I love fruits, especially when I have so much of them. It is a great time for stewing fruit. I get this habit from my mum, who always used to … Read more
Not got a greenhouse to grow proper long, smooth cues? How about trying growing cucumbers outdoors? I started growing outdoor cucumbers on my first allotment when I didn’t have a … Read more
I love all the produce that has started to come off the allotment, but I still find myself coming over all wistful in the greenhouse. Why? There are next to … Read more
Having an allotment has introduced me to a load of delicious fruit and veg that I might not have entertained eating before. Pak choi is one such vegetable, and now … Read more
Basil is a real taste-of-summer crop, especially when used in Mediterranean-style dishes with tomatoes, garlic, and cheese. And the good news is that now is a perfect time to sow … Read more
So, we’re heading into summer (although typically it doesn’t really feel like it yet) and things on the plot are starting to take off. Most of my plants are in, … Read more
When I first started outgrowing my own veg, one of the crops I was most excited about growing was the good old parsnip seedlings. Trouble was, I found them a … Read more
You can’t get much more of an allotment staple than the faithful potato. Low maintenance, high cropping, and versatile in the kitchen, we love them. It’s estimated that the average … Read more
I started my allotment journey about 10 years ago and I reckon I must have sown hundreds, if not thousands of seeds since I took my plot on. Of course, … Read more
I enjoy growing broad beans. They’re attractive plants, with sweet little beans and are one of the first crops of a new season. As an extra bonus, they’re very hardy … Read more
In my house, one of the favourite crops of the year is the prolific purple sprouting broccoli. These little purple florets are real nuggets of flavour, and Ailsa especially loves … Read more
When I took my allotment 6 years ago, very few plots gave space to squashes, but recently I’ve seen more and more people trying these brilliant vegetables. Is It Hard … Read more
Christmas is here, and the time has come for me to decide which vegetable seeds I’m going to sow in the growing season. Doing this over Chrimbo has become an … Read more
Lots of winter vegetable plants are very robust, but you might want to consider giving some frost protection for the plants. I’m lucky enough to have a greenhouse, so any … Read more
Do your carrots look more like stumpy three-legged people than those perfectly straight shop-bought specimens? Yep, mine too. My problem is that stony, heavy ground that either splits my roots … Read more
To grow healthy, bountiful fruit and vegetables, we are reliant on the soil. Feeding the soil with bulky organic matter is a way to create a rich base for our … Read more
This whole new half allotment, the half garden idea is very exciting for me, and I’ve got loads of thoughts zipping around my head. The time comes of course when … Read more
So, you got the call and an allotment is all yours. You head down to be shown the plot and your heart sinks. It’s a complete mess, but unfortunately, there is nothing … Read more
For me, potatoes are one of the most fun crops to harvest. Digging them up reminds me of a treasure hunt – when you start rooting around the soil, you … Read more
This year I grew Cylindra beetroot, a variety I’ve never tried before. They were a bargain buy from the allotment shop at the princely sum of 85p. As it is … Read more
I’m a perpetual spinach bore. I could talk about this leafy green until the cow’s come home. Harvesting last night, I realised I’ve blogged about it several times before, but … Read more
If apples were the currency of England, I’d be a rich man. I’ve got bags of them already, and I don’t even own an apple tree. Everywhere I turn there … Read more
I sit writing this at 7:30 pm, and it’s dark outside. The weather is chillier and wetter. I think the proper term is ‘distinctly autumnal’. The time is coming when … Read more
Astronomically, we’re now in Autumn, which means that harvesting time for our butternut squashes is upon us. According to seed packets, the varieties I’ve grown this year are ready to … Read more
I read a lot of blogs and veg growing books, and something occurred to me the other day: I’ve never seen anything that says ‘courgette plant is amazing! It’s incredible!’ … Read more
I don’t know why, but soft fruit bushes aren’t something I’ve talked much about on Real Men Sow. On my allotment, I had lots of fruit bushes. There were 3 … Read more
Last week, I wrote a post excitedly telling the world that planting in July and August are great months for beans, peas and other vegetable seeds. However, I now realize … Read more
If you’re thinking of starting an allotment, here are 8 things that I reckon are worth pondering. If you are sure you’ll start an allotment soon, make sure you also … Read more
I haven’t made an Allotment Cake for the weekend in a month. However, I’m not giving up on my allotment cake ideas blog feature after only half a dozen efforts. … Read more
Has anyone out there in the blogosphere tried intercropping? I’ve tried three different intercropping experiments this year, which are all at varying levels of progress. But What is Intercropping Vegetables? … Read more
Leeks are a popular vegetable and are a member of the onion family. They are available from August through early winter, with some varieties maturing in just three weeks. Some … Read more
In the spirit of experimenting with space-saving growing methods, I decided to try growing sweet peas up a wigwam this year. I’ve just made my first harvest of mangetout, and … Read more
The sun was out, so I made rhubarb ice cream instead which was a refreshing dessert from my allotment! With plenty of rhubarb and a new toy to play with, there was only one thing for this weekend: rhubarb crumble ice cream.
I’ve been making rhubarb crumble ice cream for the last few years, and if I could only eat one dessert for the rest of my life, this would be the winner. It’s nothing short of divine.
I really wish everything grew as fast as my lemon balm plant. I dug this speedy herb up and it had rooted itself a few yards from another one. The plant fitted into the palm of my hand, and I had no idea what I was to use lemon balm for, but I was on a herb mission, and it was free.
Until recently, I’d never used my lemon balm plant. All I’d done so far was gaily rejoice in the lovely citrus smell after a rain shower. However, things have to change. I can’t have a plant taking up valuable space without any return. The time has come for the lemon balm to start pulling its weight. So here are the top things I use my lemon balm for:
Here is a post that could encapsulate a long term commitment to Real Men Sow and my garden. I am attempting to grow asparagus from seed. This is one of two growing projects that I will be blogging about in the next few days, both of which will take four or so years before I can call them successful.
I want to make these post dynamic, updating, and adding as things happen. Of course, that might mean that the post dies with the seedlings, or it may be a glorious four-year journey from seed to homegrown asparagus dinner.
I have asked myself why am growing from seed when I could buy year-old crowns, but having that extra time to decide where the asparagus bed will go is useful. Being my first season in a smaller space, I need to understand my space and not make too many enduring commitments.
For example, asparagus’s deep root system will play a big role in determining its final position, as will the heaviness of the soil and where the sun falls.
Cost is also a factor, but more so is a sudden enjoyment of taking things slower. Having my veg patch in my garden has bred a feeling of building something over time that is mine. I don’t mind starting from scratch and taking a while over growing my asparagus.
I’ve been in my new, greenhouse-equipped garden for a year now. The introduction of a greenhouse into my veg growing life has been a revelation and something that has added lots of extra enjoyment.
Like everything in growing your own, there is a learning curve. 2013 is my first proper season of using the greenhouse, and I’ve been experimenting undercover since the beginning of February. There has been plenty of trial and error involved, and I’ve been making notes about the things I’ve learnt as I go along.
So, three months in, these are my top 8 tips for greenhouse growing for beginner gardeners, like you:
As a kind of beginner-turned-improver at allotmenteering, people often ask me what to grow first, where to start, what can they do in a small space, etc. Well, if I … Read more
What a difference the sun makes!
I was going to do a Patch from Scratch update at the end of the month, but having enjoyed such a glorious, inspiring weekend in the garden I’m going to do it now.
Apologies for a rather belated £5 a Month Veg Plot March update. I’ve not been hiding another massive overspend, honest. Well, maybe a little bit…
I did actually keep within my budget his month, except for one costly but essential item: multipurpose compost.
When I started growing veg, I remember my mum telling me I’d get through bags and bags of compost and she’s been proved absolutely right. I like to use peat-free multi-purpose compost, but this can be expensive. For example, I’ve already spent £12 on two small bags this year, and I’ve not really got underway with seed sowing.
Subsequently, I want to cut down on my use of multipurpose compost. To do this, I’m trying a few new ideas, including making some of my own (pictured).
When I originally talked about Allotment Cakes for the Weekend, I mentioned resourcefulness. With this time of year very much forcing me into the store cupboard and freezer, this weekend’s … Read more
They’ve taken almost 4 weeks, but I’ve finally got signs of carrot and beetroot germination (pictured) in the greenhouse. I’m putting this progress down to a few short bursts of … Read more
I seem to have declared my weekly allotment based cake making year at the worst time. The stores are empty, and my rhubarb is still a few weeks from picking. … Read more
Every so often, you read a book that brings a big smile to your face. Naomi Schillinger’s Veg Street is one such book. North London-based Naomi shares the story of … Read more
The little microclimate in my sheltered corner of the world finally caught up today, and we got snow. Normally, I love snow, but with my usual sledging partner 8 months … Read more
Ladies and Gentlemen, I love Cavolo Nero. Cavolo Nero is an Italian leafy green and is used widely in many staple Italian meals. Up until this year, I’d never heard … Read more
Just when I thought I’d got a hold of the slug and snail population in my garden, this happens: My healthy-looking Mibuna decimated. The oriental salad leaves were on the … Read more
Potting up strawberries from runners is one of my favourite jobs on the allotment, and I’ve been having a grand time doing this in the warm evening sun of the … Read more
I got stuck in the middle of the Hungry Gap, when the winter vegetables are gone, and the spring replacements are still finding their feet. This got me thinking about … Read more
It’s mid-March, the weather has improved a smidgen and the rhubarb is nearly ready to pick. Spring is almost here, and I’ve been rummaging through my seed boxes to remind … Read more
I bought my seed potatoes from the allotment shop yesterday. After much deliberation, I went for Pink Fir Apple and Estima, both varieties I’ve never grown. I chose the Estima … Read more
