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, incidentally, is a plant that takes two years to flower from seed: it puts on leaves, stems and roots during the first year and then flowers the following summer. A lot of vegetables are actually biennial (for example beetroot, sprouts, carrots and celery

.Luckily many of my vegetable plants are still snugly tucked away in fleece-covered tunnels, and some of the tinier ones in a fine-mesh-covered raised bed. I've always thought these things were far more wind resistant than some claim, now I'm sure

of Colonsay, Colonsay House Gardens. It is not the only garden: there are a few smaller gardens on the island - including what must be one of the most spectacularly sited vegetable gardens in the world: they have used stones set on end as fencing (here is a

plants.Apart from an apparent aversion to some vegetables, I always felt John could tackle almost anything horticultural. His voice was friendly, and advice often laced with humour in a way only John could deliver. How we'll miss that voice.A special

jam) and watched the ladybirds stumbling around like the bride's uncle at a wedding reception. I also wandered off to the vegetable garden and sneered at the caterpillars on the kale leaves.And now, as I sit here in my office there is a large and noisy

I’ve been very disappointed with the performance of my vegetable crops this year. First, we had unbearably dry weather and then, more recently, November-like conditions.My soft fruit, though, has fared much better. The strawberries have been

for free foraging, a vegetable garden, an olive grove (a little optimistic) and even a hot house full of tropical fruit. For the thirsty there is a hop garden, a cider orchard and a vineyard.3. Roses: none of the other RHS Shows have quite as many roses

, no doubt they take sustenance at the cafe/bistros in the square next door, but here is where they roost and maybe nest.And hidden in a narrow side alley, thick with natural vegetation as well as garden escapes is something you might only find in the largest

, and turning waste into useful compost. By keeping my worms warm over winter, they'll continue feeding on the peelings, banana skins and vegetable waste I add each week – along with the paper and cardboard, too.When it’s fully broken down I'll use the new

of herbs for fish dishesHow to grow herbs for poultry dishesAdvice on creating a pot of herbs for vegetable dishesGrowing and harvesting herbs