“Last year, the vegetables were a disaster. The slugs had the time of their lives,” says Jo Whiley, recalling every gardener’s worst nightmare. “Everything I planted got eaten. Snails went on the rampage, too. I’d come home from work and go out into the veg patch and see this black, oozy sea of mess. “It…

Strawberries, chillies and peppers could be grown outside a council building to increase access to fresh food. The plans to grow vegetables and fruit in the flower beds outside Leeds Civic Hall in Millennium Square are being drawn up by councillors after the suggestion was made last September. Mohammed Rafique, executive member for environment, said…

Gardening season is officially here, which means it’s time to get those vegetables in the ground. Growing your own vegetables can be a rewarding and tasty experience. Plus, growing an edible garden can help you save money on that hefty grocery bill. Whether you can’t wait for that first taste of a crisp cucumber salad…

May offers huge opportunities for planting vegetables, as many popular crops can be added to any productive garden this month. Whether you buy young plants or sow seeds, it can be a busy month. I love starting my crops from seed, so here are my picks for the best vegetables to plant in May. I…

As gardeners, we are fortunate to be at the forefront of the changing seasons. We can feel the warmth creeping into the sun in late spring, watch the leaves turn from vibrant green to autumnal rusts in autumn, and feel the tingle of chilly air in our noses as we welcome in winter. However, most…

As the weather starts to cool, growth in the veggie patch slows, but with a few strategic plant choices, I can maintain a steady supply of homegrown food throughout winter. I’m something of a lazy gardener, with only a city backyard to grow in. So, over the past few years, I’ve learnt to prioritise plants…

The adage claims you are never more than six feet from a rat. Whether or not that is true depends on many environmental factors. However, rats are common in cities, towns, and rural areas, so you are likely to see a rat in your garden at one point or another. The truth is that some…

Gardening experts have warned to not plant vegetables outside this spring, explaining that there are only a limited number of them that will actually ‘thrive’. While springtime is the perfect time to start planting, choosing the right location and environment for your crops is very important. One gardening expert warned not to sow vegetable seeds…

Setting up a garden can be expensive, but once it is established growing your own vegetables can cut costs. Growing tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, arugula, spinach, and radishes—especially in containers—will lower household costs. Vegetables like carrots, broccoli, onions, cauliflower, and cabbage might not be worth the trouble of growing. It can be hard to go to…