Wise Fruit
Posted on Monday, October 12th, 2009 at 8:59 pm |
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Growing your own fruit and veg
Growing your own vegetables, culinary herbs, and fruit brings a very special satisfaction to gardening. There are of course substantial savings to be made in turning a small investment on seed or plants into a regular supply of food for the table, whether you grow only a selection of choice seasonal crops, such as asparagus, or strive for self-sufficiency.
For those concerned about additives in commercially produced food, there is the security of knowing exactly how your produce has been grown. The exceptional pleasure of kitchen gardening lies however in the subtlety and freshness of flavour of crops gathered straight from your garden — a flavour that has not been diminished by long transport, storage, or special packaging.
The decorative qualities of edible crops, whether grown in a dedicated plot or among conventional ornamental plants, are too little appreciated. Colourful blossom smothers fruit trees in spring, handsome foliage such as the ferny fronds of carrots or crinkly leaves of lettuces adorn the summer garden, and evergreen herbs and overwintering vegetables are enhanced by frost. Tree and soft fruits trained along walls and fences or over archways can be very attractive
as well as productive.
Learning from experience
It is not surprising then that interest in growing fruit and vegetables is on the increase. Generations of professional gardeners from private estates and amateur allotment holders have built up an impressive body of expertise and knowledge over the years. This volume sets out to continue the tradition by distilling that experience into an accessible format for the modern gardener.
The cultivation of food crops, more than any other form of gardening, demands commitment from the gardener. Knowledge of basic principles, thoughtful planning, good preparation, and, above all, time spent in regular care of growing crops, are
crucial to success. Failure in any of this leads to disappointing results, and wasted time and money.
Those new to kitchen gardening would be wise to start on a modest scale, but to plan the garden so that the area given over to food crops can expand with your experience. There is no ideal size for a kitchen garden because it depends on many variable factors such as family demand, the garden site, and personal abilities and preferences. The good news is that no garden is too small, crops can be grown in all sorts of containers, including window boxes.
In harmony with nature
Most gardeners have a particular affinity with the natural environment and fully appreciate the good sense of maintaining a natural balance of living organisms within the garden and of conserving natural resources. Many take the opportunity to run their kitchen garden entirely on organic lines. It is not necessary to grow produce that is totally free of blemishes or to extract the maximum possible yield from every plant — as is the case with commercial cultivation. A reasonable level of pests and diseases can be tolerated in the garden, and there are means of recycling organic waste and of using water wisely.
This philosophy is followed throughout the book and you may be inspired to examine further aspects of gardening organically. Chemical treatments are available fbr those who wish to use them, but there is no doubt that the range is diminishing because of safety regulations and commercial considerations.
Increasing choice
The wide range of fruit, vegetables, and culinary herbs described in this book reflects the modern gardener's interest in growing an increasing variety of crops. Most of the crops can be reliably grown outdoors in temperate climates, although some, such as peppers and peaches, produce better quality crops for a longer season under cover. The prospect of climate change, and the popularity of the conservatory however, raise new possibilities; so tender fruits such as citrus and pineapples are covered — to fire the imagination.
The introduction of new cultivars (garden varieties), often with improved quality or genetic resistance to a pest or disease, is a great boon to the kitchen gardener. To help you choose from the bewildering number of cultivars now available, each crop covered in the text includes a core list of recommended cultivars. Many have received the Award of Garden Merit after extensive trials by the Royal Horticultural Society. Your own experience will eventually be the best guide.
The comprehensive information in this text will provide a good grounding for you to develop your own style of kitchen gardening. Never forget the principles, keep abreast of new developments and, above all, take time to enjoy your garden.
Should you not wish to grow your own, instead of using supermarkets , support your local Greengrocer
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