The Kew Gardener's Guide to Growing Vegetables

Contents 6 INTRODUCTION TO GROWING VEGETABLES 30 PLANTS 32 Okra 33 Leek 34 Onion 36 PROJECT 1: RAISED BEDS 38 Shallot 39 Spring onion 40 Garlic 42 American groundnut 43 Celery 44 Celeriac 45 Peanut 46 Asparagus 48 PROJECT 2: CREATING AN ASPARAGUS BED 50 Beetroot 51 Chard 52 Swede 53 Kale 55 Calabrese 56 PROJECT 3: USING VEGETABLES AS A DECORATIVE DISPLAY 58 Cauliflower 59 Cabbage 61 Brussels sprout 62 Kohl rabi 63 Sprouting broccoli 64 Turnip 65 Pak choi 66 Mizuna 67 Komatsuna 68 Pepper 69 Endive 70 Chicory 71 Miner's lettuce 72 Seakale 73 Cucumber 74 PROJECT 4: CREATING A WILDLIFE FRIENDLY VEGETABLE GARDEN 76 Courgette and summer squash 77 Winter squash 78 Pumpkin 79 Globe artichoke 80 Carrot 82 PROJECT 5: BUILDING A ROOT CLAMP 84 Rocket 85 Florence fennel 87 Soya bean 88 Jerusalem artichoke 89 Sweet potato 90 PROJECT 6: SWEET POTATO SLIPS 92 Lettuce 94 Cucamelon 95 Watercress 96 PROJECT 7: ROOTING WATERCRESS 98 Oca 98 Parsnip 100 Parsnip root 101 Runner bean 102 French bean 103 Tomatillo 104 Pea 106 PROJECT 8: WINDOWSILL SALADS 108 Mangetout and sugar snap pea 109 Radish 110 Radish pod 111 Rhubarb 112 PROJECT 9: FORCED RHUBARB 114 Buckler leaf sorrel 115 Agretti 116 Yacon 117 Tomato 120 PROJECT 10: SAVING SEED 122 Aubergine 123 Potato 126 PROJECT 11: FESTIVE VEGETABLES 128 Spinach 129 Lamb's lettuce 130 PROJECT 12: NATURAL SUPPORTS FOR BROAD BEANS 132 Broad bean 133 Sweetcorn 134 Troubleshooting 138 What to do when 142 Index 144 Acknowledgments