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”

Allotment gardening and the power of to-do lists

I have a terrible memory.

One of the frustratingly common examples of this happens when I walk into the supermarket and forget the reasons for being there.

Continue reading “Allotment gardening and the power of to-do lists”

Going Peat Free with Coco & Coir

Despite my efforts to focus on sustainability when it comes to allotment gardening and within my broader life, I am not proud of the fact that I have not prioritised my purchasing of peat-free compost.

Continue reading “Going Peat Free with Coco & Coir”

Chillies I’m growing in 2019 (and some resources)

I love chillies. Some people think chillies are simply about heat but they have such a variety of fantastic flavour too. It’s the combination of the heat and the flavour of the fruit that makes them a welcome ingredient for the kitchen.

Continue reading “Chillies I’m growing in 2019 (and some resources)”

Incredible Crops I’m Growing in 2019: Vital Seeds

Last month, while wading through the gloom of January and wishing for an early spring, my spirits were raised when I received a message from a man named Fred. Continue reading “Incredible Crops I’m Growing in 2019: Vital Seeds”

10 highlights from the grow your own blogs: January 2019

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.

Continue reading “10 highlights from the grow your own blogs: January 2019”

Sowing Sweet Peas in January again

This is the second year I’ve grown sweet peas. The first was a disaster.

It all started so well. The peas were sown in October, germinated swiftly and grew with incredible energy.

Continue reading “Sowing Sweet Peas in January again”

11 Must Grow Vegetables in 2019: Allotment gardeners reveal their favourite crops

Tell me if I’m wrong? The Christmas spirit has gone. The sound of auld lang syne has long stopped reverberating in the eardrums. The seed catalogues are now your new best friend?

Continue reading “11 Must Grow Vegetables in 2019: Allotment gardeners reveal their favourite crops”