Plants with a split personality
Did you know that there are a few plants out there with some surprising properties, many of which you’d have no idea about at first glance!
Name:
French Marigolds
Description:
Want to know the secret of growing bumper crops of tomatoes? Well, by growing African or French marigolds in greenhouses or borders, you can actually repel white fly from your tomatoes. It has also been found that tomatoes grow better and bear more fruit, which is tastier, with marigolds around them.
Best season to sow/plant:
Sow seed each spring and plant out after all risk of frosts
Growing tips:
French marigolds are also ideal for attracting bees and butterflies to your garden, so why not do your bit for the declining bee populations?
Name:
Pansies
Description:
Who’d have thought that pansies were a salad vegetable? Just think how you could surprise your friends with a plate of rainbow-coloured flowers instead of the usual limp lettuce selection! The flowers have a slightly peppery taste, and won’t need a sniff of dressing!
Best season to sow/plant:
Pansies enjoy a cool climate, so plant in shady corners. Ideal for summer or winter flowering planting schemes.
Growing tips:
Always keep ahead with removing faded flowers; this will keep the new blooms coming.
Name:
Nasturtiums
Description:
Can’t quite afford capers, or find the taste too tart? Why not try growing your own? Nastrutiums are an excellent substitute for capers, with the peppery kick of the unripe seeds. Use them fresh or pickle them for later use.
Best season to sow/plant:
Really easy to grow from seed; sow anytime from April to June, straight into the soil outdoors.
Growing tips:
The flowers and leaves are edible too, both with a lovely peppery kick.
Name:
Pea ‘Shiraz’
Description:
Haven’t got a vegetable garden, but want to grow vegetables? Try the decorative pea ‘Shiraz’ with bright purple mangetout pods and two-tone flowers. It’ll be just at home in the flower border, or perhaps even in mixed pots on the patio.
Best season to sow/plant:
You can sow this pea up to July; it’s resistant to mildew, so it can be sown much later than most other peas.
Growing tips:
Peas are so easy to grow, simply plant sow them directly into the ground outdoors.