Note: I originally did this page in such a way that the oldest content was at the top, and the newest was at the bottom. I have now decided to reverse the order so that new stuff is visible without having to scroll down to the end! November 2012 - Brassicas at rear, lots of Endives under cloches October 2012 - the Woodblocx raised bed is installed ********************************************************************************** This is where the original "My Plot" page began. Here are some pictures that show the layout of my plot. My house is a "typical" English suburban property. It has a small garden -- probably intended only for ornamental purposes. Regrettably, many people do not enjoy gardening, and having a small garden is attractive to such people since it involves less maintenance (what a strange view!) Front view of my house My property has almost no Front Garden -- just a tiny patch of grass and one Crab Apple tree -- but the Back Garden is my pride and joy. It is very roughly 10 metres square. When we first moved in here, the garden consisted mainly of a "lawn" (in very bad condition, and very uneven), surrounded by a very thin strip of "flower border". This is how it used to look, years ago In our early years here we enjoyed having the lawn as a play area for our children, and we sometimes used to play badminton on it. As the children grew up, the relevance of the lawn diminished, and the drudgery of keeping it in anything like decent condition became more and more onerous. About 10 years ago I dug up some of the lawn and created my first raised beds. These have subsequently been added-to and I now have six. Each one measures 1 metre x 2.4 metres. Finally, in 2007 I think, I had the grass completely removed and replaced with 2.5cm shingle. This was a stroke of genius in my opinion! August 2010 - six raised beds fully-stocked The patio - our outdoor dining area, with barbecue at right Looking towards the raised beds That blessed washing-line! (Rusted-in - can't shift it!) The "Fish Tree" (a Sorbus of some sort) with bird-feeders Compost bins under the Fish tree September 2010 - netting over some of the beds October 2010 - nets replaced by fleece November 2010 - just look at all those leaves My shed - 6ft x 4ft November 2010 18 Dec 2010 18 Dec 2010 12 March 2011 - peas sown 13 March 2011 - parsnips and beetroot protected by new cloches 19 March 2011 - The tatty old grass at the front got replaced with shingle 15 April 2011 - Crab Apple tree flowering 25 April 2011 - Brassicas removed; asparagus cropping; beetroot netted. 28 May 2011 - Broad Beans, Climbing Beans, Brassicas... 28 May 2011 - the patio still covered in seed-trays and mini-greenhouses 28 May - view onto the road. Cucumber bin at bottom right 27 June 2011 - the Outdoor Dining Room is enabled once more! 07 Jan 2012 - Mostly resting. New cloches hosting Lettuce 03 Mar 2012 - Netting everywhere (to deter foxes) 03 Mar 2012 - Pea-supports in foreground 03 Mar 2012 - Parsnips and beetroot sown under cloches 03 Mar 2012 - Shallots and Garlic under net in background 03 Mar 2012 - "Empty" bed is the one containing Asparagus plants 01 June 2012 - Chillis in front of Runner Beans 01 June 2012 - Tomato plants lined up next to the water-butt
How to grow microgreens indoors in 1-2 weeks, using no special equipment. Enjoy the tremendous health benefits of consuming microgreens daily- adding to meals you are already making. Plus 10 Health Benefits.
How to start an organic garden with ease
5-27-11 It all starts from thisIn the whole fun of Halloween, Daddy had a dream and wanted to try growing some pumpkins for us for Halloween. We started our first planting back in May, but the dow…
Note the name of 18 quick growing Fall Vegetables to Plant in Containers for a bountiful harvest in limited space.
Sweet potatoes are a delectable and nutritious addition to your home garden. Their ease of cultivation and generous yield make them a splendid choice for gardeners of all levels. Whether you have limited space or poor soil conditions, the solution lies in growing sweet potatoes using soil bags. This all-inclusive…
Raspberries. Beautiful little beauties. We have been harvesting raspberries for about twelve years now. At our new farmhouse, we now have blackberries. They are a pretty easy plant to maintain, but there are a few
If you are wondering, How to Grow Blackberries in Pots, this detailed guide will help you with all the necessary information!
How To Grow Huge Tomato Plants Indoors Over The Winter! Winter might bring chilly temperatures and snow-covered landscapes, but that doesn’t mean you have to bid farewell to your green thumb until spring. With a
Ever wondered what should you plant under your tomato plants? Learn more about intercropping and plant these vegetables and herbs for enhanced soil quality and better tomato harvest.
Growing a basil plant but not sure how to harvest it? Removing leaves actually makes the plant healthier and grow better! Here's how to harvest basil.
Words: Jenny Somervell Watercress can be grown in pots, is surprisingly hardy and tolerates being frozen. 9 TIPS FOR GROWING WATERCRESS 1. Ideally watercress likes to be in a fresh running stream but that’s a big ask for most home gardens. I’ve heard it grows well under a dripping tap. I can’t see why not, provided there is free drainage (it dislikes stagnant water), and dripping taps abound in my garden, one of the many not-yet-got-around-to-it jobs. 2. Watercress can also be grown in pots which should then sit in a watertight container. Pop a few stones in the bottom,
Would you step through these portals?
Jazz up your usual Roasted Asparagus by infusing them with the exquisite Italian flavors of a classic Caprese salad! A quick and easy vegetable side dish bursting with fresh springtime goodness!
If you're growing cilantro, the main thing to ask yourself is if you're doing it right. Check out this great method to get the best results.
Create an amazing garden without tilling - see how to create the perfect, weed free no till garden this year with ease!
See how easy it is to plant, grow and harvest your own delicious perennial crop of raspberries in your backyard!
Tips for growing your own loofahs! This spring plant luffa in your garden and have homegrown sponges by the end of summer.
Learn which flowers should be planted in your vegetable garden. Companion planting flowers and vegetables, yeilds better, healthier plants.
For most, olive trees conjure up ideas of vast fields in the Mediterranean, coupled with a blistering sun to help ripen the fruit. Despite this, olive trees can grow in most mildly warm climates, as long as the winter temps don't drop...
Today we'll teach you how to grow passion fruit, one of the most bountiful backyard crops, that's actually pretty easy to grow! If you've ever eaten a passion fruit, you know how incredibly juicy and sweet and sour it can be, but did you know that passion fruit is also extremely healthy? Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, many consider it to be a super food! So let's get started and grow our own passion fruit! Passiflora edulis is a species of a passion flower vine that is native to northern Argentina and Southern Brazil. The passion fruit tree mainly grows
Cucumbers are relatively easy plants to grow, but every so often you’ll find cucumbers not growing straight. Even if you think you’ve done everything right, those perfect show cucumbers have just slipped the net again.
Learn more about the best vegetables to grow indoors so you can enjoy eating fresh and healthy vegetables throughout the year!
Growing rhubarb requires minimal effort once established. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying rhubarb for years to come.
Learn how growing vegetables indoors year round is easy and fun. Even apartments with limited space have enough room for a few pots of vegetables for some much needed organic gardening. #indoor #vegetables #growvegetables
Learn how to grow luffa (loofah), a delicious vegetable to eat (when picked very young) or let luffa grow and develop into a useful sponge.
Fresh horseradish is different from the prepared version we typically use in recipes. Learn how to grow it in your garden and why it's worth the trouble
Have you ever wanted to grow your fresh vegetables, but don’t have the space for a traditional garden? Or maybe you’re curious about more efficient, soil-free
This is the future of semi-urban living. Danish studio EFFEKT has envisioned a self-sustaining, off-grid village of greenhouse properties that produces their own electricity.
A prime artichoke. Take in the kitchen garden at Wisley
Are you trying to redesign your outdoor space with limited fund? Check out our inexpensive raised garden bed ideas for new inspiration!
Cutting asparagus foliage back in autumn can help to boost productivity next growing season. Learn more now on Gardener’s Path.
How to grow potatoes no matter where you live that will give you a pantry full of spuds year after year! Step by step guide to growing potatoes.
You'll never have to wonder, "When is harvest season?" again once you know what to look for in these nine popular crops to pick them in their prime.
Instead of buying a trellis, you can have some fun and build one yourself. This guide will show you how to make a trellis for blackberries, helping you get