COVID-19 SUPPORT; DIG FOR VICTORY
My former back garden in Oxford
I hope you are all coping in such challenging times. Whether it is uncertainty around our food systems or more time on our hands, there has been a great upsurge of interest in growing your own. To help spread the knowledge, I’ve put together a list of resources I hope may be useful if you are looking to get growing. Also included is my list of top crops to try…plants that are tasty, easy to grow and give you continuous harvests.
Also check out this article by Maria Bell.
https://www.tablemagazine.co.uk/news/2020/3/25/online-guide-to-grow-cook
If you’re looking for a good book try:
Anything by https://charlesdowding.co.uk/ he also has a great you tube channel
Mark Diacono https://www.otterfarm.co.uk/product/grow-and-cook/
Alice Holden https://thedobook.co/products/do-grow-start-with-10-simple-vegetables
Huw Richards https://www.dk.com/uk/book/9780241376522-veg-in-one-bed/
Alice Vincent https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/111/1112863/how-to-grow-stuff/9781785035593.html
recommended seed suppliers
As of today (26/03/20) many of the sites listed have stock but are opening and closing intermittently to cope with backlog. They are communicating well. I had success placing an order with the Seed Cooperative, but the situation changes by the hour.
The lovely Mark Diacono of Otter Farm has put together these packs for new growers to arm you with all you need at cost price:
https://www.otterfarm.co.uk/product-category/get-growing-packs/
Other suppliers:
https://seedcooperative.org.uk/
https://www.organiccatalogue.com/
https://www.pennardplants.com/
https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/hsl
If you have no luck with the above you can try some of the bigger suppliers like Thompson & Morgan and Suttons - they aren’t organic companies so I don’t generally recommend these. But in times like these it is better to grow, than not at all! Kings does have an organic section
for vegetable starts/plug plants
https://www.organicplants.co.uk/
https://www.incrediblevegetables.co.uk/
https://www.rocketgardens.co.uk/
https://www.organiccatalogue.com/
https://www.growersorganics.com/
https://www.harrodhorticultural.com/vegetable-plant-collections-cid266.html
for herb plants
https://www.norfolkherbs.co.uk/
https://www.poyntzfieldherbs.co.uk/
for bagged compost and general supplies, tools etc
With so many products selling out, don’t worry about sourcing seed compost for seedlings. Just buy potting compost and pull out any chunky, bigger lumps. You can then use this for seed sowing, potting on and in containers.
https://www.organiccatalogue.com/ has a wide range of potting compost. I normally don’t bother with seed compost and sow straight into potting. Wherever you buy your compost, try to make sure it is PEAT FREE. But I do realise these are tricky times.
https://www.dalefootcomposts.co.uk/ Higher price point but lovely product.
https://www.homebase.co.uk/new-horizon-peat-free-all-veg-compost-50l_p503351 This has sold out at Home Base but see if you can source New Horizon Peat Free somewhere else online, as is a more economical brand.
https://www.thecompostshop.co.uk/products/Happy-Vegetable-Compost-Peat-Free-p171211350 Looks like these guys are still delivering
https://www.harrodhorticultural.com/
If you want to protect against pests buy some butterfly netting or insect fine mesh netting from Harrod horticulture. And some horticulture fleece would also be useful.
for bulk loads of manure, topsoil or green waste
https://www.cpa-horticulture.co.uk/
https://www.material-change.com/
https://wonderpost.co.uk/ (Suffolk)
https://www.compostdirect.com/
Ideally you source these materials locally or make your own compost, but these are useful sites to know about for filling raised beds or big projects. Ask for a PAS: 100 certificate if you want to ensure good quality.
eco pots and trays
https://plasticfreegardening.com/
https://www.gardening-naturally.com/
Keep hold of all plastic food packaging like mushroom punnets and plastic trays and keep egg boxes and loo rolls. All can be reused for sowing into.
top, simple crops that earn their keep
The general advise in selecting what to grow is ‘grow what you like to eat’. But if this is your first season growing or you have limited space, keep it simple and concentrate on these crops that give great returns.
My top crops for new growers
I haven’t listed varieties here as it will really depend what is in stock. But feel free to comment if you want specific recommendations. Parsley, Coriander, Dill, Chervil and Basil can all be grown from seed. The remaining herbs should be bought as plants for speedier harvests. Alpine Strawberries can also be sown from seed where as standard Strawberries and Rhubarb should be bought as plants.
