My Life in Plants
The first plant I ever grew
I remember planting lots of trees to introduce some mixed hedgerows on the family farm in Somerset when I was aged just 16. We used oak, walnut, horse chestnut, wild cherries and field maples.
The plant that shaped the gardener I am today
As I was worried about the detrimental effects of chemical sprays and pesticides, lettuce became part of my mission to produce crops that were grown cleaner and more nutritiously. It was the first crop I sold commercially back in 1983, and the comments I received back from customers, about how full of flavour they were, were amazing.
My favourite plant in the world
Bougainvillea always catches my eye when I travel to warmer climes abroad. It’s so exuberant, cheerful and abundant. I once grew it at our farm in France, but it got killed by frost and I’ve never grown it since.
The plant that made me work hardest
Chinese cabbage seems to be attacked by every pest and disease. It needs warmth and decreasing daylight at the end of the summer into autumn. But when you succeed the rewards are brilliant. I’m currently trying ‘Scarvita’, an F1 hybrid with a dramatic, vibrant pink heart.
The plant I’d like to grow more of
I love growing coloured sweet peppers, but we rarely have enough sun to get them fully ripe. The conical, fruited paprika variety ‘Roter Augsburger’ has been bred to perform in cooler conditions, and even outdoors the fruits taste good.
The plant I am in human form
Perhaps I’m perennial kale – tall, elegant and keeps on giving. Not always easy, but productive and keeps coming back for more!
The plant that helped shape my life
Tap-rooted vegetables such as carrots and parsnip that can be grown in a no-dig situation. Soil doesn’t need to be disturbed and it’s these types of vegetables more than any other that help me communicate no-dig principles to more people through my teaching.
The plant I’d always give as a gift
A bag of seasonal salad leaves that’ll be bursting with flavour and be totally healthy!
Charles is supporting Somerset Garden Day on Sunday, May 13 (www.gardenday.co.uk).