PLOT PASSION UNWAVERING

WELCOME

Having struggled through a long, chilly UK winter,

JOBS FOR THE MONTH

TASKS FOR YOUR VEGETABLE PATCH IN APRIL BY MARTIN FISH

ON THE VEG PATCH

STEP 1: Young plants of summer cabbages can be planted

IN THE GREENHOUSE

■ Buy healthy young tomato plants if you haven’t raised

WHAT’S NEW?

ALL THE LATEST NEWS, PRODUCTS & FACTS FROM THE WORLD OF KITCHEN GARDENING

HAVE YOUR SAY

CONTACT US WITH YOUR LETTERS AND TIPS: TFLANAGAN@MORTONS.CO.UK

KG PROBLEM SOLVER

GOT A FRUIT OR VEG PROBLEM? ASK KG FOR HELP

PEAS

Your guide to common pests, diseases and other problems affecting your crops

PARADISE ON A PLOT

This month we feature our runner-up in our Passionate Plotter competition, Val Brown from Liverpool. Val always dreamt of having a smallholding and now she is retired her allotment is a dream fulfilled

ON THE PLOT WITH THE 3 MUDKETEER

The KG twam offer chat, tips and gardening gossip

CUT FLOWERS FROM YOUR PATCH DAHLIAS

If you’re looking to add a vibrant splash of colour to your vegetable garden, you can’t go wrong with dahlias, and they are impressive as a cut flower too

HERBS UNLIMITED

Martin Fish visits a herb farm in North Yorkshire to see what started off as a one-woman band 25 years ago is now a large and expanding enterprise employing over 45 staff

GOING JAPANESE

Looking to make your salad bowl sing this year? Then grow some oriental salad leaves, says KG’s Tony Flanagan

KEEP THOSE PODS POPPING!

Peas are a great crop to grow in the vegetable garden, with newbies and experienced gardeners alike dedicating patches of land to this versatile crop. Organic veg grower Rob Smith has some great freezer-filling tips

GROW A POULTRY GARDEN

Growing your own chicken food will not only save you money but also ensure your feathered friends have a healthy and nutritious diet. Julie Moore explains

SEEDS OF ITALY

Inspired by London’s Borough Market, Paolo Arrigo, director of Franchi Seeds of Italy, offers his top picks of what to sow now

VIVA L’ITALIA

Style and good taste are synonymous with Italy. And it doesn’t get any tastier than Italian cooking. Benedict Vanheems reckons it’s time we all nurtured a corner of Italy in our gardens

TEA’S UP

A nice cup of tea is always welcome but how about growing your own? It is possible in some parts of the country, as Sally Cunningham explains

MAKE ROOM FOR RHUBARB

A plant sometimes overlooked is rhubarb. Here professional nurseryman and fruit expert David Patch raises the profile of this delicious crop

STAY FUR & FEATHER FREE

Gardeners love wildlife, but patience can be stretched when furry or feathered neighbours take their toll on precious produce. KG’s Steve Ott has some top tips to help you live in harmony with nature (and neighbourhood pets)

SPEARS OF JOY

Asparagus has always commanded a high price in the shops, yet it is very easy to grow. KG editor Steve Ott explains how, with little patience, you can produce your own high-quality harvest hats

DIARY DATES

VISIT A SHOW, TAKE A TOUR, ENROL ON A COURSE

TOP 10 WAYS TO REDUCE PLASTIC IN THE GARDEN

Increased plastic use and its effect on the environment is a hot topic so Emma Rawlings takes a look at how we can reduce our reliance on plastic in the garden

MAKE A FOLDING GREENHOUSE BENCH

A workbench may not be an option if you don’t have a lot of space in your greenhouse or polytunnel. So how about a folding one instead? Joyce Russell shows you how

INSTANT SAVERS

GREATPRODUCTS AT SUPER VA LUE PRICES!

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SLUG & SNAIL DETERRENTS

With slugs and snails just about everywhere maybe it’s time to think about some deterrents you could use. Here are a few the KG team have been trying out

READER OFFERS

EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS TO HELP MAKE YOUR MONEY GO FURTHER

GIVEAWAYS

TO ENTER OUR GIVEAWAYS SEE PAGE 105 OR VISIT THE KG WEBSITE

TASTY TREATS FROM EARLY PICKINGS

It is the time of year when crops are in short supply

MEALS ON WHEELS BY THE MED

They’re a dynamic duo best known for their fine follicles and joint love of the open road, and The Hairy Bikers’ latest road trip saw them enjoying Mediterranean cuisine and appreciating home-grown produce