David Domoney

Category: Get Growing

Growing, design, and care advice from David Domoney. David is a Chartered Horticulturalist with over 40 years of experience growing and caring for plants. David has also worked on UK national television for over 2 decades. As a garden designer, David has won over 30 RHS medals for his garden designs at leading UK gardening shows and events.

  • Grow your own: The First World War

    Grow your own: The First World War

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    This November marks one hundred years since the end of the First World War.

    Growing vegetables and related gardening skills were of paramount importance during First World War Britain, as people were forced by shortages in food supplies to produce their own. In this blog, I’ll be taking a look at some of the most popular vegetables to grow in the war, the gardening techniques used during this period and what impact gardening had on the war itself.

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    The need to grow

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    “We will frighten the British flag off the face of the waters and starve the British people until they, who have refused peace, will kneel and plead for it.” – Kaiser Wilhelm, 1917, ruler of Germany during WWI.

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    The human cost of the conflict was immense. Huge numbers of men were required to fill the ranks of Britain’s Armies, leaving many women to take up the traditional roles of men in factories and farms.

    With so many people involved in the war effort, the nation struggled to provide food for its population, especially with the onset of unrestricted submarine warfare by the Germans in 1917, which ravaged shipping carrying the vital imported food that provided 60% of the nation’s diet.

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    With food supplies running short, the nation’s favourite pastime: Gardening, became a method of survival. Everyone, from soldiers at the frontline, to the people back in Britain, took up gardening and began to grow food and rear livestock.

    The government called on all people to do their part and authorities were given permission to requisition land for the growing of produce. Allotment ownership in Britain, rose from 450,000 before the war, to 1.5 million by May of 1917 and was a catalyst for the popularity of allotments and gardening, which continues to this day.

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    Grow your own

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    “The country has appealed to all who cannot share in the fighting to see that our food supply is secured.” – Walter Brett, 1915, author of Wartime Gardening.

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    Almost every available plot, whether that be a disused garden, land alongside a railway line or a royal park, was turned over for the production of food during the First World War.

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    Next time you go into your garden or for a walk in the park, you may be trudging over ground that once grew the food that fed the nation. Some of the most popular vegetables to grow in 1915, were potatoes, artichokes, turnips, onions, marrows, horseradish, beetroot and cabbage.

    Today, the most popular vegetables are broccoli, sweetcorn, tomato, mushroom, carrots and peas—a large difference to the heartier vegetables favoured over one hundred years ago. This shows the modern trend of using more salad-like vegetables in cooking, as opposed to the heavier vegetables preferred one hundred years ago.

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    On the home-front

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    “They started allotments in different places to grow food. That’s naturally how we kept going. We had nothing else; we had no hope for anything.” – Mrs Adams, a resident of Walsall during the First World War.

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    Photo courtesy of the IWM

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    The majority of the growing occurred on the home front, where ordinary people were encouraged to grow their own food to supplement the food grown on farms. One type of food that became increasingly hard to come by was flour. In 1914, Britain imported 81% of its wheat, so bread shortages would become an increasing problem as the German U-boats closed in on British shipping.

    One of the more unusual solutions to this problem was the use of turnip flour, which was made by ground dried turnips— a solution that was exceedingly unpopular due to the taste and uncomfortable digestive problems it caused.

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    Today, there are many alternatives to white flour, including banana flour, coconut flour and soy flour. These are often used in gluten-free diets and it should be noted, that turnip flour is almost never offered as one of these alternative options!

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    Fortunately, November is a little too late to begin sowing turnip seeds, which should be sown between April and August. However, there are a number of other vegetables you can plant at this time of year that can be grown over winter. These include broad beans, peas and pea shoots, and onions, which can be grown into seedlings indoors, before being transplanted outside, or sown straight into the soil outdoors.

    For more ideas on growing vegetables over winter, take a look at my top four winter vegetables.

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    Behind the lines

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    Vegetable growing wasn’t just confined to the home-front. Behind the lines on the Western Front, vegetables were grown on military camps to provide food for soldiers serving in France and Belgium. To encourage the production of vegetables, the army hosted the Le Havre vegetable show, out of the large base at Le Havre on the French coast.

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    The base commandant encouraged all permanent units to cultivate the land and proposed they show off some of the produce that was grown. Regimental bands provided the music and money, donated by the officers, paid for the prizes.

    Awards were won for categories such as best garden, largest vegetable and who could grow the most vegetables. The latter was once won by a depot of German prisoners who had an astonishing yield of 26 tonnes per acre. Competition was so fierce that vegetable theft became an issue—a giant marrow was stolen from one unit’s garden and entered into the competition by another!

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    Other vegetables grown for the show included potatoes, radishes, kale and tomatoes. Some of the medals won in the garden show are still exhibited at the Imperial War Museum in London.

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    On the front line

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     “As far as the eye could see was a mass of black mud with shell holes filled with water. Here and there broken duckboards, partly submerged in the quagmire”. – Private H. Jeary, 1917, British soldier at the battle of Ypres.

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    On the front line the situation was extremely different. Units could find themselves under artillery fire and were rarely in one position for more than a few months. This meant they had little opportunity to grow their own produce, having to live off the rations they were issued instead.

    [/fusion_text][fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no” border_position=”all”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”35432|600″ max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align=”none” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]https://new.daviddomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/British-soldiers-eating-rations-600×375.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

    Photo courtesy of the IWM

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no” border_position=”all”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

    Soldiers serving in combat theatres were issued with rations that would have to sustain them when access to cooked food was limited. These rations usually contained hard biscuits, cheese, condensed milk, tea, sugar, jam and a stock cube.

    They would also have a tin of meat, such as either bully beef (corned beef) or Maconochie meat stew, which was widely unpopular with many soldiers due to the small fatty cuts of meat it contained, among other things. One vegetable that was sometimes grown on the front-lines, was celery.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column_inner][/fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

    This was an easier choice for soldiers to grow in the trenches of the Western Front, because it thrived in dank, wet conditions, very much like that of a trench. By adding celery to the rations, the repetitive taste was improved, with the added benefit of providing a fresh source of nutrition and fibre. You can easily grow celery yourself at home, just as soldiers in the trenches may have done during the war.

    [/fusion_text][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

    The best time to grow celery from seed is between February and March, but at this time of the year, you can actually re-grow celery, using the base of a celery stalk. All you need to do is take the base of the celery stalk and place it into a shallow cup of warm water. Then leave it on a windowsill and replace the water daily. Within eight days, you should see new green leaves begin to emerge from the centre of the base, followed by significant re-growth, by which time you can transplant it to a container or into the soil outdoors to continue its growth.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_title hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” content_align=”center” size=”2″ font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” text_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=””]

    Gardening techniques in 1915

    [/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_image_id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” undefined=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

    While most of the gardening techniques used in 1915 would still work perfectly fine today, there are some that have not aged as well. For example, in order to produce a compost heap at home during the war, you were advised to do the following things:

    [/fusion_text][fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”3_5″ layout=”3_5″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no” border_position=”all”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

    Pile garden waste and cuttings upon a bed of ashes and old stone rubbish. Don’t be afraid to add refuse from the house—potato, turnip and onion peelings. Bones vegetable leaves and bits of meat are also good. Also add slops (human waste) from the house. As your heap is built up, spread over it a layer of lime, then add more rubbish and another layer of lime and so on.

    Never throw on weeds of a woody or fibrous nature to this heap, instead make them into another heap and burn them. Their ashes can be put on the first heap. When the heap has stood for a month or so you will have a valuable manure. Just as useful as horse manure costing 6d a load.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”2_5″ layout=”2_5″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no” border_position=”all”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”35434|full” max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align=”none” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]https://new.daviddomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1915-Compost-heap.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column_inner][/fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

    Today, the RHS advise that, while some people do add lime into a compost heap, there is actually no need to do so. The use of lime, may however, have been a method of reducing the potability of the slops, as well as a way to mask the smell. Using human waste or slops in compost at home, is also heavily discouraged, as it contains dangerous bacteria and could present a significant health risk if not done properly, especially if used in the production of food.

    [/fusion_text][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

    Another gardening technique used over 100 years ago, was the method of making ‘manure water’—what we would now call a liquid fertiliser. This method is actually still applicable today and can be used to provide rich nutrients to your flower and vegetable beds.

    [/fusion_text][fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”2_5″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no” border_position=”all”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”35439|full” max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align=”none” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]https://new.daviddomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Manure-water-liquid-fertiliser-1915.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”3_5″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no” border_position=”all”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

    To make manure water, stand a barrel on some bricks, upon a wooden crate. Firstly, fill about a fifth of barrel with straw at the bottom.

    Then fill with manure to the half way point. Then pour in your water to fill the other half of the barrel.

    After several days, the water will filter through the manure and can then be applied to your crops. Dilute until it is pale yellow in colour, if necessary.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no” border_position=”all”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

    Many other gardening techniques, such as trench planting and vegetable forcing, remain exactly the same today as they did all those years ago.

    The only difference is that today, most people grow vegetables as a hobby or pastime, whereas during The First World War, it was a matter of national survival.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column_inner][/fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

    We have a lot to thank the generation that lived and, in many cases, died between 1914 and 1918. Over the next few days, in the lead up to the centenary of the Great War, I will be exploring how gardening helped during the war, how it is used in remembrance of the conflict and how it continues to help military veterans to this day.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container admin_label=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ padding_top=”0″ padding_right=”80″ padding_bottom=”0″ padding_left=”80″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_separator style_type=”single solid” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”#d3d1d1″ top_margin=”20px” bottom_margin=”20px” border_size=”2″ icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

    See my blog about the role horticulture plays in remembrance:

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text]

    Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas:

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_6″ layout=”1_6″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no” border_position=”all” element_content=””][/fusion_builder_column_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”2_3″ layout=”2_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no” border_position=”all”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”35625|600″ max_width=”” style_type=”none” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align=”none” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]https://new.daviddomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Armistice-the-CWGC-Feature-600×375.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”” top_margin=”30px” bottom_margin=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][fusion_button link=”https://new.daviddomoney.com/armistice-the-commonwealth-war-graves-commission/#.W-QKXNX7RhE” text_transform=”” title=”” target=”_self” link_attributes=”” alignment=”center” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” color=”custom” button_gradient_top_color=”rgba(1,149,51,0)” button_gradient_bottom_color=”rgba(1,149,51,0)” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”#0e540f” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”#0e540f” accent_color=”#0e540f” accent_hover_color=”#ffffff” type=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”3″ size=”large” stretch=”yes” shape=”square” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]The CWGC[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_6″ layout=”1_6″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no” border_position=”all” element_content=””][/fusion_builder_column_inner][/fusion_builder_row_inner][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_6″ layout=”1_6″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” 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  • The Power of Plants for Better Health: Mental Wellbeing

    The Power of Plants for Better Health: Mental Wellbeing

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    Gardening and spend in time with nature has the power to improve mental health. Whether that is through making social connections in the local community garden or taking notice of the little things in a natural space. Gardening can have a positive impact on your mental wellbeing.

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    Mental health in the UK

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    Mental health problems affect a lot of people in the UK. A recent survey for NHS Digital found that one adult in every six had experienced a mental health problem in the week prior to the survey. So it’s likely that you or someone you know is suffering from poor mental health right now.

    You are not alone

    Common problems include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and panic disorder.

    Poor mental health is often characterised by regular negative emotions, a negative view of oneself, others and the events that happen in life.

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    Impact

    It can affect a person’s ability to function, set and achieve their goals, as well as their ability to make and maintain personal relationships.

    In addition to the unpleasant effects of mental illness on day to day life, the NHS Mental Health Taskforce reports that people suffering from ‘prolonged and severe’ mental health problems can pass away earlier. A staggering, 15–20 years earlier on average.

    Physical element

    It’s also reported that two thirds of these deaths are caused by avoidable physical illnesses. And that this has an economic and social cost of £105 billion every single year in England alone.

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    Gardening for good

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    By contrast, high levels of mental wellbeing are associated with productivity, positive personal relationships, resilience, good physical health and longer life. Mental wellbeing is characterised by regular experiences of positive emotions and positive attitudes towards oneself, others and life events.

    Life

    Let’s face it—good mental health makes for positive life experiences. And if there’s something we can do to keep ourselves well, then it’s definitely worth our time. The good news is that we can preserve and restore our mental health.

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    The good news is that we can preserve and restore our mental health through the ‘five ways to mental wellbeing’. These are the recommendations in the Mental Capital and Wellbeing report by the Government Office for Science.

    What next?

    Let’s look at each of these and see how gardening can be the perfect tool for ensuring we experience good mental health for years to come.

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    Connect with others

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    The first step to mental wellbeing, according to the report, is to make connections with the people around you. So your friends and family, colleagues or people in the local community.

    Social

    Having a social network, in which you feel close to others, is great for mental health. As it can be a source of positive feelings and support through difficult times.

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    Gardening is a brilliant way to develop connections with other people. Sign up to a community garden near you. Help out at the local school garden. Find yourself an allotment plot or start a gardening project yourself in your own back garden.

    Cultivation Street

    Remember to check out my Cultivation Street campaign, which supports community gardens and school gardening projects and rewards the nation for their growing every year.

    Working together on the land with others helps to form the types of social connections that we all need to stay in good mental health.

    Conversations

    Speaking from personal experience, the sense of achievement you get from turning a disused piece of land into a lush, thriving garden is really second to none.

    Not to mention the satisfaction you can get from using the produce you’ve grown yourself in your home cooking.

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    Stay active

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    Physical exercise is known to have significant mental health benefits sometimes on a par with anti-depressant medication.

    Research

    Studies show that even short bursts of activity can increase our alertness, energy and mood. While frequent exercise can increase our self-esteem, reduce our stress and anxiety levels and prevent the onset of mental illness. So, to improve and sustain your mental health, get out there and move your body.

    Of course, you can’t garden without moving—you twist and stretch, lift things and walk about. So gardening can help to ensure good mental health through physical activity.

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    Lower impact

    Unlike a body pump class, however, gardening is low intensity. It puts less strain on the joints than other activities whilst still getting us lots of exercise. It’s also so engaging once you get into it, that you forget that you’re exercising.

    You’re too immersed in the fragrance of the rose bushes that you’re pruning, the sound of the birdsong or the feel of the soil between your fingers as you plant your seeds.

    Effortless exercise

    For me, this makes getting enough exercise effortless! Another fantastic feature of gardening compared with other activities is that it’s so adaptive. Jobs can be chosen to suit your ability and fitness levels and most gardening tools and equipment can be adjusted to suit just about absolutely anyone.

    Solutions

    If you have difficulty bending, you can opt for raised beds or long-handled tools. If you have trouble with heavy digging, stick to planting in pots and containers.

    Heavy digging can be a challenge, so stick to planting in pots and containers. This is especially true in a community garden where jobs can be exchanged with others according to skill and ability levels.

    I work closely with the charity Thrive. A leading charity in the UK who use gardening as therapy for to help people with mental and physical conditions through structured programmes.

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    It’s the little things

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    For good mental health, it is important to be present in the moment and appreciate the little things.

    Taking note of the beautiful sights, unusual sounds and delicate fragrances in your environment. Savouring the taste of your food has all been shown to have positive effects on your mental health.

    Focus

    This may be because focusing on things in the moment enables you to stop worrying about things beyond your control. And crucially breaks the cycle of negative thoughts.

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    What better way could there be to appreciate the little things than through gardening?

    Notice the dew droplets on the perfect spider’s web strung across your garden gate or taking in the delicate fragrance of honeysuckle on a summer’s evening.

    Perhaps it’s savouring the taste of an apple fresh from the tree, gardening offers us elements of beauty and intrigue as we immerse ourselves in nature.

    Absorbing

    It’s a very absorbing activity, without being demanding—when you’re among  flower pots and compost bags, you can leave the weight of the world behind you for a while.

    So, get out in your garden today and allow yourself to be taken in by the world around you. Fill your lungs with the fresh air, notice the colour of the sky.

    Watch and listen for wildlife— just give yourself a moment to take everything in.

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    Keep learning

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    It doesn’t really matter what you’re learning or how quickly, making progress and achieving goals are all great for keeping your mind in a positive state.

    Experts

    According to the NHS, people who continue to learn report higher feelings of wellbeing, self-esteem, hope and purpose. Because setting targets and achieving them creates positive feelings of success and achievement.

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    They also report a greater ability to deal with stress and may be better able to get the most out of life.

    Learning

    Indeed, learning is one of my favourite aspects of gardening.

    What’s more, no matter how much of an expert you are or are not there is always something you can learn.

    If you’re a beginner, start small—focus on learning how to grow just one or two unfussy plants and add to your knowledge from there.

    Grow your own

    Start to grow your own, you might plant salad leaves, like lettuce. These re easy going and will be ready to harvest in just 3 weeks. Alternatively, choose courgettes, or fruit plants like raspberries or blackberries for a bumper crop in exchange for the little effort involved in looking after them.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”2_3″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_position=”all” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true” spacing_right=””][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” font_size=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    Flowers

    If you’re more of an ornamental gardener, learn how to plant easy-to-grow shrubs like Pyracantha (firethorn) or Buddleja (Butterfly bush) that will thrive with little attention.

    If you’re a seasoned gardener, branch out by learning to grow fussier plants, like blueberry or Rhododendron bushes and Echium webbii.

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    Blueberries and Rhododendrons are both ericaceous (acid-loving) plants. They need to be planted in specialist ericaceous compost and have their acidity levels monitored and maintained to keep them in good health. Echium webbii, on the other hand, is a tender perennial. So you will need to learn how to protect it from winter frosts in order to be rewarded with its incredible purple turret flowers each spring.

    New

    Learn a new pruning technique, learn how to take cuttings from different plants, learn how to identify different plant varieties and resolve different issues.

    It can be a great idea to set yourself gardening-related goals, like ‘I’m going to grow my own apples and bake them into a pie for an October family gathering,’. Or ‘I’m going to force bulbs to flower and gift them to my in laws this December,’. Then you’ll get the benefits of setting and achieving goals as well.

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    Give to others

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    Doing something nice for someone else helps you to feel good about yourself and makes connections with the people around you. So, water your neighbour’s plants while they’re away, get your colleague a cuppa when they’re stressed, let someone go in front of you in the supermarket queue. These things all give our mental health a boost.

    Gardening

    Once more, gardening provides us with a great way of giving to others, thereby benefitting our mental health. One way to do this is to grow things and give them as gifts for others.

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    You might choose to grow the bride white heads of Paeonia (peony) ‘Elsa Sass’ or the pillar box red flowers of Tulipa (tulip) ‘Red Impression’ and take a bunch of them to a sick relative’s house—they make incredible cut flowers.

    Gifts

    When forcing bulbs to flower in time for Christmas, plant a couple of extra containers and give them out as gifts to neighbours in December.

    Take cuttings of easy-rooting plants like Kalanchoe (flaming katy) or Tradescantia (wandering jew) or pot on Bromeliad off-shoots and take them as a present for the host at the next dinner party you go to.

    Volunteer

    Another way to give to others through gardening is by volunteering your time and skills to help others in the local community.

    Offer your help in turning your kid’s school garden into a thriving paradise or in teaching the kids themselves some simply gardening skills.

    Help to plant up containers around town for the benefit of everyone who walks by.

    Offer to mow the lawn of your neighbour’s garden when you’re doing your own.

    Boost

    All of these aspects of gardening can give your mental health a boost—but keep it up! Studies show that you have to keep doing it in order to keep reaping the benefits.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column_inner][/fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”” top_margin=”10″ bottom_margin=”10″ border_size=”0″ icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” font_size=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    What’s fantastic about gardening, of course, is that it can be done anywhere by anyone. Whatever your age or ability level and whether you have a large outdoor space or none at all, you can get the mental health benefits of gardening. Join a community garden or allotment, grow fragrant herbs in pots on your window sill, gift cuttings of houseplants or offer your time to garden for the benefit of others.

    On form

    So, if we want to stay mentally on form, gardening is a great way to get there.

    If you want to find out more about mental health or to offer your support to a mental health charity, I’d recommend visiting the website for SANE—the mental health charity for which I am an Ambassador.

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parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ padding_top=”0″ padding_right=”80″ padding_bottom=”0″ padding_left=”80″ type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ 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    Spring is on its way, see my post on spring pollinators:

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”false”][fusion_text]

    Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas:

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true” spacing_right=””][fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_6″ layout=”1_6″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” 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last=”false” border_position=”all” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”false” spacing_right=””][fusion_imageframe image_id=”42967|full” max_width=”” style_type=”none” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align=”center” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]https://new.daviddomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/spring-pollinators.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”” top_margin=”30px” bottom_margin=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][fusion_button link=”https://new.daviddomoney.com/10-best-early-spring-flowers-pollinating-insects/” text_transform=”” title=”” target=”_self” link_attributes=”” alignment=”center” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” color=”custom” button_gradient_top_color=”rgba(1,149,51,0)” button_gradient_bottom_color=”rgba(1,149,51,0)” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”#0e540f” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”#0e540f” accent_color=”#0e540f” accent_hover_color=”#ffffff” type=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”3″ size=”large” stretch=”yes” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” border_radius=”0″ border_color=”#0e540f” border_hover_color=”#ffffff”]Spring pollinators[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_6″ layout=”1_6″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” 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  • Sunday Mirror article: Edible flowers

    Sunday Mirror article: Edible flowers

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    From summery cocktails to fancy salads, edible flowers are having a real moment this year in restaurants and cocktail bars everywhere.

    [/fusion_text][fusion_title margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” size=”2″ content_align=”center” style_type=”default” sep_color=””]

    Flowers in your cooking

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    Their pretty, delicate petals are being used to garnish fruity drinks, whilst others are sprinkled into savoury dishes for their strong peppery flavour.

    The use of edible flowers in culinary exploits was once reserved solely for the chefs at fine dining restaurants, but more and more people are starting to make use of them in their own cooking at home.

    Whether you want to impress guests this summer, or simply spice up your own dishes, edible flowers are an easy way to add some flair. You’d be surprised how many of them are already growing in your garden!

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    They tend to be easy to grow and are fantastic for adding lovely splashes of colour to your beds, borders, pots or even window boxes, before being used as a beautiful garnish.

    When choosing which edible flowers you want to use, it’s important to check that they are what you think they are as some flowers can cause harm if ingested.

    As a general rule, edible flowers should be used sparingly in cooking as they can sometimes have a very strong flavour. If you plan to serve them to guests, take a little nibble yourself first, to check how strong the flavour is.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column_inner][/fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_text]

    You need also to make sure you rinse the flowers gently under cold water before you use them. Using flowers you have grown yourself is the best way to ensure they have not been sprayed with chemical controls like insecticide that could be harmful if eaten.

    [/fusion_text][fusion_title margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” size=”2″ content_align=”center” style_type=”default” sep_color=””]

    Pair with food & drink

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    The often-strong flavour of edible flowers makes it important to pair them correctly with food and drink.

    Flowers with a sweeter, floral flavour are great in cocktails and baking whilst aromatic, herby flavoured blooms are best reserved for salads and savouries.

    Strawberry flowers, for example, bring a mild strawberry taste in the form of white and yellow cup-shaped flowers, whilst a tall sprig of lavender is a lovely purple perfumed addition to fruity drinks.

    Elderflowers make a classic sweetly flavoured garnish.

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    Rose and hollyhock petals can also be used to add a dramatic flourish and a lovely floral flavour, especially when crystallised and sprinkled on top of cakes.

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    The more fragrant the rose, the better the taste in general.

    The deep lilac star-shaped flowers of borage bring a herbal flavour that is fantastic when frozen into ice cubes and used to decorate botanical gin and tonics – or even a refreshing jug of cloudy lemonade.

    Violas bring a mild sweetness and pretty embellishment to any dish, from salads to sweet treats and even sandwiches.

    In fact, many flowers from the vegetable garden can be used.

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    The flowers of herbs like rosemary can be a great unique addition to chicken and lamb dishes but can also be used baked into bread and biscuits.

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    If you grow courgettes, squash, or pumpkins, their large flowers can be cooked and stuffed and are great for adding colour to regular dishes such as omelettes & pasta.

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    Pea flowers are fantastic because they bring the subtle taste of young peas that is just delicious in salads and as an accompaniment to fish.

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    The same can also be said for the blooms of broad beans and runner beans. Try fennel flowers floating in potato soup for a wonderfully mild hint of anise.

    The flowers from any citrus trees and a great unique addition to stir fries, where their strong, lemony flavour can be offset with a little spice.

    Meanwhile, the bright blooms of nasturtium have a peppery flavour that is often likened to watercress.

    Use them as a spicy addition to salads and sandwiches – you can also sprinkle the petals of pot marigold for a similar effect.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column_inner][/fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_6″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” render_logics=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no” border_position=”all”][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_6″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” valign_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ hover_type=”none” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no” border_position=”all”][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true” spacing_right=””][fusion_text]

    No doubt you may be growing many of these plants in your garden already, so you can start adding them to your cooking immediately!

    If not, they’re all common garden plants that are easy to grow & many of the smaller plants, such as violas, are perfect for containers. So, if your outside space is lacking your culinary embellishments needn’t be!

    Ask for help at your local garden centre if you aren’t sure which plants would be best for your garden.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”circles” id=”” background_color=”#286d17″ background_image=”” background_position=”left top” undefined=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”30″ padding_right=”30″ padding_bottom=”30″ padding_left=”30″ margin_top=”10″ margin_bottom=”10″ animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”false”][fusion_text]

    Tip:

    Poke holes into large plastic bottles

    & bury next to your plants. Fill with water

    & lightly screw the cap back on

    for an easy way to keep

    plants hydrated.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true”][fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_position=”all” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true” spacing_right=””][fusion_imageframe image_id=”28654″ style_type=”none” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align=”none” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” alt=”red-hot-poker” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]https://new.daviddomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/red-hot-poker.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text]

    My new garden is a sun-trap. Which plants can you recommend?

    Herbs are fantastic for a sunny garden, especially lavender and rosemary. Try Mediterranean style plants such as red-hot poker or rock rose – as a rule of thumb, plants with silvery green foliage are better suited to hotter climates. You could even try an olive tree in a large pot to add some height and structure. With plenty of sun your tree may even bear fruit.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_position=”all” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”false”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”8546″ style_type=”none” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align=”none” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” alt=”fresh radishes” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]https://new.daviddomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/how-to-grow-radishes.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text]

    Why do my radishes come out woody and pretty much inedible?

    Radishes should be sown little and often throughout the summer for a regular supply. Small radish varieties will quickly lose their crisp texture if left in the ground for too long. Make sure you are harvesting your radishes while they are still young to avoid that woody texture – they are usually ready to harvest around four weeks after sowing.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column_inner][/fusion_builder_row_inner][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container admin_label=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ padding_top=”0″ padding_right=”80″ padding_bottom=”0″ padding_left=”80″ type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true”][fusion_separator style_type=”single solid” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”#d3d1d1″ top_margin=”20px” bottom_margin=”20px” border_size=”2″ icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true” spacing_right=””][fusion_text]

    For more unusual uses for plants, check out my blog:

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”false”][fusion_text]

    Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas:

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last=”false” border_position=”all” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”false” spacing_right=””][fusion_imageframe image_id=”42956|large” max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”none” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”grow-your-own-garnish” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ 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