Stinging Nettle - Urtica dioica

Many folk despise the common nettle: it's sting and vigorous growing habit are enough to send gardeners into a weeding frenzy. But before doing so you should at least know a little more about this plant.

Species
I'm focusing on the common nettle also known as the stinging nettle. This being the more common, so much so that if you want lots of it it wont be hard to find.

Uses
Nettles take up various nutrients from the soil - nitrogen, phosphate, iron, protein and silica. So, nettles make a good addition to the compost heap as well as making a great liquid fertilizer:

Get hold of some nettles and push them into the bottom of a container, cover with rainwater and soak for a month or two. To use, sieve and dilute the liquid produced with more rainwater in a 1:10 ratio. There is a problem with wet fertilizer being extremely smelly so don't get it on your hands! To combat this you can try dry nettle fertilizer that is made by doing the above but without water. The resulting liquid should be diluted so it looks like weak tea.

Fight aphids by doing the above but only soak for a few days before adding to a sprayer and applying to the aphid horde.

Nettles usually grow early in the year and a patch of them in an unused corner will attract some early pests and, with them, predatory insects. Chop down the nettles (for use as above) and the predatory insects will hopefully stick around your garden chomping on other pests.

Nettle roots are deep growing and can help break up hard soil so great for no-dig gardeners.

The stalks of mature nettles can be used for cordage.

There are many natural remedies associated with nettles, too many to list here. Try The Uni of Maryland for some details.

Companions
Nettles make great companions for currants: allow them to grow amongst currants or plant currants in old nettle beds. They will benefit from the nettle's ability to drag up nutrients and increases the currant's immunity to disease.

Soil
Nettles don't seem that fussy and will be prolific if left unchecked.

Location
Anywhere but probably in a shady corner where not much grows.

Planting
If you fancy some nettles in your garden then chances are the local nursery is not going to stock seed. So, find some in the wild and dig up a section or a young nettle to transplant. They'll self seed but be warned that they will grow quite tall!

Sources & Information
Medicinal uses from Maryland Uni'
Much of the information is from Tips from the Old Gardeners, by Duncan Crosbie
If the words genus or species makes you moist then Wiki has an article
Lucy for info on dry and wet nettle fertilizer.

Growing Dome

Via Treehugger a series of photos documenting a guy building a Geodesic Dome Solar Greenhouse. It looks absolutely brilliant and he reports growing fruit and veg 1 to 2 months earlier than usual.

Linky

I'll have 3 please!

Garlic - Allium Sativum

One of the oldest medicinal remedies in the World and a lovely hardy annual to put in the ground when summer veggies have given up.

Species
Two main types: hard-necked (Ophios) and soft-necked (Sativum).

Dimensions
Grow 6" apart (.15m) with rows the same distance apart. If you're growing particularly big ones then increase this.

Timings
Garlic should be planted from around October to December time.
Ready about June to August (you'll know as the tips turn yellow) however wet summers can cause problems, read more here.
Start feeding regularly in spring.

Soil
Overly moist soil will rot garlic so make sure the ground is free draining - mix in sand if your soil is heavy.
Deep, moderately fertile soil is good.

Location
Full sun is good.

Planting
Garlic from the supermarket will grow but for the best crop go for a locally sourced one that will be more adapted to your climate.
Break the garlic up into cloves and plant two inches deep.
Garlic can be stored for a good while if kept cool and dry so no need for staggered planting times.
Garlic can also be grown in pots, read more here.

Companions
Interplanted with aphid prone plants is a good idea as they don't seem to like garlic (mini vampires?)

Care
A protective mulch will help protect growing bulbs.
March onwards make sure to feed the garlic as this is when they start growing a lot.
When most plant tips are yellow, pull them up and brush off soil. Hang them somewhere to dry thoroughly then transfer to storage. Remember to keep a couple of the best cloves for next year!

Pests and Problems
Growing using your own garlic raises the chance of disease, read more.
Some trouble shooting tips here.

Varieties
Purple Glazer - looks good, sweet warm taste. Good raw or roasted.
Silverskin - the supermarket regular. Good storing variety.
Asiatic - More delicate in flavour.

Sources & Information
Video of garlic planting
Good article from GardenAction.com
Garlic for medicine article
Great photo from freedigitalphotos.net

Kale - Brassica oleracea

Kale is a highly nutritious, hardy plant that tolerates moderate heat and all but the coldest winters - when touched with frost the edible leaves become sweeter.

Spring Kale

Dimensions
Depending upon variety kales can grow to about 12 to 36 inches(30-90cm) wide, 12-24 inches(30-60cm) high.

Soil
Moderately fertile, free draining soil.

Planting
Kales can be quite big so 1 or 2 is good unless you have a large family. They can be grown in pots to save space in beds. Kale can be started indoors, away from frost, if you fancy an early crop, or straight into soil half an inch deep.

Location
Full sun is best but partial shade is also good.

Companions
Kale is no fan of very hot weather - maybe grow a tall plant around it to give shade e.g. sweet corn.

Care
A mulch will lessen the chance of the soil drying out and keep the soil warmer over winter - straw is a popular winter mulch.

Pests and Problems
Kale is a member of the cole crops which should never be planted in the same place as another cole crop for a season or two (crop rotation should be employed). Soil around the kale can be mixed back in the compost heap to rejuvinate it.
A number of problems can occur with kale as other brassicas, here's a list.

Eating
When the plant is of a moderate size it can be eaten as a cut and come again crop. Young leaves can be eaten raw, older leaves can be cooked but too old they wont be so nice.
After spring kale will start to send up flowering shoots that can be eaten like broccoli. The flower is also edible.
A good source of calcium and iron.

Timings
Kale can be planted from spring, after the last frosts, to July - can be started indoors.

Varieties
White Russian is good as a cold weather salad crop.
Winterbar - bluegreen frily leaves.
Redbar - purple frily leaves.

Sources & Information
Brassica pests and problems
US based overview
Great overview from growingtaste.com
Verrry long article courtesy of MotherEarthNews

Pictures
Spring kale - harvestwizard.com
Kale bed - eHow.com

Gooseberry - Ribes grossularia

Species
European(R. grossularia) is better tasting than the American variety (R. hirtellum) and will grow in the US so I'll concentrate on this species.

Type
Hardy, self-fertile, deciduous shrub

Dimensions
Will grow about 3'(.9m) high and 6'(1.8m) wide although easily pruned to a smaller size. Commonly pruned so growth stands on a 6 inch trunk. Also can be grown as a cordon - cordons should be planted 14"(.35m) appart and will grow 6' high(1.8m).

Soil
Reasonably fertile, well drained but not dry.

Location
Sunny is good for more cooler climates. Morning sun and shade, like north facing walls, in warmer areas e.g. California.

Planting
Dig lots of compost into site and transplant an already growing bush.

Feeding
Needs high potassium and moderate nitrogen. Mulch a couple of inches thick around the base.

Companions
Dwarf comfrey may be good for feeding.
Different varieties of gooseberry to extend growing season.

Care
Mulch well to keep roots moist and protected from the sun. Prune old, woody growth to within 1 inch of their base. Side shoots on left over growth should be cut to 5 leaves length to open up the plant.

Pests and Problems
Mildew can be caused by too much nitrogen.
Spider mites, boarers - stems will wilt and die.

Timings
Plant October to February - October being best as soil is still warm.
Main growth in spring.
Prune about February to March.
Fruits July and August. Pick some May to June, for cooking only, to encourage other fruit to grow larger.
May take up to 2 years to fruit.

Recommended Varieties
Leveller - good taste.
Whinhams - shade hardy small plant with red fruit.
Invicta - smaller variety, lots of fruit.
Hinnomaki Red - fruit is red when ripe.
Pax - resistant to mildew and almost thornless.

Sources & Information
Good overview from BBC
Gardenaction's overview
CRFG's very detailed overview

Squash - Cucurbita genus

There are two main types of squash: winter and summer. Summer varieties have soft skin that can be eaten, the most notable being the zuccini or courgette. Winter varieties are tougher skinned and have to be peeled and cooked but store very well.

Planting
Squash needs a good warm summer to grow well and should be planted well after the last frosts. Seeds can be started somewhere warm but if soil outdoors is warm enough they'll do fine in situ. There is a recomended method of planting them on hills, more info here.
Squash can be trained vertically to save space. Stems will need to be tied and fruit supported with fruit nets. This is a good idea as squash can spread upto 4m when very healthy!

Uses
Squash are ready for picking when the skin is hard and darkens. Stored in a dry place they last for months.
Butternut squash is great for soup. Also good roasted.
The flowers and young shoots of some varieties are also edible.

Companions
Squash is part of the three sisters planting method. It effectively covers the ground and protects it from the sun and errosion so any tall plants may benefit.

Care and propagation
Squash are hungry and thirsty plants so a good mulch will be useful. It'll be also good to employ some efficient watering. I've started a basic guide to watering that needs some work. Some vines can be pruned to increase fruit growth.

Pests and Problems
If you're going to save seeds for planting you have to be sure not to cross polinate with other squash varieties as fruit may not grow properly.
Squash and other members of the Cucurbita genus are suseptable to different problems but different plants can be tried until one is found to be successful in your plot.

General links
Wiki has a pretty good article with a good list of the different varieties.

Growing Links
Great growing tips for people that don't have the sunniest weather, here.

Picture
Squash picture from here

Rose - Rosa

"Sacrilege!", I hear you cry. The rose's beauty is such that whole gardens are dedicated to them and they just happen to be very edible. As with all edible flowers, be sure of its identity and that it's not had chemicals used in its growth.

Uses
Not only are they an edible decoration for salads but I've also seen petals used in jellys for a pleasant effect. Also found is a recipe for rose petal sauce.

Planting
There are so many different roses each being able to tolerate different levels of sun and soil.
Depending on the type of rose: planted in a row can make a great feature and some can be used as hedges; cover for walls; main use I've seen is focal points.

Companions
There are companions that can deter pests, increase scent and help add nutrition to the soil. This is a good article with lots of detail. On the flip side roses could be used as a distraction from your other plants so that you're only treating the roses not your treasured veggies.

Care
Pruning is essential for roses to encourage new, vigorous growth. Dead heading encourages new flowers but maybe not let the flowers die and eat them instead!
Pruning will depend on the type of rose: BBC have a good, general article.
A good rich mulch - like manure - over winter will give roses a good start in spring. During the rest of the year green mulches that provide nutrients would be great.

Pests and Problems
Aphids are always a problem. A weak solution of water and natural soap is good. There is also the idea of letting the pests have their way and in time nature will balance itself out - in the case of aphids probably predatory insects that can be encouraged.
There are disease resistant varieties available if you have such problems.

Planting Links
Companion plants for roses article

Care Links
General pruning article from the BBC
Alternative pruning article with plenty of detail

Pictures
Rose Arch from here

Intensive growing affecting food nutrition

Nutitional values of intensively grown crops is on the decline - Motherearthnews reports.

Link to story: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/Nutrient-Decline-Industrial-Farming.aspx

When something is selectively grown for quantity, not quality, it is hardly surprising that the nutritional value is going to decrease. I've always felt soil is so important when growing a plant and if this is not rich enough in nutrients and minerals then the food is hardly going to be so. Oil based fertilisers provide nutrition of course but is just not complex enough: they only provide what is needed for a high yield of the crop.

I'm sure the same is of intensively reared animals.

Yet another reason to have a go at growing your own!

Mint - Mentha

This mint post is inspired by memories of a visit to a local Moroccan restaurant where the Moroccan mint tea blew me away. The taste and smell of fresh mint is so invigorating and refreshing. Common types of mint are crinkle-leafed spearmint, spearmint, peppermint, and applemint.

(Picture from home to be added soon)

Planting
It should not given free reign as mint will spread quickly. Keep it in a pot or if in the ground then roots should be restricted. This can be done with a plant pot, drainage tube, of other such container - just make sure there is plenty of drainage.
Moist, nutrient rich, free draining soil is important.
A site that is not exposed to the full mid-day sun is important.

Companions
Mint can be planted with fruit to deter pests with its strong scent.

Care and Propagation
Mint take the mint as and when you need it and if you keep removing the flowers it will keep producing leaves up until Autumn. Take from the top but don't remove all leaves.
The most common method of propagation is division of the root ball. Plants can also be grown from cuttings - here's an article how from GW.
A mulch will conserve water and certain types will help feed the plant.

Pests and Problems
Pennyroyal mint should be avoided, even though the Romans used extensively in cooking it can be dangerous if a lot is consumed. Any distilled pennyroyal like essential oil is very dangerous. As always do your research and positively ID your edibles!
Rust can occur.

Uses
The flowers are also edible and could be used as a garnish for mint tea for a pleasing effect.
Pennyroyal mint can be used to deter fleas in animals and an insect repellent, source. A few leaves of peppermint rubbed over the face will give a cool feeling and repel many pesky insects.
Mint in a planter on a window sill will help deter flys from paying a visit.

Care and Propagation links
Wiki has a good overview of propagation
Detailed article on taking cuttings

General links
The mint family is a large one that includes thyme and marjoram, here's an article about the family.
Gardenaction has a good article, if you can see through the adverts.
Handy ideas from Tips from the Old Gardeners, by Duncan Crosbie.

Blueberries

Blueberries are the prime dark blue super fruit with lots of benefits to health and wellbeing.

Planting
Although plants will fruit by themselves blueberries planted with a different variety of blueberry will do best. They should be planted out after the last frost.
Blueberries tolerate part-shade and do well in full sun.

Soil
Acid based soil that is moist, free draining and fertile is great. A mulch of coffee grounds provide acid as do chipped pine wood and pine needles. Know of any more?

Adjusting the soils pH will take time so do this well in advance, your aiming for about 4 to 5.5 pH.

Companions
Cranberries are similar to blueberries in their acid loving habit. They can be planted together in the same pot with cranberries gathering round the bottom of the taller blueberry bush.

Care
Pruning should be carried out when the blueberry is dormant: at the end of the year, after fruiting, is good. More detail in growing links.


Pests and Problems
If you have lime heavy water - you get limescale in your kettle is a good indicator of this - don't water acid loving plants with it. Rainwater is a great option.
Pruning too hard can kill off any hopes for the next years fruiting as this is based on the previous year's growth.

General Information
Intro to Blueberries overview.
Good article with overview of many blueberry varieties.
Health Benefits of Blueberries, comprehensive article.

Growing
RHS overview of blueberry growing.
A guide to looking after blueberries.
Great article on pruning with plenty of detail.

Extensive article on growing (detail about 2 variety growing)

Problems
Good forum article with informative posts.
Forum posts on blueberries and problems they may have.

Images
Blueberry, Blueberry2