As the days shorten and the autumnal chill in the air becomes more noticeable, Kitchen Garden aims to keep you warm through the winter with some great ideas for sowing, growing and cooking.
The growing season may be winding down a little, writes KG editor Steve Ott (pictured below) but you’ll be pleased to know that there is still plenty to keep you busy both outdoors in the fresh air and in your polytunnel or greenhouse right now.
For example, this is a prime time to plant garlic and on page 30 of the November issue, KG staff writer Tony Flanagan answers some of the most common questions readers ask when setting out to grow this useful crop for the first time, while on page 37 top gardener Rob Smith reveals his must-have herbs for the winter months and how to grow them.
David Patch suggests suitable varieties for those who would love to plant some fruit this winter but who may think they lack the space, while forest gardener Alan Carter tells us how he has created a productive forest garden using just his 200m2 allotment in Scotland.
Of course, there are plenty of preparations you can make to ensure a great gardening year ahead. Turn to page 53 to find some timely advice on caring for and improving your soil this winter and beyond, and on page 77 KG regular Annabelle Padwick explains the importance of rest and recuperation for gardeners and, at the same time, giving the soil the time it needs to regenerate over the winter months ahead.
The compost area is an essential part of any garden and tends to be tucked away in a quiet corner – just the place where wildlife might thrive. Deputy editor Emma Rawlings explores some simple but effective ways to ‘rewild’ your compost area to the benefit of not just wildlife but your veggies, too.
And still on the subject of composting, Dr Anton Rosenfeld of Garden Organic – the leading UK organic gardening charity – offers his expert advice on making great leafmould this autumn.
Don’t forget you can subscribe to Kitchen Garden and each month you’ll get a selection of seeds FREE! And if you have a green-fingered friend or relative who’d like to extend their gardening knowledge, you can buy them a subscription to KG as a Christmas gift.
