Growing Vegetables
If you are planting from seed, follow the instructions on the pack. Growing your own delicious vegetables is easy and cooking with home-grown produce is so rewarding and can save money too.
Time Required
Initially: 15 minutes to plant up a typical container.
Every other day: 5 minutes for watering, feeding and maintenance.
What to do
- We have found Runner and Dwarf Beans, Radish, Beatroot,Lettuce, Sweetcorn, Potatoes and Carrots are all easy to grow and you don't need a huge allotments!
- Vegetables grow very well in containers on the patio and it's great to involve the kids in growing them.
- Most Vegetables will be easier when grown from young plants, but try a few from seed, especially Spring Onions, Carrots and Beans.
- Follow the instructions on the label for specific growing advice but here are a few pointers to help you:
- In windy gardens grow Dwarf rather than Runner Beans - wig-wams look great on the patio!
You will need
- Young plants >
- Multi-purpose compost* >
- Container* >
- Plant label & pencil >
- General purpose plant food >
*As Necessary
Growing tomatoes
If you are planting from seed, follow the instructions on the pack. Growing tomatoes from young plants is easy and there’s a huge range of delicious varieties to choose from:
Greenhouse varieties
- In a growing bag/10” flower pot.
Outdoor varieties
- In a growing bag/in the garden.
Hanging basket varieties
- in a hanging basket/large pot/on a windowsill.
Time Required
Initially: 15 minutes to plant into growing bags, containers or hanging baskets.
Daily: 5 minutes for watering and maintenance.
What to do
- Always choose a sunny area which is sheltered from the wind.
- Plant up established Tomatoes after the risk of frost has passed or prior to this if you have a greenhouse. Simply make a hole, place the plant in, firm gently and water in well.
- Stake the plants as they grow (except hanging basket varieties).
- Water regularly and start feeding with a specific Tomato Food as the flowers start to turn into tiny fruits.
- Remove side shoots and tie the stem to a cane (except hanging basket varieties).
- Harvest from July to September.
You will need
- Tomato plants >
- Container or hanging basket >
- Multi-purpose compost or a growing bag >
- Canes (size depends on final height of plant- check the plant label) >
- Tomato Food >
Growing salads
If you are planting from seed, follow the instructions on the pack. Growing your own crunchy salads is easy, particularly various types of salad leaves & lettuces, spring onions, radish and baby beetroot. Follow our easy care guide and plant in late Spring for a crop within 3 weeks.
Time Required
Initially: 15 minutes to plant into growing bags, containers or hanging baskets.
Weekly: 5 minutes for watering and maintenance.
What to do
- Choose your salad plants – choose varieties with different colours and leaf textures to add interest.
- Choose a container – a larger container with mixed varieties looks good and tastes excellent!
- Put plenty of crocks in the bottom of your container for drainage. Partfill with soil-based compost and then arrange your plants. Fill in with remaining compost and firm in. Water well and protect from frost.
- Label so that you know what you are growing. Position close to the Kitchen door for easy access. Feed weekly.
- To ensure a regular supply of salad leaves, repeat the process every 2 weeks.
- Harvest your salad leaves regularly and remove any weeds.
- Crisp-hearted types such as iceberg lettuce take about 8 weeks to form a lettuce that is far better than you can buy in the shops.
You will need
- Young salad plants >
- Multi-purpose compost >
- Container >
- Plant label & pencil >
- General purpose plant food >