Nostr notes by Lauren

Gearing myself up to do more hazel hurdle making this weekend, ...

2026-10-31T12:05:07Z

Gearing myself up to do more hazel hurdle making this weekend, got a decent pile of fresh cut hazel as well as stakes from last winter.

Also managed to negotiate a donation of willow (hopefully) for more building material. That person wants to get involved with the gardening side too.

Also as I'm typing this got a neighbourhood whatsapp message offering me a scythe. I'm basically a medieval peasant. #allotment #gardening

I'm hoping to plant out my garlic cloves out either this ...

2026-10-21T13:32:41Z

I'm hoping to plant out my garlic cloves out either this evening or tomorrow if the rain lets up. The ground is already prepared so it will be an easy job 🤞🧄

Both soft neck and hard neck. Prob 50 total, I use saved bulbs from the last crop to grow again. #allotment #growyourown

The madness of amaranth winnowing. I only harvested 5% ish of my ...

2026-10-17T13:21:16Z

The madness of amaranth winnowing. I only harvested 5% ish of my amaranth (the rest is still standing at the plot).

I did a haphazard threshing stage. This amount was stripped from the stems, filled three large trays in a shed and was left to dry. Then riddled to get to the point in the first pic.

The wind is steady today and not too changeable so worked out well. All that work for half a glass of seeds. #allotment #growyourown

It doesn't look like much but this is where we're at with ...

2026-10-16T20:42:35Z

It doesn't look like much but this is where we're at with the community garden at the allotment site atm. Most of the work so far has been unglamorous brick / debris and weed removal. So far it's been two of us grabbing hours here and there to get it going.

I built this short hurdle this evening and planted out dahlias, verbena bonariensis and sweet william plants.

We've been hand weeding in an attempt to save useful self seeded plants like these poppies and chamomile. #allotment #gardening

Thanks for your help! Doing a 100% chilli jam is a good idea. I ...

2026-09-23T11:45:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…dadg
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Thanks for your help! Doing a 100% chilli jam is a good idea. I was thinking about candied chillis too. I don't get around to eating hot sauces when they're too vinegar heavy and was thinking maybe preserving them in mainly sugar might help make them be useful down the line. That or do sriracha as that's the main hot sauce I eat.

I air dried the first lot of ripe chillis in the heatwaves but I've been debating getting a dehydrator, it would be useful for lots of things.

I'm all ears if anyone has a hot sauce or other chilli ...

2026-09-23T11:15:52Z

I'm all ears if anyone has a hot sauce or other chilli storage recipes they want to share. I have loads of Apache chillis I need to do something with! #growyourown #recipe #allotment

Congratulations @npub1wzc…gpkf !! Lovely to see! I've been ...

2026-09-16T17:41:54Z

Congratulations My Wildlife Allotment (npub1wzc…gpkf) !!

Lovely to see! I've been learning a lot from your posts here on mastodon 💚 #allotment #gardening

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gu2Lq2LEng

Got free entry to Tyntesfield today, had a nice gander around the ...

2026-09-12T19:11:28Z

Got free entry to Tyntesfield today, had a nice gander around the grounds.

Did a solo lap of the orchard for some peace and quiet. When I made it back to our group I pointed out the medlar trees and someone mentioned that in French they're known as "cul de chien" (dog's arse). The internet says here in England they were known as "open arse" for 900 years until someone came up with a more polite name. Medieval people couldn't get enough of them though, say of that what you will. #gardening

This is in this year's potato patch (earlies). I sowed a ...

2026-09-03T19:29:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…6d98
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This is in this year's potato patch (earlies). I sowed a green manure mix about a month ago which started germinating with the recent rain.

I'd decided this will be my main spring / early summer crop patch as it's my only clear space currently and I thought most of the green manure seed had been pigeon feed. I'll leave the green manure to grow until I need to plant up each section.

It takes me about an hour to plant a row of sweet william so I'm getting that done a row at a time. #allotment

This really is pushing me into mad plant woman territory (if ...

2026-09-03T19:15:10Z

This really is pushing me into mad plant woman territory (if anyone doubted) but I'm excited to see my dyer's woad seeds coming up. I'll transplant them to a final position when I've worked out where that should be.

Also a bonus euphorbia? Looks more ornamental than the petty spurge I get a lot but could be wrong.

The grass has suddenly sprung back into life after a week of rain so that's a job for the weekend. #allotment

A soggy allotment plot visit #allotment #gardening ...

2026-09-02T18:08:03Z

A soggy allotment plot visit #allotment #gardening #bloomscrolling

I did a bunch of seed sowing in modules today during a gap in the ...

2026-08-29T21:56:34Z

I did a bunch of seed sowing in modules today during a gap in the rain. A lot of my coriander has gone to flower but the hoverflies and smaller flies are enjoying it. Also spotted a plum tree trying to flower in August 🙃 #allotment #gardening #growyourown

I had a nightmare with my annual cut flowers this year, the cold ...

2026-08-23T14:09:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…49du
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I had a nightmare with my annual cut flowers this year, the cold snap in May made things tricky as much as the hot weather. It's the main reason I'm going for autumn sown hardy annuals this time around.

I want to give a shout out to snapdragons / antirrhinums too. Very pretty, can be used as a cut flower, low maintenance, don't need feeding through the year if the ground it's planted in has some nutrients already. Sow in autumn or spring or whenever really. Bumble bees love them

English lavenders are great. Can get small plants grown from ...

2026-08-23T13:12:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…cvf0
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English lavenders are great. Can get small plants grown from cuttings from independent garden centres often in spring. Drought tolerant, loved by bees.

Drumstick alliums (Allium sphaerocephalon) are great for bees and look after themselves. Perennial. Look best in clumps next to lower growing plants.

Hoverflies like "umbel" flowers, so achilleas / yarrows, things like dill or fennel. I sow 'Dutch mammoth' dill alongside cornflowers as they're a similar height.

And then garlic, shallots, spring onions (incl. perennial) as ...

2026-08-22T13:07:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…j24l
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And then garlic, shallots, spring onions (incl. perennial) as normal. I'm increasing my chive plants. Skipping bulbing onions and leeks.

Will have sutherland kale, snowball cauliflowers, spring cabbage, carrots, chard, perpetual spinach and random herbs for winter and early spring.

Basically I'm front loading the year with autumn sown crops so they can make use of water earlier in the year and be strong enough to grow deep roots on their own. 6/n #allotment

I have 100+ sweet william plants from seed so I'll have an ...

2026-08-22T13:01:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…dlmq
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I have 100+ sweet william plants from seed so I'll have an army of early summer cut flowers.

Will autumn sow broad beans and a second sowing in spring. Seed swapped dwarf cannellini type beans have been great this year, so definitely planting again - I sow in root trainers rather than direct which helped.

No runner beans as they've been naff. Atm no french beans as the watering killed me, and they suffered a little in the heat any how, but I might change my mind. 5/n #allotment

I didn't grow aubergines this year and I regret it. I'm ...

2026-08-22T12:50:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…nyn3
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I didn't grow aubergines this year and I regret it. I'm thinking a dwarf variety like 'lilac wand'.

Chillis have been going absolutely mad in the greenhouses when it's otherwise been too hot for most things. Maybe should do no heat chillis and sweet peppers next year alongside hot varieties. Will buy plants rather than driving myself made trying to germinate seed in a small living space.

Courgettes have been pathetic for me, guess they need shading, otherwise not sure why 4/n #allotment

I usually underplant a lot of things with birdsfoot trefoil and ...

2026-08-22T12:42:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…tt93
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I usually underplant a lot of things with birdsfoot trefoil and nasturtiums but with no rain to help them along they weren't effective cover crops this year. I ended up using straw between plants instead to mulch.

I'm going to switch to more dwarf and micro dwarf varieties of tomatoes for earlier season cropping and less demand for watering. Will plant alongside kale cavalo nero. I skipped kale this year but apparently they've been thugs through the heat w/o needing much water. 3/n #allotment

1st and 2nd early potatoes did fine for me as there was still ...

2026-08-22T12:36:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…jm8d
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1st and 2nd early potatoes did fine for me as there was still enough moisture in the ground through the first half of the year.

Grain amaranth has been fab as expected, needs very little water or care so easy.

Early sown calendula has been constantly flowering with very little water, so will make more patches next year rather than nasturtiums and french marigolds.

Foxgloves draw aphids away from crops like nasturtiums and did fine with no watering so they'll stay too. 2/n #allotment

With next year forecast to be hotter than this year I've been ...

2026-08-22T12:29:01Z

With next year forecast to be hotter than this year I've been thinking through what I want to do differently at the plot next season.

I'm autumn sowing flowering hardy annuals like bread seed poppies, nigella, cornflowers and dill. Also snapdragons and foxgloves. I struggled with late frosts and then whipping into a heatwave with more tender annuals so I'm skipping a lot of them for next year. Want to focus spring sowing efforts on tomatoes, aubergines rather than flowers.

1/n #allotment

We had a sweetcorn kitchen party to celebrate. Boiled with half ...

2026-08-17T20:08:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…2tys
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We had a sweetcorn kitchen party to celebrate. Boiled with half just with regular butter and half with garlic chilli butter so we could appreciate the taste on its own. Really pleased 💚 #allotment #growyourown

First sweetcorn came home today. I noticed one plant had a fungus ...

2026-08-17T18:43:57Z

First sweetcorn came home today.

I noticed one plant had a fungus and another cob had been pecked so checked the kernels on this lot and they're ready even though the silks are still not that dark. First time growing them so it's a learning curve.

I have a forest of sweet basil to pick but I just brought enough back for two days worth of pesto. Roma tomatoes are ripening but all large varieties are still very much green. #allotment #growyourown

(1) Pond lily flowering for the first time. (2) Cherokee Trail of ...

2026-08-15T18:34:44Z

(1) Pond lily flowering for the first time. (2) Cherokee Trail of Tears and (3) Greasy beans growing well. And (4) the grain amaranth looking happy. #allotment

New blog post: mid month musing on being too hot and climate ...

2026-08-14T21:38:25Z

New blog post: mid month musing on being too hot and climate change https://notes.laurenheywood.com/mid-month-update-aug-2026/

#allotment

I'm in the same boat regarding chillis (and erring on the ...

2026-08-13T13:29:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…kph7
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I'm in the same boat regarding chillis (and erring on the side of your general feeling about allotmenting too with the weather this year).

I've been drying any chillis that ripen as at least that's an easy way to store them and makes them easier to give away if necessary. I've held off buying more chilli crisp thinking I need to instead make homemade batches at some point. But I've barely been doing cooking in general through the heat.

I was double checking what time of year to take comfrey cuttings ...

2026-08-11T13:24:42Z

I was double checking what time of year to take comfrey cuttings and came across this "RHS Wildlife Wonders: plants of the month for 2026" chart.

If you're a UK gardener planning autumn planting for next year it's worth keeping these (and the "supporting plants") in mind. #gardening

I was sat with a friend yesterday while a pigeon went around the ...

2026-08-08T13:09:43Z

In reply to nevent1q…mjfe
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I was sat with a friend yesterday while a pigeon went around the green manure patch picking at the seed. I was hoping for some more showers but we're straight into another 30C heatwave (aka normal weather at this point). Anyway, reminded me of the poem:

Four seeds in a row, one for the mouse, one for the crow, one to rot, and one to grow. #allotment #gardening

Went to the plot late afternoon to sort out my potato bed as ...

2026-08-06T18:49:55Z

Went to the plot late afternoon to sort out my potato bed as I've been neglecting it.

First pic is the amount of Charlottes I got from a 2kg bag, not loads but happy given the year we've had.

Second pic is the ground raked over with green manures sown: caliente mustard, lacy phacelia, forage peas, field beans, vetch and lupins.

Third pic the bags I had to lug home 💪 #allotment #gardening #growyourown

Grain amaranth is a really useful thing to grow through drought. ...

2026-07-16T22:33:42Z

Grain amaranth is a really useful thing to grow through drought. I watered in the young plants when transplanted to final position and a second time a week later, but not since.

It's not invasive in the UK like it is some places. The seeds are a mini version of quinoa (same family). The leaves are edible like spinach too. If you choose a supplier like Real Seeds who grow plants acclimatised to Wales you'll get a good early seed crop.

https://realseeds.co.uk/grains.html

#allotment #growyourown #gyo

It begins 🍅 #allotment #growyourown #gyo ...

2026-07-12T19:38:06Z

It begins 🍅 #allotment #growyourown #gyo

Attempted a garlic braid. Usually just do braids of 12 but hubris ...

2026-07-11T15:29:37Z

Attempted a garlic braid. Usually just do braids of 12 but hubris made me try 25 at once... and without using string up the braid. Made it far harder work and it's not very even but it'll do :) #allotment #growyourown #gyo

Crazy! Looks more like spinach. What's the taste like?

2026-07-02T19:11:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…njhq
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Crazy! Looks more like spinach. What's the taste like?

They might not be getting pollinated. The female blossoms start ...

2026-06-30T22:23:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…mkh6
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They might not be getting pollinated. The female blossoms start with a mini fruit but if they don't get pollinated properly they rot off eventually.

Check that you have male blossoms, if not be patient they'll appear eventually. If you do have a male blossom you have the option to hand pollinate if you wish.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. A lot of diseases get ...

2026-06-29T11:45:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…s6xq
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I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. A lot of diseases get solved by crop rotation, sounds like it affects nightshades specifically bees and nature (npub1elt…lfmk)

Sorry to hear that. Just had a look if RHS has any info and this ...

2026-06-29T09:36:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…t7pz
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Sorry to hear that. Just had a look if RHS has any info and this sounds like it fits:

"Dead, rotten patches on the stems: A disease called Didymella stem rot (caused by the fungus Didymella lycopersici) can attack the stems of tomatoes causing brown, rotted patches, at any height but most often at the stem base. Affected plants can wilt and die, and should be removed immediately to prevent infection of the remaining plants."

Not heard of it myself.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/problems/tomatoes-stem-problems

bees and nature (npub1elt…lfmk)

Beautiful 💚 My greenhouse plants are a similar size to yours. ...

2026-06-28T20:49:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…3e5y
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Beautiful 💚 My greenhouse plants are a similar size to yours. I've had a few different outdoor plants die on me through the weird weather, mainly cut flowers. And planted other stuff out late. Made my peace with it. Just enjoying whatever is left and counting myself lucky.

Cut a small bunch of flowers for home. Saw first sunflower and ...

2026-06-23T20:37:26Z

Cut a small bunch of flowers for home. Saw first sunflower and dahlia in bloom. Rescued a frog from a watering can. #allotment #bloomscrolling

Thanks, really appreciate you sharing your knowledge Richard! ...

2026-06-23T16:29:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…588f
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Thanks, really appreciate you sharing your knowledge Richard!

Small scale growers where I am in England mostly grow in blocks to ensure pollination. I'm new to growing sweetcorn so I've just been following what my neighbours do.

Your posts are the first time I've seen sweetcorn grown in rows and succession planted, it's really useful to see. Sowing in clumps would help a lot on exposed sites here.

If you have the time I'd really like to know more about your ...

2026-06-23T11:41:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…3swp
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If you have the time I'd really like to know more about your planting set up.

I haven't seen multi sown sweetcorn before (multiple sown in one hole), and I was curious if the mounding up is for stability against wind or for root health or something else? It's cool to see

This is the most recent and last ground bed, roughly 5x5m. ...

2026-06-19T19:33:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…xwf6
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This is the most recent and last ground bed, roughly 5x5m.

I'm leaving the last furthest edge atm as there is yet more black "weed suppressant" fabric in the ground. A nightmare to dig out and suppresses f all - it has weeds growing through it which weighs and pins it to the earth.

So far there's sweet corn, mixed grain amaranth, three climbing beans varieties, cosmos & nasturtiums planted in the main section. And then there's a perennial flower bed strip on one edge. #allotment #gardening

Teasels and black knapweed growing well amongst the ox-eye ...

2026-06-19T19:18:43Z

In reply to nevent1q…a22p
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Teasels and black knapweed growing well amongst the ox-eye daisies in the meadow-y patch. This is where the mint was / is in the ground left by the previous people. There's lots of fox-and-cubs, vetch, foxgloves, and smaller mulleins amongst other things in this patch. #allotment #gardening

The allotment hollyhocks have started to flower this week. ...

2026-06-19T19:12:24Z

The allotment hollyhocks have started to flower this week. I've left mullein here and there to flower, this is my tallest one so far which I've had to support as it got knocked by the wind #allotment #gardening

Managed to pick a few different things together today. Dill, ...

2026-06-12T17:13:41Z

Managed to pick a few different things together today. Dill, broad beans + field beans, rocket, lettuce and my first ever white currants.
#allotment #growyourown

Determinate dwarf tomatoes are in grow bags on my raised pallet ...

2026-05-31T20:47:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…8v3m
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Determinate dwarf tomatoes are in grow bags on my raised pallet platform, and then kind of opposite the central path are my indeterminate tomatoes. Will put canes in as supports at a later date. Forgot to tag the first post oops #allotment

I've had a tiring but productive weekend at the plot. All my ...

2026-05-31T20:39:53Z

I've had a tiring but productive weekend at the plot. All my beans and flowers are planted out 🤞 and my outdoor tomatoes.

Here's how the front two beds are looking. First two pics: runner and french beans with rows of cosmos, korean mint, achellia ptarmica 'the pearl', cornflowers, snapdragons, dill, pink poker statice, regular statice, strawflowers, gladioli and gypsophila. What a mouthful.

Second two pics: spuds, broad beans and herbs.

You could keep some and chop and drop the rest? My neighbour ...

2026-05-30T21:40:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…qcw4
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You could keep some and chop and drop the rest? My neighbour always lets a couple of his parsnips go to seed and he swaps me the seed, they seem to germinate better than shop bought stuff

And you're definitely not useless. The pics you've posted of your plot so far look fab

Question for UK folk - where do you buy your sheep wool for ...

2026-05-28T08:49:09Z

Question for UK folk - where do you buy your sheep wool for mulch? Was thinking of giving it a go for the first time so recommendations appreciated #allotment #gardening

I stood chatting to a neighbour with this view over her plot 💚 ...

2026-05-27T20:46:06Z

I stood chatting to a neighbour with this view over her plot 💚 #allotment #gardening #bloomscrolling

It's a nice feeling though when you can grow a year's ...

2026-05-25T15:38:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…5fhq
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It's a nice feeling though when you can grow a year's worth of a specific produce.

I'm going a bit bean mad this year so I'm trying to balance them with how many tomatoes I'm growing for the sake of time spent watering. I'm growing a lot of grain amaranth for that reason too, doesn't take much looking after.

You guys are putting me to shame. Think I have max 15 plants and ...

2026-05-25T11:26:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…kkr4
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You guys are putting me to shame. Think I have max 15 plants and only 5 varieties.

My bulgarian neighbour really wants me to grow large varieties (he thought I was tomato poor for growing small to medium sized varieties last year). So he gave me seeds for Babino Chudo (Grandma’s Miracle) and Cherven Gradinski “Rosu de Gradina” (Garden Red). He had fruits easily over 600g so will be interesting to see how big they get!

These bugs are going to be living better than me. Where I'm ...

2026-05-23T21:15:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…zuz7
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These bugs are going to be living better than me.

Where I'm at making an insect hotel, basic structure is done. All reclaimed wood and roofing felt. A Ready Steady Cook approach to diy takes more problem solving but it's fun 🍅🫑 #allotment

At this point I seem to have lost the ability to take in-focus ...

2026-05-14T15:04:44Z

At this point I seem to have lost the ability to take in-focus photos of flying creatures. A quick trip to the #allotment between hail and showers.

That's fair enough. I only know Cambridge by name so ...

2026-05-14T11:22:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…spwn
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That's fair enough. I only know Cambridge by name so don't know what the demographics are, it does vary a lot between individual supermarkets of the same name.

My Morrisons has a huge variety of fresh produce but it's also catering to a diverse community. Whereas the one I go to in Derbyshire where extended family live is very centred around ingredients for a sunday roast and a lot of pies in the deli section 😅

I've seen ASDAs with good variety too but again in culturally diverse areas.

Looks the same as a Morrisons to me. Or just go to an independent ...

2026-05-13T21:58:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…9h5l
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Looks the same as a Morrisons to me. Or just go to an independent fish monger?

#allotment #bloomscrolling ...

2026-05-06T19:51:17Z

#allotment #bloomscrolling

Looking for advice on what's wrong with this rose plant! ...

2026-05-03T15:54:46Z

Looking for advice on what's wrong with this rose plant! (I'm in the UK)

It has patches of red leaves alongside white spots / variagation on the green leaves. I've been away for a week and it looks worse with a small branch withering.

In other years it's had green leaves and been healthy, although last year it did have some black spot which I pruned back.

I'm thinking it could be mosiac virus, in which case I need to remove the plant? But happy for any advice #rose #gardening #allotment

This is a wonky butterfly house I cobbled together over the ...

2026-04-07T20:26:03Z

This is a wonky butterfly house I cobbled together over the weekend. Used left over paint and posca pens this evening as a quick bosh to make it bright.

It's to go inside an insect hotel I've been working on at the #allotment to go amongst a sunny flower bed. 100% reclaimed wood, w40cm x d40cm x h100m ish.

I have lots of logs and habitat for things already but think the roofed homes look cute. Keep taking pictures of ones in communtiy gardens and made by 'Men in Sheds' groups and I have envy!

Went to the #allotment site earlier so I could secure my ...

2026-04-03T18:13:59Z

Went to the #allotment site earlier so I could secure my greenhouse windows with the winds picking up. Took the opportunity to walk around the site to see other people's spring plots. This is one of the lanes. Helebores, forget-me-nots, stocks, primulas, heucheras and other pretty plants beside the hedgerows :) #bloomscrolling

Even though it's a cold blustery day (accompanied by short ...

2026-03-28T17:21:49Z

Even though it's a cold blustery day (accompanied by short bursts of hail) I spent an hour at the plot in my big coat to repot the scabious plants I've grown from seed. They should be happier with this compost mix and space. 12 Giant scabious and 10 Macedonian scabious so I'll have plenty to give away. #allotment #gardening

Planted out my leftover shallot sets and a line of carrots for my ...

2026-03-21T12:20:42Z

Planted out my leftover shallot sets and a line of carrots for my neighbour who's had a series of illnesses recently.

This planter is an old industrial sink from a chemistry lab. The neighbour let a parsnip self seed so he's now got a forest of parsnips. I was a bit brutal and pulled a bunch out along with weeds to make this patch. #allotment

My default is green tomato chutney. Add apple, sugar, vinegar and ...

2025-10-09T23:30:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…s5hu
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My default is green tomato chutney. Add apple, sugar, vinegar and spices you like. Can add onion and alternative fruits too. Use paprika to deepen the colour to a rich brown.

I’ve had a high octane evening sorting through my remaining ...

2025-09-13T20:21:26Z

I’ve had a high octane evening sorting through my remaining #allotment shallots. I’ve been eating the biggest ones over the summer and I want to pickle some of the small to medium sized ones. The smallest ones are getting saved to be planted next year.

Feel proud of them all laid out 🥲 #growyourown

Saved this image a long time ago. Recently I’ve been collecting ...

2025-08-12T12:02:22Z

Saved this image a long time ago. Recently I’ve been collecting and sorting heritage / heirloom seeds ready to give away, and “gardening is a revolutionary act” often comes to mind.

At the allotment we share and give away spare produce, use second-hand materials to build things, support and give time to each other for free, make spaces for wildlife and care for our environment. Which shouldn’t be radical but feels it in a world increasingly measured by profit and monetary mechanisms.

I love your setup for giving surplus veg away, and the fact that ...

2025-07-16T19:24:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…cm0r
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I love your setup for giving surplus veg away, and the fact that you give it away :) Hope you can stay cool!

I’ve been trying to plan ahead for what green manures to use ...

2025-07-08T12:24:12Z

I’ve been trying to plan ahead for what green manures to use over autumn and winter. UK folk - what have you found works best for you, ideally in #nodig approaches? (Eg things that can be cut back or smothered rather than needing to be dug into the soil) #allotment #growyourown #gardening

I went back and picked a couple of Cephalaria gigantea / giant ...

2025-07-05T14:08:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…jx05
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I went back and picked a couple of Cephalaria gigantea / giant scabious heads today to try my hand at germinating them from seed.

I’ve been giving people my Knautia macedonica / Macedonian scabious seeds and apparently they’ve germinated well in previous years, so here’s hoping I can do similarly well with these 🤞#gardening #bloomscrolling

Emulate the style of a wealthy person with zero taste and have a ...

2025-07-04T15:48:57Z

Emulate the style of a wealthy person with zero taste and have a knockoff Koons for your very own garden

Found my first blackberries of the year on a walk yesterday 🌱 ...

2025-06-27T09:40:34Z

Found my first blackberries of the year on a walk yesterday 🌱

I’m in deepest darkest Devon atm and saw this inspo for an ...

2025-06-23T22:07:25Z

I’m in deepest darkest Devon atm and saw this inspo for an insect house while on a train #gardening

I’ve been leaving native wild plants in situ dotted around the ...

2025-06-17T09:54:50Z

I’ve been leaving native wild plants in situ dotted around the allotment plot especially when I know they are larval food for various moths and butterflies. But I’ve been reading about the concept of a “butterfly bank” and I’m now trying to think of how much shade and light I have in different places.

I have a large quarter of my allotment plot still uncultivated so maybe I can plan a small bank / elongated hillock into this somewhere #gardening #butterfly

https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/Butterfly%20Bank%20Factsheet_FINAL.pdf

I realised after that the scabious is ‘Cephalaria gigantea’ ...

2025-06-10T10:29:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…uarh
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I realised after that the scabious is ‘Cephalaria gigantea’ rather than ‘Scabiosa ochroleuca’, it’s a 2m variety with particularly large flower heads (~6cm)

I saw these two flowers today which are new to me, I might try to ...

2025-06-09T18:09:58Z

I saw these two flowers today which are new to me, I might try to get my own at some point - Scabiosa ochroleuca / cream scabious, and Astrantia major / greater masterwort.

I’m a fan of scabiouses in general but this was a tall yellow version I haven’t seen before. And pollinators were having the time of their lives on the masterwort, there were a few different varieties dotted around this community garden.

#bloomscrolling

Javelin potato and Charlotte potato flowers #allotment ...

2025-06-08T12:54:27Z

Javelin potato and Charlotte potato flowers #allotment #growyourown

Currently weeding inbetween showers

Someone needs to tell the writer that docks are good for ...

2025-05-31T08:34:06Z

Someone needs to tell the writer that docks are good for fertilising plants through chop-and-drop, composting or weed tea. Those big ol' tap roots get to nutrients other plants can't reach deep in the ground and bring it to the surface into their leaves (the same as why comfrey is useful).

But glad to see couch grass (my nemisis) getting the hate it deserves #allotment #gardening #weeds

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/may/30/not-all-weeds-are-bad-news-but-these-interlopers-have-no-place-in-my-gardens-veg-patch

I’m feeling very grateful for the amount of steady rain we’ve ...

2025-05-28T11:47:32Z

I’m feeling very grateful for the amount of steady rain we’ve had over the last few days. The water butts have already filled a fair amount and the soil and wildlife are happy for it. I seem to have mostly escaped the threat of slugs and snails too #allotment #gardening

Broad / fava beans are looking promising. The taller plants at ...

2025-05-22T17:50:18Z

Broad / fava beans are looking promising. The taller plants at the back are field beans which have just started to set. We still haven’t seen any rain #allotment

I’ve been away so did a quick visit to the plot this evening to ...

2025-04-25T19:22:21Z

I’ve been away so did a quick visit to the plot this evening to water the greenhouse seedlings. Came away with a bag of rhubarb, cauliflower and greens to fill up the fridge #allotment

I love the layout!! Looks great as well as practical

2025-04-18T17:42:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…am80
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I love the layout!! Looks great as well as practical

I have done a lot of heavy lifting at the plot this week so today ...

2025-04-12T15:18:09Z

I have done a lot of heavy lifting at the plot this week so today I’m planting some beans and sunflowers at home to have a rest. Here’s to hoping the weather is kind and it rains as promised this evening #allotment #gardening

I’ve let a patch of white deadnettle grow in amongst my poached ...

2025-04-07T13:16:39Z

I’ve let a patch of white deadnettle grow in amongst my poached egg plants so it can be an early buffet for bees and other creatures. It’s full of life today #allotment #gardening

Sunny yellow blooms from today: my first tulips appearing, and ...

2025-04-04T18:56:34Z

Sunny yellow blooms from today: my first tulips appearing, and dandelions providing a feast.

(I should be swapping over to a new phone this weekend so these might be the last photos I post from a camera that had a piece of gravel pushed through it)

#bloomscrolling #allotment

I’ve finally varnished some of my painted pebbles, and I’m ...

2025-04-03T15:40:07Z

I’ve finally varnished some of my painted pebbles, and I’m about to plant seeds for 8 different types of tomato (all saved seed) 🌱

I have only just realised this morning that I probably need to plant all four of my pear trees nearer to each other (atm they are planted in pairs 20m+ apart) as one is a tripiloid and its pollination partner isn’t self-fertile. Once closer together they should be fine as the others are compatible. Pear trees are tricky!

#allotment

#growyourown #bloomscrolling and #allotment are more tags to ...

2025-04-02T21:52:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…ymz4
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#growyourown #bloomscrolling and #allotment are more tags to follow for gardening joy :)

Went for an evening walk and looped around to the plot to pick ...

2025-03-10T18:00:41Z

Went for an evening walk and looped around to the plot to pick more spinach for tonight’s palak paneer. It grows as fast as I can pick it atm. Daffs are starting to bloom and the birds are singing!

#allotment #gardening #bloomscrolling

Taking a break at the plot to listen to the chorus of birds. ...

2025-03-05T16:01:19Z

Taking a break at the plot to listen to the chorus of birds. Raspberry canes dug up ready for their new home. Shallots in. Garlic rising. A lot of work ahead over the next month but getting there.

#allotment #gardening

I’ve been clearing more brambles on the new half. I found the ...

2025-02-20T15:34:42Z

I’ve been clearing more brambles on the new half. I found the spikiest bits and have started making my slug defences for spring. These rings can go around transplanted brassicas to act as barbed wire. I make them while the plants are green and bendy, then dry them out for use in a couple of months.

If you don’t want to hurt your hands tying them you can just cut straight lengths to dry too, particularly good for rows of peas!

#allotment #gardening

I’ve been whacking in more edging posts for my dead hedge. ...

2025-02-14T15:56:52Z

I’ve been whacking in more edging posts for my dead hedge. It’s wide (shy of 4’ according to the length of my boots) and stops a meter away from my central path. I was guesstimating the size needed based on the piles of clippings from the hedgerow I’ve had in past years plus the 3m square patch of brash I already have ready to go. Plus the deeper it is the more fun the dunnocks, wrens and robins will have.

I’m away this weekend but looking forward to filling it up next week 💪 #allotment

Before I planted any trees I’d agreed with the committee that 4 ...

2025-02-13T16:27:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…5u20
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Before I planted any trees I’d agreed with the committee that 4 diseased unproductive plum trees needed to come out, and that when I took them out I’d replace them with new trees. This was originally the plan for when I had the one half with just two trees. But now I have both sides I’ve dealt with the left half too.

Tbh it felt like I was committing a crime cutting trees down but it was obvious by how soft the wood was in places that they didn’t have long for this world anyhow #allotment

It’s a long story but I ended up with four pear trees rather ...

2025-02-13T16:20:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…u6j2
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It’s a long story but I ended up with four pear trees rather than two so last month I also planted two trees further up on the left hand half of the plot too. I only paid for two trees so kind of a brucie bonus to end up with four (at first I had no idea where I was planting them all!) #allotment

Over today and yesterday I planted two pear trees (quince C ...

2025-02-13T16:14:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…cf7q
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Over today and yesterday I planted two pear trees (quince C dwarfing rootstock) at the front of my original right hand half, and made a chipping path and mini paved area leading up to and in front of my potting shed. #allotment

My original neighbours left last year so I’ve now taken on the ...

2025-02-13T16:07:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…w2tg
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My original neighbours left last year so I’ve now taken on the full plot.

It looks like chaos but I’ve cleared 3 loads of rubbish to the tip with more to go, including a broken trampoline and an endless amount of degraded plastic. The left hand hedgerow is also very over grown with lots of brambles. Now that I’ve cleared most of the rubbish I can hack all the hedges back next week. The tarps are all mine, seemed the easiest way to wrangle the first patch to make into a bed.

I’ve just passed my third anniversary of having my first ...

2025-02-13T15:56:00Z

I’ve just passed my third anniversary of having my first garden. On 6th Feb 2022 I got the keys to my #allotment plot. A family had just signed the lease for the left half the day before, and then I signed for the right half.

Slowly painting rocks for the #allotment, and by slowly I mean I ...

2025-01-14T14:20:06Z

Slowly painting rocks for the #allotment, and by slowly I mean I haven’t finished any. They sit on a shelf, I pick one up to work on it for 5 mins, put it back, come back two hours or two days later to the same rock and add more. If shelf studio practice isn’t a thing it should be, it’s satisfying.

I watched the first episode of three of Sandi Toksvig’s Great ...

2025-01-09T21:21:44Z

I watched the first episode of three of Sandi Toksvig’s Great British Woodland Restoration on Channel 4 tonight - UK #gardening #nature #rewilding folks will enjoy it.

Toksvig and her wife bought a 15 acre ancient woodland site so they can restore it as a lifelong personal project. It follows their progress with experts joining to provide advice.

Appreciated it being intertwined with Toksvig’s health journey, given I started gardening as a means to recover my own health too 🌿

I’ve had a lumberjack day using a hand tree saw to take out a ...

2025-01-04T16:46:50Z

I’ve had a lumberjack day using a hand tree saw to take out a couple of unproductive fruit trees. I’ll be planting four new pear trees later this month and possibly taking someone’s neglected patio apple in a pot with the hope to revive it.

I’m cutting the wood down into similar length logs to make a log wall as a wildlife space. I’m hoping to make a pond (I’ve said that for the last two years) so I’m thinking of placing the log wall in that area to extend it as a wildlife habitat #allotment

We need to just outright ban grouse moors. Game keepers killing ...

2025-01-03T18:16:39Z

We need to just outright ban grouse moors. Game keepers killing protected birds like these hen harriers, plus the mismanaged land of grouse moors leads to moorland being unable to hold water on hills leading to flooding below and risks later drought and wildfires up on the hills.

Just bin them off. Grouse shooting is the preserve of the wealthy, it’s not necessary for food security or anything else and its fall out creates a wake of destruction.

https://raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/01/03/this-has-to-stop-north-pennines-national-landscape-director-denounces-ongoing-hen-harrier-persecution/

This is what I’ve done in terms of bean protection for upcoming ...

2024-12-31T15:08:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…ae3j
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This is what I’ve done in terms of bean protection for upcoming frosts overnight this week.

Field beans are staying unprotected, I’m very sure they’ll be fine, they’re mostly for green manure anyway.

Broad beans have got pegged down wire mesh as a tunnel with fleece on top. They’ve been erratic in their germination so some protection might help that 🤷🏻‍♀️

First pic is yesterday, second pic today. I’m off to find more bricks to weigh the fleece down. It’s hella windy.

#allotment #growyourown

Brought back yellow beetroot, spinach, chard and parsley to make ...

2024-12-30T16:23:08Z

Brought back yellow beetroot, spinach, chard and parsley to make a golden butterbean pie #allotment

Question for #allotment #gardening #growyourown - my field beans ...

2024-12-30T14:52:14Z

Question for #allotment #gardening #growyourown - my field beans and broad beans (fava beans) are 4cm / 1.5 inch high, should I protect them at this point? This is my first attempt at an autumn sowing. Field beans are mostly green manure but I was hoping to keep a few for crop too (W Midlands, UK)

Happy Winter Solstice! In the darkest days of winter I find ...

2024-12-21T16:37:23Z

Happy Winter Solstice! In the darkest days of winter I find myself yearning for spring and window shopping for seeds and plants. I've pulled together a list of 11 UK independent seed producers and plant nurseries that I've been looking at recently incase anyone else is a window shopper like me:

https://notes.laurenheywood.com/for-idle-green-thumbs/

#allotment #gardening