Ten Items for January Sowing in Derbyshire

As the new year begins, gardeners can get a head start on their allotments by sowing certain crops in January. Despite the cold weather, several hardy vegetables can be planted now to ensure an early and productive harvest in the coming seasons. Here are the ones I’ll be trying… Broad beansSow hardy varieties like ‘Aquadulce…

My Guide to October at the Allotment

Well, autumn has certainly settled into Derbyshire! I was hoping for a few more BBQs, but I think it’s time to hang up my tongs for the year and accept my rain poncho as part of my daily outfit! At the plot, summer crops are ending, but there’s still plenty of work to be done…

Writing for The Derbyshire Times Again

It’s taken many fits and starts but I think I’m back on track and becoming more organised, I have been writing my column for The Derbyshire Times again! Writing has always been a passion of mine, especially when it allows me to combine my love for a the allotment and and speaking realistically about mental…

My Collaboration with Little Dolittle Animal Boarding

A Green Solution for Waste Management I’m excited to share my collaboration with a local small animal boarding business, Little Dolittle (based in Tibshelf, Derbyshire), and how it’s helping me achieve my no-dig goals. Running an animal boarding business comes with the responsibility of managing significant amounts of waste, particularly used animal bedding. For James…

The Digging the Earth Guide to August

I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to ‘slack off’ with my sowing once summer hits, leaving me with a sparse vegetable patch come the Autumn months. As I begin to harvest my beetroot, spinach, and kohl rabi, some empty spots of ground are appearing in my garden vegetable beds. In my…

Finding the Fruit Bushes!

I managed another couple of hours at the plot this morning. Armed with my trusty strimmer, I tackled some overgrown areas (there were lots to choose from). As usual, some patches proved particularly stubborn, with thick weeds and nettles that required the extra muscle of my pruning shears! It’s hard work, but I can see…