TheSquareRoot /
Growing plants for fun, food, community and physical and mental well being 

Courgettes (AKA Zucchinis) are up to 95% water, very low calorie and nutrient dense. So if you do like these in your food you can get 30-35% of your daily vitamin C requirement from as little as 100 grams (0.22 Lbs) as well as magnesium, folate, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins A and B6, leutin and zeaxanthin! Growing courgettes Sow courgettes from March - early May under cover. You can sow direct from may if it is warm, usually USDA zones 8 and above. Unlike other plants, cou

This healthy herb is part of the mint (Lamiaceae) family, which includes other fragrant plants like rosemary, sage, minty and hyssop. Basil has long been used by many different cultures to attract beneficial insects, improve flavour profiles and to deter pests. We'll be looking at the uses for this plant to help you in your growing space. Flavour profiles Basil has long been used by people in southeast Asia and the Americas to increase the flavour of lettuces with a slight ba

Whether you're a butterhead, a crisphead or like to Romaine neutral, there's a lettuce for you! Super low calorie and packed with vitamins A and K and minerals like calcium, folate and potassium, these lean leaves are worth a try. Types of lettuce: Butterheads have loosely packed, soft leaves that have a mild sweet taste with subtle earthy tones. Key varieties that you will see in supermarkets are Boston, Buttercrunch and Red Butterheads. Tom Thumb is a reliable mini variety

This bubbly Brassica is part of the cabbage family and is sometimes referred to as a leaf cabbage. Due to the amount of varieties and culinary uses, we have given kale its own category. Types of Kale: Curly and Siberian varieties are the most common in the UK with frilly leaves. These have a peppery, cabbage flavour. Dwarf Blue and Scarlet are varieties you may have heard of. Lacinato kale types have broader green or green/purple leaves, usually with a large stem through the

These nutrition packed chillis contain vitamin A, B6 and C as well as antioxidants. They have a variety of culinary uses from curries to being stuffed, pickled and grilled in tapas and sides. Chillis are a core ingredient for in many cuisines from Mexico to India and Thailand to mention a few. Scoville Units Unlike sweet peppers, we need to mention that chilli peppers produce fruit on a Scoville Unit scale (SCU). There are technicalities as very mild Poblano and Banana, class

These nutrition packed peppers contain vitamin A, B6 and C as well as antioxidants. They have a variety of culinary uses from being stuffed as a main dish or pickled or grilled in tapas. Peppers are a core ingredient for in many cuisines and the pimento variety is used to stuff olives. February is the perfect time to be sow peppers for a late summer harvest. But what do you need to know? Sweet peppers (capsicums) are the none spicy varieties. We've divided peppers due to the

These powerhouse fruits are packed with antioxidants and help manage heart health, vision and skin health as well as fight certain cancers. Tomatoes are used as an ingredient in many foods from pizzas to sauces and curries, so why not grab a pack of seeds and give them a go? Right now (Feb - March) is the perfect time to be sowing tomatoes for the summer and autumn harvests. But what do you need to know? Tomatoes can be group in many ways, but we'll be using 2 categories. Fir

Whether you experience the odd wet patch or regularly have a soggy bottom, we'll be looking at a variety of fixes. Standing water occurs for a number of reasons: Water cannot drain through the soil quick enough There is plastic or other material holding the water Sloping or low lying land The land is in or at the end of the flow of ground water. Quick ways to help with flooding: Airate the soil with a fork or spiked shoes. Do not walk through flooded soil as the water makes t

This nutrient packed superfood can help manage blood sugar levels, boost memory function and improve heart health and makes one heck of a muffin! So why not give them a go? Right now is the perfect time to be planting blueberry bushes for the summer harvest. But what do you need to know? Plant until February whilst the bushes are dormant. Grow in groups of 3 or more for pollination (unless using a self fertile variety like Pink Lemonade or Sunshine Blue). They prefer free dra

Typically June is the month for transplanting your seedlings out in hardiness zones 9 and below. If you live in zones 10 - 13 you will...

If you are low on plant pots or cloches why not reduce your plastic waste and save yourself some money. All these are quick and easy and...

Spring has well and truly sprung. So is you haven't already, it's time to go get sowing and growing. Below are seeds to start undercover,...

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