GARDEN RAYMOND BLANC’s SEASONS
on the Heritage Seed Library run by the Henry net to keep pests off and we rely on good crop
Doubleday Research Association (HDRA), which rotation. I do find that the old varieties have
aims to promote organic gardening in the UK. a natural resistance to disease. Basically if
“They have some excellent varieties that aren’t something looks like it is not doing well we take
used commercially but have that good old- it out. Rocket, for example, is terribly affected
fashioned taste,” she says. by flea beetle in midsummer so we grow it early
Access to the HDRA Heritage Seed Library and start some more in August/September under
costs £20 or £15 to Garden Organic members.
Membership of Garden Organic costs £28
“We are entirely organic,”
(concessions for pensioners and disabled people
Anne-Marie confirms.
available) and includes discounts on items
from the Garden Organic catalogue. For more fleece. I leave a row outside the fleece so they
information see www.organiccatalogue.com. can eat that! Growing to suit the season is the
Her own personal favourite vegetable is the way to get good crops. In a hot, dry summer,
tomato. “Cherry, plum—just fresh from the the Asian and Oriental vegetables do well. In a
plant—I adore them.” wet year like this carrots and beetroot have been
It goes without saying that pesticides are off wonderful. Keeping the soil in good heart also
the menu in the Le Manoir vegetable garden. matters. Really anyone could do more or less
“We are entirely organic,” Anne-Marie confirms. what we do at home, if they remember these vital
“We use physical barriers such as fleece and points for good growing.”
VEG GROWING
MADE EASY
Buying ready grown plug plants gets
things off to a flying start. Delfland
www.organicplants.co.uk offers selection
packs all the year round. Their March salad
selection is a great way to get an early start
on lettuce.
If you have a greenhouse or a cold frame you
can grow mixed salad leaves right through
the winter. Just cut off leaves when they are
around 3in high and the plants will continue
growing. Try the various mixes available from
Thompson & Morgan.
Some local councils either sell or give away
Greentop, an excellent soil conditioner
made from garden waste. Ask at your local
recycling centre.
Growing in raised beds makes life easier. Use
old timber to make beds to suit the size of
your garden and fill to the top with a mix of
soil and well-rotted compost.
Weeds compete for water and nutrients so
keep them at bay with regular hoeing. Send
for as many seed catalogues as you can so
that you have a choice of varieties.
66 RAYMOND BLANC’s SEASONS www.raymondblanc.com
RBS9_Garden.kj.vp.indd 66 28/11/08 4:49:17 pm
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