Latest news with #vegetablegardening
The Guardian
7 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Not all weeds are bad news – but these interlopers have no place in my garden's veg patch
I started my growing season late this year. Life got in the way. By the time I was able to get stuck in, my veg patch was busily filling up with plants that had found their own way there. Now, I'm firmly in the camp of those who believe a weed is simply a plant that's not where we'd like it to be. Our growing spaces and the creatures that dwell in them benefit from the gardeners who are able to live with some uninvited plants. That said, my veg patch had become something of a wilderness and, while there are plenty of so-called weeds I am happy to host, some had to go if I was to grow the edible plants I love this year. First on the chopping block was creeping buttercup. Both pollinators and I adore their flowers, but with their capacity to spread by throwing out runners and tentacle-like roots, they had covered half a vegetable bed and the paths around it. Its botanical name, Ranunculus repens, describes its horizontal growth habit – repens being the Latin for creeping. Another plant with the same creeping moniker is the perennial couch grass Elymus repens, which also spreads through the soil by developing a tangle of roots and underground stems from which wide blades of grass emerge. While not an issue in the wilder parts of my garden – and welcomed by moths and butterflies when in flower, and as food for some larvae – its rampant spread needs curtailing in my veg patch. Unearthing its cable-like roots and rhizomes, or underground stems, can be disruptive but, by approaching it slowly and steadily, they can be ousted without too much soil disturbance. It's a Sisyphean task, though, as couch grass can regrow from any segment that's left behind. Next up, dock. This is another species needed by a plethora of insects yet, as each plant develops a hefty tap root and can produce thousands of seeds that remain viable in soil for years, docks need to go! Excavation can be messy, so I'm careful to replace the soil when the job is done. Last, any ephemeral plants – those that can move through a full lifecycle several times a season, such as chickweed, bittercress and groundsel – can be easily removed by hand or hoe. They're not of huge concern, but their ability to reproduce at pace is not something I want to encourage. Most of these so-called weeds grow near the wire fence around my patch. Beyond this is a field filled with these plants in flower and the insects that feast on them. So I have to contend with uninvited plants every year, but can be sure that considered weeding won't unduly affect the ecosystem. If that were not so, I'd probably hand over more of my garden to these often beneficial, if over-zealous interlopers.
The Sun
17-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
The 7 plants to get in the ground this month, and you'll have a veg patch bursting with life in just eight weeks
IT might seem like too much hard work to some, but there are others desperate to grow their own vegetables and herbs. And with the average time waiting for an allotment in the UK reaching a staggering 37 months, more and more people are choosing to start their own vegetable patches at home. 3 3 Not only does growing produce in the back garden help save money on groceries during the cost of living crisis, it also helps reduce your carbon footprint. While you might not realise it, now is the perfect time of year to get your patches planted - and there are seven plants you need to get in the ground this month. Beetroot "Beetroots don't need much encouragement to grow, making them a low maintenance veg to grow," the sustainability team at 100Green said. To get started, sow your seeds 2.5cm deep with 10cm spaces between them. Remember to water them regularly - usually every 10 to 14 days - but they may require more in dry spells. If you stick to this regime, your beetroot will be ready to harvest after just eight to 10 weeks. Sweetcorn It's worth adding some sweetcorn to the patch too. Just start by sowing it in a small pot and keep it inside as they need warmth to germinate. You can then move them outside - to a sunny, sheltered area - once they reach 8cm in height and we're past any risk of evening frost. Alan Titchmarsh's 'easiest' tip will fix bald patches on your lawn in two minutes flat this spring & no it's not seeding Again, remember to water them regularly, as they need around one inch of water a week. They'll be ready to harvest when the silky tassel on them has turned brown. Carrots Carrots are another easy veg to start with, as you can sow them directly into the ground. Water them every fortnight, and prepare to harvest them 12 to 16 weeks after planting. Tomatoes Tomatoes make the perfect addition to the vegetable patch for late May, as they do best in warmer soil temperatures of around 13 to 16C. Pop them in a sheltered, sunny spot, and when the first tomato appears, be sure to remove the leaves around them. May gardening jobs The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you need to crack on with in May. GARDEN growth can go from nought to ninety in May, depending on the weather. The last UK frosts are generally seen at the beginning of the month, so all of a sudden there's so much more to do and grow. Plant out dahlia tubers It's a joy to finally plant out your dahlia tubers. Remember how big they can get - and space accordingly - anything up to half a metre apart. It's a good idea to put your support stakes in now instead of trying to work around them. And make sure you include lots of well rotted manure or decent compost to feed it and then mulch to keep it moist and suppress weeds. They generally start blooming in July. Final feed to Spring flowers You can give a cheeky feed to all your remaining tulips and daffodils. Although the majority of bulbs aren't guaranteed to come back year after year any more, as long as you've left them to die back naturally there's a good chance they'll have stored enough energy to come back again. Tomato feed is fine. Tie up climbers Your clematis, honeysuckle and rambling roses should be well on their way by now - try to use plastic free string to tie them back into their support, or tuck them round each other to make sure they don't sprout off in crazy directions. Feed the lawn It's not too late to give your lawn a good feed. Whether you use granular or liquid, it can give it a good boost to see it through the harsher summer months. While mowing, don't go too low with your cut length yet and never take more than a third off the grass height. Get creative It's also time to get creative with hanging baskets and pots. Trailing pelargoniums, which a lot of people call geraniums, and Begonias are a good, low cost way of getting lovely returning blooms throughout the summer in your baskets. And pots can be planted with spring bulbs. Don't forget the greenhouse! Give your greenhouse a good tidy and clean the glass inside and out. The improved light will help plants grow quicker inside and tidying is good for the soul. You can just use a household white wine vinegar and water solution - or even neat if you're feeling spendy - which gives a really good shine. This means they will continue to get as much sun as possible until they ripen and are ready to harvest. Herbs Herbs are another plant that you can grow at home - with basil top of the list. "Basil is perfect for growing herbs in pots, you can sow them from May and pot them in a pot after they've grown slightly," the sustainability pros advised. "They do well with plenty of light and warmth so you can even keep them on your windowsill while they grow." Don't water them too much as basil doesn't like sitting in wet soil. "Use scissors to cut a lead stem just above a pair of leaves to help encourage your basil to grow and become bushier," they added. Another herb that makes a delicious addition to your cooking is parsley, which can be sown directly into soil. Remember to keep it well watered - at least two to three times a week - and pick it as you need it throughout the summer and autumn. And dill completes the herby triad. "Sow dill seeds into soil around 1cm deep and keep them well watered (1-2 times per week)," the experts said. "It's usually best to use the leaves fresh, so don't harvest until you're ready to use them!" 3
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
You've Been Planting Your Tomatoes All Wrong
This article may contain affiliate links that Yahoo and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links. Of all the vegetables I grow in my garden, tomatoes remain a favorite year after year. Not only are they relatively easy to grow (you have to try pretty hard to kill them, honestly), but they undoubtedly also get the most appreciation in our household. My toddlers eat them straight off the vine, and I work them into salads, sauces, and pasta dishes — I've even tried my hand at dehydrating them to use throughout the winter. Over the years, I've pretty much perfected my tomato growing strategy by learning which varietals are easiest to grow and narrowing in on the spot in my lawn where they seem to thrive the best. That said, there's been one hack that's stood out from all the rest — it results in the strongest (and most fruitful) tomato plants ever. If there's a single cardinal rule you follow when growing tomato plants, it's this: Your plant will only be as strong as its stems. A floppy support system means more than just an unsightly plant; it can foster disease, cause fruit to drop prematurely, or even lead to an early death for your plant. Aside from staking and supporting your tomato plants with cages or twine, there's one more method you can utilize to foster a strong foundation for your tomato plant. You'll notice that the stems of tomato plants, particularly immature plants, have a lot going on — and that's by nature's design. There's a fuzzy coating, known as trichomes, that protects the plant from outside elements and helps it respond to its environment, as well as bumps or nodules known as parenchyma cells, where the real magic happens. These cells can be utilized by the plant in many ways, like storing nutrients and water, being used for photosynthesis, and even growing roots. Here's where the strategy comes into play. Before you plant your tomato plants or seedlings, pluck off all but the top two to four sets of leaves, leaving a lot of bare stem you can plant deep into the soil. Tomato plants perform their best with a strong, intricate root system, and burying the stem deep into the soil — even if the seedling has already grown several inches in its starter pot — can help cultivate that system. By doing this, those parenchyma cells will develop into an even stronger root system for the plant and essentially create an underground scaffolding that will encourage thick stem growth and even more fruiting. Trust me — you'll be shocked at the difference this makes for your harvest this summer! I Tried the 90/90 Rule and My Closet Is Now Fully Decluttered We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at West Elm — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need See How a Stager Used Paint to Transform a 1950s Living Room Sign up for Apartment Therapy's Daily email newsletter to receive our favorite posts, tours, products, and shopping guides in your inbox.
