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
Potting On
I’ve been spending time in the potting shed. With the weather being so wet, at least it’s dry in there! All of the tomato seeds have moved into 9cm square pots except for two Black Krim seedlings. They’re not quite…
Cold Snap, Cabbage, Germination, Grow Lights
As the Met Office predicted, the cold snap arrived. I prepared as best I could and kept the fire in all night so we awoke to a warm house. The snow came down in the early hours of Thursday but…
Sowing Starts, Cold Snap, Food Shortages
The daffodils are in flower, the currant bushes in bud and nature is saying that spring is nearly upon us. So time to get sowing in the potting shed although the boffins in the Met Office tell us a cold…
300% Allotment Rent Hike Shock!
I’ve been contacted by allotment holders in Hatfield about the huge rent increases the council is imposing on them. I think it’s a disgrace. History of Allotments Practically, allotments date back to the first half of the nineteenth century. They…
Tidying the Shed, Chitting Potatoes
Preparing for the new growing season by getting the potting shed cleared for action and setting the potatoes out to chit. I wasn’t sure if it was wise to post this. My reputation as someone tidy and organised will be…
Warm Month, Shortages, Raspberries, Brassicas, Polytunnel
Unseasonably Warm It’s been quite warm for February. With the cost of heating the house being incredible, thank goodness! The bad news is that the parsnips thought it was time to grow again so had to be processed and frozen.…
