Vegetable gardens for beginners

1. Gardening relaxes Sienna

If you want some company while you sow and rake, expert gardener Paul Merrett advises on getting a small portable radio. ‘Digging, planting and watering can all be lonely jobs’ he says. Sienna Miller has recently started growing her own fruit and veg and finds it very therapeutic: ‘I’m trying to make my place in the country self-sufficient – I’m planting a vegetable patch. I love having that balance in the life that I lead because it can get a little crazy.’

2. Barack puts peas in their place

Follow the Obama’s example and plan your patch before digging; they’ve isolated peas and herbs from other vegetables. Sam Kass, their assistant chef, has said that some of the veg grown will be cooked in the White House and some will be given to a local soup kitchen where the President has helped to serve lunch. Merrett says, ‘Take time to plan out what you wish to plant and create your beds around this plan. Permanent crops such as rhubarb and asparagus are great because they only require planting once.’

3. Grow herbs near to the kitchen

‘Grow all your herbs within easy reach of the kitchen, in your own garden. Don’t make the mistake of growing your herbs at the allotment,’ warns Merrett. ‘To the cook, adding herbs is often a ‘spur of the moment’ decision before a meal is served – the last thing you need before plating up lunch is a ten minute cycle ride to your allotment.’

4. Size isn’t everything

Don’t have space for an allotment? Herbs are tough wild plants and will thrive easily on your windowsill; they don’t even need full sunlight. Window boxes utilise small spaces really well. Rocket, chervil, parsley and red mustard will grow in shadey areas whereas thyme, sage, rosemary, tarragon and oregano prefer full sunlight. You can grow smaller varieties of fruit and veg in your window too. Plant cherry tomatoes in a grow bag or plant pot with a dish underneath and water regularly. Why not try out chillies and peppers too?

5. Vegetable growing tips from the Palace

‘I found garden centres a little restrictive in their choice of plants. The online option gave a far wider choice. Most garden centers sell the supermarket favourite variety of strawberry called Alicante. It is prolific and reliable but I think it lacks flavour against a Honeyoye strawberry or the French Gauruguette.’ Claire Midgley, the Deputy Gardens Manager for the Queen, has described the wide range of veg being grown at Buckingham Palace: ‘We have runner beans, Stuttgarter onions, Musselburgh leeks, sweetcorn, Red Ace beetroot, Fly Away carrots and an endangered variety of climbing French beans called Blue Queen.’ Very regal.

6. How the Queen’s garden grows

Opt for alternatives to harmful pesticides and chemicals. The Queen is setting a fine example by being a green gardener, says a palace spokeswoman. ‘Liquid seaweed has been used [at Buckingham Palace] to feed the plants and garlic is being used to deter aphids.’

7. Recipe

‘Learn to cook… quick!’ says Merrett. ‘Taking a keen interest in the cooking will also help to choose a particular variety of a certain crop over another.’

8. Insider knowledge

Get to know your local builder. Loft conversions are going up all over Merrett’s part of west London and they throw out a lot of heavy duty beams which are ideal for lining beds and paths around your veg patch. He gave his mobile number to the local builder who then called whenever he had a pile of timber for Merrett to put to good use.

9. Battle of the pigeons

Magpies and pigeons are big competition when it comes to vegetable consumption. ‘The answer was to cover the crops with net tunnels which I bought online from Crocus. Says Merrett. ‘They’re easy to store when not in use and simple to put up when needed.’

10. Fern plans the Good Life

Fern Britton is creating a vegetable patch at her family home. After leaving This Morning, she said: ‘My plans are to create a vegetable garden. I want to be mistress of my home and cook wholesome food for the children while smiling, instead of being tired.’