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Q – What’s the best way to prune a blackcurrant plant?

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Bunny – When I pick the fruit I also prune that particular branch. Ebony (Ribes nigrum) is my favourite variety.

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Q – Why are my cauliflowers pink?

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Pippa – It could be serious fluctuations in temperature, a deficiency in the soil or possibly Boron.

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Bob – Some varieties are naturally pink or red.

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James – If the purple colour stains the water when it’s cooked, it will be an anthocyanin causing the colour. It is a chemical which plants in the Brassicaceae family produce, usually as a result of heat stress or lack of water. There’s a variety called ‘Graffiti’ which has been bred specifically for its purple colouration.

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Q – How do I increase the size of my rhubarb?

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Bob – Rhubarb needs rich soil and suffers from dry conditions. If it has come from another plant and has a mostly old, dead crown that has been transplanted, it doesn’t do well. You could remove the best parts and re-plant them in a site with a good manure covering.

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James – They grow in North East Asia on riverbanks and so they need lots of water and cool temperatures. High nitrogen soil is also important for tender stems.

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Pippa – The ‘Valentine’ variety is great.

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Bunny – ‘Poulton’s Pride’ variety is one you can pick for longer than the normal season.

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Q – If you could hybridise two plants what would they be?

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James – I love Physalis alkekengi (Chinese Lantern), it has a very beautiful bright red colour. There’s also Physalis peruviana (Cape Gooseberry, Inca berry, Golden berry) which has worse branches but delicious pineapple-tasting berries.

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Q – How can I convince my mum to grow a kitchen garden?

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Bob – Garlic is so expensive to buy that I definitely recommend growing that.

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James – Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles) is normally sold as ornamental but in Japan it’s used for both ornamental and culinary uses. It is a very common flavor in their cuisine. Amelanchier, which is known for its flowers, is also known as the ‘Juneberry’ Tree. Their fruit is a very delicious version of a blueberry. Also Amaranthus, artichokes, ornamental kale and garlic chives.

Bunny – I would increase your growing space by using the wall to create a hanging herb garden. Next to my kitchen I grow peppers, basil, turmeric on all of the windowsills.

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