Today we are open from
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Today we are open from
09:00 - 16:30

Nothing beats the taste of your own home-grown fruit and vegetables, and you don’t even need a kitchen garden to do it. Many will grow happily in a pot on a patio or balcony, and you can even grow salad and herbs on a sunny windowsill. 

If you’re new to growing your own, here are some tips to get you started.

Sunlight...

Sunlight. First, think about how much sun your garden, patio or balcony gets during an average summer’s day. Most vegetables need at least 6 hours of sun per day, but you can still grow vegetables in a shady garden if you choose the right ones.

Get to know your soil...

Get to know your soil. If you’re planting vegetables in the ground, you need to know whether your soil is light sandy, heavy clay or somewhere in between. 

If you are unsure, dig a hole with a trowel and take a handful of the soil you’ve dug up. Dampen it with water and try to roll it between your palms. Sandy soils feel gritty and won’t stick together, while clay soils are sticky when wet and can be easily moved into a thin sausage shape. 

The right tools...

All jobs are more manageable when you have the right tools. Here’s our list of some of the most useful garden tools for vegetable growers:  

  • A garden spade and fork with long, sturdy handles for digging over your beds to clear weeds and stones before planting and digging in organic matter such as farmyard manure to improve the soil. 
  • A hand fork for weeding.
  • A hand trowel for digging small holes when planting out seedlings. 
  • Gardening gloves to protect your hands.
  • A watering can or a hose (depending on the size of your garden) to keep your plants watered during dry spells.
  • Snips or secateurs for harvesting your crops.

Choosing what to grow...

Remember, there’s no point in growing many vegetables that no one likes, so before you get started, make a list of all the things you like to eat and then decide how you are going to grow them.

If you are growing in your garden, once you know your soil type and how much sun your garden gets, it’s time to decide what to grow. Choose vegetables that are suited to your garden’s conditions, so you’re more likely to get vigorous, healthy plants and a good harvest. You can always mix ‘n’ match with those not suited to your soil type, grown in pots.

Almost anything can be grown in a container, you’re only limited to how many containers you have, how big they are and what space you have – the possibilities are endless…

  • Vegetables for pots: Dwarf runner bean, Dwarf French beans, Tomatoes (including tumbling varieties), Salad leaves, Early Potatoes
  • Vegetables for containers: Potatoes, Squash, Courgette,
  • Vegetables for part shade: Chard, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce
  • Vegetables for clay soils: French beans, Cabbage, Pumpkins
  • Vegetables for sandy soils: Carrots, Beetroot, Radishes. 

Why not try a fruit trees? We’ve a great range of compact, strong fruit ‘Wondertrees’ that guarantee a wonderful production of tasty fruit. Easy to maintain, and little pruning is necessary! Perfectly suited for growing in pots. 

If you have a particular sunny site or conservatory, why not try a pretty citrus tree. The flowers smell divine and their home-grown fruit tastes delicious!

Grow pollinator-friendly plants...

Whether growing in a bed or a container, you will need to attract pollinators to help your plants grow and form fruits. Have some containers for plants such as Lavender, Calendula and Cornflowers or anything else you love that insects will also enjoy. 

Herbs are easy to grow and edible and are also great for beneficial insects. Container-grown herbs mean they are easy to move around and you can have them close to your door, ready for you to pop outside and pick what you need when you’re cooking. 

With so many grow-your-own options in store, visit us to get your kitchen garden started today! We have a fantastic range of vegetable seeds and plants, and our friendly staff are always happy to help and advise.