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Hoverfly | One of the beneficial insects, the larvae feed on a wide range of insect pests. Can be attracted by planting Limanthes (Poached Egg plant) and any of the umbelliferae |
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HSL | The HDRA's Heritage Seed Library, a way of preserving vegetable varieties that have been "de-listed" and are therefore not commercially available. Well worth trying as they have some excellent varieties join the HDRA at www.hdra.org.uk |
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Hyssop | Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis, labiatae)
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A hardy small (50cm) shrubby perennial herb with narrow aromatic blue-green leaves. Both leaves and flowers are good with fatty meats and fish. |
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Kale | Kale (Brassica oleracea, Brassicaceae)
A member of the cabbage family, an extremely hardy and tasty green, there are many different forms from the green Curly Kale to almost balck Cavollo Nero. |
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Kohl Rabi | Kohl Rabi (Brassica oleracea, Brassicaceae)
A member of the cabbage family cultivated for it's turnip shaped swollen stem. There are red/purple and green forms, it has a very mild taste for a brassica.
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Lavender | Lavender (Lavandula species, Labiatae)
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A hardy evergreen perennial herb, short and shrubby in appearance, with charecteristic lavender/blue flowers borne on spikes. The flowers are the most aromatic part of the plant and are used to flavour jams, vinegar, and sweets, they are also crystallised for decoration. South London was once a major area for the commercial growing of Lavender. The essential oil is a valuable perfume and flower tea can be used to treat anxiety, headaches and nausea amongst other complaints. The oil also has antiseptic properties. |
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Leaf Mould | Partially decomposed (composted) leaves, good as a soil conditioner and mulch |
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Leaky Pipe | Hose made for automatic or under surface irrigation systems, may be either hose with punched holes or actually manufactured from a porous material. Very useful under mulches. |
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Leatherjacket | The larva of Crane Fly (daddy long legs), are soil dwellers and feed on the roots of various plants. Look for fat grey/brown legless grubs that don't have a visible head, they can be up to 4cm in length. The nematode Steinernema feltiae is a commercially available natural predator, starlings also eat leatherjackets |
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Leek | Leek (Allium ampeloprasum, Alliaceae)
This member of the onion which resembles a giant spring onion is one of the most useful winter vegetables. Extremely hardy and tasty too.
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Lemon Balm | Lemon Balm (melissa officianalis, labiatae)
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A relative of mint, lemon balm (or balm) is a perennial herb, the leaves which have a strong lemon scent when crushed can be used in salads and iced drinks. |
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Lemon Grass | Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus, poaceae)
A member of the grass family this half hardy perennial herb although oriental in origin is rapidly gaining popualrity in the UK. Will do well in an unheated greenhouse or as a houseplant, widely used in Thai and other far eastern cuisines, also provides many essential oils. |
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Lettuce | Lettuce (Lactuca sativa, Asteraceae)
Believe it or not a relative of the thistle! Lettuce originates in the Mediterranean and was widely cultivated at least as long ago as the Roman era. There are many different forms and colours.
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Lime | Applied to increase the PH of acidic soils by adding calcium usually in the form of powdered limestone or chalk |
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Limestone | See Lime |
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Liquorice | Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra, fabaceae)
Although middle eastern or asiatic in origin Liquorice was once widely planted in the UK. The roots were used in medicinal and confectionery products, most famously Pontefract cakes. |
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Loam | A well balanced soil, not too sandy or rich in clay |
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Lovage | Lovage (levisticum officinale, umbelliferae)
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A hardy perennial, the leaves, seeds and roots all have culinary uses and the stems can be used as a replacement for angelica |
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Maiden | A tree in it's first year of growth, generally the best way to buy fruit trees as you can then use any training method you see fit. |
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Manure | Animal excrement used as a fertiliser, very strong should not be used undiluted unless composted |
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Marjoram, Pot | Pot Marjorum (origanum onites, labiatae)
A small hardy perennial, with culinary and medicinal uses, a little more bitter than Sweet Marjorum |
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Marjoram, Sweet | Sweet Marjoram (origanum marjorana, labiatae) also known as Knotted Marjoram, a half hardy perennial widely used in the kitchen for flavouring meats or vegetables. Also medicinal uses as a tea for colds and headaches. |
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Mint | Mint (Mentha species, Labiatae)
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Probably the most popular herb there is. There are far too many mint species to list, they include: spicata, rotundifolia and longifolia and many crosses, the photo above is peppermint. All are hardy perennials, some are tiny others can be 1m high, they all have aromatic foliage with a wide range of culinary and medicinal uses. |
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Misting | Some plants like a humid atmosphere to set fruit succesfully, the easiest way to achieve that is to mist with water using a sprayer |
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Mitsuba | Mitsuba (cryptotaenia japonica, umbelliferae)
Also known as Japanese Parsley a hardy perennial that can grow to 30 cm. The leaves have a celeryish flavour, can be used in salads or stir-fry dishes. |
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