June 2012 - Issue 177
ON THE COVER
16 BACK TO BASICS – FRENCH BEANS
One of the easiest crops to grow. Andrew Tokely shows you how
28 ASK BOB
Regular Gardeners’ Question Time panellist, Bob Flowerdew, answers your fruit and veg growing queries
42 TRIED AND TASTED
Joe Maiden trials some June-sown leeks
54 SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
Toby Buckland trials some strawberry varieties
85 CONTAINER GARDENING
Top tips for container-grown produce
NEWS
6 FIRST PICKINGS
All the latest news and views from the world of kitchen gardening
YOUR PLOT
8 JOBS FOR JUNE
Essential tasks for your plot from the KG team
12 UNDERCOVER
Top tasks for June in polytunnels and greenhouses
20 YOUR PLOTS
We turn the spotlight on to some KG readers’ wonderful plots
24 TRIED AND TESTED
Joyce Russell puts some loppers through their paces
30 WEBWATCH
Our latest roundup of the best gardening websites and blogs with Helen Gazeley
32 KNOW YOUR ENEMY
This month entomologist Lucy Halliday takes a close look at strawberry red core
34 READERS’ EXCHANGE
Ask a question or help other readers
36 YOUR LETTERS AND TIPS
ALLOTMENT LIFE
40 PREPARING FOR FLAMING JUNE
Leading exhibitor Medwyn Williams with top tips on dealing with hot weather
46 HELEN’S URBAN ALLOTMENTS
City girl Helen Babbs continues her new series on inner city growing with a visit to the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield
ORGANIC GARDENING
50 HOW TO... MAKE PLANT FEED
Joyce Russell offers some simple advice on making your own liquid plant fertlisers from organic materials
58 ROOTS, SHOOTS AND FRUITS
Jean Vernon visits some innovative growing projects in Bristol
62 STRAWBERRY DAYS
Head gardener Jane Moore savours the first fruits of summer
64 GROWING GOLDEN GRAINS
Vegan gardeners Lonnie and Richard Morris explain why humble quinoa should have a place on every plot
66 ALL SYSTEMS SOW
We catch up with a great gardening celebrity in the school garden of John Whitgift Academy in Grimsby
69 JOHN WALKER’S PEAT TRIAL
Part two of our investigation into peat-free compost quality, plus best buys
72 OVER THE GARDEN FENCE
This month the use of pesticides is debated
75 BLOOMING TASTY
Julie Moore has some ideas on the best edible flowers to grow among your veg
78 NATURE NOTES FROM THE PLOT
Sarah Buckingham has some tips on getting the right balance of wildlife in your garden
WHAT TO BUY
81 IN THE GARDEN SHED
Our roundup of some great products to tempt the kitchen gardener
CHICKENS
94 PESTS, PARASITES AND PET CHICKENS
Jane Howorth has some advice for keeping your hens healthy
SEASONAL RECIPES
98 NEW THIS MONTH
You can’t beat the taste of those first-dug new potatoes. Cookery writer Gaby Bartai has some delicious recipes for these tasty young spuds
OTHER FEATURES
97 NEXT MONTH
See what’s in store for your July issue of Kitchen Garden magazine
100 DIARY DATES
Plus your giveaways coupon and seed suppliers’ details
102 LAST WORD
KG reader, John Cockell has great ambitions for his plot, but best laid plans..!
READERS’ SAV£RS
57 SAVE £23 ON SOFT FRUIT
90 45 PLUG PLANTS FREE!*
92 GIVEAWAYS WORTH OVER £1758!
NEXT MONTH
FREE SEEDS FOR EVERY READER
Every gardener loves a bargain and when you buy KG next month you’ll receive two packets of free seeds to help you boost your harvests this autumn and winter. Carrot ‘Autumn King’ is the perfect variety for storing during the winter months. The delicious sweet roots will stand well in the soil until needed or on exposed or wet soil can be stored in a cool, dry place for many months. Perpetual spinach is the ultimate hardy perennial crop that provides long term harvests of nutritious leaves. It is so easy to grow and will thrive in most situations. Don’t miss your copy – take out a subscription today.
Celebrate wildlife...
...with Bill Oddie, president of the Wildlife Trusts.
Community spirit
Jean Vernon discovers a project in Devon that helps dozens of people to learn new skills, gain confidence and socialise.
The sunshine squash
Andrew Tokely brings you his top tips for bumper harvests of delicious courgettes.
Gourmet pie and a pint?
Visit a dream pub in Welsh countryside where the home-brewed beer is second only to the home-produced food.
Home-grown liquid gold
Our simple guide to making your own comfrey fertiliser.
Are we water wise?
Water may be in short supply this year, but do we use too much of it on our crops?
Plus... Joyce Russell puts watering cans through their paces... Toby Buckland shows how to harness nature for better crops... Bob Flowerdew solves your plotting problems...Joe Maiden assesses spring cabbages.
On sale June 1st 2012
