May 2017
May 2017   


Kitchen Garden - May 2017

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YOU YOUR PLOT

6 ON THE VEG PATCH

Sow runner beans, tend to herbs in pots, sow
tender veg and basil, protect fruit blossom
and feed fruit in pots, remove rhubarb flowers,
deal with gooseberry sawfly

10 IN THE GREENHOUSE
Plant sweetcorn, sow pumpkins, remove side
shoots from tomatoes, tend to strawberries,
plant sweet potatoes, support climbing plants,
clear old crops

12 WHAT’S NEW?
The latest news, comment and advice from the
world of kitchen gardening

14 YOUR LETTERS AND TIPS
Learn what other KGreaders have been up to
and pick up some great first-hand advice

20 QUESTION TIME
Our panel of leading experts from the gardening
industry answer your gardening queries

52 BRITAIN’S MOST PASSIONATE PLOTTERS
Meet more of our wonderful readers and find
out why they love their plots

97 DIARY DATES
Plus giveaway entry coupon and details of
seed and young plant suppliers

88 NEXT MONTH
Some of the highlights to be found in your
June issue plus news of great free gifts

106 LAST WORD WITH THE KG FORUM
We dip into the wealth of knowledge to be
found on the KGforum. This month the forum
discuss some of the weird and wonderful
things they have found in their compost heaps!

GET GROWING

16 ON THE PLOT WITH THE
THREE MUDKETEERS

This month the KGteam enjoy a meal of
delicious, freshly picked broccoli

26 PRETTY & PRODUCTIVE
The challenges and rewards of mixing flowers
and veg in a modern potager

33 A MOST EXOTIC BEAN
Sally Cunningham highlights lablabs, a pretty
climber with great cropping potential

36 EARTHY PLEASURE
Heritage veg enthusiast Rob Smith explains
why he loves beetroot and reveals his
favourite varieties

40 GROWING TOGETHER
KGregular Ben Vanheems takes a close look
at companion planting and sorts the fact
from the fiction

46 PLANTING MAGIC
KGeditor Steve Ott offers his top tips for
success with planting your plug plants and
home-grown seedlings

56 VEG AT A GLANCE – CAULIFLOWERS
Discover some simple essentials that can help
you grow this challenging crop with ease

58 EAT YOUR WAY TO A HEALTHY WEIGHT
Nutritionist Susie Kearley explains why cauliflowers
can be so useful as part of a balanced diet

60 MAKE A BUCKET GARDEN
Practical gardener Joyce Russell brings you a
simple, low-cost idea for growing in small spaces

64 LET’S GROW OCA
Wendy Pillar encourages us to grow a
little-known South American tuber

68 PICK OF THE SUMMER CABBAGES
We reveal the results of the latest trials
relating to summer cabbages

71 SMALL PLACES FOR SMALL PEOPLE
Gardening journalist Sarah Palmer explains
how to fire your kids’ interest in veg gardening
in the confines of an urban plot

76 KEEP YOUR CARROTS FLY FREE
Keen DIYer Martin Fish brings you a simple
project to keep your roots maggot-free

80 KEEP THE HARVESTS COMING
KGeditor Steve Ott with some timely tips to
keep your plot productive all season long

WHAT TO BUY

22 WIN £1000 WORTH OF
PRODUCTS FROM GRANGE
FENCING

31 WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO
HARROGATE FLOWER SHOW

84 TRIED AND TESTED –
PRODUCTS FOR KIDS
Get your youngsters out into the fresh air with
these great gardening goodies

90 READER OFFERS
Claim your 20 free strawberry plants
worth £21.90, plus make great savings on
young plants

92 INSTANT SAVERS
This month save 10% on leading gardening
brands including cloches, organic fertilisers,
plant invigorators and topsoil

94 GIVEAWAYS WORTH £2506
This month you could win potting equipment,
plant supports, organic slug controls, garden
tools, tomato plants, woodcare and flower
show tickets