Who says houseplants have to be just for looking at? I’ve been tucking edible veggies in among my houseplants and honestly — some are prettier than the decorative ones. You get lush green that brightens a room and you can snip it for dinner. Perfect if you don’t have an allotment, or if it’s too grim to go outside in Tonbridge in January. They also make brilliant cheap Christmas gifts. A pot of Bright Lights chard for £2 in compost? Way better than another scented candle. Her

Will figs grow in the UK? Yes — our Brown Turkey harvest in Tonbridge, Kent proves they do. Some of our figs harvested in September here in Tonbridge — just look at them! Now washed and sitting in the sieve, ready to eat whole. My way? Just trim both ends and away you go. That's it. No fuss. They are absolutely delicious straight off the plant, still warm from the sun. Last of our Brown Turkey figs harvested in Tonbridge, Kent — September We also slice them — perfect for brea

Can you really grow new potatoes for Christmas dinner? Yes — if you plant them THIS WEEK in a bucket. I did it last year on my little allotment here in Tonbridge and we had buttery new potatoes on 23rd December for about 60p worth of seed. It’s one of my favourite cheap gardening ideas because you don’t need an allotment, you don’t need a greenhouse, and the supermarkets charge £3 for 500g of the same thing at Christmas. If you’ve read my how to grow potatoes in a bucket with

Right then — who doesn't love a fresh, home-grown strawberry? The ones from the shops are fine, don't get me wrong, but home-grown? Sweet, warm from the sun, and you don't even have to wash 'em if you don't want to (don't tell anyone I said that 😉). And the best bit? You don't need to buy new plants every year. You just need runners — those long little shoots the plants send out, like they're reaching for a hug. Free plants, for nothing. You can't say fairer than that! Here'

I've been testing this messy mix on my fruit and veg in Tonbridge and it's been a game changer. You know I'm not a perfect gardener. I want cheap, natural stuff that actually works. This does. One of my melons had been nibbled - classic mice. I sprayed this around it and on the leaves - no more nibbling since. And my brassicas? Cabbage white butterflies were laying eggs all over them. Since I started spraying this, they've stayed away. HOW IT WORKS Garlic Water: Releases nat

We've all been there, haven't we? Rummaging in the shed or the back of a drawer, and you find a half-forgotten packet of seeds tucked away — and the date on it? Well and truly gone. "Best Before 2022" … "Packed for 2021" … that sort of thing. First thought: "Oh, they're out of date — bin 'em then." But hold on a minute — is that actually true? Are seeds like yoghurt, where they suddenly go off the second the date ticks over? Or is there a bit more to it? Spoiler: there absolu

If you're brand new to growing veg, here's the truth I wish someone told me: You don't need to be good at gardening. You just need to pick the stuff that wants to live. These are my top 10 forgiving, wonky-carrot-friendly crops. They grow in the ground, raised beds, or a couple of big pots by the back door. No greenhouse, no fancy kit. And the best bit? September is NOT the end. It's a secret second spring. Sow now and you'll be picking fresh stuff while everyone else is wait

The Messy Gardener Right, everyone thinks olive trees are for posh gardens with a pizza oven and a gardener called Julian. Mine? Both free. Both rescued. Both thriving in Tonbridge. — let me explain... — CHAPTER ONE FREE TREE NUMBER 1 – The Stepdaughter Special About 4 years ago, my stepdaughter was moving out. In her garden was this olive tree - a good 6 foot tall, gnarly, dunno how old it was, but a proper tree. I couldn't leave it. So me and my wife Patricia - she prefers

ones use first store in cool place small ones wash and cook whole good for salads Don’t ask what varieties these are, ‘cos I got ’em mixed up. But there’s 4 types and one or 2 Asda potatoes that had started growing in the back of my cupboard. You do not need an allotment to grow proper potatoes. If you have a patio, a yard or a couple of big tubs by the back door, you can still p