Carol’s easy veg
Potatoes
Although spuds take up a lot of space, they are one of the easiest veg to grow, and now is a great time to plant them. Even those without a garden can grow a few in a large pot or sack. If you don’t have much space, grow early or new potatoes, which take up the least space and are harvested the earliest, so you can reuse the space, perhaps for leeks or salads. They’re good to grow with kids – easy to plant and thrilling to dig up!
Lettuce
There are so many to choose from, but whether you like mixed, cutand-come-again leaves, or prefer a whole lettuce, this has to be one of the most versatile of vegetables. My favourite is ‘Little Gem’, a true all-rounder but try to sow just a few each fortnight so you avoid a glut, then find there is no lettuce the week after.
Tomatoes
Extremely popular, cropping for a long time through summer and autumn, tomatoes are one of the most productive crops you can grow. Although they benefit from protection, you don’t have to have a greenhouse to grow them successfully. Choose varieties suited to outdoor cultivation. The classic ‘Gardener’s Delight’ is a brilliant, award-winning small tomato, which my mum used to love growing. She would grow four plants in two growbags on the path against a south-facing wall – enough for her, all the family and several neighbours. Turn to p109 for more tomato growing tips.
Beetroot
Beetroot are easy, beautiful and delicious. We grow as many as we can throughout the season. The seed is big – each seed is actually several seeds clustered together. Sow in modules, one seed per compartment. When plants have just developed their true leaves and have a proper root system, plant them out into rich soil. Keep well watered.
Runner & climbing French beans
Lack of space need not prevent you from growing these, as they grow upwards, taking up relatively little ground space for the harvest you get. Frost will kill them so start them off under cover, one seed to a pot and while you’re waiting for them to grow, build a framework
Spuds are one of the easiest veg to grow and now is a great time to plant them