Growing for flavour

Nothing beats the taste of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs grown in your own garden - or the satisfaction and enjoyment you can get from doing it.

Growing fruit and vegetables can be a challenging undertaking, especially if you’re short of space. For keen cooks, the best and most rewarding way to get started is by growing culinary herbs.

At RHS Garden Harlow Carr, the Kitchen Garden is starting to flourish thanks to the sunshine and much needed recent rain. Visitors can discover produce that’s both attractive to grow in the garden and delicious when served up on a plate. And if you’re inspired to try and grow some your own, herbs can be a good place to start.

You could get a head start by buying seedlings or seeing if a gardener friend or neighbour has plants to spare. There is still time to sow annual herbs now and enjoy them this season. Go for fast growing plants like basil, dill, coriander, nasturtium and borage, and you should have a harvesting window before the first frost hits in autumn. Summer is also a great time to sow hardy biennials like parsley and chervil. Direct sow in a sheltered spot to get a supply of fresh leaves during the winter months to liven up your dishes and impress your guests.

Festival of Flavours at RHS Harlow Carr

Returns 9 & 10 September 2023

Last autumn, our first Festival of Flavours at the RHS Gardens brought together growers and chefs, families and foodies, and gardeners through growing plants and cooking food. This year promises to be even bigger and better.

Over two days, Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September, visitors will be able to enjoy talks, demonstrations, discover new recipes and enjoy street food from around the world. We will have cookery demonstrations from top chefs including previous winners of Masterchef and chefs from awardwinning local restaurants and cookery schools.

Exhibitors will include growers, makers and foodie businesses from across Yorkshire with food, drinks and ingredients to get your tastebuds tingling. Our Street Food vendors will include tastes from around the world as well as more familiar fare including George’s Caribbean Kitchen, Peacock Indian Street Food and Toast of Harrogate. For families, we’ll have kids cookery lessons taking place so the next generation of top chefs can be inspired.

Plan your visit to RHS Garden Harlow Carr and find out more at: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr/whats-on

Crag Lane, Harrogate, HG3 1QB

Tel: 01423 565418 www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr