Jobs for February

Ben Vanheems shares some essential tasks to carry out in your garden and allotment for February. SOW NOW Aubergine, broad beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, summer cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chillies, cucumber, kohl rabi, leeks, lettuce, onions, peas, peppers, radish, salad leaves, spinach, spring onion, tomato, turnips PLANT NOW Garlic, Jerusalem artichoke, rhubarb, shallots, soft and tree fruits HARVEST Brussels sprouts, winter…

The veg-growing army battling to protect food security

All over the UK a brigade of gardeners is helping to grow and preserve historic vegetable varieties to conserve their future – and ours. Concerned about the growth of industrial monocrops, and in the face of climate change and emerging diseases, these volunteer ‘Seed Guardians’ have been tasked with growing heritage seed varieties by Garden Organic’s Heritage Seed Library. The…

Swap your seeds

Growing our own vegetables relies on a good source of veg seeds and this can be a hefty annual expense. If we learn to save some of our own seeds we not only save money but over time we actually nurture varieties that do especially well on our own plots. Sourcing seeds locally is also a great way to fast…

February 2024

In the February issue: Martin Fish’s guide to growing cauliflowers, how to make hot beds with Huw Richards, Rob Smith’s favourite carrot varieties, and much more! In the February issue: Heritage Apples, A Growing Legacy We meet heritage apple grower Tom Adams and rediscover some delicious once-forgotten apple varieties. Magnificent Mulches Award-winning writer Ben Vanheems explains how to make the…

Kale, tomato & courgette bake

Anna Pettigrew shares the recipe for a tasty, warming dinner time treat. I like serving this juicy dish with rice, but you can serve it with potatoes or pasta instead if you prefer. SERVES 4 Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour 10 minutes Can be frozen Ingredients 2 large red onions, chopped A big handful kale, chopped  5…

Exclusive giveaways in the February edition of Kitchen Garden

We have some exciting new giveaways for you in our February issue, worth over £2599! Here’s what you could win… Closing date: Friday, February 23, 2024 New seeds for your new season The 2024 Suttons catalogue offers the company’s trademark blend of irresistible new varieties alongside tried and tested favourites. Highlights among the vegetable introductions include tomato ‘Supersteak F1’, which…

Top winter bird food tips

As the ground freezes over, the RSPB (The UK’s largest nature conservation charity) is urging people everywhere to spare a thought for Britain’s feathered residents. From the iconic red-breasted robin to the spectacular dove, these fantastic creatures rely on our outdoor spaces for food and shelter — especially during colder months. During the colder months, birds need high-fat, high-energy foods…