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There’s a fantastic number of allotment, kitchen garden and grow your own bloggers out there. I read as many as I can for inspiration, advice and to find out what everyone is getting up to.

Here are a few of my favourite articles and blog posts from June.

1. Less Gloom, More Bloom: How Plants Help Anxiety and Depression from Experience: David writes wonderful blog posts and produces great videos on growing your own in small spaces. This post is a little bit different, but I think hugely honest and important. I’m certainly someone who has found a tremendous amount of support for my own wellbeing from my allotment garden when I struggled with depression last year.

2. 6 Tips To Help Refurb an Old Greenhouse: Jono is in the process of creating a new growing space since moving house. If you take on an allotment and under the overgrowth, you discover a dilapidated greenhouse it’s not to be sniffed at, whatever the condition. They’re a fantastic resource for growing fruit and veg and expensive if bought new. If you find one on your plot or in the garden, it is well worth going to the effort of repair. Jono has one in his new garden and has 6 tips for getting a greenhouse ship shape.

3. It was ten years ago…: Flighty’s plot was one of the first blogs I discovered when I started blogging about my own allotment. Mike provides wonderful little snippets of his frequent visits to the allotment. Since following ‘flighty’ I’ve learned about tree following and enjoyed seeing some very special photos of wildlife, including foxes, that he’s captured during his early morning visits to his plot. I loved reading this post as Mike reflects on ten years since taking on his allotment.

4. Lacking Motivation: Katie’s blog really struck a chord with me because I’ve been feeling the same way over the last few weeks. Life – work or personal – can sometimes be hectic and not only puts pressure on us to manage the daily grind, it means things like our gardens and allotments will take a backseat. When you’re passionate about these things (and I’m sure you are), it can make us rather down. What I took from this post, however, was that even when this happens, if you pay the plot a visit, it’s surprising how much motivation you can find – no matter what first impressions bring.

5. 20 cool facts about the cucumber: I’m not going to lie, I’m a sucker for lists – especially facts. How could I resist when the Mr cool of the gardening world  (AKA Michael Perry) writes a blog post with a list of facts about the cucumber. If you want to know the origin of the phrase ‘as cool as a cucumber’, then read on for the answer to this and 19 other fascinating insights about this classic salad ingredient!

6. Crocks away!: You know that heat wave we had recently? Well, if you’d read this post by Judy, it might just have saved you some travel time to the plot or even the crop (especially greenhouse or polytunnel) you possibly lost. Here’s a genius way to keep your plants watered.

7. Introducing UnSkip: There are certain things about allotments that have become a bit of a stereotype. The idea of allotment holders being old men in flat caps and trousers is one that is certainly not true anymore – allotments are diverse communities and there are plenty of young people mixing with the old and this is hugely positive. The other stereotype is allotment plots full of make use of and recycled materials for a good purpose. This is a stereotype I’m in favour of. Over on Carrot Top’s blog, the clever, environmentally friendly grower is concerned with the amount of waste in the world at the moment so he’s built a website that hopes to combat this.

8. Pea and Broad bean Hummus: It’s certainly the month for legumes! I know I’ve been thrilled with the pea harvest this June. I know from a number of photos floating around the Twittersphere that I’m not the only one bagging up peas and beans. If you looking for another way to use them up, check out this great recipe from Claire. Yum.

9. Allotment half term report: I love seeing a review of the growing season so far and Midsummer is a great time to take stock. Jim has provided a fantastic review of the season so far on his allotment – achievements, failures and problems to overcome.

10. Sweetcorn: This is the kind of post that provides for polytunnel envy. I can’t wait to put one on our plot later this year. Why? Its June – check out Life on a London plot’s sweetcorn!

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