BRINGING THE JOY TO VEG GROWING

I discovered Joy Larkcom’s work a few years ago, and realised that my favourite TV gardeners had been inspired by her. The more of her books that I read, the more I am in awe of what she has achieved. Joy is like the great Victorian plant hunters who combed the planet for exotics, but with vegetables instead of rhododendrons! She has spent her life pushing the boundaries of vegetable growing and, despite her unassuming manner, has had a huge impact on the way we grow and eat vegetables and salads.

A VEGETABLE TREASURE HUNT

A trained horticulturist, Joy is scientific in her approach. In 1976 she went on a year-long European veg tour. Her husband Don gave up his job and spent the year doing the domestic duties