Bananas in Blackfriars and Kiwis on balconies

If you are in the SE1 area and taking your daily walk this Bank Holiday, lookout for a myriad of tropical plants growing right in the middle of the city. In Webber Row, just off the Blackfriars Road you will find banana palms growing happily, and in nearby streets loquat trees. These exotic plants along with chocho or chayote, calabash and kiwis can all be found each summer producing an abundance of fruit and veg right in the middle of SE1.

Thanks to our wonderfully culturally diverse population who have brought growing expertise from their home countries, and London’s unique micro-climate, it is entirely possible to grow all sorts of produce even with the most meagre resources.

Nicola’s Gardening Tips this week provides a handy ready-to-print growing planner to help you decide what to grow and when.

And if you need materials Gardner’s World Magazine has published a list of suppliers who are still open and able to deliver here: https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/coronavirus-online-plant-retailers