Growing
Our growing is mainly focussed around edible crops – vegetables, fruit and herbs. We also grow flowers in herbaceous borders, raised beds, pots and hanging baskets at both the allotment and at home.
Feb tour of our 500 sq m allotment plot with a surprise in the polytunnel
Pricking out and potting on onion seedlings
It’s another rainy day at the plot. Rachel pricks out and pots on onion and shallot seedlings for growing on in modules. These will be planted out in early spring into the no dig beds.
Late January tour of our 500 square metre allotment in Manchester, UK.
Rachel takes a look around our 500 square metre allotment to discuss the progress we have made on the winter jobs, the crops that are still awaiting harvest and the plans for some re-structure for the 2022 season.
How to use chicken manure in a vegetable garden
Rachel discusses how we use chicken manure in our main composting pile and to make a liquid plant feed.
Christmas Eve Harvest 2021
Rachel harvests the Christmas vegetables including potatoes, parsnips, swede, carrots, parsley, brussels to add to the red cabbage, shallots and onions from our home storage.
Growing beans for drying (UK) – a comparison of varieties – Part 1: Yield
Kidney beans were surprisingly successful! About 5 years ago we started growing beans specifically for drying. However, at first it was only borlotti beans. We then expanded to butter beans and became more interested in what might be possible in the UK climate. It can get pretty wet in Manchester and the growing season is short – Mid May to beginning of October is the frost free zone.
It has been surprising how well our plants have faired and, over the last couple of years, we have significantly increased the varieties we grow.
Sweet potato fail!
Not everything in ‘grow your own’ goes to plan. Rachel harvests the sweet potatoes with disappointment!
How long is our longest chilli 2021?
Jobs to complete on a vegetable plot (allotment) out of the main growing season
Rachel has a good look around the plot and discusses the plans for autumm/winter and spring improvement/development jobs.
Use the time out of season well to develop your plot for the next year! The more you can do this the tider, more productive and less work your plot will be during the growing season.Planting garlic to overwinter