Author bio:

Vicki Cooke

Vicki has had a varied career in horticulture, from vegetable seed producer with the Heritage Seed Library to conservation manager with Plant Heritage, via the walled kitchen garden at Hampton Court Palace. Now working with the National Plant Collections, the perfect place to combine a love of plants with an interest in the diversity, history and culture associated with them. Always with a soft spot for edibles and a member of the RHS Fruit, Vegetable and Herb committee.

There are 41 articles by Vicki:

Let us rewind, lettuce history

Posted on 31st May 2018 in Plants, Uncategorised

Vicki Cooke rewinds history and unravels the myths and magic of the humble lettuce

Growing pumpkins

Posted on 20th April 2018 in Plants

If you fancy growing pumpkins for autumn then now is the time to get growing! Vicki Cooke from Hampton Court Palace Kitchen Garden has some tips to get started.

Kales, Collards and Coleworts

Posted on 10th April 2018 in Plants

Hampton Court Palace Royal kitchen garden keeper, Vicki Cooke explores the weird and wonderful world of easy to grow kale

Spring beauty in the deep midwinter

Posted on 6th February 2018 in Plants

Plant historian Vicki Cooke unravels the origins of a great garden import – winter purslane; Otherwise known as spring beauty

The Hedge of Reason

Posted on 7th October 20188th October 2018 in Plants, Uncategorised

Hampton Court Palace Kitchen Garden Keeper Vicki Cooke explains the benefits of hedges and what to grow to create an edible hedge

How do I pickle my surplus vegetables?

Posted on 4th October 2017 in Garden Inspiration, Uncategorised

Here’s some top tips on preserving vegetables by pickling them. This is good for onions, cucumbers and beetroot to name a few veg.

Edible flowers

Posted on 3rd August 20174th August 2017 in Plants

Vicki Cooke explores a few historical plants that have been enjoyed in the garden and as edible flowers, including courgettes, marigolds and nasturtiums.