PEA HALF PINT
For those of you who read the YARDZVEG Diary, you will know that I sowed Half Pint peas in these 30cm long plastic troughs. This variety of pea, a very old Victorian variety, is perfectly suited to growing in containers as it is quick to grow and very compact. Up to now they have grown well with only regular watering and keeping slugs at bay. They have now started flowering so I'm looking forward to sweet fresh peas in a couple of weeks.
'Square Foot' Gardening is an American method of growing as many vegetables as possible in as small a space as possible, Seems the perfect solution to yardners wanting to 'grow their own'
Checkout this link to Lifehacker blog for more info.
THE WORLDS HOTTEST PEPPER
www.thompsonandmorgan.com supply the worlds hottest chilli - the chilli/hot Tepin(Atomic). This extremely hot birds' eye pepper can be grown from seed and will fruit happily on the patio in a sunny position. Beware - make sure you handle the seeds carefully.
A great idea and environmentally friendly. Hide your gaudy grow bags with this stylish if a little rustic grow box, made from old floorboards and pallets. Available in a high or low format. From £55 + £7.50 p&p.
These are 5 of the best 'easy to grow' vegetables suitable for the micro-garden. All meet the criteria of being easy to grow, highly productive, quick growing and happy to grow in containers. The varieties have been chosen because they mainly have been bred to meet this criteria and also give great returns in flavour.
1. PEA HALF PINT www.thompson-morgan.com
This 30-37cm high pea is compact and does not need staking. Ideal for container and windowbox growing. The peas are ready to pick in about 14 weeks and regular picking prolongs cropping. Sow now and make sure to water well in dry conditions.
2.COURGETTE BLACK FOREST F1 HYBRID www.thompson-morgan.com
Unique climbing courgette that saves space and is great in containers. Produces tasty dark green fruit in abundance, as the catalogues say! Besides producing great fruit, the courgette has large bright yellow flowers that are both decorative and edible.
3. LETTUCE BABY LEAF SALAD www.thompson-morgan.com
This is a spicy mix of spinach, mizuna and red mustard. Sow every 3-4 weeks to have continuous cropping through the summer. Much nicer to pick your own baby leaves than buy the supermarket chlorine treated bags. Make great windowbox plants - decorative and edible.
4. SPRING ONION WHITE LISBON www.suttons.co.uk
White Lisbon is on old variety of spring/salad onion but it fits micro-gardening conditions. It is very quick growing producing white skinned and mild flavoured onions.
Sow at regular intervals to have continuous supplies through the summer.
5. DWARF BEAN SPEEDY www.suttons.co.uk
Compact and high yielding. Crops just seven weeks from sowing. Harvest when beans are young for best flavour.
Just one of the many varieties of veg for small gardens in the Suttons 'Speedy' range.
