Dead Hedges
A dead hedge tidies things up, converting the brash wood into something useful for wild life and, in time, improving the soil.
Allotment Garden Diary
My diary of my attempts, success and failures growing vegetables, fruit, herbs and gardening on an allotment.sized vegetable plot with a garden as well
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Cardboard and Manure
Answering a newsletter reader's question regarding covering beds with cardboard and applying manure. Is it a good idea?
Too much muck? (manure)
Can you apply too much manure? That's a problem most plot holders would love to have. Surprisingly, you can use too much muck on the plot.
Broad Bean Problem
A newsletter reader contacted me to see if I could help with a problem. His broad beans consistently fail.
Cacti, Parsnips, Sweet Potatoes, Pruning, Wheel
Fantastic cacti blooms, pruning fruit bushes, harvesting sweet potatoes, large parsnip and no more punctured tyres on the wheelbarrow.
Planting Bocking 4, New Mini Brassica Cage, Rain
Another break in the dismal weather on Thursday, so back outside for the afternoon. Just an hour of that spent sheltering in the polytunnel from rain. Still, got a few more jobs done, if not all I want to get sorted.
Nice Afternoon Out on the Plot
Last of the garlic planted, a few volunteer potatoes harvested, pH testing, tidied up in the greenhouse, clearing a tomato plant and more.
Planting Elephant and Standard Garlic
Planting elephant and standard garlic in a raised bed. Mulching the bed to suppress weed growth and moderate temperature swings.
Rotting and Poisonous Woodchips?
Woodchips have uses in the garden, but is it safe to use poisonous wood like yew and laburnum. Will it make vegetables poisonous?
Closing Down the Season
Judging by the weather, we’re well into autumn, so I’ve been clearing the greenhouses. Chilli peppers, tomatoes and more.
Plastic Pallets – Improved Compost Bins
Wooden pallets don’t last forever in a compost bin, around five years if you’re lucky. Plastic pallets will basically last forever.
Should You Lime and Manure at the Same Time?
An in depth explanation why you should not lime and manure at the same time, although you can amend pH and nutrients in the same season.
Brassica Cage, Apples, Sweet Potatoes, Mushrooms
Brassica cage re-covered, surprise apple crop, sweet potatoes, wild mushrooms. It's been a busy time with a break fro Storm Amy.
Symphytum Bocking 4 Comfrey
I've managed to source Symphytum Bocking 4 Comfrey, which I'll be propagating and hope to multiply to a larger number in a few years.
Parsnip Surprise, Sweet Potatoes, Watermelon, Mast Year
Despite my neglect, we've a load of apples, tomatoes and even a couple of watermelons that I've harvested from the polytunnel.
Using Wool in my Plot
Getting back into action, making use of some sheep fleeces from my neighbour. Mulching greenhouse borders with wool insulation.
Rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated
This is my first post in months – I think 2025 has been pretty much a lost year for my growing, and here’s why.
Making a Wicking Pot Growing System
Making a wicking pot growing system on a budget for better tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and other crops. Simple, fast and cheap!
Passing the Baton
Passing on growing knowledge across the generations to my grandson, 60 years after watching my own grandfather growing.
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.
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