If you're standing on your allotment in August looking at a few empty patches and thinking, "Well, that's it until next year," think again. One of the biggest surprises for new allotment holders is just how much you can still sow and plant during late summer. In fact, August is one of my favourite months on the allotment. While tomatoes are ripening in the greenhouse, beans are climbing happily up their supports and courgettes seem determined to produce more than we can ever

There's something wonderfully comforting about a long spell of sunshine. Morning coffee in the garden, bees busy amongst the flowers, tomatoes soaking up the warmth in the greenhouse – it's everything we dream of after a long winter. But as lovely as these hot, dry days are, they do bring their own challenges. Like many gardeners across Dorset, I've found myself looking at the skies each evening, hoping for a proper soaking of rain. When it doesn't come, every drop of water s

There is something wonderfully satisfying about watching a new garden begin to settle into itself. When I first started creating this small cottage garden, I could only imagine how it might look once the plants had filled out, the colours had blended together and the borders had softened. Now, little by little, that vision is starting to become a reality. Of course, no garden journey is ever completely straightforward. The local snails clearly thought my newly planted area wa

Radishes There is always something wonderfully encouraging about the first crops to appear on the allotment. Long before the tomatoes begin blushing red or the beans start climbing in earnest, the radishes quietly get on with the job, pushing their ruby shoulders through the soil almost before you have finished sowing them. They are one of those vegetables that reward impatient gardeners. Within just a few short weeks, neat rows of bright pink globes are ready to harvest, oft

Tomato and Basil Grown together smells devine! Every gardener has their little rituals. The old habits that return each spring almost without thinking. Seed trays appear on windowsills, muddy boots gather by the back door, and suddenly every available surface seems to hold a pot labelled in slightly smudged handwriting. For me, one of those rituals is planting basil and French marigolds alongside my tomatoes in the greenhouse. Some people may think it looks a little chaotic c

There is always something rather hopeful about this time of year in Dorset. The garden begins to wake properly, seed packets appear on kitchen tables beside cups of coffee, and every year I seem to convince myself that this will be the year I grow the perfect tomato. This spring, however, I may have got a little carried away. Tucked amongst the usual dependable favourites was a packet of rather unusual tomato seeds called Ananas Noir — a name that sounds more suited to an old

Calendula There is something wonderfully old-fashioned and joyful about growing edible flowers. Once common in cottage gardens and country kitchens, edible blooms are now making a welcome return — adding colour, fragrance and delicate flavour to everything from salads and cakes to teas and summer drinks. Better still, many edible flowers are incredibly easy to grow. Whether you have a sprawling garden, a greenhouse, raised beds or simply a few pots on a patio, you can grow fl

There is a moment each spring when the garden quietly changes gear. The soil begins to warm, the light lingers a little longer in the evenings, and suddenly the rhubarb patch bursts into life as though it has been waiting patiently all winter for its grand entrance. Those first rosy stems feel wonderfully reassuring. They arrive before the soft fruits, before the tomatoes, before the kitchen garden truly gets going — a cheerful reminder that the growing season is properly und

There is something deeply satisfying about a new gardening experiment, especially when it promises thrift, tidiness, and a dash of ingenuity. This spring, with seed trays crowding the greenhouses and not a spare pot in sight, I found myself turning to the delightfully named “seed snail” method. It sounded whimsical, practical, and just a little bit eccentric — which, in my experience, is often the mark of a very good gardening idea indeed. The principle is beautifully simple.

There are some outings that feel less like errands and more like the gentle opening chapter of a season. My recent trip to the Somerset Levels in search of the Somerset willow growers farm, to purchace some green willow turned out to be exactly that — a afternoon full of fresh air,warm sun, muddy tracks, and the kind of quiet enthusiasm that only gardeners truly understand. A Spring Journey to the Levels With the car boot cleared and a flask of coffee packed, we set off , he

The asparagus bed and I have reached that familiar stage of a long-term relationship: five years in, still hopeful, slightly exasperated, and convinced that this season might finally be the breakthrough. When I first planted the bed, I imagined armfuls of spears each spring. The reality has been… more modest. It’s improving, certainly, but not quite the abundance I had pictured when those crowns first went in. Gardening has a wonderful way of gently adjusting expectations wh

There’s a particular morning each spring when you step outside and realise the countryside has quietly changed overnight. The air feels softer, the hedgerows have that faint green haze, and the garden suddenly looks as though it has shrugged off winter. Around here, that moment means one thing: asparagus season has arrived. For a few fleeting weeks, farm gates sprout handwritten signs promising Fresh Asparagus Today. Supper plans change. Market baskets fill with green bundles

There’s something about this time of year that really gets the motivation going again down at the allotment. After the slower winter months, it feels good to finally get things moving, and this week I’ve made a proper start on one of my beds. I’ve decided to experiment a bit by planting a mixed bed of carrots and garlic together. The idea behind it is simple but (hopefully) effective — using companion planting to help keep pests at bay. In this case, the strong smell of the g

This is a guest post kindly send to me from one of our readers David. Carrots are root vegetables, first grown in Afghanistan around 900 AD, and a hundred years later in the Middle East and North Africa, both domestically and wild.They were found in Europe six hundred years later.This vegetable is best known as orange coloured, but early carrots were purple, yellow or white just like the “new breed “of carrots on sale today in supermarkets. Plus ca change! The orange carrots

This year, I’ve decided to switch things up a little with my pea growing. Instead of the usual varieties, I’m focusing on mangetout, along with another favourite returning for a second year — the purple magnolia sugar snap peas, grown again from my own saved seed. There’s something especially satisfying about sowing seeds you’ve saved yourself. It feels like the allotment coming full circle, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this year’s plants perform. To give everything

There’s a fresh mound of chocolate-brown earth right in the middle of my allotment, as neat and round as a cottage loaf. Another one appeared overnight, and then a third by the freshly planted Swiss chard seeds. It seems I have acquired a new tenant — a mole — and while I admire its industry, I can’t pretend I’m thrilled about the redecorating. Now, I’ve nothing against the little fellow. In fact, I rather like the idea of him tunnelling away beneath the soil like a tiny, vel

If you ever find yourself meandering through Dorset lanes with a few spare minutes and a boot that isn’t quite full of plants, I can highly recommend a detour to Mill House Nurseries in the delightfully blink-and-you-miss-it village of Owermoigne. I say “detour,” but in truth it has become something of a ritual. If I’m passing, the car simply turns in of its own accord. The tomato temptation problem 🍅 This time of year is especially dangerous because the tomato house is in

I had one of those small but special moments at the allotment recently — the kind that reminds you just how full of life these spaces really are. While turning over a compost heap, I came across a young slow worm. At first glance, it’s easy to mistake them for a small snake, but on closer inspection, you realise they’re something quite different — and actually a very welcome sight. I quickly and very carefully put it back in its hide away and covered it back over. I felt quie

When I first started growing from seed, I did what most gardeners do — I bought a bag of seed compost, filled a tray, scattered my seeds, and hoped for the best. Sometimes it worked beautifully. Other times I was left staring at a forest of thin, leggy seedlings or patches of bare compost where nothing had germinated at all. I blamed the weather, the seeds, even the position of the windowsill — but rarely the compost itself. It wasn’t until I began paying attention to what wa

There is something quietly miraculous about the moment you realise that spring has truly arrived. Here in Dorset, that shift feels especially sweet. One day the air still carries winter’s bite, and the next it is softened by birdsong, pale blue skies, and that unmistakable scent of warming earth. Over the past week, I’ve found myself lingering outside just a little longer each morning, cup of coffee in hand, sitting on the back step noticing the tiny signs of change. The gard

There is something so uplifting about stepping into the garden in March and noticing, almost overnight, that it is beginning to breathe again. After months of muted browns, silvery frost, and rain-soaked paths, those first flashes of green feel like a quiet celebration. Every tiny shoot pushing through the soil is a promise that colour is on its way — and oh, how I have been longing for colour. The beds that looked so still in January are now stirring with life. New growth i

At this time of year, my allotment feels quieter. The frantic abundance of summer has long gone, the beds mostly emptied and tucked in for winter. No more armfuls of courgettes, no tomatoes ripening on the vine, no beans daring me to keep up. What’s left standing now is sturdy, dependable, and a little understated: leeks. They’re the last ones out there, really. Tall, mud-splashed, and unfazed by frost, they feel like the allotment’s way of saying, don’t worry, I’ve still got

February can feel cold, grey, and far removed from gardening season—but for keen gardeners, it’s an exciting time. While outdoor sowing is still limited due to frost and cold soil, February is ideal for starting seeds indoors or under cover and preparing for a productive spring. My fingers defiantly get itching to start planting towards the end of February as do many keen growers. What you sow now depends on whether you have a heated propagator, greenhouse, cold frame, or w

Every year on my allotment there’s one crop that feels less like gardening and more like a quiet endurance challenge. Parsnips. I sow them knowing full well what’s coming: the long wait, the bare soil, the creeping doubt that nothing is happening at all. And yet, every spring, I sow them again. The Germination Game Parsnips have a reputation, and it’s well earned. Their seeds are notoriously unreliable. Unlike eager lettuces or obliging radishes that leap from the soil almos

January in the garden is never about big gestures. It’s about noticing, tidying, and planning — about stepping outside between showers, hands shoved into pockets, and seeing the garden for what it really is. Stripped back. Honest. Full of potential. Most days, I start with a slow wander rather than a to-do list. I check what the frost has touched overnight, what the wind has shifted, and which plants are quietly getting on with things beneath the soil. There’s comfort in know

Welcome to the Home & Garden Christmas Gift Guide 2025 , your go-to source for gifts that bring warmth, comfort, and style to every corner of the home. This year’s collection celebrates the joy of home living and outdoor beauty, featuring everything from elegant home décor and smart appliances to lush garden accessories. Whether you’re shopping for a design enthusiast, a green-thumbed gardener, you’ll find thoughtful ideas to make their space shine all year round. Give the gi

After a week away, the allotment is bursting with surprises — sweet, sun-ripened tomatoes and tender salad leaves ready to pick. Autumn’s bounty has arrived!

October on the allotment has a certain calm about it, don’t you think? The frenzy of summer watering, weeding and harvesting has eased off, and the ground feels a little quieter. There’s a nip in the air, the leaves are starting to colour up, and the plot starts to look less like a jungle and more like a place to tuck in for the colder months. But there are still plenty of bits and bobs to keep us busy – in that slower, more reflective autumn way. Harvesting the last of the s

September has such a lovely feel to it down on the allotment. The light is softer, the mornings are dewy, and there’s that unmistakable hint of autumn in the air. I always think of it as a month of balance — still plenty to pick and enjoy, but also time to start thinking about tidying, clearing, and preparing for the colder months ahead. Here’s what I’ve been up to (and what I’ve got on my list!) this September. Harvest Time (and Gluts!) This is the month where I’m coming hom

This is a collabrative post. There’s some people out there who’ve turned their outdoor space into a year-round sanctuary that’s just as...

Here are the key jobs to do on the allotment in August: 🥕 1. Harvest Everything That’s Ready August is peak harvest time. Check daily...

Courgette plant with courgettes flowering and forming July is one of the most rewarding months on the allotment. The summer sun is in...

Bear Claw Tomato's, named after the chief of the Black Feet Tribe This very interesting post about Heritage Tomato's was sent to us to...

This is a collaborative post. We all want a garden that is easy on the eye, and ideally manages to be productive at the same time....

Tree Bumblebees In My Bird Box It’s that time of year again when the garden bursts into life—flowers bloom, birds sing, and bees busily...

As we reach June, summer is in full swing and allotments are buzzing with activity. It’s a key month in the gardening calendar: seedlings...

Herbs are a fundamental part of cooking, enhancing flavours and aromas with just a pinch or a sprinkle. As someone who loves to cook and...

In recent years, gardening has grown from a hobby to a therapeutic practice, with countless studies highlighting its ability to reduce...

Gardening is often associated with sprawling back gardens and endless rows of plants, but what if you don’t have the space or the right...

As the weather warms and the days stretch longer, May is an exciting months for allotment gardeners. The soil is warming up, plants are...

Gardening is often viewed as a peaceful pastime, a way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But beyond the simple joy of...

April is a crucial month for allotment gardeners as spring truly begins to take hold. The days get longer, the weather warms, and the...

I love growing Dahlias, they are a stunning addition to any garden, offering a vibrant display from midsummer until the first frost....

*This is a collaborative post. Spring’s here. The sun’s peeking out, the birds are getting louder, and your garden? Well, it looks like...

Birdwatching is one of the simplest yet most rewarding ways to connect with nature, and it can be done from the comfort of your own...

People often ask me is February to early to start planting seeds? I always say no defiantly not as planting early in the season offers...

*This is a collaborative post. As the winter turns to its mid to latter stages, many homeowners in the UK are looking forward to the...

*This is a collaborative post. Tending to an allotment isn’t just about growing your own food; it’s a boost for both mind and body . The...

*This is a collaborative post. As the holiday season draws near, it’s time to start thinking about those perfect Christmas gifts that add...

*This is a collaborative post. Giving your back garden a fresh new look does not have to be that expensive. As a matter of fact, with...