Innehållsförteckning för March 2023 från Kitchen Garden

There is so much to like about March. For many of us it is the month when we can finally tear open those seed packets and start to sow hardy veg and salads outside in the open. But even if it is still just too cold to do this in your neck of the woods you may still be sowing tender favourites, such as tomatoes, indoors. Not surprisingly then we have lots of advice on sowing for you in this issue, starting on our jobs for the month pages. You'll also find some top advice from the KG team and our very own money-saving expert Stephanie Hafferty offers recycling tips to help you save cash on seed sowing essentials. If it is great growing advice you're after, then we have…

Steve was lucky enough to get his hands on a packet of sweet pepper ‘Nardello’ recently from the Heritage Seed Library. He sowed five seeds in a 9cm (3½in) pot and placed them in a heated propagator. ‘Nardello’ is an Italian variety that travelled to the USA with the Nardello family in 1887 when they emigrated. Steve is looking forward to harvesting the red, slender twisted fruits in late summer. Tony was much impressed with this ingenious home-made Christmas gift from the friend of a relative. It is made from pallet wood with holes for the plastic, test-tube like containers. It can be used for a pretty display of small cut flowers, or, as Tony has done, to hold rosemary cuttings which will form roots after a few weeks. Emma…

BROAD BEANS GET GROWING Broad beans are an easy crop to grow both in the garden and in large containers. They are one of the first beans of the season and one of the hardiest, meaning they can withstand colder weather and even frost, unlike their more tender legume cousins, the French and runner bean. There are various varieties of broad bean available to suit all growing situations and when picked fresh and eaten straight from the pod they are delicious. They also freeze very well, allowing you to enjoy them all year round. SOIL CONDITIONS Broad beans, like all other beans, will grow in most types of soil if their roots are not sitting in soggy, waterlogged conditions. Although best in a well-drained, fertile soil, they can be grown in…

WORTH OVER £339! ECONOMY RACK This useful rack, designed and manufactured by Two Wests & Elliott in the company's Derbyshire workshop, is the perfect way to make the most of any compact space - whether it's in a greenhouse, shed, spare room or outdoors! The Economy rack comes with nine full-size seed trays held within its sturdy, rustproof aluminium frame. Supplied for self-assembly, this three-tier rack is about 91 cm (3ft) high, with each level 36cm (14in) apart. This Economy Seed Tray Rack can be purchased from Two Wests’ website: www.twowests.co.uk - call 01246 451077 to order or for a copy of the free 132-page catalogue. WORTH £49.99 BUCKINGHAM BOOTS Also included in our prize package is a pair of Buckingham Wellington Boots from the Deluxe range of footwear from…

Gardens are so important for our well-being, and more and more of us are getting into the idea of ‘grow your own’ - whether for fun, education or seriously feeding the family. Whatever space you have, whether it's a balcony, a small area in a sunny spot or a large garden, you can grow vegetables, herbs or even just a lovely display of flowers with the amazing selection of stylish, practical and handcrafted wooden planters from Zest, the outdoor living expert. And they are all ideal for beginners and experts alike. A perfect choice which combines easy access, plenty of growing space even on a small footprint and the lovely feel of natural timber is the versatile three-tiered Zest Stepped Herb Planter. It's an ideal home for all herb varieties,…

GET GROWING SWEET PEA TEPEE One of the earliest big projects I remember completing on my first allotment was a sweet pea tepee in preparation for the arrival of my twin nephews. I'd seen something similar grown with sunflowers on Pinterest and spent a few days working out how best to create the structure, with a vision of dreamy pastel flowers climbing up a simple structure and adding colour to the veg plot. Four years on and I still recreate the tepee each and every year with a slight twist. It's one of those creative ideas that is so easy to do in your own allotment or garden and brings so much joy to those of all ages. Plus, it's a great way to start growing cut flowers, filling your home…

GET GROWING CONTAINER GROWING Yardening is a term which has been around since the 1990s and refers to those who garden in their yard. It's become a buzz word among gardeners recently, but it really is nothing new as growing vegetables in pots and containers is something that dates back to ancient Egypt! Last year I transformed my blank canvas of a yard into a flourishing yarden. A space 6×5m (20×16ft) in size, with no soil, just paving slabs and gravel, west facing and partially shaded, is now packed full of containers, pots and even two flat pack raised beds. What began as a bit of an experiment to see which vegetables could be grown in containers has turned into a harvesting glut. So far, I'm yet to find a vegetable…

DIG IN GREEN MANURES Chop down overwintered green manures such as field beans then dig them into the top layers of soil to incorporate. Leave for at least two weeks before sowing or planting. PLANT ONIONS Plant onion and shallot sets once soil is workable. Allow 30cm (12in) between rows, spacing onions 10cm (4in) apart and shallots 15cm (6in) apart. Protect from birds. SET OUT CAULIFLOWER Early varieties of cauliflower sown in January should be ready to plant out later this month. Set them 45cm (18in) apart in both directions, under cloches if it's still cold. DIVIDE RHUBARB Grow more rhubarb. Dig up large clumps then use a spade to detach chunks of root, making sure each has at least one growing point. Replant sections into fresh ground. PLANT COMFREY…

Well, the compost bins have been filling up nicely over the winter and every now and then I like to give them a good turn - also giving myself a good turn too as by spring I will have some really nutrientrich compost for the raised beds. Kitchen vegetable waste, grass clippings and cardboard have all gone in and now the mix has pretty much broken down. To help the process I've been using this Darlac compost aerator - a cleverly designed and effective tool. All you need to do is plunge it into the compost and the two serrated wings at the bottom will open up as you turn the handle. Effective in mixing the different ingredients together, this tool also provides welcome aeration, helping the compost to break…

PRIZEBINNER! I have found it easier to have more than one compost bin. If you have room use/create separate heaps by filling one bin and leaving it to work. Start a new heap and carry on doing this until the first bin is ready. You can still turn the heaps to get them working. This saves putting fresh compost material on top of older compost. When the first bin is ready all the compost can be used and the bin filled again. I am lucky as I have room on our allotment for more than a few tubs but this method could be adapted for smaller spaces. Brendan Smith, Kettering TONY SAYS: Are you sure they're not breeding, Brendan, while the allotment sleeps? *STAR* LETTER WIN £25 VOUCHER NOT IN…

Try and enjoy broad beans when they are still fairly small - they are delicious straight out of the pod. This salad is so simple to make but full of fresh summery flavours. SERVES 2 Takes 10 minutes 8-10 small new potatoes, cooked and cooled 2 good handfuls of baby broad beans and baby mangetout or peas 150g (50z)thin cut streaky bacon or lardons (smoked is good too) 3 tbsps olive oil Juice of ½ lemon Black pepper Good handful of mint QUICK TIPS Double podding - is definitely worth it, allowing you to enjoy this recipe with bigger beans. Remove the outer pod and simmer the beans till tender. Drain then plunge into ice cold water and drain again. Simply nick the skin and the bean will pop out.…

GET GROWING GROW YOUR OWN PIZZA When it comes to one of the nation's favourite types of food, Italian cuisine has to be right up there. After all, who doesn't like a delicious bowl of freshly cooked pasta or a slice of crispy pizza, both firm favourites in our house? No matter which Italian classic you prefer, they wouldn't be the same without the lovely tomato, though not all tomatoes are made equal, especially when it comes to cooking! TASTY TOMATOES Like potatoes, you need to use different types of tomato for different things and one size doesn't fit all. After all, you wouldn't use a waxy potato for roasties, so why use a small, sweet cherry tomato for soup/sauces? Smaller, sweeter types are great for salads and sandwiches where the…

GET GROWING INTERESTING CROPS There are many crops that you can try in your garden or allotment. The choices are almost endless. The only limit is your imagination and British weather, of course! But with so many options, it can feel a bit overwhelming. Not to mention, one needs to make space for these experiments. Space that could be used for one of your favourite stalwarts. Being of an adventurous disposition, I have tried many different crops and varieties of crops. So I'd like to share with you some of my favourites. Of course, to make the list, they must grow well in this country, be delicious or valuable, and be easy to source. QUINOA Quinoa, otherwise known as ‘Inca gold’, has grown in popularity in the last few years and…

OUR SERIES FOR YOUNG GROWERS Hi! I'm Belle and I'm here every month to share lots of fun activities for you to do at home, on your own or with your family Gardening and making crafts are my favourite things to do. Decorating your own plant labels is a great way to be creative and add some of your personality into the garden. They are also important as they make sure we remember what we are growing! YOU WILL NEED: Wooden spoons Acrylic paint, paint pens or colouring pencils Pen Paper Old jar or glass Wiggly eye stickers - optional for decorating Newspaper or a protective mat WHAT TO DO: Lay down the sheets of newspaper or a mat on to your table to protect the surface. Use your pen…

YOU & YOUR PLOT Get in touch by post, email or via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/kitchengardenmag PUNY PLUMS After three barren years, in 2022 my 10-year-old ‘Marjorie's Seedling’ plum tree produced a huge crop of fruit to the extent that branches needed physical support. The crop never grew to more than large grape or damson size and so I wonder was it my reluctance to thin adequately, or was it the drought - or was it something else entirely? WINS £25 VOUCHER STAR QUESTION Reg Radcliffe, North Yorkshire STEVE SAYS: All of the above, I suspect! A very heavy crop and the very hot, dry summer could well lead to undersized fruit. Having cropped so heavily last year you might expect a lighter crop anyway this season but be prepared…

LINDSAY MELTON FROM SUFFOLK Lindsay has an allotment and has been growing veg for more than 10 years. Why did you start growing your own produce? Improved taste, growing different varieties not available in shops and enjoying time outside in the quiet. I have felt so much better since taking on my allotment and it has become a place I visit to improve my mood and when I just need a little quiet time alone. Do you share your plot with other people? I mainly do all the work on my own but my partner and two children regularly come along and potter about. Did you learn anything new last year from tending your plot? Yes, which plants are much more tolerant during a drought. That's been a big lesson.…

COMMUNITY GARDENING GET GROWING Named after philanthropist and businessman Sir Titus Salt, and designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001, Saltaire Village near Bradford has a fascinating history. Sir Titus was a caring entrepreneur, creating homes so his workers could walk to their workplace - Salts Mill - which operated from 1853 until 1986. Sir Titus’ iconic mill stands at the centre of this community's heart. Its purpose has evolved into a creative and cultural space, meeting the needs of a modern population - quite like the sustainable initiatives which have been set up here. Growing your own, recycling and sustainability have existed in Saltaire, West Yorkshire, long before the desperate push for us to be more conscious about the impact of our way of life on the future…

(AGM is the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Under RHS garden trials these varieties performed particularly well) SAVE UP To £20.50 FREE WITH EVERY ORDER SPRING PLANTING ONION SET COLLECTION No kitchen garden is complete without onions and here at D T Brown we offer some of the very best available. They are a great choice for both experienced and new vegetable gardeners. This specially selected collection contains some of our best-selling spring planting varieties, picked for their flavour and performance in British gardens. The collection contains three packs, each weighing approximately 250g - ‘Hercules’, a superb modern variety, ‘Centurion’, ensuring heavy yields that store well and ‘Sturon’, a reliable and consistent performer. All are certified as disease and virus free. Take advantage of this collection now to ensure a…

GET COOKING GATEAU VITE FAIT WITH RHUBARB I can highly recommend trying this delicious French ‘quick cake'. You can customise it through the seasons, swapping apples or plums for rhubarb. SERVES 8 Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes 150g (5oz) sugar, plus 2 tbsp for top of rhubarb 3 eggs 3 tbsp butter, melted 2 tbsp buttermilk (or milk) ½ vanilla pod, seeds scraped out (or 1 tsp vanilla bean paste) 150g (5oz) plain flour 1 tsp baking powder Pinch of salt 200g (7oz) diced rhubarb 1. Preheat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4, and grease and line a 20 or 23cm (8 or 9in) baking tin. 2. In a large bowl whisk the eggs and the sugar until light. 3 Add the melted butter, vanilla and milk, stirring…