Allotment

Digging for Dinner

The big thaw happened this week with daytime temperatures jumping from -7C to 13C pretty much overnight. Bonkers or what? The ground is easy to work again just in time to harvest some Christmas dinner veg, but it certainly didn't feel very Christmassy today in the heavy rain. It has rained quite heavily since Monday… Continue reading Digging for Dinner

Allotment

Leeks On Fleek

Seeing photos of strapping leeks on other allotment blogs and Instagram left me with a serious case of leek envy. For years I've found growing leeks for the table impossible, unless eating mushy pulp with maggots is a thing? I like to think I'm tolerant of the hidden surprises within organic vegetables but that's taking… Continue reading Leeks On Fleek

Allotment

Chilly Weather

November has been mostly mild and soggy which means the ground is now truly saturated, the dusty soil of summer long gone. The barmy autumn temperatures are also gone with a frosty start to the week, it certainly feels cold enough for snow and I can feel the shift creeping into my bones, my trusty… Continue reading Chilly Weather

Allotment

Summer Harvests and Planting

It has been a tricky growing year, extremely high temperatures and no significant rain for many months means watering has been a real chore. But it's starting to pay off now with lots of harvests. I've grown some decent carrots, these are Autumn King which are incredibly tasty too. I also have a purple variety… Continue reading Summer Harvests and Planting

Allotment

Curl Up and Fry

Record breaking temperatures hit parts of the UK yesterday, they may even be topped after today. As we Brits continue to sizzle under a red alert for extreme heat other parts of the world are also dealing with higher temperatures and wild fires. Scary stuff. It has been a struggle to keep the allotments lush… Continue reading Curl Up and Fry

Growing Guides

How To Hand Pollinate Pumpkins and Squash

The pumpkin patch vines are producing plenty of big buttery-yellow flowers now which are so pretty. Bees and other insects do a fantastic job of pollinating, but sometimes I hand pollinate my pumpkins and squash to be sure of success or to save seed from a particular variety. Hand pollination is really simple but first… Continue reading How To Hand Pollinate Pumpkins and Squash