April 2018
April 2018   


Kitchen Garden - April 2018

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6 ON THE VEG PATCH
Plant summer cabbages and early potatoes,
sow winter brassicas, thin leek seedlings, tie in
soft fruit, pollinate peaches

10 IN THE GREENHOUSE
Sow sweetcorn, tend to strawberries, install
watering systems, earth-up potatoes, harden
off courgettes

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

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

20 KG PROBLEM SOLVER
This month our experts solve your problems
on peas, damsons, sprouts and more

36 PASSIONATE PLOTTER 2017
We visit runner-up Val Brown in Liverpool and
tour her paradise plot

86 DIARY DATES
See what’s on in your neck of the woods and
make a note to book yourself on to a course
or visit a great event

110 LAST WORD
We chat to Si and Dave, aka
The Hairy Bikers, and discover
what fires their love of simple
Mediterranean food and ingredients

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

GET GROWING

16 ON THE PLOT WITH THE
THREE MUDKETEERS
This month the intrepid trio launch the great
potato bag experiment and ask you to join
in the fun

18 FLOWERS FOR YOUR PATCH
Fireworks for your veg plot; KG’s Tony
Flanagan sings the praises of dahlias

26 HERBS UNLIMITED
Gardening expert Martin Fish travels to
North Yorkshire to discover a nursery
specialising in growing fresh herbs and
dazzling edible flowers

32 GOING JAPANESE
We look at some fast-growing oriental
veggies that can fill your salad bowl within
3-4 weeks of sowing

40 KEEP THOSE PODS POPPING
Veg expert Rob Smith takes a look at some
of the many types of peas we can grow on
our plots to provide season-long pickings

45 GROW A POULTRY GARDEN
Biodynamic gardener Julie Moore has
some ideas to help cut the cost of keeping
chickens on your plot

50 SEEDS OF ITALY
Author and expert in Italian cuisine and
ingredients Paolo Arrigo reveals his favourite
varieties to bring a taste of the Med to
your garden

54 VIVA L’ITALIA
KG regular Ben Vanheems has all the practical
advice you need to grow your own classic
Italian dishes

60 TEA’S UP
Sally Cunningham looks at the possibilities of
growing that essential fortifier – a fresh brew!

64 STILL PASSIONATE ABOUT
THEIR PLOT

The 2016 winners of our Passionate Plotter
competition, John and Karen Ashcroft, show
us how their plot has progressed

71 MAKE ROOM FOR RHUBARB
Our resident fruit expert David Patch takes
an in-depth look at that iconic British veg,
rhubarb, and offers some great growing tips

76 STAY FUR & FEATHER FREE
KG editor Steve Ott looks at ways to keep the
local wildlife, and pets, away from your crops

80 SPEARS OF JOY
Our growing guide to delicious asparagus

88 TOP 10 WAYS TO REDUCE
PLASTIC IN THE GARDEN

Deputy editor Emma Rawlings looks at ways
to reduce and recycle gardening plastic

92 MAKE A FOLDING
GREENHOUSE BENCH
Make this space-saving bench for your
greenhouse or polytunnel

WHAT TO BUY

22 INSTANT SAVERS

This month save 10% on seeds, raised beds,
fruit and plant supports

84 SAVE £12 ON ASPARAGUS
PLANTS!

85 GARDEN STORE
More great new products and services to help
to boost your harvests

96 TRIED AND TESTED – SNAIL CONTROLS
This month we test a range of popular
chemical-free slug and snail deterrents

100 GREAT READER OFFERS
Claim your free* strawberry collection plus
save on blueberries, raspberries, artichokes
and patio fruit (*Just pay p&p)

102 GREAT GIVEAWAYS WORTH OVER £2704
This month you could win secateurs, show
tickets, pest controls, gardening shoes and
boots, seaweed fertiliser and more