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When to plant
basil in the UK
Pinch out flower buds to keep leaves coming. Harvest from the top to encourage bushy growth. Loves heat — don't even think about putting it outside before June.
What basil need
Full sun. Warmth. Sheltered spot. Rich, moist soil. Perfect for pots.
Varieties to try
Classic Italian, the one for pesto
Tiny leaves, compact plant, great in pots
Deep purple, dramatic, slightly spicy
Where to buy basil seeds
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Other crops to grow
Pinch out side shoots on cordon types. Feed weekly with tomato feed once the fir
Start early — they're slow growers. Pinch out the first flower to encourage bush
Need heat to germinate — use a propagator or the warmest windowsill you've got.
Outdoor varieties are tougher and easier than greenhouse ones. Keep picking and
Build a strong frame — they get seriously heavy. Pick every 2-3 days or they go
Start very early — January isn't too soon. Limit to 5-6 fruits per plant if you
Pinch out the growing tips once the first pods form to discourage blackfly. They
Sow every 3 weeks for a continuous harvest. Pick regularly to keep them producin
Sow a short row every 2 weeks and you'll never buy a supermarket bag again. Pick
Bolts the moment it gets hot. Best in spring and autumn. Pick little and often —
The quickest crop you can grow — seed to plate in 4 weeks. Sow between slower cr
Sow thinly to avoid thinning — the smell of crushed leaves is a dinner bell for
Each seed cluster produces several seedlings — thin to the strongest. Don't chuc
Push sets into the soil with the tip just showing. Easiest way to grow onions —
Chit (sprout) seed potatoes on a windowsill before planting. Earth up as they gr
Gets sweeter after a frost. One of the hardiest crops — can harvest all winter.
Very slow to germinate (2-4 weeks). Use fresh seed every year. Sow radishes alon
Sow a pinch every few weeks and you'll have spring onions all season. Dead easy
Beautiful and productive. Pick outer leaves and it keeps going for months. Rainb
Harvest when golf-ball sized for the sweetest flavour. Leave them too long and t
Drop seedlings into deep holes and just water in — no need to fill the hole. The
Cut the main head first and you'll get side shoots for weeks. Purple sprouting i
Different varieties for each season — spring, summer, autumn, and winter types.
Fold outer leaves over the curd to keep it white. Cauliflower leaves are delicio
Grow through summer, harvest from autumn through winter. Flavour improves after
Plant individual cloves Oct-Nov, pointed end up, 2.5cm deep. Garlic needs a cold
Slow to germinate (3-4 weeks) — don't give up on it. Soak seeds overnight in war
Plant in a block, not a row — they're wind-pollinated and need neighbours. Each
You only need 2-3 plants. Seriously. Pick them small (15cm) or they turn into ma
Dwarf varieties need no support. Pick every few days — once they start producing
Big hungry plants — give them space and feed them well. Leave to cure in the sun
Limit each plant to 2-3 fruits for bigger pumpkins. Sit them on a tile or slate
Bolts at the slightest excuse. Sow every 3-4 weeks, pick frequently, and choose
Dead easy and fast. Gets spicier in hot weather — which is either a feature or a
Sow early spring or after midsummer — it'll bolt faster than you can blink in th
Sow after midsummer for best bulbs — earlier sowings often bolt. Don't transplan
Sow seeds on the surface — they need light to germinate. Start early in a propag
Sow direct — dill absolutely hates being transplanted. Short rows every few week