Welcome to my allotment garden diary. Quite simply this is a record of our success and failures growing our own, gardening and trying to live the good life.
John Harrison on the allotment plot
A diary is actually a really useful tool for the gardener. It helps you keep track of what worked for you and what didn’t. Often a variety of vegetable that does well in one situation or area will fail to thrive in another, so keeping track of what was planted and where is important.
The weather is important as well, keeping track of when the first and last frosts are in your area helps you plan. Of course the weather varies from year to year but eventually you’ll build up a pattern for your plot. Relying on the weather office isn’t that useful, we’ve seen them saying it’s bright sunshine when we’re under cloud and it’s pouring down.
Another important thing to note is yield and flavour. Yield is obvious but flavour needs a little explanation. I’m convinced that when you grow you’re own your taste changes. A carrot is not just a carrot nor a potato just a chipper or masher. You find flavours that you and your family like.
Incidentally, the flavour of any vegetable doesn’t depend just on the variety but is altered according to where it is grown and the conditions. When you think of wine and those experts saying things like ‘from the chalky slopes on the south side of the vineyard’ it’s not so surprising that a variety of potato grown in one place can taste differently when grown in another and that taste can change depending on the weather.
Our Books on Vegetable Growing
I’ve got 8 published books, which you read more about here: Allotment Garden Books
My First Book
My first book, Vegetable Growing Month by Month, is firmly aimed at those starting out but there are a few tips in there that help the experienced grower. The second, The Essential Allotment Guide, is really for those who want to get or who have an allotment.
The third book, Vegetable, Fruit & Herb Growing in Small Spaces, was based on our experience when we had a completely paved over, concrete garden. It tells how to make a small garden productive as well as decorative and still leave room for the children to have fun in. Even if you just have a patio, there are things you can grow and eat.
Storing & Preserving Your Produce
If you grow vegetables then you’re certain to be interested in what you eat. Val Harrison shares her favourite recipes on our recipes pages. You may be surprised at how many sauces & ketchups not to mention chutneys and jams we’ve got great recipes for.
Val & I have written two books on the subject, Easy Jams, Chutneys & Preserves and How to Store Your Home Grown Produce.
Harvesting Sarpo Mira Potatoes
Passing the Baton
Some sixty years ago I remember watching my grandfather in the garden and him explaining what he was doing and why. How thinning carrots was necessary so that the remaining carrots would grow to a reasonable size. Why weeds were…
Slow Progress
My back is a little better, but it’s far from right. Regardless, I’m managing to get something done in the garden, although everything is taking longer than normal. New Raised Bed Gary spent a fun day filling the new raised…
Bad Back, Raised Beds, Polytunnel Producing
I sometimes feel that my life is a game of snakes and ladders. Especially so with my back. After regular visits to the osteopath and being very cautious, all seemed well. So, I came back after what was supposed to…
April Update
There was a time when I could do a day’s work on the plot and then write it up in the evening. Nowadays I find I’m more likely to fall asleep on the couch than make it into the office.…
Envii Release Root Well Organic Plant Root Stimulant
Envii, market leaders in biological and organic products for gardeners and horticulturalists, have an amazing product – Root Well – an innovative biological product that combines mycorrhizal fungi inoculant with bacteria to supercharge root growth, plant development and improve resilience…
Pot Growing Brassicas, Recycling, Mice Q&A
Generally, I’d rather people post questions on the forums rather than email me. I don’t believe any one person has all the answers, and our forums provide a number of opinions and approaches to problems. There is another benefit in…
