Surrey Homes | SH54 | April 2019 | Garden supplement inside

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Above: Nasturtiums - pretty edible
reason that they are dying, when you
pull them out and look closely, is that
there’s not just one plant in the pot,
but often up to thirty, all crammed
up against one another. Separate these
little plants, grow them on in their
own containers and you will have
enough to last you (and possibly your
neighbours) the whole summer…
You don’t have to wear a hair shirt
to grow vegetables (other gardening
outfits are available), it really can
be a pleasurable experience. If your
plot looks inviting, you might even
be more inclined to go out there.
Let’s pacify our inner Jiminy and
hijack William Morris’s wisdom about
beauty and usefulness (‘Have nothing in
your house that you do not know to be
useful, or believe to be beautiful’) and
enjoy the process of growing, harvesting
and eating something fabulous.
Contact Jo for details of her
gardening courses 01233 861149
hornbrookmanor.co.uk
Edible beauties
There is still plenty of time to grow a plot full of beautiful vegetables
this year. Here are some of my favourites, chosen for flavour and ease
of growing as much as their looks.
Artichoke ‘Violetta di Chioggia’
– almost too decorative to eat,
artichokes can happily be grown at
the back of the flower border. This
one has stunning purple buds.
Courgette ‘Parador’ – will give you
a sunshine yellow crop to harvest
all summer long. Keep picking
them, in fact don’t even turn your
back for a moment, or you will end
up with a yellow submarine…
Cauliflower ‘Romanesco’ –
technically this is a broccoli, but let’s
not split curds. Despite the impressive
looks it’s much easier to grow than
cauliflower and tastes good too,
elegantly spiralling from plot to plate.
Borlotti bean – climbing or
dwarf – these truly magic beans
can be eaten young as whole
pods, or left to mature on the
plant to harvest as actual beans.
Turk’s Turban – this squash will squat
handsomely amid sprawling tendrils;
leave to ripen like a gleaming jewel in
the early autumn garden. Pumpkins
and squash also store really well,
making them a great late season crop.
Lettuce ‘Lollo Rosso’ – this is
a loose leaved variety with frilly
dark red leaves. Loose leaved
lettuces are slower to bolt (go to
seed) than hearting types. Mix
them in with a green loose leaf
type for a colourful salad bowl.
SH Garden Supplement
8