Companion plants for organic vegetable growing
Companion planting is the age-old practice of pairing plants to attract pollinators, deter pests, and enhance flavour – all without the use of chemicals. Here, author and allotmenteer Rob Smith…
Five easy-grow organic vegetables for beginners
If you want to know exactly what’s in your food, growing your own organic vegetables is a great place to start. We asked Rob Smith, the author of ‘Grow to…
Why buy organic vegetable seeds?
Organic vegetable seeds are the building blocks of a garden that works in harmony with nature. Harvested from parent plants that have been grown in strictly regulated environments, they support…
How to grow chillies from seeds & plants
Here, expert grower Rob Smith explains everything you need to know about growing chillies, whether you sow your own chilli seeds or invest in potted chilli plants to grow on…
5 reasons everyone should grow chillies at home
We asked gardening author and allotmenteer, Rob Smith, why everyone should try growing these flavour-packed and ornamental little fruits. Here’s what he said…
The best tasting chillies to grow at home – from mild to wild
From the mild jalapeño to the scorching Carolina Reaper, expert grower Rob Smith discusses their unique and interesting flavours and versatile culinary uses to help you choose the best varieties…
What are the 5 main types of chilli pepper?
To help you choose the best varieties to grow in the UK, we asked chilli expert Rob Smith to summarise each of the five main types.
Turning up the heat: the world’s hottest chillies
In this article, gardening author and experienced chilli-grower Rob Smith explores five of the hottest chillies on the planet. Get ready to turn up the heat!
How to cook & preserve chillies
Whether you sow your own chilli seeds or buy potted chilli plants to grow on the kitchen windowsill, here’s how to preserve your chillies and enjoy their fiery flavours all…
How and when to harvest chillies
Here, expert chilli grower, Rob Smith, shares his top harvesting tips including how to know when your fruits are ripe, how to increase or decrease the heat level, and sensible…