It’s simple – give peas a chance. Tomatoes too. And there’s also rocket and runner beans…
At this wondrous time of year, nature is shooting up all around us.
Overnight, plants are perceptibly growing, the blossom on pear and apple trees are opening up ready for the buzz of pollination.
Wild garlic is ready for snipping, even young nettles too can make a tasty and incredibly nutritious soup.
For a moment, forget the macro issues going on around the world… and concentrate on a bit of local micro magic.
Growing peas and veg couldn’t be easier. Any novice, completely un-greened-fingered-veg-wannabe-growers out there? Check out my book: The High-Heeled Gardener, it will tell you everything you need to do to get veg growing. With a few (perhaps too many) added jokes.
Here’s the plan, simply pop down to Camden Garden Centre, or Boma, buy a packet of peas, tomatoes, rocket and runner beans.
For the peas, place one in any old pot , with drainage holes, fill with seed compost, pop it on a window ledge in doors and water daily.
Debbie Bourne is encouraging everyone to have a go at growing their own veg (Image: Debbie Bourne)
After one week you’ll find tiny shoots popping it. It’s enchanting. Watch them grow.
Two weeks later take them outdoors for a couple of hours – hardening them off, Then plant them in a giant pot with compost outdoors, or if you have a garden, in the ground.
Water and watch them grow… and they will. By end of May/June you’ll be eating peas.
Tomatoes are equally as easy to grow, but note, they take two weeks to germinate.
In May, runner beans can be sown straight outdoors and will start shooting up within a couple of weeks. How about having a rocket race with the kids?
Simply scatter rocket seeds outdoors and within four weeks you will be eating rocket.
But back to the peas, join Transition Kentish Town at a street swap at the Hampstead Heath Education Centre on Saturday, April 18, from 10am to 2pm.
Not only will you have the chance of swapping anything you no longer need for some fab item – the last swap had printers, steam cleaners, a guitar and more, but you can also take home a free pea plant!
Also, join us at Primrose Hill Community Centre on Thursday, April 23 for an inspiring People’s assembly discussing how we can all reimagine waste as opportunity.
We might bring a few tomato plants for you to take home.
It’s info@thinkanddocamden.org.uk for more info or to sign up.
