In the spirit of creativity and sustainability, transforming everyday objects into raised garden beds is not only an eco-friendly endeavour but also a fun way to personalize your garden space. I previously wrote about the best materials to you when building a raised bed, along with cheap raised bed kits you can buy to save yourself a lot of time.  This post is all about getting creative and saving some money along the way. I’m going to leave the comment section open on this post as I’d love to hear from any readers who have upcycled other objects. Upcycling is taking items that would othe ..read more

If you have been gardening for a while and are looking to raise your game (literally), raised beds are a great option. I’ve been incorporating them into my outdoor spaces for years. When it comes to raised garden beds, the materials you choose are the foundation of your garden’s character and functionality. Let’s navigate this terrain together, exploring the pros and cons of different materials under our green-thumbed spotlight. Stone Raised Beds Imagine weaving a bit of ancient strength into your garden with stone-raised beds. There’s something timeless and robust about stone that speaks to b ..read more

It’s quite easy to make raised beds with upcycled bits and pieces, but I recommend buying a cheap kit if you have nothing lying around and want a quick solution.  Raised beds don’t have to look beautiful, its all about functionality. These raised bed kits below are all available on Amazon for £100 or less.  I have tested all of these on my allotment at home or put them together for friends and seen how they perform. Land Guard Galvanized Raised Garden Bed Kit I stumbled upon the Land Guard Galvanized Raised Garden Bed Kit and decided to try it. My home garden space needed a refresh ..read more

I’ve just come inside and it’s 19C in October; we’ve had a very strange year in terms of weather. October is a pivotal month in the gardening calendar. While it might seem like most of the growing season is behind us, there’s still a lot to be done in our UK allotments. This is the perfect time to sow and plant various vegetables and fruits, ensuring a good harvest in the following months and even into the next year. Here, we’ll explore what to plant in October, with special emphasis on peas, salad leaves, broad beans, cauliflower, garlic, and bare-root fruit trees such as apples, blackcurrant ..read more

When it comes to planting garlic in your UK garden, success begins with the soil. Garlic, with its unique flavour and culinary versatility, thrives in specific soil conditions. To ensure your garlic crop develops into healthy, flavourful bulbs, it’s essential to understand what constitutes the best soil for garlic. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key soil characteristics, preparation tips, and considerations to help you create an ideal environment for growing garlic in the UK. Soil Type The first factor to consider when selecting the best soil for garlic is soil type. Garlic pre ..read more

Garlic, with its distinct flavour and culinary versatility, is a beloved addition to gardens and kitchens across the UK. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice, growing garlic can be a rewarding experience. Proper fertilisation is key to ensure your garlic bulbs develop into robust and flavorful cloves. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best fertilizers to use for growing garlic in the UK, helping you achieve a bountiful harvest that will elevate your culinary creations. The Importance of Fertilizing Garlic Before delving into the best fertilizers for garlic, it’s essentia ..read more

I pondered on this question earlier in the year whilst in Thailand.  Whilst sipping a Chang beer in Phuket, I started picturing living in Thailand full time and wondering what I could actually grow there. Its amazing for a lot of flowers and herbs, but not so good for crops that like a cold spell. Garlic is traditionally grown in temperate regions with distinct seasons, especially where there’s a cold winter period. This cold phase, known as vernalization, often prompts the garlic clove to develop into a bulb. However, this doesn’t mean garlic is entirely off the table for tropical climat ..read more

Garlic, with its unique flavour and numerous culinary uses, is a popular crop for home gardeners and commercial growers alike. Whether you’re considering garlic cultivation as a small-scale hobby or a potential source of income, it’s essential to understand the economics of garlic farming to determine its profitability. Factors Affecting Profitability Several factors can influence the profitability of garlic cultivation: 1. Scale of Production: Small-Scale: Profitability may not be the primary goal for home gardeners or small-scale growers. Growing garlic at this scale can provide a satisfyi ..read more

Gardening by the moon may seem like an arcane concept, but this age-old practice has stood the test of time for good reason. Rooted in various cultures and civilisations, lunar gardening takes into account the moon’s phases and gravitational pull to optimise the growth and harvest of plants. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the principles of lunar gardening tailored specifically for UK gardeners. Why Lunar Gardening? The moon significantly impacts Earth’s natural cycles—most notably the tides. The gravitational pull between the Earth and the moon affects water bodies and can have sub ..read more

For many gardeners, tending to an allotment is a labour of love. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just starting out, seeing a plant wither and die can be both disappointing and puzzling. One plant that can sometimes cause confusion is garlic. Despite being relatively easy to grow, there are several factors that can contribute to a garlic plant’s demise. Understanding these factors can help prevent future losses. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the most common reasons why garlic plants might die in a UK allotment or garden: Planting Time: Too Early or Too Late: In the UK, autumn is th ..read more