Note: I originally did this page in such a way that the oldest content was at the top, and the newest was at the bottom. I have now decided to reverse the order so that new stuff is visible without having to scroll down to the end! November 2012 - Brassicas at rear, lots of Endives under cloches October 2012 - the Woodblocx raised bed is installed ********************************************************************************** This is where the original "My Plot" page began. Here are some pictures that show the layout of my plot. My house is a "typical" English suburban property. It has a small garden -- probably intended only for ornamental purposes. Regrettably, many people do not enjoy gardening, and having a small garden is attractive to such people since it involves less maintenance (what a strange view!)  Front view of my house  My property has almost no Front Garden -- just a tiny patch of grass and one Crab Apple tree -- but the Back Garden is my pride and joy. It is very roughly 10 metres square. When we first moved in here, the garden consisted mainly of a "lawn" (in very bad condition, and very uneven), surrounded by a very thin strip of "flower border". This is how it used to look, years ago In our early years here we enjoyed having the lawn as a play area for our children, and we sometimes used to play badminton on it. As the children grew up, the relevance of the lawn diminished, and the drudgery of keeping it in anything like decent condition became more and more onerous. About 10 years ago I dug up some of the lawn and created my first raised beds. These have subsequently been added-to and I now have six. Each one measures 1 metre x 2.4 metres. Finally, in 2007 I think, I had the grass completely removed and replaced with 2.5cm shingle. This was a stroke of genius in my opinion! August 2010 - six raised beds fully-stocked The patio - our outdoor dining area, with barbecue at right Looking towards the raised beds That blessed washing-line! (Rusted-in - can't shift it!) The "Fish Tree" (a Sorbus of some sort) with bird-feeders  Compost bins under the Fish tree September 2010 - netting over some of the beds October 2010 - nets replaced by fleece  November 2010 - just look at all those leaves   My shed - 6ft x 4ft  November 2010  18 Dec 2010 18 Dec 2010  12 March 2011 - peas sown    13 March 2011 - parsnips and beetroot protected by new cloches  19 March 2011 - The tatty old grass at the front got replaced with shingle 15 April 2011 - Crab Apple tree flowering  25 April 2011 - Brassicas removed; asparagus cropping; beetroot netted. 28 May 2011 - Broad Beans, Climbing Beans, Brassicas... 28 May 2011 - the patio still covered in seed-trays and mini-greenhouses 28 May - view onto the road. Cucumber bin at bottom right 27 June 2011 - the Outdoor Dining Room is enabled once more! 07 Jan 2012 - Mostly resting. New cloches hosting Lettuce 03 Mar 2012 - Netting everywhere (to deter foxes) 03 Mar 2012 - Pea-supports in foreground 03 Mar 2012 - Parsnips and beetroot sown under cloches 03 Mar 2012 - Shallots and Garlic under net in background 03 Mar 2012 - "Empty" bed is the one containing Asparagus plants 01 June 2012 - Chillis in front of Runner Beans 01 June 2012 - Tomato plants lined up next to the water-butt    

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Words: Jenny Somervell Watercress can be grown in pots, is surprisingly hardy and tolerates being frozen. 9 TIPS FOR GROWING WATERCRESS 1. Ideally watercress likes to be in a fresh running stream but that’s a big ask for most home gardens. I’ve heard it grows well under a dripping tap. I can’t see why not, provided there is free drainage (it dislikes stagnant water), and dripping taps abound in my garden, one of the many not-yet-got-around-to-it jobs. 2. Watercress can also be grown in pots which should then sit in a watertight container. Pop a few stones in the bottom,

Would you step through these portals?

Jazz up your usual Roasted Asparagus by infusing them with the exquisite Italian flavors of a classic Caprese salad! A quick and easy vegetable side dish bursting with fresh springtime goodness!

If you're growing cilantro, the main thing to ask yourself is if you're doing it right. Check out this great method to get the best results.

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Learn which flowers should be planted in your vegetable garden. Companion planting flowers and vegetables, yeilds better, healthier plants.

For most, olive trees conjure up ideas of vast fields in the Mediterranean, coupled with a blistering sun to help ripen the fruit. Despite this, olive trees can grow in most mildly warm climates, as long as the winter temps don't drop...

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Learn more about the best vegetables to grow indoors so you can enjoy eating fresh and healthy vegetables throughout the year!

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A prime artichoke. Take in the kitchen garden at Wisley

Are you trying to redesign your outdoor space with limited fund? Check out our inexpensive raised garden bed ideas for new inspiration!

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