Kitchen Garden Magazine March 2025 issue **20 PAGE FREE PREVIEW**
If gardeners wereOlympic sprinters we’d be in the starting blocks this month –but for us the starting gun wouldmean it was time to sow,sow,sow,rather than to go, go go! I’m definitely not the right shape (orinthe right shape) for running and winter cansometimes be slowto loosen its grip in March, so it’sworth being patient and resisting the urge to get seeds in the ground before it has properly war med up. In preparation for when it does, and that couldbe now if youare in afavoured part of the country,wehave some great features to inspire. You’ll find lots on plot planning –helping youtoget as much delicious produce from every inchofsoil–and loads of great info helping to demystify the topicsoffertiliser choice and plant feeding. We also have growing guides on squashes, strawberries, cabbages, mint, kohlrabi and sweet peas, as well as hints and tips to help you get the best from your free seeds.
Need an early blast of summer? Iwas lucky enough to visit a wonderful walled garden last July,Croome Walled Gardens in Worcestershire, wherethe current owner has spent the past 24 years lovingly restoring it to its former glory.Read all about it starting on page 50. In this issue you can also visit the latest of the winners in our TopPlotter competition and receive awar mwelcomefrom KG reader and Instagrammer Sarah Purser as we admireher lovely cottage garden in Northamptonshire.
Catch
16
KG
Our
We
28
Highlights
GET GROWING
12 ON THE PLOT WITH THE THREE MUDKETEERS
Join the team in their gardens as they contemplate sowing their parsnip seeds for the KG Parsnip Grow Along
30 KNOW YOUR FERTILISERS ✪
Gardening expert Martin Fishdemystifies the complicated world of plant feeding
33 BEYOND THE PLOT… ONIONS, SHALLOTS AND GARLIC
Seed guardianRob Smith looks at different ways of preserving your harvests
37 SUPER SQUASHES ✪
Advice on growing this colourful crop from Benedict Vanheems
42 MY COTTAGE GARDEN
Take atour around the lovely plot of Instagrammer Sarah Purserfrom Northampton
46 KOHL RABI GROWING GUIDE ✪
All you need to know to grow this tasty and striking veg
48 FANTASTIC FIELD BEANS ✪
Garden Organic’sAnton Rosenfeld extols the virtues of this hardy crop
50 REVEALING THE MAGIC
Delicious recipes featuring your homegrown leeks, turnips and Brussels sprouts ✪
KG editor Steve Ott visits acaptivating walled kitchen garden in Worcestershire
56 MAKE ROOMFOR CABBAGE ✪
Acomprehensive guide to growing with KG's Emma Rawlings
60 SITING YOUR CROPS ✪
In this extract from her new book, gardening writer Lucy Chamberlain looks at sun and shade in the veg garden
63 SWEET DREAMS AREMADE OF THESE ✪
Instagrammer Olga Grieves shares her passion for growing sweet peas
66 GET PLANNING! ✪
Beforeyou sow it’salways good to startwitha plan, says gardening expert Becky Searle
70 HERB OF THE MONTH: MINT ✪
KG's Tony Flanagan reveals histop tips for growing thispungent plant
72 BIO-STIMULANT OR PLANT FOOD? ✪
AngharadJames explains the differenceand how each can give youbetter crops
76 POTTYABOUTSTRAWBERRIES ✪
Strawberries werejustmade to grow in pots, says fruit expert David Patch
Scan this,and we’lltellyou!
WHATTOBUY
80 PRODUCT REVIEWS
This month we look at sowing trays and accessories for aperfect start
84 YOUR FREE SEEDS
Learn how to get the best from your free gifts this month
86 MONEY-SAVING OFFERS ✪
Claim your free blueberry worth £15.95
88 GIVEAWAYSWORTH OVER £939 ✪
Win prizes including compost, fertilisers and lawncarekit
89 GIVEAWAY COUPON PLUS SEED SUPPLIERS
90 GARDENSTORE PLUS SUBSCRIBERSAVERS
Achance for KG subscribers to take advantage of some exclusive offers!
FMACH
STEPHANIE HAFFERTY OUTLINESTHE ESSENTIAL TASKS FOR YOUR VEG PATCHAND PROTECTED CROPS
PROTECT PARSNIPS
After sowing parsnips, cover with Enviromesh or fleece to protect them while they are germinating. Remove once the seedlings have sprouted. Remember to water the bed during dry spells.
SOW TOMATOES
For growing under cover sow tomatoes intoseed trays in awarm, light place. Wait until Aprilbeforesowing outdoor varieties, unless you live in an area with an early last frost date
PRUNE FRUIT
Last chance to prune tree and soft fruitwhile they are still dormant. Stone fruit such as plums,cherries or greengages should be pruned later in the spring to prevent diseases such as silver leaf
SPLIT RHUBARB
Divide rhubarb with a spade then potonorplant out. Water and mulch, then leave the rhubarb for ayear to establish before harvesting
PRPA EB ES FS PR IG
While youcan mulch beds at any time of year, now is an excellent time to get all preparations done for aproductive growing season. Start by hoeing the bedstoremove any emerging weeds. Hand weed larger weeds and remove any over wintered crops that have finished, using atrowel or hori hori. If you can leave dandelions and other early spring wildflowers in the edges of the beds, wherethey’ll be appreciated by pollinators. Dandelions arealso auseful source of spring greens. Pick the youngest leaves – larger ones arevery bitter – and add to salads, stir fries and soups. They taste abit like chicory.Edible dandelion flowers arelovely added to baking and make adelicious honey-like preserve. Next, spread some compost on the surface of the beds. Thiscan be home-made, shop bought, composted manure,orwhatever you have access to.This willfeed the soil life, and your plants, throughout the year and help to protect the soil from inclement weather
MAKEYOUR OWN HUGEL
STEP 1: Hugelkultur is away of makinga tall raisedbed using woody plant matter, soil and compost.Itisanexcellent way of combining tidying up thegarden with making anew growing space.First, gather up twigs, branches andother plant material and place in apile on the ground.
STEP 2: Keep adding twigsetc until you have formed amound about the height that you want. Next, cover this with soil or compost. Upside-down turf works well too. You’ll need this layertobedeep enough to plant into. The hugel is now ready to plant.
■ Molesare increasingly active and their mole hills can pop up in veg beds and lawns. While these might be unsightly moles benefitgardenersbyeating slugs and the larvae of pests such asleatherjackets. Tidy up by gathering the soil from molehills and use to make potting compost.
■ Regularly check under pots and trays for slugs, snails and woodlice, especially in propagating areas wherethey can devour many seedlings in anight. Relocate to wild areas. It is a myth that woodlice only eat decaying woody material. They love young seedlings too.
■ Longer days energise perennial weeds and grass, which can start to creep in from lawns and paths. Use ahalf-moon edger and trowel to regularly prevent them from taking over theveg beds.
■ Cover new plantings of beetroot, chardand spinach with finemesh netting to protect from sparrows and other small birds, until the plants have become established.
STEP3: Youcan plant into the top and the sides, significantlyincreasing growing space compared withaflat garden bed. As the plant materials decompose it feeds the plants growing in the hugel and the structure also is excellent at holding in moisture, reducing the need to feed and water plants.
INTERPLANTING
Make the most of your growing space by intersowing, or interplanting, between rows of garlic. The garlic benefits from having growing companions adding to the biodiversity of the soil. The companions also help to protect the soilfromerosion due to wildweather,and reduces water evaporation by shading the soil, during dry spells.
Carefully weed the garlic bed using ahand hoe beforesowing or planting. Next, add alittle compostmulch if the bed was not mulched during the winter months. Youcan either direct sow or plant out modules of vegetables andherbs. Idealgrowing companions include carrots, radish, salad leaves, spinachand lettuce.
March is amonth with very unpredictable weather. We can go from spending afew hours gardening in at-shirt on abright, sunny day to waking up the following morning to ahardfrost or even snow.Asthe greenhouse fills up with the season’snew seedlings and plants, it is important tobeawareofnight-time temperatures and makepreparations for very cold weather.Check the forecast in the afternoon before it gets dark because heading out into afreezing cold night to tuck up seedlings is not much fun!
Horticultural fleece is idealasanextra insulation layeroverpropagation benches. Thereare special thermal fleeces which areexcellent for covering tenderplants such as tomatoes and aubergines.
Alternatively,several layersofnewspaper,some cardboardoralightweight blanket spread over the plants and trays is very insulating.It is important to remember to removethese during thedaytime because, unlike fleece, they block thelight Mini-cloches made from clear plastic food trays are excellent too.
REACTING TO A TENDER TOUCH
Reduce legginess and encourage healthy,strong growth of seedlings and young plants, grown under cover in greenhouses, on windowsills, etc by mimicking nature. Gently stroke your fingertips across the seedlings, repeating the motion several times. This mimics the effects of wind and passing insects and other wildlife, triggering aresponse inthe plants which causes them to grow stockier. This is called thigmomorphogenesis. It works for all kinds of plants and gives an opportunity to check their overall health, whether they need watering and so on. Talking encouragingly to them at the same time is optional (I always do!) Avoidstroking any plants which can cause skinsensitivity
GROW YOUR OWN SWEET POTATOES
STEP 1: Sweet potato plantsare grown from slips, which areshoots withroots. It is easy and fun to grow your own on awindowsill using shop bought sweet potatoes as the parent plant. Growing your own means that you canharvest the sweetpotato leaves, widely used in Asian cuisine, as well as the tastytubers.
STEP 2: Suspend asweet potato over a jar of water,pointy end down (thisisthe root end) using cocktail sticks. Or place the tuber on its side half buried in atray of moist compost. Keep in awarm, light place. It takes awhile for the shoots to start growing but gradually the tuber will start to sprout.
BE CLEVER WITHCARROTS
Make the most of under coverspaces by sowing carrots in potsfor an extra early harvest. Choose straight-sidedpots, preferably at least 30cm (12in) deep. An old bucketwith holes in the bottom is ideal. If you want to use smaller containers, choose one of the shorter or round rooted varietiesofcarrots
Fill the container with peat-free compost, tamp down and water well. Next,sow the
seeds thinlyacross the surface of the compost, and sprinkle with athin layer,around 1cm (¼in), of compost to cover Keep the compost moist. Once the seedlings arebig enough to handle thin out so each seedling is about 4-5cm(1½-2in) apart and leave the rest to grow on.
Harvest baby carrots in around sixweeksor maincrop carrots in about three months.
STEP 3: When the shoots arearound 12cm (5in) long carefully remove them from the tuber with aknife, making sure that each shoot has arootattached. Place each into apot of compost in awarm place to grow on beforeplanting out in the ground or alarge pot,once danger of frost has passed.
THE KEY JOBS FOR MAR CH
■ Finish planting any bareroot fruit trees and bushes while they arestill dormant. Digahole about the size of the rootball, plant thetreeand back fill with the soil. Firm around the plant and add asupport if necessary.Water in, then mulch with compost. Keep watered if the spring and summer are dry,otherwise they can die.
■ Plant first early potatoes in pots or in the ground. Protect emerging shoots from frosty weather by covering with newspaper or cardboard, and then a layer of fleece, on coldnights.
■ Continue to harvest overwintered veg, including leeksand parsnips. Towards the end of March lift these and bring into the kitchen to enjoy Left in the ground thespring daylight will cause them to bolt and turn woody inside.
■ Check that youhave enough plant supports for beans, peas and other climbing edibles. Cut your own hazel poles and pea sticks if you have access to some or buyfromlocal suppliers. Make sureyou have plenty of string too.
“Manythings grow in the garden that were never sown there”
“Have you viewed us on YouTube yet?”
(Thomas Fuller, seventeenth century preacher,historian, and author)
PREPARINGFOR PARSNIPS
Steve has been thinking how he might steal the prize for the longest parsnip in the KG grow along from Emma and Tony.Hehas decided topre-chit his seeds on damp kitchen towel and will be sowing two batches –the free KG ‘Tender and True’ seeds, plus some collected from unnamedplants which flowered on his daughter’s new allotment last year.
Tony was searching frantically for a drainpipe and the one attached to the house just wouldn’tbudge. So he’saiming to pre-chit his parsnip seeds first then use apole to create a planting hole which he will then fillwith compost. In this way each parnsip root should extend downwards with little obstruction from anystones beneath thesurface. That’sthe theory anyway!
Emma is growing her parsnips in a constructed frame on the plot. She used four stout posts in asquare. The diameter of the construction is 50cm (20in). Ground cover fabric waswrapped around the posts and cardboardpanels pushed inside for greater stability. Soil from the plotwas used tofill the structure. The idea is it willdismantle easily, allowing for easier access to the roots.
The KG team offer chat, tips and gardening gossip
PEPPER PRUNING
3M udketeers
Imanaged to overwinter some chilli plants in 2024, something Ioften struggle to do, but thistime they survived looking healthy and still covered in small(very hot) chillies,which have helped to keep us warm during the cold months. With some new shoots starting to break from buds on the stems it’stime to trim them back to encourage bushy growth and at the same time remove the many greenfly which have made the plants their home during the winter months.
CRACKING ON WITH EGGPLANTS
THE MICE HAVE BEAN
Aubergines (or eggplants) need along growing season so Idecided to sow some in February and some moreinMarch just to see how these two sowings compare. I simply filled small pots with multipurpose compost and sowed about 10 seeds per pot. After watering Iput the pots in a propagator.Once the seedlings arethrough and large enough to handle Iwill pot them up, one plant per small pot, and grow them on awarm windowsill until it is safe to move them to the greenhouse, whichmay be about mid-April.
DESIGN YOUR OWN VEGETABLE PATCH
Hi! I’m Belle and I’m hereevery month to sharelots of fun activities for you to do at home, on your own or withyour family
One vegetable Inever seem to grow enough of is broad beans. Each year Igrowplenty of plants (or so Ithink) but after harvesting all the pods, Inever seem to have enough for winter consumption. It’s ashame as they freeze so well and keep their flavour in away that Ifind runner beans don’t.
This year,I’m going to grow asmany as I can, so thesowing has begun. I’m trying out two new varieties: ‘Vroma’and ‘Suprifin’ (both from Dobies) as well as ‘De Monica’, which I’ve grown several times before.
Unfortunately,myfirstsowing of ‘DeMonica’ came to asorry end.They weresownincell trays and left in the polytunnel but because I failed to cover them sufficiently the mice got them. Ascene of carnage, Ican tell you.
While youwaittosow your first seeds you can start planning what you wouldlike to grow and where. What fruit and vegetables do you love to eat? Would you like to grow produce that make the colours of the rainbow?
To make your allotment design, youwillneed:
■ Seed catalogues and gardening magazines
■ Paper
■ Scissors
■ Glue
■ Pens
If you don’thave any catalogues or old gardening magazines you can ask an adult to order some free catalogues online, or youcould print some photos offtouse if you have acomputer Write or draw alistofall the fruit and vegetables you love to eat! On your own, or with the helpofaparent, research if you couldgrowthem at home? Can they grow in the UK? Make asimple outline drawing of your growing space on the paper.What shape is the space? Areyou growing in the ground or in containers?
Now it is time to start designing! Look through the catalogues and magazines to see if you can findyour favourite plants. Cutout any photos
and stick them on to your design where you would likethem to grow.
The catalogue will also be able to give youtips about how they grow and what conditions theyneed to do well. Youcan then decide if they will like being in the space you have.
When you have finished sticking everything on and adding any labels, leave it to dry on aflat surface.
TOP TIP:
Have alook outside and see which parts of your garden areinthe sun or shade all day.Thiswill be important when planning what plants go where, as some plants love lots of sun and others don’t.
YOU YOUR PLOT
GARDENING YOURWAY TO BETTERHEALTH
The gardening for health charity Thrivehas launched thefirst apptohelp people garden their waytobetter health. The Cultivating Wellbeing appisfor anyone aged 18+ who would like to improve theirhealth and wellbeing through time in gardens andnature. It’s suitable for any level of gardeningexperience and all types of garden, whether big or small, apatio or balcony.Users can createapersonalised wellbeing plan, discover active and mindful activitiesusing alibrary of tips, guides andresources, andtrack progress on their health journey with areflection diary. The app costs £2.49 ayear. For moreinformation visit: www.thrive.org.uk/app
MAJOR RHS RESEARCH PROJECT LAUNCHED
The Royal HorticulturalSociety (RHS) has launched its biggest ever community gardening survey as it seeks to map whatthe charity believes to be acrucial butunwritten public service. The national research project will create an in-depth report on community gardening, providing aclear pictureofwho participates and why,its reach, its impact and barrierstogrowth.
The survey wants input from groups or individuals involved in gardening outside of private and commercial gardens, and the results will contribute to abigger report on gardening in the UK that will be published in October.The findings will ultimately help the RHS and other organisations to better supportcommunity gardeners in the future.
The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and closes on MondayMarch 31, 2025. Visit: https://bit.ly/RHScommunitysurvey
ALLOTMENTS ARE GOOD FOR YOU!
Research carried out by Rhys Furlong, alecturer in positive psychology at the University of Northamptonand aPhD student at the University of Derby, found that contactwith naturefor between 120 and 300 minutes aweek can significantlybenefita person’s physical and mental health.
Benefits included reducing stress and mental fatigue, decreasing depression and increasing vitality.
BIG YES FORWILDLIFE
Hosted by Nottingham charity The Renewal Trust, Rhys volunteered at St Ann’sAllotments in the city for18months so he couldwork closelywith allotment gardeners, staffand fellow volunteers and understand their unique experiences –captured through interviews,recorded conversations, surveys and photography
Asurvey by seed company Thompson & Morgan (T&M)found that when asked about the importance of wildlife89% of respondents rated this as an important, avery important or avital consideration in their gardening practices. Wildlife-friendlygardening appears to be agrowing trend as 79% of respondents aregrowing plants for pollinators, 67% cited growing native trees and shrubs, and 58% are growing wildflowers to attract wildlife.
Megan, one of the participants, said: ‘The other gardeners that we have met arereally,really helpful and there’s such awealth of knowledge here. Everyone’sbeen really,really generous as well with sharing. I barelywalk past agarden without them saying “Oh hi,how areyou, have alook around, take asack for the vegetables, give me ashout if you need ahand,” that kind of thing.’
For moreinformation about the work of The Renewal Trust visit: https:// renewaltrust.co.uk
YOU YOUR PLOT
GETTING READY
I am having a great evening (my husband
Iamhaving agreat Friday evening(my husband is laughingatme) –Iampreparing forthe spring!
I’m laying out allmylovely seeds and having agood think about what Imight want to try growing this year –such abig range, thanks to my KG subscription!
Harriet Groves, Essex
TONY SAYS: Well that picturelooks abit like seed heaven Harriet –spoilt for choice!
Send us your tips and pictures and ifyour letterispublished youwill get a£10 Dobies voucher.Ifyou arelucky enough to have yours chosen as our Star Letter you will get a£25 voucher.You can choose to spend your winnings ona fabulous range of seeds,young plants and gardening sundries all available on the Dobies website or you can gethold of a copy of the 2023 catalogue now by phoning 0844 701 7625 or go online to: www.dobies.co.uk
Youcan reach us by letter,email or via our Facebook page. Search: @KitchenGardenMag or via our Instagram page:@growwithkg
EXCESS SEEDS PUT TO GOOD USE
Like so many gardeners Ihave far too many seed packets. Some opened and half used. Some expired. Some so called ‘bargain buys’ which Ihave changedmymind about and never intend to sow.I decided to have abit of aseed culland clear out my old and unwanted seeds.
Some went out forthe birds. My flower seeds have been mixed together and Iwill scatter sow these in the garden in spring. My veg seeds have been mixed all together to use as microgreens/sprouting seeds. I have used lots of different types including onion, leeks, brassicas, saladleaves, sweetcorn, peas, edible herbs etc. Iam planning to sow these weekly and to use the leaves in salads.
Ihave made two sowings up to now using acoirmedium –starting them offin aheated propagator and moving them to the windowsill when they have sprouted. The first sowing was Jan 1and the second aweek later
Alison Calverley,Sheffield
Email your letters to tflanagan@mortons. co.uk or post to Letters, Kitchen Garden,Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR
WARMING THE WORMS
I’m astonished that despite the recent freeze, the worms in my rotary compost maker have produced tiny worms. The compost maker is in the open and the heat generated in the middle of it is obviously very nice and warm for worms,so here’stothe next generation.
Jean Wilson, Llandudno
EDITORIAL
Tel07738 455014, Fax 01507 371075
EDITOR: Steve Ott, sott@mortons.co.uk
DEPUTY EDITOR: Emma Rawlings, erawlings@mortons.co.uk
STAFF WRITER: Tony Flanagan, tflanagan@mortons.co.uk
PRODUCTION: Sue North
WHY DO WE GARDEN?
We grow plants for many reasons.
To please the eye or placate the soul.
To challenge the elements or challenge our patience. For novelty or nostalgia. But most of all,for the sheer joy of watching things grow
Tina Vowles, Stroud
TONY SAYS: Lovely sentiments Tina, though I often ask myselfthe same question –likewhen the slugs have feasted on my lettuce!
MANAGING MANURE
PAWTY: Ihad my first delivery of manuretothe allotment today.So, question is,what do Idowithit all? Thepile is massive! Leave it in apile, or spreadit? If Ileave it in apileshouldIcover it?
WESTI: It looks abit fresh to me. If it is abit newish then Iwould make apile and cover it for thesummer then spread it over the beds in winter.Again, cover these, then when you liftthe plasticinthe spring the worms shouldhave pulled alot of it down, making it easier to digin. You’ll be amazed how lovelyand crumbly the soil underneath is.
BERYL: Goodstuffbut looks fresh to me.When Ihave loads likethis Iput in in my compost bins andtry to layer with anything else that comes to hand –green waste, shredded paper,annual weeds, kitchen waste etc.
PUBLISHER: Tim Hartley
DESIGNER: Charlotte Fairman
ADVERTISING
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SUBSCRIPTION: Full subscription rates (butsee page 28 for offer):(12 months 12 issues, incpost and packing) –UK£83.88. Export rates arealso available –see page 28 formoredetails. UK subscriptions arezero-ratedfor the purposes of Value Added Tax.
PUBLISHED Monthly by Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR. Tel01507 523456, Fax 01507 529301 THE TALKING KG Kitchen Garden is available on audio CD or USB at very reasonable rates to anyoneunable to read normal type. Details from the Talking Newspaper Association of the UK on 01435 866102. ISSN 1369-1821
ADVERTDEADLINE: March 4, 2025 NEXT ISSUE: March 27, 2025 HAVE AQUESTION ABOUT YOUR KG SUBSCRIPTION? JUST CALL 01507 529529
AND THE ENVIRONMENT
TONY SAYS: Snug as abug in arug, Jean –sort of…
YOU YOUR PLOT
POOR POTTED GARLICCROP
Every yearIgrowgarlicin
large rectangular pots in my garden, planting the bulbs in early November However,for the past few years my crop of cloves has become smaller and smaller until last autumn when the bulbs Ilifted werenobigger thanwhen first plantedand thecloves (on thosebulbs whichhad split) weretiny andvirtually useless. Anyideas to improve things?
Mrs Susan Daywan, Buckinghamshire
STEVE SAYS: Therecould be several factors thatare limiting the size of your container-grown garlic.
The non-splitting of bulbs tends tooccur if the winter weather is mild, so it is possible that milder,wetter winters will lead to moreregular occurrences of whole bulbs, rather thanones split into cloves. Of course, whole bulbs are perfectly edible if not exactly whatwe want.
be several factors that are to occur is so it crop of
The reduction in the size and quality of the bulbs could also indicatethat the soil or compost in the containers is depleted. Youdon’tmention whether you regularly replace the growing medium, but if not growing the same crop in it each year runs the risk of soil-bornepestsand diseases. In addition, previous garlic crops will tend to have removed the nutrients they need and these must be replenished.
Ideally you shouldn’tgrowthe same crop in the same soil for morethana season or two, although you canget away with it for alittle longer perhaps by taking offthe top 10-15cm (4-6in) and replacing it each year.You could also consider enriching the new compost or soil at the same time with either an onion fertiliser,ageneral feed such asblood, fish and bone, or controlled-release fertiliser pellets. Thereare lots available in garden centres.
Star Question winners receive a voucher worth £25, and £10each for the others. These can be redeemedagainst any products in the latest Mr Fothergill’s range, which can be viewedonline by visiti www.mr-fothergills.co.uk. Email questions to tflanagan@mortons.co.uk or post to Question Time, Kitchen Garden,Mortons MediaGroup,MediaCentre, MortonWay Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR. Please include your full address on letters and emails.
Morton Way,
RASPBERRYSPLITS
Igrewautumn raspberriesthis year and alot of them turned out like those in the attached photo. There werealot of wasps hanging round the canes around late August/ September too. Canyou help?
Lindy Robertson, Banffshire
Robertson, is often caused uneven watering – causing the
TONY SAYS: The problem you have experienced is often caused by uneven watering –causingthe fruit to take up lots of water following irrigation or rain after
adry spell –or simply very wet weather,such as many of us experienced last year.This causes the ‘plug’ or receptacle in the middle of the fruit to split.
The wasps, which by the time your autumn raspberries arefruiting will be searching forsugary foods, will be attracted tothe damaged fruit by the sweet juice that might be released.
It is difficult to do much about the wet weather of course, but you canwater regularly during dry spells and mulch around the plants to reduce problems in drier seasons.
KEEPING RABBITS OUT
Rabbits come and visit our garden day and night. Do you have any tips to help us live alongside them while also growing fruit and veg.
LITTLE WHITE FLIES
My kale and cabbages are looking OK, but when I disturb the leaves littlewhite flies appear and when Iturn the leaves over Ican see more underneath. The plants seem OK, but notvery nice to eat. What can Ido?
John Keller,Oxford
STEVE SAYS: Your plants arehost to overwintering cabbage whitefly,avery common sapsucking pest that is veryhardy and will survive cold conditions outdoors during the winter.Itismore
are host
whitefly, a very common sappest that
of aproblem on crops where you intend to eat the leaves, such as kale. On other cabbage family crops they can be tolerated as they don’t generally affect growth and in summer thereare some common predators that will attack them.
Whitefly is quite resistant to most insecticides, but a pyrethrum or plant oil-based spray shouldhelp to keep numbers down. It is also a good idea to soak picked leaves in abowl of salted water for an hour beforeuse to remove the adult flies and any waxy scales, which arethe larvae of the pest.
ClareElgar,Barnham
Clare Elgar, Barnham
way to the rabbits from your is to fence
EMMA SAYS: Unfortunately, the only surefire way to keep the rabbitsfromyour veggies is to fence your veg patch.
This should be with chicken wireorsimilar and will needto be around 90cm-1.2m (3-4ft) tall with afurther 30cm(1ft)at least buried in the ground, with
15cm (6in) of that bent to face outwards beforeburyingto prevent the bunnies from digging underneath. Any gates into the area also need toberabbit proof and this can be donebysecuring aflap of wire to thebaseofthe gate and also burying wire or paving slabs vertically in the soil below it. The wireshouldbe secured withpostsevery 1.8m (6ft) apart or so andheld taught with straining wires.
Another approach mightbeto use electric fencing, and this will give them ajolt ratherthan do them any harm. Electric fencing is available online.
EQUIP YOURSELF FOR HEALTH THIS YEAR
a must-have in the arsenal anyone who enjoys their own snacks and treats at home. It jerky, fruits and trail snacks and more can also be used as a yoghurt maker!). With a air filter as standard, you can rest airborne dust and dirt are being kept out your produce a free copy of The Bible included with every purchase, there has been a better time to L’Equip FilterPro for or a loved one. Comes with two fruit trays, four trays and six mesh screens. air filtration system for clean air drying to the corners of the trays.
Meet the L’Equip FilterProDigital Food Dehydrator, amust-have in the arsenal of anyone who making their own healthy snacks andtreatsat dehydrates everything, including fruit leathers, ruits and vegetables, trail snacksand more (and be used as ayoghurt maker!). Witha washable included as standard, you canrest assured that airborne bacteria, dust and dirt arebeing kept out of oduce and with afreecopyofThe Dehydrator included with every purchase, therehas never abetter time to purchase the L’EquipFilterProfor yourself or alovedone. Comeswith twofruit leather four yoghurt trays and sixmesh screens. Unique filtrationsystem for clean airdrying (patent pending). Dries evenly right to the corners of thetrays. Use the voucher codeKGFP20 which will give 20% off.
Price £149 from www.ukjuicers.com
Mother’s Day
Looking for that perfect gift for Mothering Sunday? Hereare some super ideas from leading suppliersyou can trust, and that any gardening mum would love!
APRACTICALLY PERFECT GIFT FOR MUM…
£88.99 PER PAIR +P&P
Harris Dryboots arehand made usingfine quality Malaysian rubber for maximum protection and all day comfort. An ideal alternative to acumbersome kneelength wellington boot… washable, cushion-lined, with reinforced ‘digging’ sole, generously sized and vegan friendly.Accessories available: insoles, conditioning spray,boot or soft top socksand hydrophobic laces. Call 07974 977112 or visit www.thedrybootcompany.com
KENT &STOWE EVERSHARP PREMIUM SECATEURS DUO GIFT SET
Perfectly for gifting, this set is ideal both and combining durability, comfort, and exceptional cutting power in
This Twin Pack Gift Box brings together two exceptional tools for the avid gardener.The Bypass Secateursoffer unparalleled precision for delicate cuts, whilethe AnvilSecateurshandletougher pruning tasks effortlessly. Perfectly packaged forgifting,this set isideal for both beginners and professionals, comb and exceptionalcutting power in one stylish box
Eversharp™ Bypass
Secateurs: Aerospace-coated blade 100x harder and 2x sharper than standard, with ergonomic design for both left and right-handed users. Eversharp™ Anvil Secateurs: Ultrasharp carbonsteel blade with traditional wooden handle for comfortable, powerful cuts.
