Welcome to Trevor’s Kitchen Garden.
This is where I will post information and ideas on growing your own food, based mostly on my own experience. I’ve been growing my own food for some years now and find it a great source of pleasure, nourishing for body, mind and spirit.
This is not a political site, it’s just about growing your own food. My political site is at www.trevorsargent.ie.
This site is intended for beginners who want to grow their own food. I know that a great many people want to do this but just don’t know how to get started. I’ll keep things simple throughout; after all, growing food is a simple, natural activity. As well as creating a diary of what I’m doing in my own garden each week, I’ll include some video clips to show you just how easy it is.
So, thanks for visting Trevor’s Kitchen Garden. Come back soon so see how my garden grows. Better still, why not copy what I’m doing and we can compare results!
Trevor Sargent
1 February 2009
Posted by Yvonne on July 17, 2009 at 10:03 am
To Trevor, Lorcan and all, well done great site, thumbs up for design and content! sounded great on the radio! Yvonne
Posted by Trevor Sargent on July 21, 2009 at 12:14 am
Thanks Yvonne for the encouragement. Regards. Trevor
Posted by James O'Donnell on July 17, 2009 at 10:10 am
Hi Trevor
Im 19 and have finished my leaving certificate,at this stage im bored stiff and would like to start growing my own vegetables.Is this the wrong time of the year?.What could you recommend i do,should i be planting seeds to be ready for some time later in the year.I understand you’re very busy but i would be very gratefull for any tips.
Posted by Trevor Sargent on July 21, 2009 at 12:13 am
Hi James. August is a good month to prepare ground for autumn planting. I’d set out 4 plots as the basis for a 4 year rotation. Plot A I’d sow a green manure crop such as phacelia. (Ask about it in a gardening shop.) Plot B I would dig in some compost if you have any and cover with old carpet or cardboard to keep it weed free. Cabbage family will, be sown in plot B. Plot C plant broad beans at the end of October, leave room for runner beans and peas to be sown in Spring. In Plot D, plant Winter onion sets such as Radar in September and leave space in Plot D for garlic cloves which can be planted in November. Next year, the plot D onion family move and Plot A becomes the onion patch, A goes to B and so on. This avoids disease build up and helps maximise yields. Good luck and keep an eye on the kitchen garden site. Regards. Trevor
Posted by Mary White on November 7, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Hi Trevor,
Had a look at your garlic this morning! Impressive. Just come in from the tunnel. The earthed-up celery is looking good, tied it up with raffia ,then moulded up. Should be good for Christmas dinner!. Just picked some courgettes to make ratatouille and our carrots are doing fine. Won’t be sowing our garlic till March. Leeks re very poor – more like pencils. Very disappointing. I think it’s the wet, dull summer. Never had such a poor crop.
Mary
Posted by Patrick J. Flannery on February 24, 2010 at 12:12 am
Trevor, I’m really sorry to see that you had to resign your Dáil seat — Keep up the good work with your green thumbs and this Website…. Hopefully, and in a matter of time, you’ll be back in the Oireachtas.
Good luck!
Patrick Flannery in San Francisco
Posted by Valerie O'Connor on February 25, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Hi Trevor
My sympathies for what is going on in government for you right now. It’s not ok.
I interviewed you at An t’Ionad Gals in Drumcollagher a few weeks ago and am just sending you the video link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehvzgQXpFiA
Best of luck with everything
Valerie
Posted by Trevor Sargent on April 21, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Hi Valerie,
Thanks for the video link and the thoughts. I’ll not be distracted from pursuing the interests we discussed in Drumcollogher regardless of Government involvement.
Le meas glas.
Trevor
Posted by gardener on May 8, 2010 at 9:45 am
Hi Trevor, I learn from your weblog since view month ago , I really enjoy it, now can I link exchange with you? thank’s before. cheers from me
Posted by EILEEN on July 5, 2010 at 8:42 pm
HALLO TREVOR I WOULD GREATFUL FOR ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE ME ON WHAT I CAN GROW IN POLLYTUNNELL I AM A BEGINNER
Posted by Trevor Sargent on July 15, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Hi Eileen,
I notice the Irish Seed Savers website has a ‘starter pack for polytunnels’ in the seed catalogue section which costs from €10 and lists toamatoes, pepers, salad greens and cucumbers along with instructions. Apart from that I see goods books now available in shops as polytunnel growing has increased in popularity over recent years.
Le meas glas,
Trevor
Posted by Trevor Sargent on February 10, 2010 at 1:57 pm
BrídBrí, a Chara,
Thanks for making contact. Not aware of allotments close to where you live. City Council is the authority responsible for responding to such a request. Maybe a note to the City Manager would be a start. Meanwhile, I’m keen to get as many back and front gardens growing some food. The food picked outside the kitchen door is even fresher that allotment produce, and easier to maintain. Even containers, grow bags and windowboxes are handy and productive. Le meas glas. Trevor
Posted by Trevor Sargent on February 10, 2010 at 4:48 pm
John, a Chara.
Glad you’re planning on onions and carrots. Onions sometimes are affected by damp so a sunny spot is best. Carrots like sun too but the main consideration is to prepare a seed bed with a good tilth. I mix soil with compost and fill large pots. The pots are about 2 feet high and maybe this is the reason I have escaped attacks by the low flying carrot root fly. Not sure it will make much difference which varieties you choose. Just check your onion seeds or sets are for Spring sowing if sowing now.
Le meas glas,
Trevor
Posted by Trevor Sargent on April 21, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Alice, a Chara,
Living over 20 miles from Dublin city means I might get along if asked now and again. I do get asked to speak at various GIY meetings around the country and launched the national GIY organisation for Michael & Co in WIT Waterford last Sept with Darena Allen and Clodagh Mc Kenna. Some groups like Naul GIY have asked can they visit http://www.trevorskitchengarden in reality and so my garden inBalbriggan, 37 Tara Cove is open for GIYers at 7pm on Thurs 10th June 2010. You and friends are very welcome, good train service and refreshments too.
Beidh fáilte romhat.
Trevor
Posted by Trevor Sargent on April 21, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Hi William.
Thanks for the feedback. I hope things are well where you are allotmenteering.
Le meas.
Trevor