Julian Gurr continues his family tradition on the Kentish land by growing vegetables and cut flowers on a small six acre Cranbrook holding.... During May time the soil is rotavated, compost and organic matter added before planting out. Weed suppression matting, and polythene helps cut down the need to weed while the flowers are sown or planted densely  to reduce the need for staking and hand watering is augmented with trickle irrigation.

“I grow what works, what’s easy, grows well and is popular. Cut and come again varieties are best”, explains Jules. There is an emphasis on summer blooms such as cheerful Cerise Cosmos, Zingy Zinnias, Vibrant Gladioli, Sunflowers, Marigolds, Dahlias and Asters. Successful core flowers are the basis and then the new varieties added each year – “Cosmos is the absolute best. I cut the blooms and they are back within two days. They don’t suffer from much and need little water”, he adds.   (Source - more from your garden, June 2010)

One year on Jules continues his flowers with additional space for more vegetables including, Courgettes  :  Leeks  :  Carrots  :  Chard  :  Asparagus  :  Sprouts  :  Sweet corn  :  Potatoes  :  Squash  :  Broad beans  :  Fennel  :  Broccoli  :  Cabbage  : There is nothing better than using our own home grown vegetables in my menus. Hopefully this year we have more than ever to use. :)

P.s. If anyone is passing Dulwich Prep School on the Golford Road we have our flower and plant kiosk which sells cut price flowers. Hopefully the flowers should be ready around early July time.