Would you like healthy and strong plants? Crops that aren’t destroyed by pests? And a bountiful harvest of produce? If your answer is yes to any of these (and who wouldn’t want all three) then maybe it is time to consider taking a close look at companion planting. Anyone growing vegetables at home, or on an allotment, can take advantage of it. Companion planting is … Continue reading Companion Planting for Fruit & Vegetables
Sowing seeds and growing your own vegetables is one of the most satisfying things you can do. A sowing plan will help organise your propagation and ensure seeds are sown at the right time, plants are strong and healthy, and you’re not having to bin straggly plants or lose out on harvests. It often pays to be patient and not rush. You will see all … Continue reading Importance of a Seed Sowing Plan
The first month of the year can be difficult for gardeners. It is likely to be cold, wet and maybe even snowy, but there are some very productive and enjoyable tasks that can sit atop your list of gardening jobs for January. I will be doing many of these tasks over the next few weeks and recommend other gardeners to do the same, if they … Continue reading Enjoyable January Gardening Jobs
It’s been quite a year for a first foray into being allotmenteers. But it’s been a fantastic experience and one that’s been full of challenges, rewards and fun. I plan to write a longer blog post about the 12 months, covering all the successes and failures, very shortly. But I thought I’d start with a quick photo journey of the year, from the weedy field … Continue reading Allotment Year in pics
I have a real interest in black plants and am trying my hand at the art of Goth Gardening by putting together what I hope will turn out to be a dramatic dark display. Continue reading Turning to the Dark Side
It felt like March was seemingly against gardeners; predominantly it was wet, it was cold and there was also snow. The ground tended to be unworkable and conditions were definitely not favourable for growing (or even surviving for some plants’ case). It is hypothetically fine if you have a heated greenhouse or more of a professional set-up, but for many common-as-muck gardeners it meant a … Continue reading Getting Creative: A Demanding Month
One of my little projects at home at the moment is my attempts to grow Dahlia ‘Bishops Children’ from seed. This is my first attempt to grow dahlias from seed, and I admittedly went into it not really expecting much and seeing it as a bit of an investigation. Continue reading Growing dahlias from seed
An epic contest on the windowsill in our back room as the seedlings of Jalapeno, Habanero, Cayenne and Anaheim chillies battle to be number one in our chilli charts. Continue reading Clash of the four chillies
I had the chance to harvest Ulluco, a root tuber from South America that comes in a range of varieties and bright colours. Let’s take a look at growing this unique crop. Continue reading All about Ulluco
This time of year provides a fantastic opportunity to renovate the permanent beds in your kitchen garden or allotment to get them in best condition ready for the coming growing season. Continue reading Time to give permanent beds a service
Perennial Nerd 