🌿 October’s Quiet Jobs: Setting the Stage for Spring
October isn’t glamorous — it’s mud on your boots, chill in the air, and that satisfying sense of putting things right before winter has its say.
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When and How to Plant Garlic in September for the Best Bulbs
Discover why planting garlic in September is the key to bigger bulbs and earlier harvests. Learn the best UK varieties and step-by-step planting tips.
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Seed Saving September: The Rewarding Autumn Job That Saves Money Too
Learn how to save seeds in September from beans, tomatoes, sunflowers, and more. A practical guide to collecting, drying, and storing seeds for next year.
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Why Green Manures Are the Secret to Healthy Soil (and Which to Sow This September) – Try these Fabulous 5!
As the allotment shifts from late summer abundance into autumn, the temptation is to clear the beds and leave them bare until spring. But uncovered soil loses nutrients, becomes compacted by winter rain, and is quickly colonised by weeds. The solution? Green manures. These unsung heroes not only protect your soil through the colder months but…
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10 Essential Autumn Gardening Jobs You Shouldn’t Forget This Month
Autumn might feel like the winding down of the gardening year, but in truth it’s a pivot point. The allotment looks different now: beans rustling in the breeze, squash turning from green to orange, apples dropping with a thud. It’s a season of clearing away, storing, and planting ahead — and a few smart jobs…
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10 Essential Garden Tasks for Mid-August (And the Tools to Do Them Right)
In mid-August, gardeners should capitalize on the thriving produce by performing essential tasks to extend harvests and prepare for autumn. Key activities include frequent harvesting, deadheading, feeding plants, sowing for fall, clearing beds, mulching, preserving excess crops, pest management, and planning for future seasons to ensure a fruitful garden year-round.
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How to Plan a Late-Season Raised Bed Refresh
Revive your beds for autumn planting and beyond. By late summer, your raised beds may be looking a bit tired. Crops have come and gone, the soil might be compacted or depleted, and weeds are trying to claim territory. But with a simple refresh, you can get them ready for autumn sowing — and even…
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What to Harvest in July: A Glorious Mid-Summer Bounty
July is a time of true abundance in the allotment garden. After months of sowing, nurturing, and hoping for the right balance of sun and rain, the rewards really start to show. This is the month where plots burst with colour and flavour – and baskets are filled with fresh produce ready for the kitchen….
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Understanding Soil Chemistry and Feeding Your Plants Naturally
The success of your garden or allotment hinges on the health of your soil. While texture and structure matter, it’s the chemical composition of the soil that ultimately drives plant growth, resilience, and productivity. Different plants have different nutritional needs, and understanding both your soil and how to feed it can make a huge difference to your…
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A Beginner’s Guide to Growing, Caring for & Harvesting Blackcurrants
Did you know that over 90% of blackcurrants grown in the UK go towards making Ribena? These nutrient-rich berries are something of an unsung hero — slightly tart, full of vitamin C, and excellent for cordials, jams, and baking. While they’re a little unusual compared to popular berries like strawberries or raspberries, they’re easy to grow…
