Asparagus really fits the bill, what’s more it is easy to grow, tastes divine, even in small quantities and once established will grow for years and years. Buy Unwins pre-packed asparagus crowns in spring and plant them immediately.

1. Step 1.

   Choose a sunny, well-drained site sheltered from strong winds. Dig over the area thoroughly and incorporate plenty of well-rotted organic matter. If the soil is poor dig in Westland organic Vegetable Growing Compost. If you only want a few plants these can be planted into individual, flat-bottomed holes. If you want a large permanent bed of asparagus then it is best to dig out a planting trench. Dig out a planting area that is 20cm (8inches) deep and at least 30cm (12inches) wide.

2. Step 2.

   Gently spread the roots of each asparagus crown out over the surface of the soil in the trench/hole, so that they lie flat on the surface and make good contact.

3. Step 3.

   Cover over with 5cm (2inches) of sifted soil straight away, it is very important not to let the crowns dry out. As the plants start to grow continually cover them over until there is a mound of good soil over the top of them. Do not harvest the spears of asparagus in the first year at all. Allow them to grow into ferny foliage and establish. Next year, if possible resist the temptation again; it will pay off in the long run. In the third season you can harvest spears when they reach 15cm (6inches tall).

It’s not a good idea to use rainwater collected from the roof of the house or the greenhouse to water seedlings. It can spread a number of pests and diseases.

Keep a full watering can in the greenhouse and allow the water to reach room temperature before using.

Always check the instructions on the seed packet for the right advice about the plants you are growing.

1.  

   Step 1.

   Fill several clean 7.5cm (3 in) flowerpots with John Innes Seed Compost. Lightly firm down. Water the compost using a watering can with a fine rose (nozzle) attachment.

2.  

   Step 2.

   Sow the seed directly onto the compost surface, spacing it as evenly as possible. Sprinkle a thin layer of compost over the top. Label carefully with the plant variety and the date.

3.  

   Step 3.

   Large seeds can be sown individually in small pots. Make a hole with a dibber or pencil and drop the seed into it. Cover over with compost.

4.  

   Step 4.

   Water gently and keep in a frost-free place until the seeds start to sprout and grow.

Collecting Rain in a Waterbutt

To make the most of a waterbutt it’s a good idea to connect it to the guttering down pipe so that water that falls on the roof can be diverted into the butt.

1.  

   Step 1.

   Cut through the down pipe at the top of the water level inside the water butt. Use a small handsaw and cut horizontally

2.  

   Step 2.

   Fit the rain trap onto the bottom section of the pipe.

3.  

   Step 3.

   Cut the aperture in the rain trap lid to fit the drainpipe, then fit the top section of the pipe onto the bottom, closing the lid.

4.  

   Step 4.

   Using a hole saw; cut a hole in the side of the water butt level with the rain trap and the water level in the water butt.

5.  

   Step 5.

   Fit the connector into the hole and then fit the hose onto the connector and the rain trap. Your water butt is now connected and will fill up from the down pipe when it next rains.

6.  

   Step 6.

   You can also use special kits to link two or more water butts together and/or fit an overflow pipe to divert excess rainwater into the garden or a pond if required.

Choose healthy, strong and disease free plants. Allow one or two of these long stems to mature. Each one will bear several small plants, identical to the mother plant. All other runners should be removed so that your plants divert all their energy back into the main plant. The remaining runners should be allowed to mature. Remove the far ends of the runners when two good plants have developed close to the mother plant.

1.  

   Step 1.

   When the new plants have developed roots, cut the runner off from the mother
   plant with the two young plants still attached.

2.  

   Step 2.

   Fill a 1-litre flower pot with Westland John Innes No 1 Young Plants Compost.

3.  

   Step 3.

   Cut away the runner from either side of the young strawberry plant.

4.  

   Step 4.

   Make a hole in the surface of the compost ready to take the roots of the
   young plant.

5.  

   Step 5.

   Position the roots of the young plant into the hole and firm compost in

   around the plant. Water well and place in a cold frame to grow on.

Broad beans are hardy and can either be sown in October and November or from February under cloches. For autumn sowing choose to grow Unwins Broad Bean ‘The Sutton’ or Unwins Broad Bean ‘Aquadulce’. Broad beans can be sown in situ or individually into modules.

NOTE: Broad bean seeds can also be sown directly into the garden soil. Make a shallow trench in well prepared garden soil and sow the seeds into this spacing them so that they are about 15-20cm (6-8inches) apart. Cover over with soil and keep moist.

1. 

   Step 1.

   Fill large modules or root trainers with a quality seed sowing compost. Choose Westland John Innes Seed Sowing Compost.

2. 

   Step 2.

   Using a dibber make holes in the compost inside each module to a depth of about 2.5cm (1inch).

3. 

   Step 3.

   Sow individual seeds into each hole and then cover over with more compost. Firm gently. Keep the compost slightly moist and in an unheated propagator in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame.

4. 

   Step 4.

   The seedlings will normally start to germinate within 7-14 days. When the seedlings are 7.5-10cm (3-4inches) tall they can be planted out into the garden. Remove them carefully from their modules so you do not disturb the roots.

5. 

   Step 5.

   Plant them individually into holes the same size as the root ball. Leave about 20cm (8inches) between each plant. Water well. Apply a general fertiliser such as Westland organic Chicken Manure Pellets. Keep the seedlings watered until they establish. When the first pods develop pinch out the growing tip of the plant and use in salads and stir fries. Harvest the pods when you can feel the beans inside by pressing gently on the pods.

Sow greenhouse tomatoes from January for an early crop. Outdoor tomatoes should be sown in April and May so that they are the correct size for planting out after the last frosts.

1.  

   Step 1.

   Fill pots and modules to the top with a fresh batch of quality seed
   compost. Choose Westland John Innes Seed Sowing Compost
   or if you want to grow organically choose Earth Matters Peat Free
   Multi-Purpose Compost. Firm the compost gently so that it is about 12mm
   (1/2in) below the rim of the pot.

2.  

   Step 2.

   Water the compost with tepid water
   and allow to drain.

3.  

   Step 3.

   Make a series of shallow holes using a dibber and
   sow the seeds into these. As a rough guide you can sow 3 or 4 per pot.
   Cover over with a light layer of finely crumbled compost or a thin
   layer of vermiculite.

4.  

   Step 4.

   Label well and place into a heated propagator at 18-20C (65-70F).
   Check daily and water sparingly when required.

1.  

   Step 1.

   Choose a suitable planter for your citrus plant. It needs to be slightly larger than the container your plant is growing in. Add a layer of Potting Grit to the base of the planter to improve drainage.

2.  

   Step 2.

   Add a layer of Citrus Compost on top of the Horticultural Grit, making sure that you leave enough room for the root ball.

   
   

   Water your citrus plant thoroughly and then carefully remove it from its pot. Check the roots for damage and disease and carefully remove any showing signs of decay. Loosen the roots around the edge of the root ball to encourage them to grow into the new compost.

3.  

   Step 3.

   Place the root ball into the planter so that the roots rest on top of the Citrus Compost. The plant should be at about the same level in the compost as it was in its original container. Don’t plant it any deeper or leave it more exposed. Fill in around the sides with more Citrus Compost, packing it down between the planter and the root ball firmly.

4.  

   Step 4.

   Water well and mist the leaves with tepid water.

1. Step 1.

   Dig over the area of soil that needs improving. If the area is planted then take care not to dig close to the plants or disturb their roots. You can use the Soil Conditioner or organic Farmyard Manure as a mulch near to established plants and allow the worms and soil organisms to work it into the soil.

2. Step 2.

   Spread Soil Conditioner or organic Farmyard Manure over the surface of the dug area and work it into the soil with a fork. Soil Conditioner contains a high proportion of organic material mixed together with a generous proportion of organic Farmyard Manure. These natural materials will absorb and hold water in the soil and improve its structure, providing essential air pockets for drainage and for the roots to breathe. The high organic content also encourages the activity of beneficial soil dwelling organisms including worms. In your fruit and vegetable garden you could also try organic Vegetable Growing Compost.

Whatever you choose it needs to be able to hold a generous amount of compost to allow the tubers to develop, good drainage is essential. The Unwins Potato Bag is specially designed to grow three seed potatoes. This will generate a substantial crop of potatoes. It’s ideal if you are new to vegetable growing and want to have a go, great for kids; buy them one each and challenge them to grow the heaviest crop and simply perfect if you only have a small garden, terrace or even a balcony.

1.  

   Step 1.

   Simply place a generous layer of Westland organic Vegetable Growing Compost into the bottom of the Potato Bag. Position three chitted (see chitting) seed potatoes on the top of the compost and cover over with 10-15cm (4-6inches) of more compost.

2.  

   Step 2.

   
   
   Water the tubers and keep the compost moist but not saturated. The plants will start to root and shoot until the shoots and leaves push through the compost layer.

3.  

   Step 3.

   When this happens cover over the shoots with a new layer of 10cm (4inches) of fresh organic Vegetable Growing Compost. Repeat this process until the Potato Bag is almost full. When the leaves are 20cm above the bag start feeding every 7-10 days with Growmore.
   
   

Unwins seeds sells a wide variety of specially prepared sprouting seeds for growing in this way. These seeds have not been treated with chemicals and are safe to sprout and eat. What’s more, sprouting seeds are easy to grow, you don’t need much room to grow them and even the kids can grow them. You don’t even need any special equipment, though a dedicated sprouter is a nice way to grow them, alternatively use a glass jar and cover the top with muslin held on with an elastic band.

1. 

   Step 1.

   Choose the seeds you plan to sprout and soak them overnight in slightly tepid water.

2. 

   Step 2.

   Pour the seeds into the separate layers of the special sprouter, or into your clean jam jar. Replace the lid or the muslin.

3. 

   Step 3.

   Rinse the seeds thoroughly with slightly tepid water twice or three times a day, pouring away the old water.

4. 

   Step 4.

   The seeds will start to sprout quite quickly, usually within 1-2 days. Continue to rinse them and when the sprouts are about 1cm long they can be added to salads, stir fries and sandwiches.

5. 

   Step 5.

   Sow fresh seed every 1-2 weeks to provide a constant supply of fresh sprouts. Experiment a little with the different sprouting seeds on offer from Unwins and try using them in imaginative ways. A handful use as a garnish to a meal will add important vitamins to the winter diet.