Almonds, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches and plums, all botanically related members of the genus Prunus. Their fruit can be eaten fresh or dried or can be used in cooking and preserves. The fruits contain a hard, often pitted seed. Stone-fruit trees can be added to the garden year round but are best planted during early winter as grafted, bare-rooted plants. Autumn is the ideal time to prepare the ground for planting and order your...

This must be one of the easiest of all plants to grow — it just grows. Aloe vera is a small succulent plant with spiky green leaves. It originated in Africa but, as there are no known populations in the wild, it’s diff icult to pinpoint its exact origins. It has naturalised through much of Africa and around the Mediterranean region. Obviously, its ease of propagation and its perceived medicinal benefits have seenit widely cultivated for...

Every garden should have a patch of lettuce. It’s fast growing and highly productive, plus you can grow it year round in many areas so you get an endless supply of fresh leafy greens Growing If you plant lettuce from seedlings, most varieties will be ready to harvest in as little as 5–6 weeks, some a little longer. Put seedlings in the ground every few weeks to ensure a ready supply of fresh greens throughout the year. Growing conditions:...

Did you know that organic matter will act as a buff er in soils that have acidic pH readings? So, instead of changing your pH, just add organic matter in the form of compost and well-rotted manure and the plants will still grow and come to fruition. For the home gardener, it’s important to know what your soil pH is, but as long as it’s around the slightly acidic to neutral range you should be right to grow most vegetables — with a bit of...