Picking the first stems of rhubarb from our Hitchin allotment is always a thrill. There is little to bring home from the plot and enjoy at this time of year, April is more about preparation and seed sowing for the season ahead. I think because of this the first rhubarb picked and eaten has a … Continue reading »
If you’re looking to see garden design Bedfordshire then the gardens at Wrest Park are now well worth a visit. I live in Hitchin and am always looking for local places and gardens to visit for inspiration and garden design ideas. Wrest Park now belongs to English Heritage who are busy transforming the site as part of a … Continue reading »
Imagine a vegetable that tastes like kale but has the texture of savoy cabbage and you’ve got Cavolo Nero. We’ve been growing it successfully on our allotment in Hitchin for several years now and love it. It’s an Italian cabbage that comes from Tuscany with very dark green almost black leaves. In fact ‘cavolo nero’ … Continue reading »
Evergreens play a vital role in the garden at any time of year – but it is in winter when they perform at their best. They become the ‘back bone’ in our borders and give them shape and structure when everything else around them has died back and lost it’s leaves. Many people find them … Continue reading »
All gardens look drab in the winter but adding extra colour is easy. There are flowers, ornametal stems and berries that all look fantastic at this time of year and will give you and your garden a boost. Top of my list to plant in any garden for their coloured ornamental stems are Cornus. They come in … Continue reading »
Adding winter interest to a garden is not difficult you just need to adapt a different way of thinking. Don’t think flower – think texture and colour instead. Grasses ooze texture and planted in bold groups either on their own or within a border the effect can be stunning. Add to that a covering of … Continue reading »
Winter and stew are two words that go together in our house. As the weather gets colder and the days become greyer the need for comfort food rises. Root vegetables are at their best now and we are busy digging swede and turnip from our Hitchin allotment. Turnip is an easy vegetable to grow and will … Continue reading »
If you have a small garden deciding which tree to plant can sometimes be difficult. Any tree you do choose should look good throughout the seasons – rewarding you with spring blossom, fruit and great autumn colour. Malus do all of these things and one of my favourites to use as a garden designer is … Continue reading »
If you’re a bean fan like me have a go at growing these ‘Cobra Beans’. They are a stringless climbing french bean that crops prolifically! We’ve been growing them on our Hitchin allotment sucessfully for a number of years. In fact we probably prefer them now to runner beans. I sow the seed in April … Continue reading »
Many hours spent in the garden and on our Hitchin allotment mean my gardening gloves get a severe hammering. I was bought my first pair of ‘Gold Leaf Dry Touch’ gloves a few years ago as a present and I’ve been hooked ever since. They’re made with beautifully soft leather that in time moulds to … Continue reading »
