Tomatillo
How to Grow Tomatillos in the UK Tomatillos produce firm, tangy fruits inside papery husks, making a useful home-grown ingredient for salsa and cooking. Raise them in spring warmth, give the branching plants room and grow at least two together. In cooler UK gardens, a greenhouse or polytunnel improves the chance of a worthwhile crop. […]
Tomato (Cherry)
How to Grow Cherry Tomatoes in the UK Cherry tomatoes give small, sweet fruits that often ripen sooner than larger tomatoes. Choose the growing habit before the colour: a tall cordon needs support and side shoot removal, while a bush or trailing variety keeps its branches. Both reward steady watering and a warm, bright position. […]
Tomato (Regular)
How to Grow Regular Salad Tomatoes in the UK Regular tomatoes are the familiar salad sized fruits you slice into sandwiches, salads and everyday meals. The name describes a useful kitchen type rather than a separate botanical group. This guide focuses on medium red salad tomatoes, including common cordon varieties. Start in warmth, maintain steady […]
Hops
How to Grow Hops in the UK Hops bring a rush of fresh growth in spring, bold lobed leaves through summer and aromatic cones on female plants as the season turns. Their underground crown survives winter while the climbing stems are renewed each year. Choose a variety and support that fit your garden before planting […]
Okra
How to Grow Okra in the UK Okra needs warmth, a long season and frequent picking for tender pods. In the UK it is usually a greenhouse or polytunnel crop. Treat outdoor growing as an experiment for a particularly warm, sheltered site. Tender annual crop Greenhouse warmth preferred Start seed indoors Pick pods while young […]
Pepper
How to Grow Sweet Peppers in the UK Sweet peppers bring crisp green fruits and sweeter coloured harvests to a greenhouse or warm patio. This guide covers culinary sweet Capsicum annuum, including bell and pointed peppers; hot chillies have their own guide. The main challenge in Britain is providing enough warmth and growing time. Start […]
Cotton
How to Grow Cotton in the UK Cotton makes an unusual greenhouse project, taking the grower from broad leaves and handsome flowers to the seed capsules that can open into familiar white fibre. In Britain, warmth and a long season are the limiting factors. Grow a few labelled plants for interest and observation, with ripe […]
Aster (New York)
How to Grow New York Asters in the UK New York asters bring fresh colour to borders as many summer flowers fade. Their pink, purple, blue or white daisies suit autumn planting schemes and cutting gardens. This guide covers Symphyotrichum novi-belgii and the garden selections and hybrids commonly sold with it. Choose by mature size […]
Astrantia
How to Grow Astrantia in the UK Astrantia adds fine detail to a border: small flower clusters sit inside papery, star shaped bracts above divided green leaves. These hardy perennials are useful in softer planting schemes, among roses or beside grasses. Give them soil that retains moisture and a position with sun or light shade. […]
Aubergine
How to Grow Aubergines in the UK Aubergines reward warmth, steady care and a long growing season. Their handsome leaves and purple flowers make them attractive plants even before the fruits develop. In most UK gardens, a greenhouse or polytunnel gives the strongest prospect of a worthwhile crop. Start with a few plants, choose an […]
