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Daily Mirror
01-08-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Garden expert names vegetables you should plant now for huge winter crop
Gardening experts have revealed seven perfect vegetables to sow right now for perfect crops for winter - and they are fast growers so you can enjoy them sooner too All gardeners dream of growing huge plants in their gardens - especially when it comes to veggies, and there are certain ones you can plant now for a huge harvest in autumn and winter. According to experts, planting these specific crops for winter may be your smartest move as you can get the most out of your garden in the late summer. There's pretty much something for every gardener to grow at this time of year that can reap the benefits from, and Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres revealed some of the best vegetables to sow right now. It comes as a warning was made over savage garden invaders that can 'destroy' your plants Turnips Offering edible roots and leafy greens, Julian told Country Living: "When sown now, turnips mature as the weather cools, which tends to improve their flavour, making them sweeter and less bitter. They typically take between 6 and 10 weeks to reach harvest size, so you can expect fresh turnips on your plate by early autumn. They grow well in most soils and require minimal care, making them suitable for all gardeners, new and experienced." Lettuce A classic summer crop, Julian said now is the ideal time to plant in order for a "steady supply of salad leaves for lunches, dinners, barbecues, and everything in between." He said sowing it every two weeks means you will be able to enjoy a continuous harvest well into autumn, keeping your salad bowl full and fresh. Sugar snap peas The perfect accompany to a Sunday roast, the sweet and crunchy pods are always popular, however July is the last chance to sow sugar snap peas and mangetout. "Sowing peas now allows you to enjoy their fresh taste well into autumn before the colder weather sets in, or simply freeze for a hearty pea and ham soup," Julian explained. Carrots According to Hamid Ali, Airtasker's Horticulture and Gardening Expert, carrot varieties such as 'Autumn King 2' can be planted now and then pulled in autumn. While they are typically harvested in October, you can also leave them in the ground for winter harvesting. Pak choi One of the easiest vegetables to grow, Pak Choi can be first sown indoors or straight into the ground. The fast growing crop can be ready in just 30 to 45 days and thrives in the warmth. Beetroot July is the recommended time to plant beetroot as the warmer weather is perfect for germination and growth. "Beetroot grows well in a range of soils and is relatively low maintenance, making it ideal for those new to gardening. You can harvest baby beetroot leaves early for salads or wait for the roots to mature in late summer. Their natural sweetness intensifies as the weather cools, making them a delicious autumn vegetable." Cabbage Sowing cabbage in July sets you up for a winter harvest, according to Julian. They need to be sown in seed trays first and then moved to the ground for their final growing stage once they have grown at least five leaves.
Tom's Guide
02-07-2025
- General
- Tom's Guide
11 top summer vegetables to grow in July — there's still time to enjoy a homegrown crop
The summer is now in full swing, and although I have started to harvest my broad beans and zucchini, there is still a golden window left to sow and grow many other vegetables and herbs. With plenty of long, warm days to look forward to and an abundance of daylight hours, there's still time to plant a kitchen garden in July to enjoy the long-lasting benefits right through to the end of summer, autumn and beyond. Here are 11 vegetables and herbs you can grow right now. Lettuce is a classic summer crop, beloved for its crisp, refreshing leaves that brighten up any meal. Now is an ideal time to sow varieties that will provide you with a steady supply of salad leaves for lunches, dinners, outdoor grills, and everything in between. Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres, recommends growing 'Salad Bowl' and 'Little Gem', which are varieties suited to summer sowing. 'They grow quickly and tolerate the warmer weather better than some other types,' he says. Top tip One key tip for growing lettuce now is to provide partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day. Palapramand says this prevents bolting, which causes the plants to become bitter. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. You can also enjoy a continuous harvest by sowing lettuce every two weeks, and look forward to keeping your salad bowl full well into autumn. These greens are fast growers, often ready to harvest in just 30 to 45 days For gardeners looking to sow something other than the common lettuce, Palphramand recommends pak choi and arugula, which thrive in the warmth of summer and can be enjoyed during late summer and autumn. 'These greens are fast growers, often ready to harvest in just 30 to 45 days,' says Palphramand. 'They are excellent for stir-fries, salads, and soups, offering a peppery, fresh flavour that complements many dishes,' he adds. I'm a particular fan of arugula for its peppery taste and eat it as a green salad, while I also add it into my go-to summer salmon quiche. Turnips are a real multitasker, offering both edible roots and leafy greens, with nothing going to waste. Palphramand says, 'When sown now, turnips mature as the weather cools, which tends to improve their flavour, making them sweeter and less bitter.' They typically take between 6 and 10 weeks to reach harvest size, so if you sow them in early July, you can expect fresh turnips on your plate by early autumn. What's more Palphramand adds that turnips grow well in most soils and require minimal care, making them an ideal crop for both experienced and novice gardeners. This Felco bypass pruner is perfect for medium-sized hands and comes with a comfortable ergonomic handle. It has a sturdy design, yet is lightweight and gives a consistent performance. What's more, this pruner is given a 5-star rating in our best pruning shears buying guide. If space is limited and you don't have a large backyard to grow vegetables, you can still grow your own if you have a small patio garden or balcony. Dwarf French beans make an excellent choice and can be sown directly into the ground or planted in containers and placed on a sunny balcony, making them ideal for compact spaces. Palphramand says you can expect Dwarf French beans to produce a steady harvest from late summer into early autumn, and that they are perfect for eating fresh, steaming, or adding to casseroles and salads. Top tip I enjoy Dwarf French beans slightly steamed and cooked in garlic with some freshly grated lemon rind. You'll have to get your skates on if you want to grow carrots, but you've still got a chance to plant late-season crops, such as 'Nantes' or 'Amsterdam Forcing'. However, Palphramand says there is an advantage of growing carrots at this time, 'Sowing carrots later in the year often helps avoid the main carrot fly season, reducing the risk of damage to your crop.' What's more, he adds, 'These varieties tend to produce sweet, tender roots that are perfect for roasting, steaming, or eating raw.' Top tip Carrots prefer loose, well-drained soil and benefit from regular watering during dry spells. You can harvest baby beetroot leaves early for salads or wait for the roots to mature in late summer This brightly-colored root vegetable is another crop that thrives when sown in the summer months. Apart from enjoying your beetroot harvest, the leaves will add vibrant color to your vegetable plot. The seeds can be planted in the ground or in containers, with multi-colored varieties to choose from, creating an array of colors. 'Beetroot grows well in a range of soils and is relatively low maintenance, making it ideal for those new to gardening,' says Palphramand, and adds, 'You can harvest baby beetroot leaves early for salads or wait for the roots to mature in late summer. Their natural sweetness intensifies as the weather cools, making them a delicious autumn vegetable.' Perpetual spinach (a type of Swiss chard) and Swiss chard are resilient, easy-to-grow greens that can be sown in July for a steady supply of leaves into autumn and even winter. Palphramand says, 'These crops tolerate cooler temperatures and can be harvested as baby leaves or mature plants. Both are packed with nutrients and versatile in the kitchen, suitable for salads, sautés, and soups.' Top tip I'm a big fan of baby spinach and enjoy it in salads, mixed and tossed with roasted pine nuts. You can also partly substitute it with basil for a delicious pesto. Radishes are the ideal crop to grow for impatient gardeners. Palphramand says, 'Radishes are one of the quickest crops to grow over summer, with some varieties ready to harvest in as little as three weeks.' And because they give fast results, he adds, 'This makes them a perfect crop for children and new gardeners who want quick and satisfying results.' Radishes grow well in containers or garden beds and can be harvested continuously with successive sowings. You can start to plant vegetables in July for a winter harvest. Palphramand suggests sowing kale and cabbage, choosing varieties like 'Fizz' and 'Nero di Toscana' kale, and cabbages such as 'Sweetie' and spring cabbage. If the plants can get established now, they will be ready to be enjoyed during the colder months, when you're looking to eat steamed vegetables rather than salads. These peas provide sweet, crunchy pods that are delicious fresh or cooked It's not too late to sow peas in July for a late-season crop, but don't dally. Palphramand says that mangetout and sugar snap peas are particularly reliable varieties for planting now. 'These peas provide sweet, crunchy pods that are delicious fresh or cooked,' he says, adding, 'Sowing peas now allows you to enjoy their fresh taste well into autumn before the colder weather sets in.' Top tip If you don't eat the peas freshly picked, they can be frozen and cooked in a hearty pea and ham soup later in the year. There are plenty of herbs that will thrive if sown right now. Basil, coriander, dill, and parsley can all be sown in pots or directly into the ground. There's nothing better than cutting freshly grown herbs and adding them to your dishes for extra flavor and aroma. Palphramand recommends regularly harvesting your herbs to encourage bushier growth, and I can vouch for that!
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tips for gardeners to attract wildlife to their gardens - from flowers to ponds
Gardening experts have shared tips on how to attract wildlife to gardens - from what to plant and features to add. World Wildlife Day took place this week which highlights the need for global wildlife conservation. British Garden Centres has provided advice on how to help wildlife on World Wildlife Day and beyond. The group has suggested making small improvements to gardens to provide homes, shelter, and food for wildlife. It has also suggested planting wildlife-friendly plants such as buddleia, lavender, lilac, gaura, salvia, and verbena to attract butterflies. Nectar-rich flowers such as bluebells, foxgloves, crocuses, and primroses are also recommended to draw in bees. The group has also suggested letting a portion of the garden run wild with self-seeding wildflowers such as borage, cornflowers, and poppies to attract pollinators. They have also suggested adding a pond to the garden to provide a safe place for amphibians such as frogs, toads, and newts to live, breed, and find food. Other helpful tips include installing nesting boxes and providing species-specific bird feed to attract birds, and gardening naturally and sustainably by ditching harsh bug sprays and looking for organic solutions instead. Amy Stubbs, project and development manager at British Garden Centres, said: "World Wildlife Day is a fantastic reminder that even small actions, like choosing native plants or leaving a wild corner in your garden, can have a significant positive impact on our local wildlife. "The team at British Garden Centres is here to support everyone in creating gardens that are not only beautiful but also vital habitats for our wildlife and biodiversity." British Garden Centres is the UK's largest family-owned garden centre group with 72 centres around the country. The group is owned and led by the Stubbs family, who also own and operate Woodthorpe Leisure Park in Lincolnshire. The group has a team of 3,000 colleagues working across the garden centres, restaurants, growing nurseries, distribution centres, Woodthorpe Leisure Park, and Woody's Restaurant & Bar. The group was launched in 1987 with the opening of Woodthorpe Garden Centre by brothers Charles and Robert Stubbs. Since 2018, it has expanded rapidly with the acquisition of 50 garden centres, allowing it to grow from its heartland to the business it is now with 72 garden centres spread from Carmarthen to Ramsgate, Wimborne to East Durham. For more information on how to help wildlife, visit the British Garden Centres website.
