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
The first month of 2022 positively flew by and so I welcome you all to the first of my diary updates to come from the Walled Kitchen Garden at Netherby Hall in Cumbria. January in the borderlands came and went with a wild range of weather, however, in the most, it seemed milder than to be normally expected. However, it should be said it did … Continue reading Walled Garden Diaries: Espalier Extravaganza
So comes the end of another eventful year in horticulture for me. It has been one full of success, lots of learning, and ultimately a year ending with an exciting new chapter in my gardening journey. I just wanted to take this opportunity to briefly cast my eye back on the last 12 months to pick out some of my personal highlights. After the disappointments … Continue reading Gardening Reflections ’21
It has been a time of change, leaving my old role in Worcestershire and heading north for an exciting new challenge as a specialist kitchen gardener in Cumbria. Continue reading A Fresh Challenge
Connie and Tom grow at East Neuk Market Garden in Fife, Scotland. Find out all about their farm and how they grow, as the pair give some great advice for planning your sowing, the advantages of growing transplants, and how do deal with the issue of club root. Continue reading Grow with the Pros: East Neuk Market Garden
I am thrilled to be able to unveil the plans for a new series coming to the Perennial Nerd site very shortly. The series aims to give a spotlight to amazing growers and gardens across the UK. It will include fantastic tips and advice from the experienced growers to help those growing vegetables, fruit and herbs at home, or on an allotment. Each article will … Continue reading Coming Soon: Grow with the Pros
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
Looking back at some of my horticultural goings-on during a tumultuous last 12 months. We can all agree that 2020 was a messed-up year. It is an inescapable fact and one that makes trying to write a review without it getting all melancholy all the more challenging. Horticulture was hit like every industry, however gardening as a past-time seemed to flourish as more people went … Continue reading Gardening Ups ‘n’ Downs of 2020
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
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