http://www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk June 2019 115
GARDEN INSPIRATION
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what to do on the veg plot
Any vegetables grown in containers,
should be given a fortnightly feed
once they begin to flower or put on
substantial growth, this keeps the soil
topped up with the right nutrients.
Tomatoes in particular will give a better
yield when regularly fed. Seasol organic
seaweed concentrate (below) is a natural
plant tonic that’s rich in trace elements,
vitamins, minerals and enzymes. A one
litre bottle, £7.99 from Mr Fothergills,
will provide excellent chemical-free
nourishment for your plants.
Explore the colourful world of
vegetables by growing multi-
coloured carrots and beetroots. Both
crops are easy to grow (although carrots
will need free draining soil to allow the
easy passage of the root) and can be
sown now. They are both delightfully
versatile in the kitchen; roast them in
olive oil, puree them into soups, grate
carrots into salads and pickle beetroots
to store in jars for months on end. Suttons sells seeds of Rainbow Mix Carrots, £1.75
for 190 seeds (below left), and Rainbow Mix Beetroot, £1.99 for 250 seeds (above).
Continue to sow brassica crops of turnips and Kohl rabi for an autumn harvest. Protect the
young plants from pigeon damage by covering them with horticultural fleece or mesh.
Plant runner beans outside now that the
threat of frost has passed. They can be
grown against a simple wigwam of canes
or against a parallel row of supports.✓
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Kohl rabi ‘Purple Vienna’,
£1.75 for 500 seeds,
Mr FothergillsPlant of
the month
Astrantias are stars of a summer border both
in performance and appearance. Their little
pincushion heads, encased in starry-shaped
bracts, can be found in muted shades of pink,
white and green through to more vibrant
hues of deep rose, burgundy and raspberry.
Give them a spot in semi-shade, in a humus-
rich, moisture-retentive soil and they will
reward you with a mass of blooms from May
to August. Avoid planting in sandy soil unless
you can bulk it up with organic matter first
and keep them well watered in summer.
Despite their delicate appearance, Astrantias
need no staking,
are resistant
to slugs and
snails and are
hardy in winter,
making this
robust perennial
an excellent
choice for low
maintenance
gardens.PhotoCourtesy of Westland