CATEGORIES
A MAN OF MANY PARTS
Martin Fish is one of the UK's most respected and loved horticulturalists. He has been a regular on TV and radio for nearly 30 years, while at the same time a prolific writer in national magazines and books. Here he chats with Grapevine podcast presenter Daniel Heighes
A NORTHERN OASIS
Martin Fish is at Kiplin Hall in North Yorkshire, finding out about its rich history and exploring its restored walled garden
TAKE cover
Stephanie Hafferty has been loving developing a new plot with no-dig beds but she was really excited when her new polytunnel arrived
WHAT A CHARMER!
It looks good, it tastes good, it's versatile and you get good value for your money. Yes, it's a charmed life with chard, says Tony Flanagan
WHEN A MINER PROBLEM IS NOT A MINOR PROBLEM
The allium leaf miner is a garden pest that is spreading across the country and is especially detrimental to leeks. Dr Anton Rosenfeld, knowledge officer of Garden Organic, explains what to look for... and the best method of prevention
ROB' S PLOT Playing it cool!
August certainly can be a sizzler of a month in the kitchen garden, with greenhouse temperatures soaring and watering becoming the key to success, explains Rob Smith
TAKE THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGE
Scientists have been warning us about climate change since the 1960s. Ecologist and keen veg grower Becky Searle looks at what a changing climate means to gardeners and how we can help to mitigate it
THE BEARDED GROWERS
Two school pals met up by chance after nearly 20 years and before they knew it they had their own gardening radio show. KG editor Steve Ott caught up with John (JJ) and Chris (Bish) for a chinwag!
TIME TO TRIM and train
Surely fruit pruning is something we do in the winter months. Not so, says nurseryman David Patch as he explains why summer pruning is also essential
OUR PLOTTER OF THE MONTH
Last year we officially launched a competition to find 12 readers and their plots that would feature in Kitchen Garden magazine this year. Here we present a talented winning twosome
UNDER COVER
We've all heard of a spring clean, but a thorough autumn clean can be just as powerful, particularly in the greenhouse.
TOP JOBS FOR SEPTEMBER
ESSENTIAL TASKS FOR YOUR VEG PATCH AND PROTECTED CROPS
How and when to repot
Masterclass on: Repotting essentials
Extreme heather
Once regarded as rather dull, heathers now command respect from Toby for showing a new and forceful edge
My compost woes
MANY of us who like to raise our own plants have been suffering compost woes, whether we’re trying to go peat-free or not! This year many of my plants failed to thrive: they developed chlorotic (or yellowing foliage) and withered away. At first, I put this down to the cool temperatures of spring, but they failed to recover once the nights and days warmed up. I have to deduce that the compost is probably to blame. Much of the compost I’ve used this year is not encouraging growth as it should.
This week... Anemones
You can grow anemones in borders, around trees and shrubs or in containers
Blanket the garden with colour
Hardy perennials are a bright delight, says Ruth
Dividing Siberian irises
Split big clumps to keep them flowering well, says Ruth
Potting up seedlings
I’m moving some seedlings into larger pots, says Ruth
Butterfly magnets
Lure butterflies to the garden by growing their favourite flowers, says Hazel Sillver, as she looks at the best plants to supply these beautiful insects with nectar for months
Walking on the wild side
In prairie, naturalistic or ‘new perennial’ gardens, plants are chosen to suit their environment and grow in a more natural way, says Anne Swithinbank
Propagating flag iris
Steve and Val Bradley explain how to divide these colourful perennials
What to prune in midsummer
Give a post-flowering trim for shape and health, says Ruth
This week... Marguerites
Plant marguerites for lots of daisy-like flowers during summer in a range of colours
Red-hot Pokers
With their upright stems and sizzling colours, red-hot pokers are wonderful garden perennials flowering in summer and autumn. Anne Swithinbank reveals her favourites
Shrubs that flower throughout summer
There are plenty of shrubs that are great for adding colour, scent and structure to our gardens through summer, says Camilla Phelps, as she reveals some of her favourites
Sickly looking rhododendrons
Snapping away dead flower heads of rhododendrons is not strictly necessary, but if you have a sickly plant, relieving it from the burden of making seeds is a sensible plan
Time to prune ramblers
Rambling roses put on a gorgeous display but at this time of year they benefit from some careful pruning, says Toby
Love bugs
Val looks at the importance of insects for wildlife and man
Honesty is the best biennial!
Flowers and seedheads are both delightful, says Ruth