How to Grow

Removing weeds from the vegetable patch is easily the least glamorous and time consuming job of the lot. It's not all bad news as there are plenty of ways to make it easy on yourself so you can spend more time on the fun bits of growing your own!

To increase the success of your garden and vegetable growing it is important to protect your plants from adverse weather and wildlife.

Crop rotation is good practice in a vegetable plot, helping to reduce pest and disease problems and improve yields.

Practising crop rotation can be of great benefit to your allotment or kitchen garden helping to reduce disease and increase yields.

Unfortunately, it's a fact of gardening life that your vegetable crops are not only a source of food for you and your family, but for a whole host of pests and diseases as well.

Watering your garden and vegetable plot effectively is not just beneficial to your plants but can help the environment too. Hosepipe bans are becoming a regular occurrence so make the most of your water with our useful tips and advice.

Gardening is like any hobby - there are endless tools and equipment you can buy if you have the money to invest however the list of essential equipment for gardening is actually fairly short.

Feeding your plants with fertiliser is essential to make sure that they have the balanced diet they need to grow strong and healthy. You can?t rely 100% on the make-up of your soil without supplementary feeding so a bit of knowledge on the nutrients they crave goes a long way!

There's an old saying "feed the soil, and the soil will feed your plants." It's so true because just as we humans need vitamins and minerals in our diet for long term health, plants have requirements of their own so that they can grow up big and strong.

Growing Indoors gives you complete control of the environment, from the temperature to the amount of water a plant receives which can yield great results. Although suited to some plants more than others, it can be a great way to grow fruit and vegetables. If space is at a premium even growing salad leaves on a window sill can be a simple way of getting more of your home grown produce to the plate for healthier meal times.

The pinnacle of the growing season is the harvest so it is important to know when to harvest and how best to store your precious vegetables.

Knowing your soil type will help you choose the right plants and vegetables for your garden and will help you maintain them in good condition without costly mistakes.

If space is limited it doesn't have to stop you Growing Your Own - even just a sunny windowsill can be ideal for growing salad leaves and herbs.

Whether it's a small vegetable plot in your back garden or your own allotment, growing on open ground can be challenging and also very rewarding.

The patio can be an ideal area for growing your own fruit and vegetables with a wide range of planters available to grow everything from salad to spuds on the patio!

Choosing your ideal plot and position can seem confusing but a little planning goes a long way in ensuring a productive and enjoyable vegetable garden!

Crop protection is vital in any garden if you are to grow successful fruit and vegetables or your prized dahlias, whether you are protecting from pests and wildlife or from the cold weather both can be equally destructive if adequate protection is not put into place.

Raised beds have had a boom in popularity recently and are a great way for gardeners at all levels to successfully grow their own fruit and vegetables in otherwise unsuitable soil or locations. Also popular as stylish flower planters, raised beds really can make gardening eaiser being at a more user friendly height and are less prone to soil borne diseases and pests.

Raised Beds and Garden Planters offer a practical and stylish way to grow your own in the garden, allotment or on the patio - ideal if space is at a premium.

The seasonality of gardening and understanding what needs to be done throughout the seasons is key to a successful garden.

Whether you have the luxury of a greenhouse or prefer to grow in a more rudimentary fashion, sowing seeds is fundamentally the same. The recipe for success is simple; provide them with warmth and moisture and the result is a home-grown dish of tasty fruit and vegetables.

Although there is no definitve answer on whether to grow from seed or use plug plants as it depends on time, budget and experience the advice in our guide will give you some hints and tips so you can decide which will best suit you.

Knowing your soil type and pH is the key to successfully growing your own. Improving and managing your soil and choosing the right plants for the conditions will help you achieve bigger harvests of healthier vegetables.

Watering your vegetable garden efficiently and effectively saves time, money, the environment and promotes success. Believe it or not, there are simple water-wise tips for vegetable gardens that can really make every drop count!

Discover the advantages of gardening with nature whether you have a large garden or just a window box. By actively encouraging birds, mammals and insects into your garden you can successfully control garden pests naturally whilst looking after the wildlife too!

Asparagus is a favourite crop in Stephanie's kitchen garden. It is such a delicious crop and is available for such a short period of time that it is a real treat. If you have the space, grow it!

Aubergines are an attractive crop to grow and provide you with a taste of the mediterranean. A beautiful and delicious addition to your harvest, they are a very saitsfying crop to grow.

January is usually the coldest month and your garden will need protecting from frosts, gale-force winds, heavy rain and possibly even snow.

Leeks are a must grow crop in the Harrod Kitchen Garden. Not only do they look amazing, they keep us supplied with delicious veg during the long winter months and help to fill thhe hungry gap.

Rhubarb is one of my favourite Kitchen Garden crops. Not only does it taste delicious but it also looks lovely growing in the corner of the garden. I find the red stems and large leaves beautifully ornamental. In return for very little effort it will reward you with a bumper crop.

Beetroot is a favourite with us at Stephanie's Kitchen Garden and we enjoy experimenting with different recipes. It has had bad press in the past and is often not very popular however it is one of the easiest vegetables to grow and ideal for anyone new to vegetable gardening

This month there is hope - there are signs that Spring is approaching, bulbs are appearing and wildlife are waking up as the light levels and temperatures increase.

If you want to grow a high yielding tasty vegetable then this is the one to grow. Pick beans regularly when young and you will have a bumper crop from mid Summer until mid Autumn. Runner beans are vigorous climbers and will add height and colour to your vegetable patch.

Anyone can grow Broad Beans - definitely one of the easiest vegetables to grow and one of the first vegetables to harvest in the Spring. Very good for you too, rich in vitamins and very tasty if harvested before the pods grow too big.

Depending on where you live in the country, Spring has usually arrived by mid-March. The milder weather means it's time to get busy sowing seeds, cutting back winter shrubs and generally tidying up around the garden preparing for the busy season ahead.

Onions are one of the most popular vegetables being used daily in the kitchen, they are well worth growing especially from small bulbs called sets which were grown from seed the year before.

Enjoying something of a salad revival, Spinach is probably most well-known for allegedly giving Popeye super-human strength - but it's the vitamin C and calcium contained in the dark green leaves which is proving popular with vegetable gardeners once again.

Broccoli has had a resurgence in popularity mainly due to it's high vitamin content and anti-cancer agents. It is a fast-growing and easy-to-grow crop, producing bluish-green heads that are harvested in the summer or autumn, depending on the time it is sown.

Sprouting broccoli is fairly easy to grow, quick to prepare and good to eat! It is very nutritious and full of vitamins too. The crop does occupy the land for a long time but on the upside it does provide a harvest from late winter to late spring when other vegetables are in short supply. Keep an eye out for pests & disease!

The arrival of Spring should now be in evidence, with daffodils in flower and blossom adorning the trees. Frequent sunnier days and rising temperatures make it perfect gardening weather but expect to be caught out by the inevitable 'April showers'.

Parsnips are a sweet tasting root vegetable, easy to grow and delicious roasted to accompany your roast dinner!

One of the most pleasurable things of early summer is picking and eating sweet, tender peas straight from the veggie patch. They are a valuable source of protein either raw or cooked.

Strawberries are easy to grow and even a few plants can give a plentiful supply of sweet fruits in the summer months which are appreciated by children.

Spring bulbs will be fading now and the flower borders growing in leaps and bounds, summer is on it?s way. Sowing and planting out bedding plants can begin in some areas of the UK but please keep an eye on your local weather conditions.

A taste of the mediterranean in your greenhouse, peppers an attractive addition to any vegetable plot. They look amazing, taste great and need very little attention. A must grow!

Sweetcorn is an extremely popular crop and children love it too! The reason is simply the sweet tender taste of a freshly harvested sweetcorn cob with hot dripping butter ? you can?t beat it. It is very healthy (without the butter) and is a good source of fibre and Vitamin B.

Brussel Sprouts are a must-grow crop in the Harrod Kitchen garden. It is highly nutritious vegetable and an essential ingredient in a good Christmas Dinner.

As we approach the longest day of the year, the extra light and warmth encourages the garden to put on an exuberant burst of growth, but this also means that weeds will sprout up from no where.

Potatoes are a very rewarding crop to grow and the fresh flavour of newly dug potatoes really is hard to beat. A hugely versatile vegetable and a staple ingredient in many meals which is surprisingly easy to grow.

Highly nutritious and one of the easiest vegetables to grow, it will withstand a certain amount of neglect and still brighten up your vegetable patch. Some people find it bitter but with the correct cooking and seasoning can become an essential crop to be used like spinach or the stems stir fried in oriental cooking ? well worth a shot at growing.

The Cabbage is an extremely versatile vegetable and a valuable addition to any healthy diet being packed full of anti-oxidants and Vitamin C. There are so many varieties that it is possible to harvest cabbages in every season of the year. They also look amazingly ornamental, particularly in the Winter. Where space is limited they can be grown in raised beds.

July has certainly been a hot one and a great time to enjoy your garden but make sure you keep any new plants well watered and hoe off the weeds that will thrive in the sunshine.

Tomatoes produce abundant delicious fruits in many different colours, shapes and sizes. They are easily grown in gardens, greenhouses or containers and are loved by children and adults alike. A must grow for any budding fruit & vegetable grower.

By far the nation's favourite grow your own vegetable. Carrots come in all different shapes, sizes and colours, from orange to the more unusual red, yellow and purple. By regular sowing you can have fresh carrots from mid May to March.

August can be one of the hottest months of the year, this makes watering essential. If water butts are running low, grey water can be used wherever possible. If August is holiday time for you, plans may be needed to enlist the help of friends and family to look after the garden when you are away.

The turnip seems to have become an unfashionable addition to the vegetable plot, but here in the Harrod Kitchen Garden, it has earned its place. Easy to grow, it provides delicious baby roots as well as peppery leaves for the salad bowl, all with very little effort required.

Cauliflower has a reputation of being tricky to grow. It is precisely this that makes them such a desirable crop in the Kitchen Garden. A good, successful cauliflower makes for a proud and satisfied Kitchen Gardener and makes the cauliflower taste all the better!

September is often a cooler, wetter month than August but as previous summers have shown this is not always the case and can often be glorious even if the days are becoming noticeably shorter.

Celery can be very tricky to grow. It will need good soil conditions and a constant supply of water. The smallest check will affect the final crop. A lot of effort, but worth it if you succeed. An immensely satisfying crop.

Although we had some cooler days in September autumn is now definitely here for real and it feels colder. It is a beautiful time of year with the trees changing colour.

Courgettes are easy to grow and will produce an abundance of fruits over Summer and into Autumn. Just one plant should produce 3 or 4 fruits a week. They do need a lot of space but smaller more compact varieties are available.

Leaves are falling all over the place and wind and rain are on the increase. Tender plants will need protecting from frost, gales and freezing rain. Move plants into a greenhouse or into a sheltered spot.

Cucumbers are rewarding to grow because the baby cucumbers grow really quickly into full size specimens and can be grown by inexperienced gardeners.

Frost, rainfall, winds and wintry conditions are more common. Sunshine hours are much reduced and it can be bitter with the risk of snow and sleet. You may not want to be working outside at this time of year, but luckily there is not a lot to do.

No kitchen garden in complete without a row of beans swarming with bees and covered in delicious beans. Such a versatile vegetable, and so easy to grow.

A favourite crop in the Harrod Kitchen Garden, Garlic is easy to grow and occupies the ground during the quiet months over the Winter. The health benefits of this crop make it an essential vegetable to include in any garden. It is a great crop to grow in pots or raised beds if your space is limited.