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Category: Allotment Diary

Sowing the right seeds

Published on March 18, 2017June 21, 2017 by Richard Chivers10 Comments

For the first time since I began growing my own, I’ve kept the promise to myself to have patience when sowing the first seeds. Continue reading “Sowing the right seeds” →

Categories Allotment Diary•Tags Allotment, Allotment Diary, seeds, sowing, Spring

Happy New Year – Allotment reflections and plans for the new season

Published on January 3, 2017March 26, 2017 by Richard Chivers10 Comments

Happy New Year!

January has arrived and I’m excited. It might be the middle of winter, but New Year always makes me feel rejuvenated. Continue reading “Happy New Year – Allotment reflections and plans for the new season” →

Categories Allotment Diary•Tags Allotment, GYO, New year

I'm Richard and I'm passionate about growing fruit and vegetables on our family allotment garden. Sharpen your Spades is a blog to inspire anyone to pull on their wellies and join in the movement to grow their own.

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This is what I needed today. The dahlias are still putting on a fantastic show. I found myself considering them in the autumn light as opposed to the brighter light of the summer. I think autumn wins. Soft, golden and sitting delicately upon these petals. In a word. Lush. . . . . . #allotment #dahlia #growyourown #homegrown #kitchengarden #sustainable #dahlialove #allotmentlife #gyo #epicgardening #flowerpower #organicgardening

Ava is 8 today! Someone recently told me that children act as a barometer of time. Specifically, how quickly it passes! We've had some fantastic time on the allotment. Swipe ➡️ to see a few of Ava on the allotment when we first started the plot. She still loves spending time with me on the allotment. Hopefully learning and enjoying the incredible experience of growing the food we eat. Long may it continue. Right, where's that cake.. . . . . . #allotment #veggiepatch #growyourown #homegrown #kitchengarden #sustainable #ediblegarden #allotmentlife #gyo #epicgardening #growyourownfood #organicgardening

The haul. A full trug of Orangita mini pumpkins from 4 plants. I've really been impressed with these from @dobies_gardening The plants are compact and take up little room on the plot. They have produced four or five fruit on each and some were ready in late August too. We've eaten a few this week. They are delicious when roasted and work well in a risotto. If space is tight for you in the garden, I'd definitely give these a thumbs up for you to try next year. Happy Friday by the way 😉 . . . . . #allotment #gardens #instadaily #allotmentlife #pumpkin

What a great feeling. I made a visit to the allotment tonight. It's been over a week due to work and the creeping darkness getting closer to the end of the working day. This is autumn light. It's delicious. My main reason to get to the plot was to check on my polytunnel. Thankfully despite the horrendous storm conditions that challenged Wales last week, it's still standing. A few minor tears to repair. Relieved! I've started to clear the beds of weeds and spent crops. It's a delight to do this at this time of year. Also the big overgrown area at the back is the final area of this allotment. I've made a plan which is exciting. More veg. Lots of flowers and a big shed for me to sit and drink beer.. obvs 😉 . . . . . #allotment #veggiepatch #growyourown #homegrown #kitchengarden #sustainable #ediblegarden #allotmentlife #gyo #epicgardening #growyourownfood #organicgardening

I'm sharpening this allotment gardening up. Ok. Not really. Give me my checked shirt and corduroy trousers any day! However, Ava wanted to take a picture of me with her pumpkin and I've just arrived hone from work. However, I am now wondering what to do with this beautiful 'porcelain doll' pumpkin. It's a big variety in the US for pie. Should I follow suit? 🤔 . . . . . #allotment #gardens #instadaily #allotmentlife #pumpkin

Let's talk about parsnips. Parsnip pics are appearing in my feed now. And they look pretty impressive too. However, I learned a key lesson last year. This is a picture of a parsnip I harvested in October last year. It's magnificent (Ok. I was kinda proud anyway.. ) however, the taste not so good. I am glad I tasted it when I did though as it taught me something very important. The frost has an incredible effect on parsnips. Seriously, I heard so many people tell me about letting the frost get to your parsnips before pulling them 🙊 but it was only when I tasted the difference myself, I really knew what this meant. Parsnips before frost are so overpowering in their taste. In fact it was awful. The frost changed that completely. Sweet. Mellow and delicious. Now, don't take my word for it. Try it yourself 😉 For now, my parsnips are staying underground. . . . . . #allotment #veggiepatch #growyourown #homegrown #kitchengarden ##parsnip #ediblegarden #allotmentlife #gyo #epicgardening #growyourownfood #organicgardening

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