At Home
Looking to get stuck into a new project at home? Then look no further than starting your own vegetable patch. Whether you have an allotment, a neglected patch in the garden or just a sunny corner in your house, the Covent Garden Head Gardener is here to talk you through the top 10 easiest vegetables to grow at home.
POTATOES
A cousin of the tomato (they strangely share 92% of genes), the humble potato is a staple of any kitchen.
Top Tip: Take some old potatoes and leave them in a warm, dark spot for a week or so. This will allow the potato some time to grow little green shoots. From here, pop them into a grow bag, the ground or large pots and cover the shoots with compost. Then continue to cover the sprouts with compost as they grow. Water well and once the foliage dies back the spuds will be ready for your Sunday roast.
Loves: Sunshine and regular watering.
Hates: Do not over water or allow them to sit in water as this would cause the potatoes to rot.
CARROTS
A classic vegetable and the Chantenay type are perfect to grow in pots and window boxes. For those of you with a bit more space, how about growing some rainbow carrots!
Top Tip: As mentioned above, sow with onions to help deter carrot flies. If you can’t then make sure you sow your seeds after June.
Loves: Lots of sun.
Hates: Rocky ground, as this will make your carrots stumpy.
RADISH
Perfect for any salad and great for bringing a bit of colour and crunch to any dish.
Top Tip: Radishes are perfect for growing in containers or window boxes.
Loves: Sunshine and regular watering.
Hates: Left being unpicked as they tend to lose their great taste.
PEAS
There is nothing quite like home grown peas.
Top Tip: Start sowing your peas in March through to June and sow two crops 4 to 6 weeks apart to extend the cropping season.
Loves: Give your peas twigs and canes to grow up as they need a bit of support.
Hates: Small shoots can be vulnerable to passing creatures so try and protect your peas
SPRING ONIONS
So easy to grow and perfect to snip and eat.
Top Tip: Sow in succession, starting from March.
Loves: Sunshine and regular watering.
Hates: Not a lot, they are really easy to grow.
LETTUCE
Coming in variations from a cos to a romaine, simply pick your favourite and start sowing the seeds.
Top Tip: Sow seeds 4 to 6 weeks apart and create cut and come again leaves. Can be kept happily on a window sill.
Loves: Sunshine, with a bit of shade.
Hates: Snails love lettuce so it’s best to grow yours in elevated planters to help reduce contact.
TOMATOES
Don’t restrict yourself to just growing red tomatoes this year, look at planting yellow or even purple to add a pop of colour to any dish.
Top Tip: For quick results start with a baby tomato plant and work your way up from there. If you want to do things the slower way than take your seeds, sow them and place them in a warm cupboard until they germinate. Tomatoes are really quick to grow but could take a while to get going.
Loves: Sunshine and regular watering but they are okay with a bit of shade .
Hates: Being underfed so I would recommend buying some Tomorite Concentrated Tomato Food.
PEPPERS
Another vegetable which comes in an array of types so you can always find the best type for your garden, big or small!
Top Tip: Grow peppers in a warm, sunny spot and feed with Tomorite Concentrated Tomato Food, as just like their vegetable cousin, it will encourage more fruits and shoots.
Loves: A warm and sunny spot, but will need to be sheltered from high winds.
Hates: A lot of shade will not help your peppers grow.
RUNNER BEANS
Top Tip: The best beans for growing, these fast growers produce plenty of sweet beans.
Loves: Ensure to pick your beans regularly to encourage repeat growth, this will also help avoid stringy sharp beans.
Hates: When young, these plants are vulnerable to snails so watch out.
ONIONS
Possibly the second most useful vegetable in your pantry, onions add flavour to any dish.
Top Tip: Plant near carrots as this helps ward off the dreaded carrot fly.
Loves: Sunshine and regular watering.
Hates: Mice and birds love onions as much as we do so watch out for dug up ones and make sure to replant.
