Kitchen Garden - May 2018

YOU & YOUR PLOT
6 ON THE VEG PATCH
What to sow now: plant sweetcorn, globe
artichokes and a herb pot. Take care of apples,
rhubarb and raspberries

10 IN THE GREENHOUSE
Plant tomatoes, aubergines and cucumbers,
net strawberries, harvest bucket spuds

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
stored seeds, manuring plots and runner beans

36 PASSIONATE PLOTTER 2017
We visit Norman and Valerie Spooner, who won
the container category in last year’s contest

66 WACKY PRODUCE
COMPETITION
Launch of a fun competition for
wacky veg and children’s veggie art

110 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

111 LAST WORD
Sally Cunningham comments on the not so
good goji berry

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

GET GROWING

16 ON THE PLOT WITH THE
THREE MUDKETEERS
This month the intrepid trio get down and
dirty with their compost

18 WATCH US ON YOUTUBE
What seasonal KG videos are available to
help you grow better veg?

22 GROWING ONLINE
Our pick of gardening social media

26 ALLOTMENT ON THE HILL
Jane Chitty describes the transformation of
her overgrown allotment in Somerset

32 VEG AT A GLANCE
This month we look at salsify and scorzonera

40 MAKE YOUR RUNNERS STUNNERS
Veg expert Rob Smith gives tips on growing
and recommends some top varieties

45 AMAZING ARONIAS

57 BEST BLUEBERRIES
Hyped up? Yes, but don’t let that put you off.
Fruit expert David Patch shows you how to
get the most out of this acid-loving plant.

62 TOMATO VARIETIES –
DO WE NEED SO MANY?
Simon Crawford argues the case for
new types of toms

70 PLOTTING WITH
SHADY CHARACTERS
Ben Vanheems looks at crops that are happy
on the dark side. May the fork be with you...

76 VEG AT A GLANCE – SPINACH
Tony Flanagan explains how to grow this leafy
crop all year round

80 GROWING SMALL, EATING BIG
Steve Ott tests some ways to grow
microgreens

86 FLOWERS FROM YOUR PATCH
This month we look at marigolds and how
useful they are for growing among veggies

88 SMALL SPACE SOLUTIONS
Ways to increase harvests from a small area

92 MAKING A HANGING BASKET
Joyce Russell makes a simple rustic basket to
plant up with veg

111 LAST WORD
Sally Cunningham looks at this not so
well known hardy shrub which produces
edible fruit

48 PLUGGING THE GAP
Buying in young plants is a great alternative
to sowing your own, as Steve Ott explains

52 FERMENTATION
Wendy Pillar explains preserving vegetables
by lactofermentation

57 BEST BLUEBERRIES
Hyped up? Yes, but don’t let that put you off.
Fruit expert David Patch shows you how to
get the most out of this acid-loving plant.

62 TOMATO VARIETIES –
DO WE NEED SO MANY?
Simon Crawford argues the case for
new types of toms

70 PLOTTING WITH SHADY CHARACTERS
Ben Vanheems looks at crops that are happy
on the dark side. May the fork be with you...

76 VEG AT A GLANCE – SPINACH
Tony Flanagan explains how to grow this leafy
crop all year round

80 GROWING SMALL, EATING BIG
Steve Ott tests some ways to grow
microgreens

86 FLOWERS FROM YOUR PATCH
This month we look at marigolds and how
useful they are for growing among veggies

88 SMALL SPACE SOLUTIONS
Ways to increase harvests from a small area

92 MAKING A HANGING BASKET
Joyce Russell makes a simple rustic basket to
plant up with veg

WHAT TO BUY

34 INSTANT SAVERS
This month make some great savings on
Pippa Greenwood’s range, bird food from
Wiggly Wigglers, Aztec Gold fertiliser and
Agriframes products

84 GARDEN STORE
Another pot-pourri of great garden-related
products and services

96 TRIED AND TESTED – NETTING
This month we test crop protection materials

100 GREAT READER OFFERS
Claim your free* blueberry ’Bluecrop’
plus save on patio fruit and rhubarb
(*just pay p&p)

102 GREAT GIVEAWAYS WORTH
OVER £2672
This month you could win veg topsoil,
show tickets, propagation kit, days out
and more