Ideas for water in your garden
0 comment
Ideas for water in your garden We take a closer look at the SubAqua Show Garden from the 2023 Show with David Hurrion, and have some great ways to include water in your own garden from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. Garden water elements elevate the appeal of any outdoor space by offering decorative charm, creating a tranquil ambiance, and fostering a habitat for various wildlife.Incorporating a water feature into your garden doesn’t have to be a costly endeavor. Even something as uncomplicated as an appealing garden water bowl can have a substantial effect, as it catches and reflects sunlight alongside nearby plants. You can produce serene trickling sounds with a streamlet or fountain, and a pond can enable you to cultivate aquatic flora while also serving as a residence for newts, frogs, and dragonflies. /*! elementor - v3.19.0 - 07-02-2024 */ .elementor-widget-video .elementor-widget-container{overflow:hidden;transform:translateZ(0)}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper{aspect-ratio:var(--video-aspect-ratio)}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper iframe,.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper video{height:100%;width:100%;display:flex;border:none;background-color:#000}@supports not (aspect-ratio:1/1){.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper{position:relative;overflow:hidden;height:0;padding-bottom:calc(100% / var(--video-aspect-ratio))}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper iframe,.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper video{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0}}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-open-inline .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;background-size:cover;background-position:50%}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{cursor:pointer;text-align:center}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay:hover .elementor-custom-embed-play i{opacity:1}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay img{display:block;width:100%;aspect-ratio:var(--video-aspect-ratio);-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;-o-object-position:center center;object-position:center center}@supports not (aspect-ratio:1/1){.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{position:relative;overflow:hidden;height:0;padding-bottom:calc(100% / var(--video-aspect-ratio))}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay img{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0}}.elementor-widget-video .e-hosted-video .elementor-video{-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-video,.e-con>.elementor-widget-video{width:var(--container-widget-width);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)} Water rills Water rills are shallow conduits that facilitate the movement of water from one location to another, offering a continuous and peaceful auditory backdrop that can complement any garden. /*! elementor - v3.19.0 - 07-02-2024 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Ponds A garden pond is versatile and adaptable, fitting seamlessly into gardens of all sizes and design aesthetics. Whether you prefer a biodiverse haven teeming with plants or a serene, minimalistic pool with clean, straight edges, a pond offers endless possibilities. You can enhance its ambiance by incorporating bubbling sounds through the use of fountains or rills. Water pouring jugs Pouring jug water features have a romantic, classical feel to them. Purpose-made jugs with a hole for the pump to discreetly slot into are easy to find and they can be either be free-standing features that pour into a bowl, or used as a starting point for rills, pouring into a pond or even a swimming pool. Plant around the jug to integrate it in your overall design.  Pebble piles Pebble piles are one of the simplest and cheapest to set up. A pile of artfully placed stones and pebbles conceal a pump and water reservoir beneath. You can use a similar set up with a millstone – a pump hidden in the central hole of the millstone will radiate water out, and if needed, can be concealed by a heap of pebbles.  Fountains Fountains are ideal if you have an area that’s in need of a focal point. There are lots of different styles to choose from, including polished metal spheres and stone monoliths and columns. Troughs and tanks Watertight troughs and containers can be filled with water to create interesting unique features. This upcycled metal trough has a bed of grey pebbles to precent the water looking too dark and murky, while colourful planting softens the hard edges.  Take a look at the gallery below to get inspiration from the water features seen at our previous Shows… /*! elementor-pro - v3.19.0 - 07-02-2024 */ .elementor-gallery__container{min-height:1px}.elementor-gallery-item{position:relative;overflow:hidden;display:block;text-decoration:none;border:solid var(--image-border-width) 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Ideas for water in your garden
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Ideas for water in your garden We take a closer look at the SubAqua Show Garden from the 2023 Show with David Hurrion, and have some great ways to include water in your own garden from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. Garden water elements elevate the appeal of any outdoor space by offering decorative charm, creating a tranquil ambiance, and fostering a habitat for various wildlife.Incorporating a water feature into your garden doesn’t have to be a costly endeavor. Even something as uncomplicated as an appealing garden water bowl can have a substantial effect, as it catches and reflects sunlight alongside nearby plants. You can produce serene trickling sounds with a streamlet or fountain, and a pond can enable you to cultivate aquatic flora while also serving as a residence for newts, frogs, and dragonflies. Water rills Water rills are shallow conduits that facilitate the movement of water from one location to another, offering a continuous and peaceful auditory backdrop that can complement any garden. Ponds A garden pond is versatile and adaptable, fitting seamlessly into gardens of all sizes and design aesthetics. Whether you prefer a biodiverse haven teeming with plants or a serene, minimalistic pool with clean, straight edges, a pond offers endless possibilities. You can enhance its ambiance by incorporating bubbling sounds through the use of fountains or rills. Water pouring jugs Pouring jug water features have a romantic, classical feel to them. Purpose-made jugs with a hole for the pump to discreetly slot into are easy to find and they can be either be free-standing features that pour into a bowl, or used as a starting point for rills, pouring into a pond or even a swimming pool. Plant around the jug to integrate it in your overall design.  Pebble piles Pebble piles are one of the simplest and cheapest to set up. A pile of artfully placed stones and pebbles conceal a pump and water reservoir beneath. You can use a similar set up with a millstone – a pump hidden in the central hole of the millstone will radiate water out, and if needed, can be concealed by a heap of pebbles.  Fountains Fountains are ideal if you have an area that’s in need of a focal point. There are lots of different styles to choose from, including polished metal spheres and stone monoliths and columns. Troughs and tanks Watertight troughs and containers can be filled with water to create interesting unique features. This upcycled metal trough has a bed of grey pebbles to precent the water looking too dark and murky, while colourful planting softens the hard edges.  Take a look at the gallery below to get inspiration from the water features seen at our previous Shows…
Ideas for water in your garden
0 comment
Ideas for water in your garden We take a closer look at the SubAqua Show Garden from the 2023 Show with David Hurrion, and have some great ways to include water in your own garden from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. Garden water elements elevate the appeal of any outdoor space by offering decorative charm, creating a tranquil ambiance, and fostering a habitat for various wildlife.Incorporating a water feature into your garden doesn’t have to be a costly endeavor. Even something as uncomplicated as an appealing garden water bowl can have a substantial effect, as it catches and reflects sunlight alongside nearby plants. You can produce serene trickling sounds with a streamlet or fountain, and a pond can enable you to cultivate aquatic flora while also serving as a residence for newts, frogs, and dragonflies. Water rills Water rills are shallow conduits that facilitate the movement of water from one location to another, offering a continuous and peaceful auditory backdrop that can complement any garden. Ponds A garden pond is versatile and adaptable, fitting seamlessly into gardens of all sizes and design aesthetics. Whether you prefer a biodiverse haven teeming with plants or a serene, minimalistic pool with clean, straight edges, a pond offers endless possibilities. You can enhance its ambiance by incorporating bubbling sounds through the use of fountains or rills. Water pouring jugs Pouring jug water features have a romantic, classical feel to them. Purpose-made jugs with a hole for the pump to discreetly slot into are easy to find and they can be either be free-standing features that pour into a bowl, or used as a starting point for rills, pouring into a pond or even a swimming pool. Plant around the jug to integrate it in your overall design.  Pebble piles Pebble piles are one of the simplest and cheapest to set up. A pile of artfully placed stones and pebbles conceal a pump and water reservoir beneath. You can use a similar set up with a millstone – a pump hidden in the central hole of the millstone will radiate water out, and if needed, can be concealed by a heap of pebbles.  Fountains Fountains are ideal if you have an area that’s in need of a focal point. There are lots of different styles to choose from, including polished metal spheres and stone monoliths and columns. Troughs and tanks Watertight troughs and containers can be filled with water to create interesting unique features. This upcycled metal trough has a bed of grey pebbles to precent the water looking too dark and murky, while colourful planting softens the hard edges.  Take a look at the gallery below to get inspiration from the water features seen at our previous Shows…
Time to sow: broad beans
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Time to sow: broad beans October is a great time to sow broad beans and we have some tips from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine to get you started. Plus, we’ve got a recipe from the BBC Good Food Show Summer for your harvest later.  Home-grown broad beans offer a delightful and exceptionally tender addition to your menu, typically among the earliest harvests of the year. These beans are simple to cultivate from seeds, producing vibrant pods containing green or white beans, perfect for enhancing salads, stews, and soups. Their compact growth means they’re suitable for planting directly in the ground, raised beds, or spacious containers. Alternatively, you can acquire young plants in the early spring season How to grow: Plant broad beans outdoors during either spring or autumn, spacing them 20cm apart within rows separated by 60cm. If you reside in a chilly region, contend with dense soil, or face issues with rodents, consider sowing the seeds indoors initially, and then transplant the young plants six weeks later. To deter blackfly infestations, prune the plant tips, and for taller varieties, provide support to prevent them from bending due to the weight of the beans. Optimal tenderness is achieved by harvesting the pods when they reach a mere 6cm in length.If you started off your broad beans in pots, they will be ready to plant out once the roots have filled their pots. Plant around 20cm apart and water in well. Steps for outdoor broad bean sowing:Prepare the planting area by incorporating an ample amount of compost or manure into the soil using a garden fork. Afterward, use a rake to create a finely crumbled surface.Create furrows that are 5cm deep, leaving approximately 20cm of space between each furrow. Alternatively, you can opt for double rows with a 60cm separation.Plant the broad bean seeds at a depth of 5cm within the furrows.Cover the seeds with soil, compact it gently, and ensure thorough watering.If you anticipate cold weather, provide protection by using horticultural fleece or cloches to cover the sown area. Steps for indoor sowing:For those residing in colder regions, dealing with dense or waterlogged soil, or combating seed-eating mice, initiating the broad bean sowing process indoors is a wise choice.Begin by filling small pots or modules with peat-free multipurpose compost.Insert a single seed into each pot or module, ensuring a planting depth of 5cm.Position these containers in a cool, frost-free environment, such as a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. Typically, germination should occur within a span of three weeks.Once approximately six weeks have elapsed and the roots have occupied their respective containers, it’s time to transplant the young broad bean plants into the outdoor garden space. Care Shield the freshly sown area by draping it with netting to safeguard the seeds against avian and squirrel interference. The emergence of seedlings hinges on the prevailing weather conditions and the state of the soil, typically manifesting within a few weeks.Once the blossoms make their debut, ensure a consistent watering regimen, and employ a hoe to maintain weed control within the rows.To ward off blackfly invasions, promptly pinch off the growing tips as soon as the flowers materialize.For taller broad bean varieties, it’s essential to provide sturdy support using canes and twine. Position robust supports at the termination of each row, then proceed to encircle them with rows of twine, spaced at 30cm intervals, to bolster the plants. This support infrastructure should be installed while the plants remain small in size. Your harvest If you want to eat broad beans in their pods, harvest them really young (when they’re about 6cm long) before they have the chance to become tough or bitter. To eat them shelled, wait a little longer, until you can clearly see that the pods are bulging with beans.After harvesting, leave the plants in the ground for as long as possible. Like other legumes, broad beans have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the nodules on their root system, which boost nitrogen levels in the soil. The crops you grow in this area in the following year will reap the benefits Why not try using your broad beans in this bean salad recipe below? /*! elementor - v3.19.0 - 07-02-2024 */ .elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#0c0d0e;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:"";border-block-end:0;flex-grow:1;border-block-start:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-start:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-end:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-block-start:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern{--divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider--view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)} Honey mango jerk halloumi & bean salad As seen on the Summer Kitchen with Craig and Shaun McAnuff at the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2023. Serves 4200g kidney beans, washed and drained200g butter beans, washed and drained200g black beans, washed and drained100g watercress, spinach and rocket salad200g cherry tomatoes, halvedhandful of parsley, chopped1 large avocado, sliced1 tbsp balsamic vinegar250g halloumi, thickly sliced1 tsp jerk seasoning rubsplash of avocado oilgrated parmesan, to serve For the honey mango jerk dressing 2 spring onions 2 garlic cloves 5 pimento seeds 6 thyme sprigs 1/2 scotch bonnet, or 1 red chilli, deseeded 50ml honey 150g fresh mango chunks 1 tsp light soy sauce 1 lime Tip all the beans, salad leaves, tomatoes, parsley and avocado into a large bowl. Add the vinegar and toss to combine. Chill until ready to serve.Lightly season the halloumi with jerk rub. Add a splash of avocado oil into a griddle pan set over a medium heat and grill the cheese slices for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Once cooked, transfer the halloumi to a plate lined with kitchen paper.Put all the dressing ingredients into a blender and whizz for 20 seconds. Chill until needed.Tip the chilled salad into a large bowl or onto a large plate. Put the halloumi and avocado on top, followed by the dressing. Finish with grated parmesan, if you like.
Time to sow: broad beans
0 comment
Time to sow: broad beans October is a great time to sow broad beans and we have some tips from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine to get you started. Plus, we’ve got a recipe from the BBC Good Food Show Summer for your harvest later.  Home-grown broad beans offer a delightful and exceptionally tender addition to your menu, typically among the earliest harvests of the year. These beans are simple to cultivate from seeds, producing vibrant pods containing green or white beans, perfect for enhancing salads, stews, and soups. Their compact growth means they’re suitable for planting directly in the ground, raised beds, or spacious containers. Alternatively, you can acquire young plants in the early spring season How to grow: Plant broad beans outdoors during either spring or autumn, spacing them 20cm apart within rows separated by 60cm. If you reside in a chilly region, contend with dense soil, or face issues with rodents, consider sowing the seeds indoors initially, and then transplant the young plants six weeks later. To deter blackfly infestations, prune the plant tips, and for taller varieties, provide support to prevent them from bending due to the weight of the beans. Optimal tenderness is achieved by harvesting the pods when they reach a mere 6cm in length.If you started off your broad beans in pots, they will be ready to plant out once the roots have filled their pots. Plant around 20cm apart and water in well. Steps for outdoor broad bean sowing:Prepare the planting area by incorporating an ample amount of compost or manure into the soil using a garden fork. Afterward, use a rake to create a finely crumbled surface.Create furrows that are 5cm deep, leaving approximately 20cm of space between each furrow. Alternatively, you can opt for double rows with a 60cm separation.Plant the broad bean seeds at a depth of 5cm within the furrows.Cover the seeds with soil, compact it gently, and ensure thorough watering.If you anticipate cold weather, provide protection by using horticultural fleece or cloches to cover the sown area. Steps for indoor sowing:For those residing in colder regions, dealing with dense or waterlogged soil, or combating seed-eating mice, initiating the broad bean sowing process indoors is a wise choice.Begin by filling small pots or modules with peat-free multipurpose compost.Insert a single seed into each pot or module, ensuring a planting depth of 5cm.Position these containers in a cool, frost-free environment, such as a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. Typically, germination should occur within a span of three weeks.Once approximately six weeks have elapsed and the roots have occupied their respective containers, it’s time to transplant the young broad bean plants into the outdoor garden space. Care Shield the freshly sown area by draping it with netting to safeguard the seeds against avian and squirrel interference. The emergence of seedlings hinges on the prevailing weather conditions and the state of the soil, typically manifesting within a few weeks.Once the blossoms make their debut, ensure a consistent watering regimen, and employ a hoe to maintain weed control within the rows.To ward off blackfly invasions, promptly pinch off the growing tips as soon as the flowers materialize.For taller broad bean varieties, it’s essential to provide sturdy support using canes and twine. Position robust supports at the termination of each row, then proceed to encircle them with rows of twine, spaced at 30cm intervals, to bolster the plants. This support infrastructure should be installed while the plants remain small in size. Your harvest If you want to eat broad beans in their pods, harvest them really young (when they’re about 6cm long) before they have the chance to become tough or bitter. To eat them shelled, wait a little longer, until you can clearly see that the pods are bulging with beans.After harvesting, leave the plants in the ground for as long as possible. Like other legumes, broad beans have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the nodules on their root system, which boost nitrogen levels in the soil. The crops you grow in this area in the following year will reap the benefits Why not try using your broad beans in this bean salad recipe below? Honey mango jerk halloumi & bean salad As seen on the Summer Kitchen with Craig and Shaun McAnuff at the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2023. Serves 4200g kidney beans, washed and drained200g butter beans, washed and drained200g black beans, washed and drained100g watercress, spinach and rocket salad200g cherry tomatoes, halvedhandful of parsley, chopped1 large avocado, sliced1 tbsp balsamic vinegar250g halloumi, thickly sliced1 tsp jerk seasoning rubsplash of avocado oilgrated parmesan, to serve For the honey mango jerk dressing 2 spring onions 2 garlic cloves 5 pimento seeds 6 thyme sprigs 1/2 scotch bonnet, or 1 red chilli, deseeded 50ml honey 150g fresh mango chunks 1 tsp light soy sauce 1 lime Tip all the beans, salad leaves, tomatoes, parsley and avocado into a large bowl. Add the vinegar and toss to combine. Chill until ready to serve.Lightly season the halloumi with jerk rub. Add a splash of avocado oil into a griddle pan set over a medium heat and grill the cheese slices for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Once cooked, transfer the halloumi to a plate lined with kitchen paper.Put all the dressing ingredients into a blender and whizz for 20 seconds. Chill until needed.Tip the chilled salad into a large bowl or onto a large plate. Put the halloumi and avocado on top, followed by the dressing. Finish with grated parmesan, if you like.
How to Grow Broad Beans: Outside and In ...
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Time to sow: broad beans October is a great time to sow broad beans and we have some tips from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine to get you started. Plus, we’ve got a recipe from the BBC Good Food Show Summer for your harvest later.  Home-grown broad beans offer a delightful and exceptionally tender addition to your menu, typically among the earliest harvests of the year. These beans are simple to cultivate from seeds, producing vibrant pods containing green or white beans, perfect for enhancing salads, stews, and soups. Their compact growth means they’re suitable for planting directly in the ground, raised beds, or spacious containers. Alternatively, you can acquire young plants in the early spring season How to grow: Plant broad beans outdoors during either spring or autumn, spacing them 20cm apart within rows separated by 60cm. If you reside in a chilly region, contend with dense soil, or face issues with rodents, consider sowing the seeds indoors initially, and then transplant the young plants six weeks later. To deter blackfly infestations, prune the plant tips, and for taller varieties, provide support to prevent them from bending due to the weight of the beans. Optimal tenderness is achieved by harvesting the pods when they reach a mere 6cm in length.If you started off your broad beans in pots, they will be ready to plant out once the roots have filled their pots. Plant around 20cm apart and water in well. Steps for outdoor broad bean sowing:Prepare the planting area by incorporating an ample amount of compost or manure into the soil using a garden fork. Afterward, use a rake to create a finely crumbled surface.Create furrows that are 5cm deep, leaving approximately 20cm of space between each furrow. Alternatively, you can opt for double rows with a 60cm separation.Plant the broad bean seeds at a depth of 5cm within the furrows.Cover the seeds with soil, compact it gently, and ensure thorough watering.If you anticipate cold weather, provide protection by using horticultural fleece or cloches to cover the sown area. Steps for indoor sowing:For those residing in colder regions, dealing with dense or waterlogged soil, or combating seed-eating mice, initiating the broad bean sowing process indoors is a wise choice.Begin by filling small pots or modules with peat-free multipurpose compost.Insert a single seed into each pot or module, ensuring a planting depth of 5cm.Position these containers in a cool, frost-free environment, such as a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. Typically, germination should occur within a span of three weeks.Once approximately six weeks have elapsed and the roots have occupied their respective containers, it’s time to transplant the young broad bean plants into the outdoor garden space. Care Shield the freshly sown area by draping it with netting to safeguard the seeds against avian and squirrel interference. The emergence of seedlings hinges on the prevailing weather conditions and the state of the soil, typically manifesting within a few weeks.Once the blossoms make their debut, ensure a consistent watering regimen, and employ a hoe to maintain weed control within the rows.To ward off blackfly invasions, promptly pinch off the growing tips as soon as the flowers materialize.For taller broad bean varieties, it’s essential to provide sturdy support using canes and twine. Position robust supports at the termination of each row, then proceed to encircle them with rows of twine, spaced at 30cm intervals, to bolster the plants. This support infrastructure should be installed while the plants remain small in size. Your harvest If you want to eat broad beans in their pods, harvest them really young (when they’re about 6cm long) before they have the chance to become tough or bitter. To eat them shelled, wait a little longer, until you can clearly see that the pods are bulging with beans.After harvesting, leave the plants in the ground for as long as possible. Like other legumes, broad beans have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the nodules on their root system, which boost nitrogen levels in the soil. The crops you grow in this area in the following year will reap the benefits Why not try using your broad beans in this bean salad recipe below? Honey mango jerk halloumi & bean salad As seen on the Summer Kitchen with Craig and Shaun McAnuff at the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2023. Serves 4200g kidney beans, washed and drained200g butter beans, washed and drained200g black beans, washed and drained100g watercress, spinach and rocket salad200g cherry tomatoes, halvedhandful of parsley, chopped1 large avocado, sliced1 tbsp balsamic vinegar250g halloumi, thickly sliced1 tsp jerk seasoning rubsplash of avocado oilgrated parmesan, to serve For the honey mango jerk dressing 2 spring onions 2 garlic cloves 5 pimento seeds 6 thyme sprigs 1/2 scotch bonnet, or 1 red chilli, deseeded 50ml honey 150g fresh mango chunks 1 tsp light soy sauce 1 lime Tip all the beans, salad leaves, tomatoes, parsley and avocado into a large bowl. Add the vinegar and toss to combine. Chill until ready to serve.Lightly season the halloumi with jerk rub. Add a splash of avocado oil into a griddle pan set over a medium heat and grill the cheese slices for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Once cooked, transfer the halloumi to a plate lined with kitchen paper.Put all the dressing ingredients into a blender and whizz for 20 seconds. Chill until needed.Tip the chilled salad into a large bowl or onto a large plate. Put the halloumi and avocado on top, followed by the dressing. Finish with grated parmesan, if you like.
Five top tips for your dahlias this autu...
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Five top tips for your dahlias this autumn Find out more below about caring for your dahlias, with some help from our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. Discover how to grow dahlias from our previous blog here. Tip 1: Extend blooming To enjoy dahlias’ vibrant blooms into October and beyond, practice regular deadheading and feeding throughout the autumn months. This will encourage continued flowering until the first frosts arrive. Tip 2: Frost protection Once frost hits, it’s crucial to protect your dahlias. After the foliage has blackened, cut the stems back to about 12cm. Gently lift the tuber from the ground with a garden fork, removing soil with your fingers. Place the tubers upside down on a newspaper-lined tray to dry out for a couple of weeks in a dry, cool location. Tip 3: Proper storage After drying, store the dahlias in a cool, frost-free place. Use a shallow tray filled with dry compost or horticultural sand. It’s essential not to water them during this period. Dahlias do not require light, so a dark garage or cellar is an ideal storage space. Keep them here until it’s time to repot them in late March or early spring.   Tip 4: Frost-prone areas In regions with severe frost or excessive winter moisture, dahlias may not survive in the garden. It’s best to lift and store tubers as mentioned above. However, if you’re in a mild area with well-drained soil, consider covering the soil around the tubers with a thick layer of mushroom compost and straw. This protective layer will insulate the tubers from frost damage. In spring, simply remove the excess compost to reveal your dahlias. Tip 5: Care for limited space If you lack space for lifting and storing dahlia tubers, you can cover the soil with a generous layer of mushroom compost and straw to shield them from frost. This technique is especially useful in milder climates. When spring arrives, rake away the excess compost to allow your dahlias to flourish once again. Take a look at the gallery below for inspiration from dahlias that bloomed at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2023 to see just some of the varieties of dahlias you could grow in your own garden. Find more top tips and advice Find out more about the Show
Five top tips for your dahlias this autu...
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Five top tips for your dahlias this autumn Find out more below about caring for your dahlias, with some help from our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. Discover how to grow dahlias from our previous blog here. Tip 1: Extend blooming To enjoy dahlias’ vibrant blooms into October and beyond, practice regular deadheading and feeding throughout the autumn months. This will encourage continued flowering until the first frosts arrive. Tip 2: Frost protection Once frost hits, it’s crucial to protect your dahlias. After the foliage has blackened, cut the stems back to about 12cm. Gently lift the tuber from the ground with a garden fork, removing soil with your fingers. Place the tubers upside down on a newspaper-lined tray to dry out for a couple of weeks in a dry, cool location. Tip 3: Proper storage After drying, store the dahlias in a cool, frost-free place. Use a shallow tray filled with dry compost or horticultural sand. It’s essential not to water them during this period. Dahlias do not require light, so a dark garage or cellar is an ideal storage space. Keep them here until it’s time to repot them in late March or early spring.   Tip 4: Frost-prone areas In regions with severe frost or excessive winter moisture, dahlias may not survive in the garden. It’s best to lift and store tubers as mentioned above. However, if you’re in a mild area with well-drained soil, consider covering the soil around the tubers with a thick layer of mushroom compost and straw. This protective layer will insulate the tubers from frost damage. In spring, simply remove the excess compost to reveal your dahlias. Tip 5: Care for limited space If you lack space for lifting and storing dahlia tubers, you can cover the soil with a generous layer of mushroom compost and straw to shield them from frost. This technique is especially useful in milder climates. When spring arrives, rake away the excess compost to allow your dahlias to flourish once again. Take a look at the gallery below for inspiration from dahlias that bloomed at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2023 to see just some of the varieties of dahlias you could grow in your own garden. Find more top tips and advice Find out more about the Show
Five top tips for your dahlias this autu...
0 comment
Five top tips for your dahlias this autumn Find out more below about caring for your dahlias, with some help from our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. Discover how to grow dahlias from our previous blog here. Tip 1: Extend blooming To enjoy dahlias’ vibrant blooms into October and beyond, practice regular deadheading and feeding throughout the autumn months. This will encourage continued flowering until the first frosts arrive. Tip 2: Frost protection Once frost hits, it’s crucial to protect your dahlias. After the foliage has blackened, cut the stems back to about 12cm. Gently lift the tuber from the ground with a garden fork, removing soil with your fingers. Place the tubers upside down on a newspaper-lined tray to dry out for a couple of weeks in a dry, cool location. Tip 3: Proper storage After drying, store the dahlias in a cool, frost-free place. Use a shallow tray filled with dry compost or horticultural sand. It’s essential not to water them during this period. Dahlias do not require light, so a dark garage or cellar is an ideal storage space. Keep them here until it’s time to repot them in late March or early spring.   Tip 4: Frost-prone areas In regions with severe frost or excessive winter moisture, dahlias may not survive in the garden. It’s best to lift and store tubers as mentioned above. However, if you’re in a mild area with well-drained soil, consider covering the soil around the tubers with a thick layer of mushroom compost and straw. This protective layer will insulate the tubers from frost damage. In spring, simply remove the excess compost to reveal your dahlias. Tip 5: Care for limited space If you lack space for lifting and storing dahlia tubers, you can cover the soil with a generous layer of mushroom compost and straw to shield them from frost. This technique is especially useful in milder climates. When spring arrives, rake away the excess compost to allow your dahlias to flourish once again. Take a look at the gallery below for inspiration from dahlias that bloomed at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2023 to see just some of the varieties of dahlias you could grow in your own garden. Find more top tips and advice Find out more about the Show

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