As part of our ‘From the Plot’ series, we’ve been talking to inspirational growers who share their wisdom and experience via Instagram. We recently spoke to Jess Hui from @jessukgardendiaries who started her kitchen garden a few years ago and hasn’t looked back since. See how she turned a neglected and weed-covered corner into a productive veg plot filled with colour, wildlife and amazing fresh produce…
I started with a kitchen garden
Jess in her kitchen garden and her growhouse filled with seedlings
Images courtesy of Jess Hui
I’m Jess, and my love for gardening began two and a half years ago. I had an unused area of my garden which was tucked around the corner and full of overgrown weeds. Keen to utilise the space, I decided to create a kitchen garden to grow my own food. I’ve always loved growing things. My grandparents had a kitchen garden, so growing was something that I was familiar with from a young age.
I like my veg plot to be beautiful and productive
Carrots, potatoes, chillies and beans harvested from Jess’s garden
Images courtesy of Jess Hui
My gardening style is best described as organised. I’m one of those people who like things to be in neat rows – tidy and structured. As well as being practical, I also like things to look aesthetically pleasing, although I do enjoy experimenting with different planting combinations, polyculture and companion planting. I always add colourful flowers near my veg beds to encourage pollinators and add a splash of colour.
My top tip for beginners is to take the time to get to know your garden. It’s very useful to know the type of soil you have and therefore add amendments to slowly improve it. Some plants need more sun, and some grow better in shade (e.g. salad crops) so it’s good to be able to map out the best location for each crop that you’re growing.
Welcoming more wildlife has really inspired me
Kohl rabi and purple cauliflower growing in Jess’s garden
Images courtesy of Jess Hui
Sometimes life can be demanding and stressful, so finding time to connect with nature can create a peaceful environment which is good for mental health. It’s been a pleasure to see the increased wildlife visitors to our garden. I also get a lot of inspiration from fellow gardeners, and I love seeing what other people grow. It’s a great way of discovering new varieties, planting methods and sharing ideas.
Colourful crops are my favourites
Tomatoes and squash harvested from Jess’s garden
Images courtesy of Jess Hui
My favourite crops are the colourful ones! Once I entered the world of ‘grow your own’ my eyes were suddenly opened to an array of colourful and unusual crops which I don’t often see in a supermarket.
From rainbow carrots to purple cauliflowers, there are a vast number of varieties. And it’s not just about how they look. Having lots of different coloured vegetables provides a broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds.
Inspiring others to grow food is really rewarding
It’s so lovely when people tell you that you’ve inspired them to grow something. It’s great to see other people share your passion and continue to pass it on to others. I’m especially pleased that my own children have been inspired to help, and show an interest in where their food comes from and how things are grown.
Grow like Jess
These showstopping carrots brighten up mealtimes
Image: Carrot ‘Rainbow Mix’ seeds from Suttons
If you want to grow like Jess, here are just a few of her favourites:
Follow @jessukgardendiaries on Instagram for colourful kitchen garden ideas and grow-your-own tips. To find more inspirational growers, check out our ‘From the Plot’ series for a wealth of practical advice.
