The Argus | Georgy Edgson

Julie Green Talks "Grow Your Neighbour's Own"

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:50:04 +0100

I’m a committed advocate of encouraging people to garden anywhere and everywhere. Lack of soil or space hasn’t stopped me from growing vegetables and herbs for my family, and it shouldn’t hinder you either. There is, of course, a lot going for the joy and masochistic satisfaction of double digging and actually working the land – and you can’t do that with a container garden.

The Zero Garbage Challenge

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:54:02 +0100

After a short break and a healthy rethink, I’ve refocused my efforts in growing my own food. Over on my personal blog, Plotz, I’ve started a yearlong pledge to grow 25% of my own grocery bill and reduce my garbage to as near to zero as possible. I took my inspiration for the latter from three excellent websites.

The Organic Approach to Fertiliser

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:48:51 +0100

Plants are like humans. They need a bit of sunlight, some water, a nice place to live and they definitely need food. Unlike humans, plants don’t take to a gourmet menu or a spot of takeaway Chinese. Their requirements are simpler than that, so simple that you can break it down into just three letters: N, P and K.

The Compost Bin Isn’t Just the Contents of Your Trashcan and Toilet

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:17:04 +0100

Last week I showed my new compost bin to my dear friend Diane. “Ugh,” she shuddered. “I’m not looking in there – that’s disgusting.”

Rob Beattie, “101 Things to Do in a Shed” (Ebury Press)

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:52:00 +0100

The British Male considers the humble shed a sanctuary and haven, with many British Females following suit. My dad kitted out his last shed with an armchair, camping stove, radio, bar heater and small fridge. My mum could never quite understand why banning him there after an argument made him cheerful, rather than contrite. I’ve had many a thoughtful cup of tea in mine and regard it as a second home.

Your Plants Need to Get Along

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:09:56 +0100

There is always going to be someone in the office that you don’t like. You also have someone else that you’re happy to hang out with after work. Geoff in accounts has that way of annoying you whenever he cracks his lame jokes. Dave makes you laugh and you have a lot in common. He also knows how to warn you when the boss is walking in your direction when you’re playing FreeCell instead of working on that spreadsheet.

Apologies

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:04:17 +0100

Georgy will be back on Wednesday 29th July.

Creating a Microclimate for your Plants

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:07:36 +0100

When you are a gardener, the most important thing you can do is not to think like a gardener. Gardeners think about cups of tea and planting out seeds and how long they can get away with sitting in the shed.

Let’s Grow Something – Right Now!

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:33:47 +0100

It can be a little scary when you first start growing vegetables and herbs. Seed catalogues have a bewildering array of choice. Gardening is also a slow pursuit where results come after a long process of care, love and attention.

Where Do I Put My Plants When I Have No Space?

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:21:46 +0100

Newbie gardeners have bags of enthusiasm, pots of commitment and acres of curiosity. However, they don’t have actual bags, pots and acres.

What Does Your Garden Grow?

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:34:51 +0100

You’ve decided that you’d quite like to garden in your concrete surroundings. You might even have joined Grow Your Neighbour’s Own and have access to some land. Perhaps you’ve inherited an area of green in a community project.

Why Freecycle is the Best Thing You Can Join This Week

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:31:23 +0100

If you’ve never gardened before, the initial prospect can seem quite bewildering. For starters, there’s the mammoth cash outlay of containers, earth, tools, seeds and the like.

How to Grow Vegetables at 48 Feet

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:29:10 +0100

The rising cost of living coupled with growing levels of unemployment mean that many of us are wondering how to put food on the table. However, we live in a city, and not all of us have access to gardens or plots.