Inspiring spaces

A revival for growing fruit and veg

By Jean Vernon

In the current climate (financial and ecological) almost every single person has had to look closely at their lifestyle and many of us have had to tighten our belts.

This may have played a part in the huge increase in interest seen in Grow Your Own activities. The reasons don’t really matter though -  Britain is digging for victory again with a new and modern twist and it’s a really exciting time for the gardener.

Growing your own is not a lifestyle choice for everyone, for many it is a necessity and there is plenty of practical advice and information here at this year’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show to support and nurture the most reticent and inexperienced gardener.

At this year’s show you can see the true beauty of sustainability. The show is generously seasoned with real gardens inspiring real people about growing, harvesting and enjoying their own fruit, herbs and vegetables.

Virtual reality

One of the stars of this year’s show is The Girlguiding UK Centenary Garden. Not only does this creative space celebrate 100 years of Girlguiding in the UK, but it also represents what is real, modern and relevant to young women today. Fortunately for the visitors, plants, the planet and nature are truly on the radar.

The garden boasts a beautiful cedar greenhouse, filled with sumptuous and ready to eat crops such as peppers and tomatoes. Outside some timber raised beds are filled with colourful salads and vegetables that might just tempt a teenager to taste; at least they will know that salad doesn’t grow in plastic bags and that tomatoes taste delightful when picked fresh, warm and ripe from the climes of a greenhouse.

Off the wall

Across the showground vegetables, fruit and herbs can be found impersonating pretty garden plants in beds and borders of show gardens and small gardens. The Food 4 Thought Garden does what it says on the label, it really makes you think.

Through its windows of change are glimpses of a future growing more exotic crops. A lemon grove and a peach orchard could be the replacements for the apples and strawberry crops currently grown. A productive wall of vegetables makes great use of the vertical space, while a flowing planting of strawberries from the wall to the dining table gives the message that growing your own reduces food miles to food millimetres.

Practical and productive

For visitors who are so inspired that they want to get growing immediately, there are a few gems on offer. Don’t miss the Marshall’s Seeds exhibit with a range of late-sow veg you can sow, grow and crop over the next few weeks and well into autumn. Look out for the Strawberry Marshmello plants which, if you plant them now, will be cropping in just six weeks. Fresh fruit from your plants in an instant.

The Garlic Farm has a display fit for a king, exhibiting this versatile and easy to grow crop in all its guises. “Iberian Wight is an easy win,” says Colin Boswell, Garlic King.

“You can plant it any time from September to December, simply keep it fed, watered and weed free and you can harvest it in June. You can even grow it in a pot, three cloves to a ten inch pot.” The Garlic Farm is launching a new book at this year’s show, an essential cookshelf read for gardeners and cooks. The Garlic Farm Cookbook shares the expert’s tips and secrets on cooking, growing and health uses. If you like garlic you’ll love the chance to experience the diverse flavours, uses and properties of this amazing plant.