Making the most of your vegetable gardens

Don’t be distracted by a garden of full and plenty, says Kitty Scully.

Without a shadow of a doubt it is at this time of year that vegetable gardens are at their most seductive. Who can resist the allure of a garden full of colourful edibles lavishing fresh berries, flowers, fruit, veg and herbs on every plate from breakfast through to supper? Harvesting finally upstages heaving as top of the job list. As meals steadily satiate and garden beds empty, space is also created for a fine array of versatile vegetables that can be sown and transplanted this month. And there are plenty of essential garden jobs to keep gardeners on their toes. These include feeding, weeding, staking, netting, dead heading and side-shooting.

Feeding