Table of Contents
Preface ix
Chapter 1 The Environment of the Patio 1
Why bother growing on a patio? 2
The basics of growing in pots and containers 3
Water, roots and shoots 3
What pots and containers you will need for growing produce on a patio 4
The best way to grow patio plants 7
Finding novel places to plant crops 9
It's a what? 12
Just how much can you grow? 12
Chapter 2 Planning for Crops All the Year Round 14
What tools do I need? 14
Trays and propagators 18
Providing a constant environment for seeds 18
Planning crops 19
Growing fruit 25
Chapter 3 Plants Grow Differently in Pots 28
What do plants need? 29
Types of compost 33
Support 34
Flavour 36
Skin 36
Companion planting 36
Chapter 4 The Patio Gardener's Year 41
In the winter 41
In the spring 43
In the summer 56
In the autumn 65
Chapter 5 How to Grow Vegetables on the Patio 69
Growing asparagus 69
Growing artichokes 71
Growing aubergines 72
Growing broad beans 73
Growing French and runner beans 74
Growing beetroot 75
Growing broccoli 76
Growing cabbage (summer) 77
Growing cabbage (autumn) 78
Growing calabrese 78
Growing carrots 78
Growing cauliflower 79
Growing celeriac 80
Growing celery 81
Growing chicory 82
Growing chillies 83
Growing courgettes 83
Growing cucumbers 85
Growing endive 86
Growing fennel 86
Growing garlic 87
Growing goji berries 89
Growing kale 91
Growing leeks 92
Growing lettuce 93
Growing mushrooms 94
Growing onions 96
Growing parsnips 98
Growing peas 99
Growing potatoes 100
Growing radish 104
Growing rhubarb 106
Growing samphire 108
Growing shallots 109
Growing spinach 110
Growing swedes 110
Growing sweetcorn 111
Growing tomatoes 112
Growing turnips 115
Chapter 6 How to Grow Fruit on the Patio 116
Growing apples 116
Growing apricots 120
Growing blackcurrants 121
Growing blueberries 122
Growing figs 123
Growing gooseberries 125
Growing grapes 126
Growing kiwis 129
Growing melons 132
Growing peaches 134
Growing pears 135
Growing pineapples 136
Growing raspberries 138
Growing strawberries 140
Growing citrus plants on the patio 142
Chapter 7 How to Grow Herbs on the Patio 146
Choosing and growing 147
Growing herbs 147
Growing anise 148
Growing basil 148
Growing borage 149
Growing burnet 149
Growing caraway 150
Growing catnip 150
Growing chamomile 151
Growing chives 151
Growing dill 151
Growing feverfew 152
Growing lavender 152
Growing marjoram 152
Growing marigold 152
Growing mustard 153
Growing mint 153
Growing parsley 154
Growing rosemary 154
Growing sage 155
Growing thyme 155
Growing valerian and verbena 156
Growing violet 156
Growing winter savoury 156
Growing watercress 157
Chapter 8 Varieties of Fruit and Vegetables 158
Different varieties 158
Index 163
