LEARNING THE BASICS
CHOOSING A GOOD SPOT
Your flower patch will be beautiful to look at but you should think of it as a place to harvest a crop. To maximise your haul, you’ll need to consider these points when choosing where to plant…
* A sunny situation is a must, with a minimum of six hours direct light a day.
* Check it’s not overshadowed – watch how shadows fall on the area during the day.
* Avoid being too close to hedges and trees as their roots will compete for water.
* A bit of shelter is good if possible. Nearby shrubs will offer protection from breezes.
* Choose somewhere you can reach with a hose, unless you value an arm work-out with watering cans.
∗ TOOLS ∗
There’s no need for a big investment here. We’d encourage you to borrow bigger items as you’ll only need them for a short time. If you are buying, look for spades and forks made from carbon or stainless steel. It’s also better to buy big tools in person rather than online – you need to see if they feel right for you and, importantly, aren’t
