Category Archives for Vegetable Gardening
Scarlet Runner Bean
Phaseolus multiflorus When this well known and popular vegetable was introduced into Britain in 1633 it was for the ornamental value of its beautiful scarlet flowers. It is now grown for the edible pods, which are often over 30cm (12in) … Continue reading
Growing Broad beans
Viciafaba This vegetable was well known to the Egyptians and Romans while broad bean seeds have been found associated with Iron Age relics. It was certainly introduced to Britain as a cultivated plant well before the seventeenth century. Broad beans … Continue reading
How to Grow Garden peas
Pimm sativum hortense—Green pea Pisum sativum macrocarpum—Sugar pea Tetragonolobus purpureus—Asparagus pea Green peas, sugar peas (Mangetout or Edible—podded peas) and petit pois—all of which have been developed from the same basic ancestor—are dealt with here along with the reddish flowered … Continue reading
Growing Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala (curly kales/ borecole), Brassica napus (plain-leaved, fodder or rape kales) Kales are hardy winter greens and will withstand very severe weather indeed. In Britain they are, therefore, particularly useful in northern districts. Plants may be classified … Continue reading
Grow Your Own Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. bullata (Savoys) Brassica oleracea var. capitata (other cabbage) Plants in this group are characterized by the large terminal bud which forms the familiar cabbage. Careful management and choice of cultivars allows the gardener to have mature cabbages … Continue reading
How to Grow Cauliflower
Brassical oleracea var. botrytis cauliflora This very important member of the Cabbage family has cultivars which mature at different times of the year and, if a careful choice is made, it is possible for you to have cauliflowers ready almost … Continue reading
How to Grow Brassicas: Brussels Sprouts
Brassicas are an essential feature of any vegetable garden. They provide green leafy vegetables and other edible plant parts over a large part of the year. Many of the plants are derived from the wild cabbage—Brassica oleracea—which is native to … Continue reading
Growing Crops under Glass
This section is concerned with some of the general principles underlying protected cultivation. With the aid of some form of protective structure it is possible to extend the production season for a number of fruits and vegetables. These structures include … Continue reading
Garden Tools and Equipment
The essential gardening operations can be carried out with a small number of tools such as spade, fork, rake, trowel and Dutch hoe with a draw-hoe for taking out drills and earthing up potatoes. Nevertheless you will undoubtedly accumulate a … Continue reading
Good Husbandry: Growing Fruit and Veg
Emphasis must always be placed on growing a good plant and accepting that good cultivation, proper manuring and all that is involved in the splendid term ‘good husbandry’ form the proper foundations for success. And never forget that good husbandry … Continue reading