Wednesday 18 February 2015

What to grow in small spaces...........

It is remarkable just how many vegetables can be grown in a small area or raised planters.  


For example, the following are all suitable for small spaces:

Lettuce/salad leaves
Beetroot
Purple broccoli
Early potatoes
Shallots
Garlic
Courgettes
Kale
Spinach
Carrots
Cherry tomatoes
Runner/broad beans beans

Top tips………….

If space is limited, choose crops which you like to eat. 
Avoid growing crops that take up a large amount of space or take a long time to grow. 
Choose leafy vegetables that you can harvest a few leaves off and they will keep growing (known as cut and come again veg) For example; celery, spring onion, rocket, coriander, chard and parsley.

Tuesday 17 February 2015

What to do in the garden in February

Wondering what to do in the garden in February?


Prepare vegetable seed beds by removing all weeds and digging in new soil and compost.
Plant new rhubarb crowns now.
In the greenhouse/poly tunnel you can start sowing vegetable seeds such as leeks , tomatoes, parsley, sweet peppers, onions and celery.
Early varieties of potatoes should be chitted (laid out in trays and allowed to form short sprouts) in a cool, light, frost-free place ready for planting towards the end of March.
February is your last chance to sow garlic – get the cloves in the ground before the end of the month.

For inspiration and free in depth month by month tips and advice you can visit:



Friday 13 February 2015

Thursday 12 February 2015

Harvesting and sowing phacelia seeds

Phacelia is a quick growing hardy annual green manure and is ideal for sowing from March until September. It will grow up to 1metre in height and suits most soil types.

It has beautiful scented purple/blue flowers which form dense fern-like foliage.

It smothers weeds and has an extensive root system that improves the soil structure.


Phacelia is listed as one of the top 20 honey-producing flowers for honeybees and is very attractive to bumblebees and hoverflies. (hoverflies eat a lot of aphids). 

A small patch, especially near to vegetables, will help to attract pollinating insects.

After flowering it can be dug in to help build up the organic content of your soil and also makes an excellent cut flower and has a long vase-life with strong stems.