Tag Archives: strawberries

Vegtrug Planting Guide

If you’ve been following my posts for a while you’ll probably be aware that I had a brain bleed a few years ago. What I haven’t told you is last year I had a quintuple heart by-pass and it’s left me very weak. I can’t manage my allotment so my son set me up a vegtrug and here’s my vegtrug planting guide. We went for the medium vegtrug which is actually the largest one they do? It’s 1.8 metres (6 foot) long, 76 cms (30 inches) wide and 80 cms (31.5 inches) high. That’s an area roughly 6 foot by… → Read More

Companion Planting Peach Trees

Often considered as plant that will only grow in hot climates, peaches are much tougher than the fruit looks. In fact, as long as you provide them a fairly sheltered environment, with protection from strong winds they will do well. By companion planting peach trees with other helpful plants you will improve the health and yield of your fruit crop. Companion Planting Peach Trees One of the main problems when growing peaches in the UK is wind because the delicate flowers can easily get damaged. Later in the season once the fruits have set and are ripening, the problem is… → Read More

Companion Planting Wild Garlic

Wild garlic or hedge garlic as it is also known as, is usually found growing in woodlands or under hedges. When crushed the leaves and stems smell very strongly of garlic. Companion planting wild garlic is a great way to benefit from this shade loving plant. What is Wild Garlic? Wild garlic (allium ursinum) also known as hedge garlic, wood garlic, ramsons, buckrams, broad leaf garlic, bear leek, or bear garlic is a member of the onion family found growing wild in woods and hedges. To find out more about wild garlic click here. Companion Planting Wild Garlic As this… → Read More

Companion Planting Lettuce

Lettuce come in all shapes and sizes from long to round, tight heads to cut and come again leaves. By companion planting lettuce you can save space and improve the quality of your lettuce whatever variety you grow. Lettuce do best in cooler conditions it’s worth considering growing with taller plants and take advantage of the shade. Companion Planting Lettuce Taking advantage of taller plants is one consideration but it’s also worth remembering that lettuce require lots of water. Some of the companion plants listed below do not need lots of water so keep that in mind. Lettuce make a… → Read More

What Grows Well With Strawberries

Strawberries are the very epitome of summer, the taste, the look and nothing is as nice as picking a ripe strawberry from your own garden. Most of us have limited space, so companion planting is always going to be the best option. So let’s find out what grows well with strawberries. What Are Strawberries? The fruit of the strawberry plant is probably one of the most recognised fruits in the world. They are grown in most temperate zones and are used to flavour many sweets, ices and shakes. Their name is a misnomer, they are not actually berries at all…. → Read More

Growing Strawberries In Containers

Strawberries are an easy crop to grow, and work very well in pots and containers. By growing strawberries in containers you can grow at an easier to reach level. Allowing you to prevent slug damage, identify any insect infestation quickly and save your back. Growing Strawberries In Containers There are many different containers on the market now days and most can be used to grow strawberries in. These range from small, shallow, low pots to large, high, roomy containers and it all depends on your wants and needs. For instance, if you have problems with your back go for higher… → Read More

Companion Planting Peas

All peas including snow peas are members of the Legume family, they all fix nitrogen from the air. This gives us gardeners two main advantages, firstly at the end of their growing season they add nitrogen to the soil (making it available for the following crop). Secondly when companion planting peas with other plants there is no competing for nitrogen. Companion Planting Peas The best plants to grow with peas are plants that thrive in the same environment with peas and have the same watering and nutritional needs. These include:- Carrots Sweet Corn Radishes Beans Celery Tomatoes Peppers Aubergines Parsley… → Read More

Companion Planting Borage

Continuing on with the series, we now come to companion planting borage. Borage is a very helpful plant to grow in the vegetable garden. So what is it? and what to grow it with? What Is Borage Borage is an annual herb that has it’s origins in the Mediteranean, it will grow quite happily in the United Kingdom. Although Borage is an annual it freely self seeds so once sown it will return every year. Companion Planting Borage Borage is a great companion plant, and many plants will benefit from having borage in their proximity. Plants that do particularly well… → Read More

Companion Planting Asparagus

Asparagus is usually quite expensive in the shops so it makes sense to grow some if you have the space. It is an easy vegetable to grow if you get the basics right and it will crop for many years. So on with companion planting asparagus. Growing Asparagus Asparagus is a perrenial vegetable, traditionally grown in it’s own bed. The bed is then kept weed free all year creating a good deal of wasted space. Of course on most plots this is just not an option, and if you are going to grow something with it , it should be… → Read More

Companion Planting Apricots

Not necessarily something you’d expect to grow in the colder climes of the United Kingdom, but apricots can and are growing in Essex at least. As with most plants, conditions can be improved by companion planting. So in this post companion planting apricots I’ll expand on what will help get the best from your apricot. Companion Planting Apricots In the United Kingdom Apricots do best in South facing gardens. As apricots are self fertile there is no problem growing single trees. Sheltering Trees From Cold Shelter apricot trees with hedging or a wicker fence to protect from winds. If severe… → Read More