please bear in mind that I am an onion maniac, and I have no explanation for my obsession with growing onions and shallots from seed to table year after year. I am driven to do it, which explains the evolution of these ten guidelines for growing onions from seed...

Growing Potatoes in Containers

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 09:02:35 GMT

Potatoes are a wonderfully easy crop to grow but they do require plenty of room in the garden. If you are stretched for space the best solution is to grow them in containers by following these simple guidelines...