Kitchen Garden

‘Paradise haunts gardens’ writes Derek Jarman, ‘and it haunts mine’. In the gardeners ceaseless pursuit of horticultural perfection, one can become blind to the beauty of the garden, detecting nothing but its faults or maddeningly triumphant weeds. Taking stock should mean more than simply registering the new list of tasks that need to be taken care of. Never did I anticipate that the presence of canvas, paint and brushes could [...]

Where gardens are ephemeral, kitchen gardens remain steeped in outdated conventions and seemingly have yet to enjoy true botanical democracy. Gone are the days, where kitchen gardens were the sole domain of the gardener and cook, yet in most gardens, including ours, the kitchen garden is still strictly segregated from the ornamental garden. The benefits of poly- and permaculture are widely known, yet we still prefer to grow produce in [...]

Despite being an annual visitor, the intricate sweeping layout of the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show always proves problematic for my terrifically bumbling sense of direction. Attending the show is always a much anticipated event, but with the copious exhibit categories renamed and/or added every year, one can’t help but feel that similar sense of M&S frustration, where yet again some bright spark has shuffled the shelves around. Despite memories [...]

There really is no other way of saying it, this year the kitchen garden has been pants. Record breaking hot March weather, subsequent and unremitting torrential rain, persistent cold temperatures, fuming storms, in addition to exceptionally lethal slug vandalism and uncanny pigeon mutilation, amount to the perfect recipe for disaster. With the bulk of painstakingly grown produce mullered, and end of June nearing, one can’t help but wonder if there [...]

Deciding on the varieties of fruit and vegetables to grow is a delightful undertaking. Experienced kitchen gardeners tend to base their choices on; taste, (seasonal) yield, ripening period, soil suitability and disease resistance to limit/prevent use of pesticides. Nostalgia often also plays a part, where (local) heritage varieties may be chosen over modern (F1) hybrids. However, one can’t help but notice the ever increasing pressure to grow the trendier; unusual, [...]

The joy of planning a trip to the Hampton Court Flower Show is just that, no need to plan. Ticket purchase, is a relaxed affair, without the months-ahead-or-be-sorry Chelsea style booking procedure. Tickets can be purchased throughout the show week, providing ample flexibility, either online, by phone or at the gate. My only condition; it had to be a week day, to avoid the larger drum of the weekend crowds. [...]

I love the concept of the National Garden Scheme (NGS). Visiting private gardens, secret for rest of the year, is very special indeed. Particularly, with the knowledge that one’s visit will generate much needed capital, for several worthy charities. Though despite much bestowed esteem, several days passed, where the concept of an NGS open day, generated little more than a profusion of anxious frustration. You see, last Sunday (19/06), saw [...]

What a difference a little rain makes. Alas, little being the operative word. Despite reports of storms, rainy weather forecasts, we have just had one, admittedly good, shower two weeks ago. Since then, we have only been cruelly beguiled by thick luscious clouds, but none since have dropped any of their precious cargo. Fortunately for our, still dry, garden though, temperatures have dropped, which gives us all, plants included, a [...]