Articles in the Grow Your Own Category
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables – and that’s not surprising since the taste fresh from the vine is divine.
Though growing-bags are the favoured growing medium, they take a lot more careful looking after than those growing in pots or in the ground.
Outdoor tomatoes are well worth growing using cultivars that are more tolerant of outdoor conditions.
Sowing
Sow at 18C (65F). Sow in either seed trays or small pots. Transplant into 7.5-9cm (3-3.5in) pots when two true leaves have formed.
For greenhouse cultivation: sow from mid-January to early February (heated …
Unfortunately, sweet corn is not the easiest crop to grow in the UK, but there are newer, more modern cultivars which are better suited to our climates.
Sweet corn should be grown in a sunny position that is protected from strong wind.
As the plants are wind pollinated they are grown in blocks rather than rows. Set the plants 45cm (18in) apart.
There are some mini sweet corn cultivars. Since mini corn is harvested before fertilisation, it doesn’t need to be grown in a block and can even be grown as a windbreak. …
Versatile and becoming increasingly popular, sweet potatoes are well worth trying outdoors in milder areas – or in a glasshouse or polytunnel elsewhere. Even in mild regions, indoor growing will produce more reliable crops.
Sowing
Sweet potatoes are best grown from cuttings or slips ordered from a mail order supplier.
You can try growing them from shop-bought tubers. Many shop-bought tubers are also treated with an anti-sprouting agent, so give them a good scrub to clean them first. Then place them in moist sand in a hot propagator or even in the airing …
The strawberry is an extremely popular fruit and they are very easy to grow. Grow your own with these simple instructions.
Site and soil
Strawberries are so versatile – they just need sun, shelter, and fertile, well-drained soil. Avoid areas prone to frost and soils that have previously grown potatoes, chrysanthemums, or tomatoes.
Windy places will keep pollinating insects from reaching the flowers. In poor soil, grow in raised beds, which will improve drainage and increase rooting depth. Another option is to grow in containers or growing bags.
To produce an earlier crop by …
Spinach is able to produce a crop all year round, even when other greens may be in short supply. When prepared and cooked properly – use fresh spinach and steam it rather than boil it – spinach is tasty and versatile. It can even be used raw in salads.
Some cultivars can also be overwintered for an early spring harvest. Winter cultivars need a sunny position. Summer types will benefit from a little shade, so try growing between rows of taller crops
Sowing
Sow the seeds 2.5cm (1in) deep in rows 30cm (12in) …
Potatoes are hugely versatile and are a staple ingredient of many meals in one form or another.
There are three main types – first earlies, second earlies and maincrops depending on when they are planted and harvested.
Potatoes need a sunny site away from frost pockets – the newly emerging foliage is susceptible to frost damage.
It’s important to keep light away from the developing new potatoes as light turns them green and green potatoes are poisonous.
Seed tubers should be planted around late March for first earlies, early to mid-April for second earlies …
A ripe peach picked straight from the tree is one of the juiciest fruits that can be grown.
The closely related, nectarine is slightly harder to cultivate.
Site and soil
Peaches and nectarines are best grown as a fan on a sunny, south- or south-west-facing wall.
Peaches can also be grown as free-standing bushes in very favourable sites, but nectarines will struggle. A sheltered position will help prevent the leaves and fruit becoming damaged.
Plant in well-drained soil, with plenty of well-rotted humus to help retain moisture.
Buying and planting
It is best to buy a partially …
The best cucumbers are those grown indoors under glass, and they can be easier to grow.
Different cultivars are needed depending on if they will be grown indoors or outdoors. For growing indoors always select F1 cultivars as these don’t produce male flowers – just the cucumber-producing females. If male flowers are produced they should be removed otherwise the fruit will taste bitter
Sowing
Sow at 24-27C (75-80F). Then maintain a temperature of 18-21C (65-70F) after germination and when growing.
For greenhouse cultivation: sow from mid-February to mid-March (heated greenhouse) or April (unheated greenhouse).
For …
Native of warm climates, citrus can be grown in cooler climates if they can be kept frost-free during winter.
Their flowers appear on one-year-old shoots in late winter, and nine to twelve months later the fruit will ripen. Because their fruits take so long to mature they can flower and fruit at the same time.
Site and soil
Citrus should be planted where they will receive the most sunlight, especially in cooler climates.
While some species are comparatively more tolerant of cold, none are fully hardy and should be brought into a frost-free place …
Apples are possibly the easiest tree fruit to grow and make a great addition to any garden.
Site and soil
The ideal place is a sunny, protected site, away from any frost areas. The perfect soil pH is 6.5. Soil should be well irrigated.
Buying and planting
You should only buy named cultivars of apples from a reputable specialist nursery. Apples are usually supplied as young trees ready for planting. You should only buy from a reputable nursery.
Different rootstocks are also available; they depend on how you want to grow your tree and how …
