Now all the festivities are over and it’s cold and wet outside the time has come to review the past year and plan for the future.
Here are a few of my thoughts from how things went in 2025.
I’ll start with tomatoes which are a basic staple for any vegetable garden. In the greenhouse I grow mainly beefsteak varieties as they do badly outside in our climate. The two varieties that I would recommend are Buffalosteak and Country Taste. These can be bought as plug plants or grown from seed. In general big varieties mature later than traditional greenhouse types but they do make wonderful tomato sauce!
The two standard varieties for the greenhouse that I would recommend are Shirley which produces a plentiful crop of medium sized fruit of a good flavour and Golden Delicious for small yellow fruit with a tinge of orange. They do have tendency to split which is why they are not usually available in shops but their flavour is outstanding so don’t be tricked into buying “ improved “ varieties as they do not have the same flavour. For those who like their tomatoes red Gardeners Delight is a good alternative.
Outside I only grow blight resistant varieties and here I would recommend Crimson Plum and Cocktail Crush for medium sized tomatoes and Crimson Cherry for smaller fruit.
Remember tomatoes need horse manure, soot, lime and magnesium sulphate in the soil and to be fed with a seaweed based feed.
For the amateur gardener it’s really only worth growing first early and second early potatoes. For very early first earlies Swift is the best but Red Duke of York and Sharpes Express come bit later and have better flavour. For second earlies I think Charlotte is the one of choice. All these can be grown in the ground or in potato sacks or old dustbins. They can be planted in late February or early March if given some warmth and protection such as in a greenhouse.
Owing to advancing age I’ve had to give up my vegetable plot at Balneath Manor and this has concentrated my mind on to what is really worth growing if space is limited.
The obvious ‘must’ is herbs as they are continually needed but often in relatively small quantities. Thyme , sage and rosemary can easily be grown in large pots and will last for years. Chives and garlic chives can be grown in pots or old window boxes and will keep going for a number of years. Basil, dill, parsley and coriander have to be repeatedly sown annually but again do well in old window boxes.
Then one has to think what gives better flavour when homegrown. The answer of course is most things but one I value most is fresh peas so try Douce Provence. If space allows dwarf French beans and runner beans are well worth it.
Most salad crops do well in old window boxes and buying in half a dozen plants at a time allows for continual production.
Chard is well worth growing since it lasts through out the year , is very versatile in the kitchen and almost impossible to buy. I prefer the old fashioned white silver type over the rainbow varieties. This is because it is more vigorous , stands better through the winter and the thick white stems are delicious.
Somethings I just like growing and foremost amongst these are chillies. They produce attractive plants that can be grown in pots. The number of varieties is huge so unless you already have a favourite try Prairie Fire for small hot little chillies growing on an attractive small plant or Cayenne for standard sized hot red chillies good in the kitchen. But for the really decadent amongst you I recommend Bishops Crown. When red cut in half and remove the seeds and pith and fill with cream cheese. Then go and find a glass of red wine and sit down and relax!
Happy New Year
Good Gardening and remember our shows
Peter Estcourt