I have a large collection of gardening books. Seriously, combined with my cooking books, they pretty much occupy the two floor to ceiling bookshelves built into the alcoves in our dining room. However, I want… More
The art of growing courgettes
Growing courgettes successfully is both the easiest and hardest thing to get right.
Sow in the warmer temperatures of May, the courgette seeds germinate quickly and the plants grow strong and fast with very little problems. The courgettes start appearing as early as June. That’s the easy bit. Continue reading “The art of growing courgettes”
Allotment Jobs for April
What a difference a month makes.
I wrote my March allotment jobs on the cusp of the Coronavirus Crisis. In the space of four weeks, the world has become a different place. Continue reading “Allotment Jobs for April”
Allotment jobs for March
Two years ago, March began in the midst of the Beast for the East. Bitterly cold weather, heavy snow and blizzards combined with Storm Emma and created some of the most difficult weather the UK had experienced for years. Continue reading “Allotment jobs for March”
Allotment Jobs for February
February is a month that both excites and frustrates me as a gardener. Daylight is reaching a crucial number of hours this month, some seeds can be sown but it’s important to remember it’s still winter.
Continue reading “Allotment Jobs for February”
Allotment Jobs for January
The garden is quiet. In my mind’s eye, January is a dark, wet and bare month. However, I have learned that when you look or when you build a relationship with nature (as we do as gardeners) the reality is there is some colour to be found in the middle of winter and there is always life. Continue reading “Allotment Jobs for January”
Book Review: Edible Paradise
In 2007 I wanted to grow vegetables for the first time but had nothing more than a concrete square for a garden. I know this is a common situation for many people.
Allotment jobs for September
It’s the end of the school summer holidays. Having an allotment is not just about growing food. It’s certainly a place to occupy children during the six-week break. However, if you embrace your plot and the community of people that come together at your allotment site you find they offer so much more.
(Note: There are some affiliate links in this post, which means you can click on them to buy. If you do, I may get a small fee. It doesn’t affect the price you pay.) Continue reading “Allotment jobs for September”
Allotment Jobs for July
The memory of last July is seared into my mind. Recalled through a painful cringe.
When gardening took hold
I haven’t always been a gardener.
My good friend Andrew O’Brien recently invited me for a brief chat on the latest episode of his beautiful podcast and he asked me about my gardening. Has it always been there? When did it begin? Continue reading “When gardening took hold”
Allotment jobs for May
It’s May. The month us gardeners seem to pin our hope’s on. The last frosts (for me anyway) the warmer temperature. The sunny days and the promise of more to come. It’s also my birthday month and so as I grow another year older, I will forget the numbers and embrace the green shoots and early radishes instead. Continue reading “Allotment jobs for May”
Sharpen your Spades 
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