Check for eggs (& caterpillars) regularly
We’re anticipating that we may all have more cabbage caterpillars to contend with than normal this year, but that’s just by judging on how many we’ve seen flitting about over…
Rocket Blog: Category: Problems & Pests
Dealing with greenfly & aphids
Greenfly and other aphids (blackfly, whitefly etc) can be a real pain in the veg patch. They’re not particularly fussy and will happily make themselves at home on many of…
How to prevent veg from splitting
Some vegetable plants are prone to splitting – particularly root veg like carrots and beetroot, as well as fruits like tomatoes and some brassicas, including cauliflower and cabbage. The main…
Fennel bulbs not forming?
If your bulb fennel is looking decidedly un-bulb like, as in the picture here, then we have three suggestions for you to consider: Not enough water Fennel is a thirsty…
Keep moisture levels consistent for best results
Irregular watering, i.e letting the soil in your veg garden go from very very dry to suddenly well watered, causes several issues that can be easily avoided if you aim…
3 top tips for growing mint
If your mint plants have grown to the sides of your pot, leaving a bare patch in the centre, or if it’s almost flowering and you’re wondering whether to cut…
Looking after tomato plants – pests & diseases
Whether you’re growing in a greenhouse or outdoors, in pots or in raised beds, tomatoes are a plant worth looking after well to get the best crop. Here are some…
Growing potatoes? Top tips for the summer
Some ‘earlies’ may be ready for harvesting in the next few weeks, other ‘maincrops’ can stay in the ground for a couple more months. Here’s a guide to growing, harvesting…
Top Tips for Drought
Here are some top tips for looking after your veg patch when water is scarce… Water early in the morning, or at dusk – If you can water at these…
My Weed Nemesis: Bindweed – Notes from a Seasoned Grower
What’s your weed nemesis? Mine is undoubtedly bindweed. Honestly, it would gladly take over the entire garden each summer were it not for my attempts to restrict its growth. It…
Slug damage on sweetcorn plants?
The above photo was the sight met after those strong winds from the other day – sweetcorn plants snapped off at the base and blown around. At first, you might…
Why do leaves turn purple sometimes?
This is seen fairly often in the garden, where a plant’s foliage develops a pink-purple tint at the edge of the leaves, and if not addressed it can turn the…