Vegetable Growing

If you enjoy growing vegetables, then make a bee-line for the forthcoming RHS Hampton Court Flower Show - for the theme this year is definitely edible plants.

The RHS have confirmed that sales of vegetable seeds are outstripping those of flowers for the first time in memory, as growing your own veg returns to the halcyon days of World War 2. This soaring popularity with producing plants for food will be reflected by the displays at Hampton Court Palace early next month when, according to a report in the Enfield Independent, the show gardens will rely heavily on vegetables to bring home their medals.

There are also many amateur categories for home grown vegetables, fruit and herbs, whilst top chef Craig James of Quaglino's Restaurant fame will be demonstrating how to prepare gourmet meals using summer vegetables, herbs - and for those with a sweet tooth - soft fruits.

Of course, there will still be many beautiful floral displays to woo the flower loving brigade, but it's a sure sign that producing our own vegetables is a booming business. And it's not suprising; we've watched (over 3 million of us) Carol Klein in Grow Your Own Veg and so many of us bought the book of the series that it became no. 2 in the best sellers list.

Yet here at Harrod Horticultural we're bucking that trend, with Kitchen Gardeners Kate and Sharon hard at work planning edible and cut flower crops for next summer - and as long as the garden looks the part, it doesn't matter what you grow!

Click here for full details of the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, including opening times, admission prices and ticket availability.