 GARDENING
Hoe regularly between rows on hot days to make sure the weeds dry up and die without
re-rooting, control weeds to prevent them competing for moisture and nutrients. Be careful
with your water, especially in drought-affected areas
Harvest lettuce, radish, other salads and early potatoes, continue with successional
sowing of salad crops, beetroot, Chinese cabbage and radish, to ensure an even supply over
the season. In hot weather, leafy salad crops may do better when sown in partially shady
sites. Hot dry weather can lead to bitter tasting leaves. Cut lawns at least once a
week.
Plant out summer bedding and seed-raised plants, if not already done so. Make sure they
are well watered in and keep moist during dry weather. Plant out cannas and dahlias once
danger of frost has passed. Finish planting out gladioli. Cut back dead bulb foliage
if not done already. It is important to wait until the foliage dies down naturally, as
cutting back too early can lead to blindness next year.
Sweet peas need training and tying in to their supports to encourage them to climb and
make a good display. Twining climbers,such as honeysuckle and Clematis need regular tying
in and twining around their supports.
COOKS CORNER
Sweet and Sour Pork
1 bunch spring onions, trimmed
3 tsp oil
300g pork steak
1 tsp ground ginger
150g pack mange tout, halved lengthways
350g jar sweet and sour sauce
2 tsp sesame seeds
300g egg noodles
cut the onions into thin strips lengthways. Heat 2 tsp oil in a wok, then add the pork,
ginger and cook over a high heat until lightly browned. Add half the onions with the mange
tout.
Pour over the sauce, stir well then bring to the boil then simmer until pork is cooked
through.
Or cook in the oven on a low heat for 2 hours.
Serve with egg noodles and sprinkle the sesame seeds over the top and garnish with the
remaining onions. |
Food Glorious Food - Top tips
What vegetables to grow?
An increasing number of people are interested in growing their own vegetables to save
money, but are not sure where to start. Here are some clever tips to help you get the most
out of your garden.
- Dwarf French beans are expensive to buy but really simple to grow yourself. They're
small, so are great for containers if you haven't much space, and you can get a good
couple of helpings for the average sized family from each plant.
- Courgettes almost grow themselves, and produce a prolific crop. Two plants are plenty to
provide the whole family enough for two meals a week for a couple of months, which will
save lots of money.
- Pumpkins and squash can cost a fortune and they're great grown in your own garden - they
thrive in a wide range of soils and produce a lot of crop. Once picked, they last for ages
- an autumn crop could last you the whole winter.
- 'Cut and come again mixed salad leaves are fabulous value for money. Fresh leaves can be
cut as and when required and they're perfect for tubs, troughs or window boxes.
- Strawberries are the best soft fruit to grow at home - they don't need any pruning or
staking, they are great in small areas, look really pretty - and most importantly, taste
much better when grown yourself.
Unusual fruit and vegetable containers
Starting a vegetable garden doesn't necessarily mean rushing out and buying new window
boxes and expensive equipment. There are a surprising number of things that could be lying
around the house which make perfect containers for growing vegetables.
- From colourful clogs to an old leather boot, punch holes in old shoe soles for funky,
creative plant containers. Wellington boots are great for leeks!
- Fill toilet roll tubes with compost and seeds and you can start off many kinds of
vegetables - including beans, carrots and parsnips - inside. Transplant them into the soil
after a few weeks without disturbing the roots, where the biodegradable cardboard will
just rot away.
- Buckets are ideal for all kinds of root vegetables - they are just the right depth and
ensure your lovely parsnips won't take over the whole garden.
- Goldfish bowls and tanks look wonderful planted with herbs - think greenery in glass.
They also make fantastic wormeries!
- Scour charity shops for earthenware pots - they come in a variety of shapes and sizes
and can be very cheap.
- Old car tyres are great for growing potatoes - stack them up and paint in bright colours
one Sunday afternoon!
- Fill old shoeboxes with compost for growing lettuces - remember not to over-water!
- Keep an eye out for unusual teapots. When you find one, take the top off, fill with soil
and plant mint - which you can boil for delicious tea later on.
- If your child grows out of their lunchbox, don't just throw it away. Help them plant
some herbs in it for an eccentric addition to the window sill or garden.
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