Page 45 - Simply Vegetables Spring 2021

even if some of the leaves are harvested for use. Also consider the foliage texture which if used well can be an intricate part of the design and provide a good interest for a long period, again longer than flowers.
If gaps appear in the beds / borders
use fast growing filler plants to fill them of successional / later maturing crops. Fast growing plants include basil (especially if started in modules and ready to plant out), chervil, dwarf French beans, parsley, Phacelia and lettuce. Later maturing crops include
Tea Border used to make infusions
leeks, winter cabbage, oriental greens, carrots (winter crop), chard and fennel.
Plants to Grow
Starting with the Brassicas, if you can
keep the pigeons and butterflies off them, Cabbage has a coarse texture with its large leaves and come in green, grey green and red colours. Red cabbage works very well and gives a long period of summer colour. The kales are also very useful for giving good colour and texture with green, grey green
Asparagus ‘Gijnlim’
and purple leaves which can be picked
for salads and cooking. They have a long growing period and can be planted over a long period. To give a bit of height to the display there is a purple Brussels sprout called Red Rubine which will give interest over a long period even into the winter. Lower growing is Kohlrabi with both purple and white forms.
Moving onto the legumes there are the runner and Climbing French beans which will give height to the bed and are available
Curly Kale ‘Rednex’
French Bean ‘Speckled Cranberry’
French Bean Purple Podded Pole
Simply Vegetables 45