Month: July 2020

August Garden and Allotment Jobs

August Garden and Allotment Jobs

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Home/2020/July

August Garden and Allotment Jobs

Introduction: August’s Harvest Symphony – Reaping the Fruits of Summer’s Labor

As the sun-drenched days of August unfold, gardens and allotments enter a phase of bountiful fruition, where the culmination of months of care and nurturing manifests in a vibrant tapestry of color and abundance. In this crescendo of summer’s symphony, August beckons both seasoned gardeners and allotment enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the joy of harvest and the tangible rewards of their green endeavors.

As the air is scented with the sweetness of ripening fruits and the earth hums with the activity of thriving flora, August becomes a stage for the grand finale of summer’s grand production. The diligent efforts of planting, tending, and coaxing life from the soil now come to fruition, yielding a cornucopia of vegetables, fruits, and the sheer beauty of blooming flowers.

Join us in this introduction as we step into the rich landscape of gardening and allotment activities in August. From the joyous harvest rituals to the continued care of late-season crops, August encapsulates the essence of a grower’s journey—where the hands that nurtured the soil now reap the rewards in a celebration of nature’s abundant generosity.

Welcome to August Garden and Allotment Jobs. August can be a month of hot dry weather but as the year is getting to the end there is not much left to be doing in the garden in August and also in the allotment. We have explained in our other page all the seeds to plant in August and what to plant in August UK – you can check out those tips here. We hope you find these gardening tips for August useful and it helps you keep your allotments and gardens looking amazing.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

August Vegetable Garden Jobs

Introduction: August’s Harvest Extravaganza – A Culmination of Summer’s Bounty

As August unfurls its sun-kissed days, the vegetable garden becomes a stage for a grand harvest extravaganza—a culmination of the season’s vibrant growth and diligent care. Cultivators, their hands stained with the richness of the earth, find themselves amid a bounty of colors, flavors, and the tangible rewards of a well-tended garden. In this month of abundance, seasoned gardeners and novices alike gather the fruits of their labor, celebrating the peak of summer’s generosity.

August is a time of flourishing plenty—a period when the sun-drenched soil yields an opulent array of vegetables, fruits, and herbs. The air is filled with the sweet fragrance of ripening produce, and the garden becomes a living testament to the harmonious dance of nature and nurture. It’s a month of joyous gatherings, where each day offers a new chapter in the story of a thriving, fruitful landscape.

Join us in this introduction as we step into the gardening fiesta of August—a time of reaping the rewards, preserving the harvest, and savoring the culmination of summer’s bounty. From picking plump zucchinis to drying fragrant herbs, August invites cultivators to immerse themselves in the richness of the season. As gardens overflow with life’s abundance, August becomes a celebration of the gardener’s dedication and the flourishing partnership between human hands and nature’s boundless generosity.

It may be getting to the end of the growing season but there is still lots of jobs that need doing in an allotment and kitchen garden in August to keep your vegetable patch looking great and maintained. Here we help with the general August Vegpaletable garden jobs.

Aubergine Plants:- These can be fed on a weekly basis once the fruit starts to form on the plants. When the plant has around six fruit on a pinch the tops of the plants this will encourage the plants to grow the aubergines.

Courgettes:- You will be picking these on a regular basis. Pick them when they are small this will encourage more to grow on the plant. Fingers crossed you get a bumper harvest.

Cucumber plants:- These can be fed on a weekly basis once the fruit starts to form on the plants.

Herb Plants:- Start drying out your herbs ready to save over the winter period until they start growing again.

Pepper plants:- These can be fed on a weekly basis once the fruit starts to form on the plants.

Potatoes:- You can now harvest main crop potatoes and second early potatoes. You will notice that the plants are starting to die off.

Runner Bean Plants:- When they reach the top of the canes pinch the tops of them to encourage the plant to bush out. Keep picking them on a regular basis this will encourage more to grow on the plants – they also will not be stringy.

Squash Plants:- Only have around 3 squash on the plants. Don’t cut any others off until the squash have got established.

Sweetcorn Plants:- You can feed these on a weekly basis with tomato feed this will encourage great corns on the plants. Your sweetcorn will be ready to pick when the tassels on the end of the corn turn brown. You will also be able to pierce the corn and it should be a milky colour not clear.

Tomato Plants:- Continue pinching out the shoots growing on the plants. When the plants reach the right height you can pinch the tops off to encourage them to grow the fruit. Keep feeding them once or twice a week when the plant has fruit on.

August Fruit Garden Jobs

Introduction: August’s Orchard Harvest – Nurturing the Bounty and Preparing for Autumn’s Transition

In the radiant warmth of August, the orchard becomes a realm of plenty—a haven where the fruits of diligent care and the vibrancy of summer meld into a tapestry of abundance. Orchard keepers, their hands seasoned by months of devoted cultivation, step into a landscape laden with ripe fruits, where the air is perfumed with the sweet aroma of harvest. In this month of culmination, both experienced cultivators and those new to the orchard revel in the richness of August—a time of gathering, nurturing, and preparing for the gentle transition into the embrace of autumn.

August is a season of joyous abundance—a time when orchard keepers partake in the vibrant dance of gathering ripened fruits from laden branches. It’s a month that beckons both celebration and careful consideration, as the orchard’s bounty is savored while preparations are made to ensure the health and vitality of the trees in the changing seasons.

Join us in this introduction as we explore the orchard harvest of August—a month of gathering sun-kissed fruits, preserving the summer’s essence, and tending to the ongoing needs of the orchard. From the jubilation of picking plump apples to the thoughtful care of trees carrying the weight of abundance, August invites orchard keepers to embrace the intertwining roles of harvesters and stewards. As the orchard overflows with the season’s treasures, August becomes a celebration of the gardener’s dedication—a time to savor the fruits of labor and prepare for the orchard’s gentle transition into the embrace of autumn.

August will be a busy month in the fruit garden as you will now be picking lots and lots of fruit daily from blackberries, loganberries, raspberries to fruit off your fruit trees. Look up amazing recipes to use your fruit to it’s full potential.

Blackberries:- The beginning of August you will be picking blackberries. Don’t let these go to waste. Wash them and freeze them for when you are ready for them.

Blackcurrants:- Prune back the stems which have fruited this year.

Fruit Trees:- In August you will be able to start picking your fruit from your trees, these will be your plums, cherries, nectarines and apricots.

Raspberries:- In August you will be picking autumn raspberries. They do not last long once you have picked them so freeze them until you actually need them. Any summer raspberry canes that have fruited this year they can be cut back. Don’t cut back the new shoots that have grown this year. They will be the ones where the raspberries grow on.

Strawberry plants:- Any runners which you have started off from your plants in pots these can now be transferred to the ground. They should then produce fruit next year.

August Flower Garden Jobs

Introduction: August’s Floral Carnival – Savoring the Sumptuous Abundance of Midsummer’s Bliss

In the balmy embrace of August, the flower garden transforms into a carnival of color, a feast for the senses where petals unfurl in a grand spectacle of midsummer opulence. Gardeners, their hands attuned to the vibrant pulse of the season, step into a landscape adorned with a profusion of blooms—a living carnival where each flower contributes to the exuberant pageantry of summer’s zenith. In this month of lavish beauty and warmth, both seasoned horticulturists and those cultivating their first garden find themselves enchanted by the resplendent carnival of August’s floral bounty.

August is a floral carnival—a time when the garden reaches its crescendo, a kaleidoscope of hues and fragrances that captivates the beholder. It’s a month that invites gardeners to revel in the sumptuous abundance, to savor the flourishing life, and to partake in the festive rhythm of nature’s midsummer jubilation.

Join us in this introduction as we explore the floral carnival of August—a month of indulgent care, artistic expression, and the harmonious communion between gardener and garden. From nurturing the resplendent blooms to crafting enchanting arrangements, August invites gardeners to be both celebrants and stewards amidst the lively landscape. As the garden unfolds in the warmth of summer’s embrace, August becomes a chapter of opulence—a carnival where each blossom is a participant, contributing to the radiant and ever-evolving extravagance of nature.

As August can be a hot month it can be hard work watering in the garden. Make sure you water your plants when the heat is less and the sun is not out. When flowers die off on your plants go round and deadhead them. If you do it every day you will keep on top of it.

Bedding Plants:- Make sure as the flowers die off that you deadhead the. This will encourage new growth and new flowers to appear on the plant.

Climbing roses:- Prune these back this month only when they have finished flowering. Don’t prune them while the flowers are still out.

Fuchsias:- Cuttings can be taken from these this month. To start new plants off for next year.

Herbs:- Now is the time to cut back your herbs. This will encourage your plants to provide some fresh new growth so that you can harvest some before the frost comes in Winter.

Lavender Plants:- When the flowers finish on the plants they can be cut back. This keeps the plants more compact rather than a dead mess.

Lillies:- When the flowers die off you can deadhead them but make sure you use gloves and be careful of the pollen as it does stain.

Wildflowers:- Now is the time to scatter your wildflower seeds. This will encourage lots of flowers for the bees next year.

Top 10 Questions and Answers for Gardening and Allotment Jobs in August

  1. Question: How should I adjust my watering routine in August?
  • Answer: Water deeply and consistently, especially during hot and dry spells. Be attentive to the moisture needs of your plants, ensuring they receive adequate hydration.
  1. Question: Can I start planting fall vegetables in August?
  • Answer: Yes, August is an excellent time to start planting fall vegetables such as kale, broccoli, and carrots. Check your local frost dates for optimal planting times.
  1. Question: How can I combat heat stress in my garden plants during August?
  • Answer: Provide shade for susceptible plants, use mulch to retain soil moisture and cool the roots, and water early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize stress.
  1. Question: What fruits and vegetables are ready for harvest in August?
  • Answer: Many summer crops like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and melons are ready for harvest in August. Be vigilant and pick fruits at their peak ripeness.
  1. Question: Is August a suitable time for dividing perennials?
  • Answer: While early spring is often recommended, some perennials can be divided in late summer, including irises and peonies. Ensure plants receive sufficient water after division.
  1. Question: How can I control weeds effectively in August?
  • Answer: Regularly remove weeds by hand or with a hoe. Applying mulch around plants helps suppress weed growth and conserves soil moisture.
  1. Question: Can I start a new compost pile in August?
  • Answer: Yes, you can start a new compost pile in August. Ensure a good balance of green and brown materials and turn the compost regularly for efficient decomposition.
  1. Question: Should I deadhead flowers in August?
  • Answer: Yes, continue deadheading spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming and redirect the plant’s energy into new growth. It helps maintain a tidy garden appearance.
  1. Question: How can I protect my garden from late-season pests in August?
  • Answer: Monitor plants for signs of pests, use organic pest control methods, and encourage natural predators like ladybugs and predatory beetles.
  1. Question: What can I do to prepare my garden for the fall season in August?
    • Answer: Start planning and planting fall crops, clean up spent vegetation, and assess the overall health of your garden. Consider soil amendments if needed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, August brings a sense of abundance and fulfillment to the gardening and allotment journey. As the sun-drenched days of summer continue, gardeners find themselves amidst the peak of harvest, surrounded by the vibrant colors and flavors of their carefully tended outdoor spaces.

This month is a testament to the rewards of consistent care and thoughtful planning, as the garden overflows with a diverse array of crops. From the ripening fruits to the fragrant blooms, August showcases the culmination of efforts put into soil preparation, watering, and pest management.

While harvesting becomes a central focus, August is also a time for forward-thinking gardeners. Planning for fall crops, considering soil amendments, and reflecting on the successes and lessons learned throughout the season become integral aspects of the gardener’s mindset.

In the warmth of late summer, the garden remains a source of nourishment, beauty, and connection with nature. By embracing the tasks of August with passion and dedication, individuals ensure that their gardens and allotments continue to thrive, providing a bountiful and rewarding experience well into the approaching fall season.

We hope you find these tips and advice useful on August Garden and Allotment Jobs. Come back next month to find out what to do in the garden in September.

If you are looking at what to plant in the garden in July you can check out our list here. Find out what jobs need doing in September or check out all the other months here to stay ahead of yourself.

august planting guide

What to plant in August in the garden and allotment

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Home/2020/July

What To Plant In August UK

August’s Harvest Symphony: Sowing the Seeds of Late Summer in the UK

As August unfolds, the UK’s gardens come alive with the crescendo of late summer. The air is redolent with the scents of blooming flowers and the promise of ripening fruits. This is the month when the garden, tended with care and devotion, reaches its zenith of productivity, offering a cornucopia of colors and flavors. In this guide, we step into the embrace of late summer, exploring the possibilities of what to plant in August—a time to nurture the fruition of the season’s growth.

August marks the transition from the vibrant energy of midsummer to the ripening abundance of late summer. Gardens, whether small plots or flourishing allotments, become the stage for a grand harvest symphony. This guide unveils the botanical treasures that August holds, beckoning gardeners to sow the seeds of continued vibrancy.

Join us as we traverse the late-summer landscape, discovering the best flowers, vegetables, herbs, and fruits to plant during this pinnacle of the growing season. Embrace the warmth of the lingering sun, sow the seeds of late-summer prosperity, and witness your garden transform into a haven of colors and flavors. May your August garden be a testament to the ongoing abundance of nature in the waning days of summer. Happy planting!

August can be one of the hottest months of the year in the UK. Finding out what to plant in August UK can always be tricky as it is getting to the end of the summer so there is not much left you can sow in august.

In this guide, we will be explaining all the planting in august. Find out what vegetables to plant in August and what flowers to plant in August. We will also explain what seeds to plant in August.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

What vegetables to plant in august

August’s Harvest Symphony: Sowing Late Summer Vegetables

As August unfolds and the sun-drenched days linger, the garden remains a verdant canvas ripe with possibilities. This is the month when the summer’s crescendo reaches its peak, and the diligent gardener can continue to sow the seeds of late-summer abundance. In this guide, we explore the delightful options of what vegetables to plant in August—a time when the garden is still teeming with life and the promise of a plentiful harvest.

August extends an invitation to gardeners, whether they tend to a backyard sanctuary, cultivate a communal plot, or oversee a flourishing allotment. This guide reveals the vegetables that thrive under the lingering summer sun, ready to enhance your table with a medley of late-season flavors.

Join us as we meander through the lush August garden, discovering the best vegetables to plant during this period of continued abundance. From the crisp snap of fresh beans to the rich colors of winter squash, August invites the gardener to relish in the bounty of late summer, sow the seeds of culinary delights, and revel in the joy of a garden still bursting with life. Happy planting!

As the summer is coming to the end there are not many things that you can sow and plant in august. We have researched all the items vegetables that can be planted in August. These need to be fast-growing vegetables or vegetables that grow through winter. All the items below are listed to amazon where you can go and purchase the item to grow on your plot. Find the list below all the seeds to plant in August

Autumn Cabbage:– Now is the time to plant this out if you have started some growing in July. You should be picking this coming Autumn

Carrots – You can still plant these this month. Make sure that the variety you choose is a fast-growing carrot.

Dwarf Beans:- Why not try growing late cropping of dwarf beans. Sow these in the greenhouse and you could be eating them come Autumn

Endive:- this is the last month to be sowing endive for a crop through to Autumn.

Herbs:- You can sow herbs parsley, chervil and coriander this month to grow in the greenhouse. These will not grow outside at this time of year.

Kale:- Plant out any kale that you had started growing last month. You will get crops from Winter through to Spring.

Kohl Rabi:– you still have a chance to grow this from this month. It will only take around 8 weeks to be ready. One of the fastest-growing vegetables

Lettuce:- This is one of the vegetables that can be growing this month. The varieties to try growing are:- Arctic King and Winter Gem

Pak Choi:- August is the perfect time to be planting pak choi in the garden. Planting any earlier can result in it bolting in the garden.

Radish:- This is also one of the fastest-growing vegetables to grow in the garden. Chuck some seeds in rows in the garden and watch them be ready if a few weeks time for your salad bowls.

Salad Leaves: – You can keep sowing these this month to get a harvest through August and September

Spinach:- This month you can sow perpetual spinach for harvests right through to the end of the year.

Spring Cabbage:- Sow seed straight into bed or modules if you want them to be protected from the slugs. These will be ready to pick in April

Spring Onions:– Sow spring onions that can cope with the winter climate for harvests in Spring. These can be White Lisbon, Performer.

Summer Cauliflower:- For an autumn crop of cauliflower plant out summer and autumn cauliflower plants this month.

Swiss Chard:- So this in August to be picking baby leaves in the Autumn or you can grow over winter for a spring harvest.

Turnips:- This is the last month to sow turnips for harvests this year

Winter Cabbage:- Sow your winter cabbages this month to grow over winter.

What to plant in the fruit garden in August

August’s Abundant Orchard: Sowing the Seeds of Late-Summer Delight

As August bathes the world in its golden glow and summer’s warmth lingers, fruit enthusiasts find themselves on the brink of a harvest-rich paradise. This is the month when orchards reach their zenith, and the air is imbued with the irresistible fragrance of ripening delights. In this guide, we embark on an exhilarating journey into the heart of late summer, exploring the possibilities of what fruits to plant in August—a time to sow the seeds of late-summer delight.

August extends an invitation to fruit enthusiasts, whether they tend to a backyard orchard, cultivate a community fruit plot, or dream of establishing their fruity haven. This guide unveils the fruits that eagerly thrive in the sun-drenched days of late summer, ready to adorn the orchard with their luscious treasures.

Join us as we stroll through the orchard’s late-summer abundance in August, discovering the best fruits to plant during this season of opulent growth. From the succulent allure of pear trees to the sun-kissed promise of fig varieties, August encourages the gardener to embrace the richness of late-summer fruits, sow the seeds of orchard aspirations, and revel in the joy of cultivating a bountiful fruit garden. Happy planting!

Strawberry Plants:– This month you can plant out any strawberry plants that you may have got potted up in the garden. If you have not got any potted up order some online here.

What to plant in the flower garden in August

August’s Flourishing Bloom: Sowing the Seeds of Late-Summer Elegance

In the embrace of August, as the sun-drenched days persist and summer’s warmth gracefully lingers, flower enthusiasts find themselves amid the final crescendo of the season’s floral symphony. This is the month when gardens reach their zenith, and the air is filled with the lingering sweetness of late-summer blossoms. In this guide, we embark on a contemplative journey into the heart of the season, exploring the possibilities of what flowers to plant in August—a time to sow the seeds of late-summer elegance.

August extends an invitation to flower enthusiasts, whether they nurture a balcony garden, tend to a backyard plot, or dream of creating a fragrant haven. This guide unveils the flowers that resiliently thrive in the waning warmth of late summer, ready to paint the landscape with hues of refined beauty.

Join us as we meander through the flourishing bloom of August, discovering the best flowers to plant during this season of reflective growth. From the delicate allure of asters to the vibrant charm of dahlias, August encourages the gardener to embrace the beauty of late-summer flowers, sow the seeds of floral aspirations, and revel in the joy of cultivating a blossoming garden. Happy planting!

There is not much you can sow in the garden this month for winter. But the ones you can sow will keep growing back each year – these are called perennials. We list all the flowers that can be sown below in August. You can click the link where it will take you to Amazon to purchase the item.

Calendulas: – Sow these this month in the ground. They will provide lots of colour in the garden next year. Be warned they do spread and self seed.

Cornflowers:- These add gorgeous blue colour to your garden. Sow them this month for a nice colour next year.

Larkspur:- sow these in the ground this month for a fantastic display next year.

Pansies: – These are great to grow in the garden. They will add colour to your garden most of the year in the garden. Sow your seeds now for colour in winter.

Poppies:- Scatter Californian poppy seeds in the garden for lots of colours in the garden next year.

Violas:- These add lots of colour to the garden just like poppies. Grow from seed for a great display in the garden.

Top 10 questions on What To Plant In August UK In The Garden And Allotment

  1. Q: What vegetables can I still plant in the UK garden or allotment in August?
  • A: August is suitable for planting quick-maturing vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and radishes. Consider varieties that thrive in the warmer weather.
  1. Q: Are there specific flowers that thrive when planted in the UK during August?
  • A: Yes, you can plant late-summer flowers such as asters, dahlias, and sunflowers. Perennials like sedum and rudbeckia are also excellent choices.
  1. Q: Can I sow seeds for fall vegetables in August in the UK?
  • A: Absolutely, August is an ideal time to sow seeds for fall crops like kale, turnips, and carrots. Ensure they have enough time to mature before frost.
  1. Q: Is it too late to plant tomatoes in August in the UK?
  • A: For determinate varieties, it might be challenging, but indeterminate varieties can still be planted for a late-season harvest. Choose faster-maturing types.
  1. Q: What fruits can I start planting or caring for in August in the UK?
  • A: Consider planting strawberries for a late summer or early fall harvest. Care for existing fruit plants by providing proper support and maintenance.
  1. Q: How can I protect my plants from pests in August in the UK?
  • A: Continue to inspect plants for pests like aphids and caterpillars. Implement companion planting and use natural deterrents to manage pest issues.
  1. Q: Is mulching still important in the garden or allotment in August in the UK?
  • A: Yes, mulching remains crucial in August to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Apply organic mulch around plants.
  1. Q: Can I still plant seeds for a second crop of certain vegetables in August in the UK?
  • A: Yes, consider sowing seeds for quick-growing crops like arugula, radishes, and lettuce to enjoy a second harvest later in the season.
  1. Q: How often should I water my plants in August in the UK?
  • A: August may bring warmer weather, so monitor soil moisture and water deeply when needed. Water in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
  1. Q: Are there specific considerations for planting in raised beds or containers in August in the UK?
    • A: Ensure adequate drainage and use a quality potting mix for containers. Watering may be more frequent in raised beds or containers during warmer weather.

Concluison

In conclusion, August brings the late summer glory to gardens and allotments in the UK, with a culmination of efforts resulting in a vibrant and bountiful landscape. As the sun continues to shine, the harvest season is in full swing, rewarding gardeners with the fruits of their labor.

Vegetable gardens are brimming with a diverse array of produce in August. From ripe tomatoes and peppers to an abundance of courgettes and beans, the kitchen is a treasure trove of homegrown delights. Continuous care, including watering and pest management, ensures the ongoing health and productivity of the garden.

Floral displays persist in their colorful splendor, with dahlias, sunflowers, and late-blooming perennials adding a visual feast to outdoor spaces. The garden becomes a haven for pollinators, contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem.

Fruit trees and bushes are laden with a rich harvest of berries, apples, and pears, offering a sweet and satisfying taste of summer. Diligent watering remains essential, especially during warm periods, to support the development of high-quality fruit.

While August signifies the culmination of the growing season, it’s crucial to stay engaged in the garden’s care. Harvesting produce promptly, deadheading flowers, and addressing any signs of pests or diseases contribute to the garden’s continued success.

As you revel in the abundance of August, take a moment to savor the flavors, aromas, and visual delights that surround you. The garden and allotment are not only sources of sustenance but also spaces for reflection, relaxation, and appreciation of the natural world. May your August gardening experiences be filled with joy, fulfillment, and the satisfaction of a season well-tended. Happy gardening!

We hope you have found these garden tips useful for August. You will now know what to plant in August in the garden and the allotment. Find out what jobs need doing in the garden and allotment here. Check out all other month by month planting guides here.

How To Grow Chickpeas

How To Grow Chickpeas

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Home/2020/July

How To Grow ChickPeas

Chickpeas have only just become popular in the UK. You don’t often see them being grown in gardens and allotments but they will soon start to become popular to grow. Here in this article, we will tell you how to grow chickpeas here in the UK and the rest of the world.

Welcome to the world of chickpea cultivation! Growing chickpeas is not only a rewarding experience but also a great way to enjoy these versatile legumes in your meals. Whether you’re a novice gardener or have some experience, this guide will walk you through the essential steps on how to grow chickpeas successfully.

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are packed with protein, fiber, and a range of essential nutrients. Cultivating them in your garden allows you to enjoy fresh, homegrown chickpeas while contributing to a sustainable and rewarding gardening journey.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything from selecting the right chickpea variety and preparing the soil to planting, caring for your chickpea plants, and harvesting the bountiful yield. Whether you have a backyard garden, a small plot, or even containers on a balcony, you can grow chickpeas and experience the joy of harvesting your own legumes.

Let’s dive into the world of chickpea cultivation and discover the simple yet fulfilling process of growing these nutritious and delicious legumes at home.

One of the reasons Chickpeas are becoming more popular here in the Uk is that they are getting more known for the protein that is in them. Eating Chickpeas is a great alternative for vegetarians that are needing protein from other sources and also for protein for gym workouts and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Chickpeas are not very hard to grow at all another reason why it is becoming more popular to grow chickpeas here in the UK. When growing chickpeas they require very little attention to get great results from the crops that you grow. Chickpeas can grow in warm weather and little water as well great for the different types of growing climates we are now getting in the UK.

You will notice that when growing Chickpeas they will not be attacked by many of the garden critters that you get attacking most plants in the garden and the allotment.

The taste of chickpeas is actually a cross between French Beans and also Peas. When growing chickpeas you do not have to add many nutrients to the soil to get great crops from your plants. So if you are looking for something easy to get growing in your garden, allotment, or kitchen garden why not try growing chickpeas next time?

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-

Click to see book on Amazon

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

Chickpeas Varieties.

In the Uk, there are only a few varieties of chickpeas that you can try and grow as they are still a new thing to try growing here in the UK. You can purchase varieties of Chickpeas from Amazon from lots of reputable businesses that have great star ratings. You will be able to find the link below for suggestions for varieties of chickpeas that you can purchase from Amazon.

The flowers on Chickpeas are great to see! You can get many different colors of flowers on chickpeas depending on the variety that you purchase. The colors of chickpeas come in either purple, blue, or white. The chickpea flowers will then encourage the bees to your garden and allotment.

When you purchase chickpea seeds to grow at home or on the allotment they will more often than not come sprouting already. This way you will know that you will have a great germination rate. This will then hopefully encourage you to have a great crop of chickpeas to grow.

Like peas, chickpeas are also great for helping improve the soil quality in the garden. Chickpeas add nitrogen to the soil so if you have not had good crops in one are one year grow chickpeas to improve the soil quality and nitrogen then the year after you can try and grow something different in that area again. Chickpeas are often known to be grown in areas where the soil is of poor quality and bad growing.

Best Soil for Chickpeas

Deciding, where to grow Chickpeas in the garden and allotment, is not too hard to decide as they do not need good quality soil to get great crops. If anything they are best grown in soil that has not actually been improved.

The type of soil that is best to grow chickpeas in is well-drained soil that has not been improved. Growing chickpeas in not good quality soil will improve the nitrogen produced by the plants.

When to Sow, Plant, and Harvest Chickpeas

Here you can find the best to sow, plant, and harvest Chickpeas in the UK

SowPlantHarvest
March- JuneMay-JuneJuly-September

How to Sow ChickPeas

The way you sow Chickpeas is very much the same as peas, runner beans, and french beans.

To sow chickpeas you need to space the chickpea seeds around 10cm apart so that they have space to grow and you can weed around them easily enough. If you are wanting more than one crop of chickpeas start sowing the seeds around March/April then you can start the second batch of chickpea seeds off around June for a second crop.

Chickpeas can obviously attract some of the same rodents as peas and beans can! The rats, mice, squirrels, and birds so make sure when you are planting the chickpea seeds that you protect them from any birds or predators.

If you want to be extra careful when sowing Chickpeas start them of in seed trays first or in pots. Once the plants are big enough and able to handle themselves you can then plant the chickpea plants out 10cm apart. They will probably still need netting though.

Looking after Chickpeas

Chickpeas will not need much care and attention once they have been planted. All you will need to do is make sure the area is kept weed free. Fingers crossed you should start to see chickpea flowers after around 2 months of sowing with the pods appearing shortly afterward.

How to Harvest Chickpeas

When the time comes to harvest chickpeas you can be picking them as soon as peas are appearing in the pods. This is because if you are not fast mice will come along and eat them all.

The chickpeas will have between one and three chickpeas in if you re lucky. Keep harvesting them as they are ready to pick.

Make sure you pick them with gloves on as they have some kind of acid on them which can be slightly irritant and you obviously don’t want to rub your eyes.

Conclusion

As you conclude your chickpea growing journey, you’ve embarked on a rewarding adventure that connects you with the earth and the wholesome joy of homegrown produce. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ve learned how to nurture chickpea plants from seeds to thriving greenery and, ultimately, to a bountiful harvest.

Harvesting your chickpeas marks the culmination of your efforts, and now you can enjoy the fruits of your labor in various culinary delights. Whether tossed in salads, blended into hummus, or added to your favorite recipes, your homegrown chickpeas bring a unique freshness and flavor to your table.

Remember that gardening is an ongoing learning process, and each season provides new insights. As you reflect on your chickpea-growing experience, consider documenting your observations and successes to refine your approach in the future.

Thank you for joining us on this journey of cultivating chickpeas. May your gardening endeavors continue to flourish, and may the joy of growing your own food inspire further exploration into the world of home gardening. Happy harvesting!

We hope you have found these tips useful for growing chickpeas in the garden and allotment. You can find out more tips on growing vegetables here

When to plant bulbs UK

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Home/2020/July

When to plant bulbs UK

Bulbs can make a garden look stunning, plant them at the correct times and you could have a fantastic display in the garden impressing family and friends as they come around to the house. Here we will go through when to plant bulbs UK

You can get Spring flowering bulbs for the garden, these consist of daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, snowdrops, crocuses plus many more. You can also get summer flowering bulbs for the garden these are gladioli, lilies, begonias and many others.

With flowers that grow from bulbs, you can either cut these and have them in a vase or you can leave them attached to the bulb in the soil. The bulb will not grow another flower that year if you do cut them off for a vase though. They will last longer if they are in the garden.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

When to plant spring bulbs in the garden

Spring bulbs are important to any garden and every garden should have some. The reason for this is that they are the first flowers that are available to the bees for pollen when they wake up from there winter hibernation. Spring flowers can add a lot of colour to a bland garden in spring as most plants will not be flowering and it will all just be mainly green.

The time you want to be thinking about planting your spring bulbs from daffodils, tulips, snowdrops and the rest is in September through to December. Ideally, you want to get them in before the first frost. The reason why your spring bulbs need to be planted before the first frost is that they need to start growing those roots and waking up from being dormant.

When to plant summer bulbs in the garden

Summer bulbs are great to have in the garden. They can add beautiful colour, nice fragrances and what’s better they can come every year. Summer bulbs include dahlias, gladiolas and lilies.

The right time to be planting your summer bulbs is in February through to April. These can be started in pots first then when the frost has passed these can then be planted outdoors. Don’t plant them outdoors too early when there is a chance of frost as this can damage the bulbs. IF you are planting them up in pots keep them in a greenhouse or polytunnel until the frost has passed.

Choosing the right bulbs

When you are out shopping for bulbs you need to check that they are in a good condition, you won’t know if they will actually grow but you can purchase the best-looking bulbs. These checks which you can do will help with the chances of getting great flowers.:-

  • –          Don’t buy bulbs that are damaged
  • –          Make sure they are not shrivelled
  • –          Make sure they are hard and not soft.
  • –          Do they look healthy and fresh?

Planting bulbs in pots

When you are planting bulbs in pots you need to stick to the same type of bulb in one pot i.e all daffodils in one tulip in the other. This is to get the best display possible. If you mix and match you risk flowers coming out at different times and different heights.

Click to find bulbs for sale

How to plant bulbs

Bulbs are extremely easy to plant in the garden. You can get your children or grandchildren involved in planting the bulbs in your garden. Kids will love doing this.

To plant bulbs in the ground all you need to do is choose some soil that is well-draining and won’t get too boggy. Choose an area that gets some sun and warmth, it does not want to be too shaded. When planting bulbs, you need to do this are around the depth of around 3 bulbs. Leave the space of around 3 bulbs between planting them. When planting, the bulbs make sure the tops are pointing up. You can usually tell which way is the top as it is slimmer and usually has a point, don’t plant them upside down. When you have planted, they place the soil back on top of them. The best way to plant a bulb is by using a bulb planter.

How to plant bulbs in pots

When you are planting bulbs in pots as you have not got space or any ground to plant them in you need to decide which bulbs are going in which pots. You should really stick to one type of bulb in each pot if you are planning on mixing them you need to remember some may flower at different times to others.

When you are planting the bulbs plant them towards the bottom of the pot this way you can plant other items in the tops of the pots when the bulbs have died back until the year after when they will come through again.

Make sure that the pot you are choosing to plant in has drainage holes in the bottom so they do not get waterlogged. If the pot does not have holes in it add some yourself to the pot by drilling them in.

Purchase Bulbs

Are you looking at purchasing bulbs for your gardens click the link below which will take you to Amazon where you can purchase bulbs directly.

Click to find bulbs for sale

We hope you have found this page useful and you can now know when to plant bulbs UK. You can find more tips and advice here.

Aubergine Plant – How to grow eggplant

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Home/2020/July

Aubergine Plant – How to grow eggplant

Aubergines are becoming more and more popular to grow here in the UK. They are quite expensive to purchase so if you can grow your own aubergine plants fingers crossed you can save quite a bit of money. Here in the UK they are called aubergines but in other parts of the world, you will find them called egg plant.

To grow aubergine plants you will need somewhere warm to grow them ideally in a greenhouse or in a poly-tunnel where they will get the sun shining on them and the warmth from being indoors.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

When to sow, plant and harvest Aubergines

Here you can find a guide on when to sow, plant and harvest Aubergines in the UK.

SowJanuary to April
PlantMay to June
HarvestJuly to September

How to sow Aubergines

When sowing aubergines you will need to sow the aubergine seeds somewhere warm. This is because you will be sowing them early in the year and the greenhouse temperature won’t be suitable this time of year. You will need a propagater to help start them off. The aubergine seeds need temperatures of around 20 degrees to germinate. If you still have a cupboard with your boiler in you can put your seed tray in there but you will need to remove them as soon as you see them popping through the soil.

The ideal time to sow your aubergine seeds will be in January time this gives the aubergine plant more time to produce those precious aubergines but you will need the added heat as mentioned above to get these to germinate.

If you struggle to start the aubergine seeds you can usually purchase a plant which has been started from garden center.

To sow aubergine seeds get a seed tray and fill it with compost. Sprinkle the aubergine seeds on the compost. Cover the seeds with another layer of compost then water it finely. You can cover the seed tray with a layer of cling film this will help keep the moisture in and also add that extra warmth that they need for germination.

How to grow your Aubergine plant

When growing your aubergine and before you pot them up for there final destination you need to have somewhere planned for them to grow. The best place to grow these are in a greenhouse or poly tunnel Even though the aubergine plant seeds are more acclimatized for the UK than they were 10 years ago they will still grow better indoors than outside.

When your seeds which you planted at the beginning of the year have outgrown the seed tray they can be transferred to pots that are at least 9cm big. Keep them looked after by watering on a regular basis. When the roots have outgrown the pots you can then transfer them to a pot which is 23cm in size.

You can plant them in the ground outdoors but ideally you should plant them indoors in pots of compost. If you are growing them outdoors plant them at around 60cm distance. Be careful if there is still frost around as the plants will not like this one bit.

Looking after your aubergine plant

To look after your aubergine plant you will need to stake these up and keep tying them up as they get bigger.

When the plant reaches around 35 cm in height you need to pinch the tops of your aubergine plant. This is so that it bushes out and focuses on growing those aubergines – Eggplant.

Aubergine plant require a lot of looking after, you need to make sure that you water them regular also feed them twice a week when the flowers appear. You can feed them with tomato feed. Also as well as feeding and watering them you will need to get a mister to mist them twice a day, this is to prevent spider mite and it also encourages the fruit to set on the flowers.

When you see that 5-6 flowers have set on your aubergine plant remove all the rest of the flowers and any new ones that appear. Let it concentrate on growing these until they are big enough to pick and eat.

How to Harvest Aubergines

Your aubergines will be ready to pick from the aubergine plant when they are around 15cm in size. Make sure they are still shiny when you harvest your aubergines.

Pests and Diseases

There are many pests which can affect aubergines, not necessarily diseases. Here we explain the pests that can affect them and how to prevent them.

Aphids:- You can often see aphids on the aubergine leaves the best way is to squish them with your finger and thumb.

Whitefly:- the best way to prevent these is to have some fly traps up in your polytunnel or greenhouse. These are usually sticky sheets.

Red Spiders:- These usually occur with humidity. These can be prevented by spraying or misting your plants down twice a day.

Purchase Aubergine Plant

Here you can purchase Aubergine Seeds to grow an Aubergine Plant. Click the Amazon link below which will take you to purchase some:-

Click to find Aubergine seeds for sale

You can find out lots more tips and advice on growing fruit and vegetables here

Can you freeze leeks

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Home/2020/July

Can you freeze leeks?

Have you grown lots of leeks in your garden or allotment but nowhere to store them all? Or are you scared of them all rotting before you eat them? The question is can you freeze leeks? Here we will look into how to freeze leeks so that they take up less space and you can use them as and when you actually want them. Frozen leeks can actually stay fresh for up to one year in the freezer.

Leeks are actually from the same family as onions. You can freeze leeks by blanching. Make sure that you have washed your leeks extremely well before freezing, If you have grown your own leeks they will need doing thoroughly as little critters may be hiding in them.

Here in this article we will go through the ways of cleaning your leeks, blanching them and also freezing them in a step by step guid to help you in the easiest possible way.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

How to clean your leeks

In this section we will explain the step by step process of cleaning your leeks.

  1. Before you wash your leeks slice off any roots on the leek and cut off the darkest green bit at the top of the leek. You want to keep it from the palest bit at the bottom.
  2. Once you have cut off the roots and the tops off the leeks give them a wash under the tap removing any dirt and grime.
  3. Place your leek on a chopping board and slice it carefully down the middle of the leek from top to bottom slicing it in half.
  4. You will now be able to take your leek apart and inspect in between each layer – this is where the critters hide.
  5. Wash each layer thoroughly. Do this under running water as this will help remove the dirt from them rather than doing it in a bowl.

How to blanch your leeks

Here we will go through the step by step process of how to blanch your leeks before freezing them. Blanching leeks before freezing will help the leeks stay fresher and they can be frozen for longer.

  1. To blanch your leeks you will need a wire basket and a pan. The wire basket sits in the pan.
  2. Boil some water in a pan. You will need about 4 litres of water for every pound of leeks that have been sliced and prepared.
  3. Fill your basket with the prepared slices of leeks and place them carefully in the boiling pan of water.
  4. Place the lid over the basket which is in the pot.
  5. Leave the slices of leeks in the boiling water covered for only 30 seconds – no longer than one minute
  6. Remove immediately after the 30 seconds has passed.
  7. Place the slices of leeks straight into cold water for around 2 minutes. This is to stop the cooking process of the leeks. You can also add a couple of ice cubes to the water to help it go icy cold.
  8. Place the strips of leeks in a sieve to drain all the water from them.
  9. Place the strips of leeks on a baking tray to let the air dry them. You can even use kitchen towel to help dry them. If yo leave them wet when freezing it can affect the quality of the leeks.

How to freeze leeks

Here we will give you the step by step process to freezing your leeks

  1. Lay you leek slices on a layer of baking paper on a baking tray. Make sure that the leeks are not touching each other.
  2. Put the baking tray in the freezer for around 30 minutes until the leeks are frozen.
  3. Once they are frozen solid you will then be able to transfer them off the baking tray into a sealed food container to store them
  4. Write the date on the container so you know when you put them in the freezer.
  5. Leave in the freezer until they are needed.
  6. The maximum amount of time you can leave in the freezer is 12 months.

Purchase leek seeds

Do you want to try growing your own leeks at home or in the allotment? Here you can purchase leek seeds directly from Amazon to try.

Click to find Leek seeds for sale

So we have answered your question “Can you freeze leeks”. We hope you have found the tips useful. You can find more tips and advice on other fruit and vegetables here.

How to store cucumbers

How To Store Cucumbers To Keep Them Tasty

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Home/2020/July

How To Store Cucumbers

There is nothing better than a nice crunchy tasty cucumber! Have you however got your cucumber out and they have started rotting and going watery and slimy? Well in this article we are going to explain how to store cucumbers and keep them tasting delicious and crunchy. If you store cucumbers properly you can keep them for up to one week and they will taste delicious. So let’s find out how to store cucumbers the best way!

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

Wash your cucumber

If you have grown cucumber at home in the greenhouse or on the allotment you will need to first give it a good wash as you don’t know what might have crawled across it while it was growing. If you purchased your cucumber from a shop remove all the plastic packaging then wash it. Make sure you remove all the plastic packaging and that it is disposed of correctly.

Keep your cucumber dry

After you have washed your cucumber in the top step you need to dry your cucumber thoroughly. You do not want your cucumber to be wet this can cause it to go moldy and start to rot. Wrap your cucumber in a dry piece of kitchen roll once it has been dried. This is to absorb any moisture on the cucumber and will stop it from deteriorating fast. You can also do this will salad leaves also.

Tuck your cucumber away

Once you have wrapped your cucumber in a kitchen roll you need to then put your cucumber in a carrier bag, do not use a sealable bag as this will make it sweat. If that’s all you have left the end is open. This is to prevent the other fruit and vegetables that set off gas from affecting the cucumber – this will encourage it to ripen more and rot.

Keep your Cucumber cool

The best place to keep your cucumber cold once you have wrapped it in step one and put it in a carrier bag is to place it in the drawer at the bottom of the fridge. Do not put your cucumber in the coldest part of the fridge or even in the freezer it will not like it.

Purchase Cucumber Seeds

Do you want to try growing your own cucumbers? Here you can find seeds available to buy on amazon:-

Click for Cucumber Seeds Available to purchase

We hope you have found our tips on how to store cucumbers useful. You can find out lots more hints and tips on vegetables and fruit here.

When to pick courgettes – zucchini

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Home/2020/July

When to pick courgettes – zucchini

Courgettes are fantastic to grow in the garden and allotment. In other countries, the courgette is also called Zucchini. Courgette plants can give out amazing produce and harvests. Knowing when to pick courgettes is the main important thing to know. Picking them at the right time is a key factor in growing courgettes. You can have small courgettes one day and the next day you may go to the allotment they may have doubled in size. Here in this article, we will share our gardening tips and advice on when to pick courgettes or zucchini as they are called in other countries.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

About Courgettes – Zucchini

Did you know courgette (zucchini) is actually from the same family as melon, cucumber, squash, gourds and pumkins. The only difference is with Courgettes is that they do not grow on a vine like pumkins, cucumbers and melons. Courgettes grow on a bush.

Courgettes have the same sort of flowers as squash and pumpkins so when you are planting the seeds make sure you label everything up well as they plants all look the same when they are growing. You will only know what it is if one starts spreading, which will be the pumpkin plant.

Did you know the the courgette dates back to at least 5000bc where it was grown in South America. It was then discovered later on by explorers from Europe and brought to other countries.

Courgette plants have male and female flowers on the plant that means it is easy for it to pollinate so you only need one plant. The bees will jump from flower to flower pollinating them. You can also hand pollinate them yourself.

If you pick the courgettes – Zucchini when they are small they will keep growing more for you to pick. 2 or three plants will certainly be ample for you to grow enough for the whole family and even to give some away.

How and when to pick and harvest courgettes

When you are picking courgettes and harvesting them ideally you want to be picking them when they are still small, people say they start too loose there taste as they get bigger. The size you want to be picking your courgettes at are around 8 inches. The more you pick them the more they will grow. If you happen to be getting too many courgettes to be keeping up with leave some on the plant and this will slow down production of them.

When you are picking your courgettes, slice them off by the stem with a sharp knife, obviously let an adult cut the courgettes off the plants. Courgettes are very crafty. You may think you have picked them all but you will often find some hiding away under the leaves. The courgette leaves can be prickly so be careful when picking them.

How to store courgettes

Once you have picked your courgettes you will want to then store them. Do not wash them till you need them. Store them in a plastic bag up to one week. The other option is to shred the courgette and freeze them until you actually need them. Put them in a freezer bag and seal. Store them until you need them. You can store them for up to 3 months within the freezer. Write the date on the freezer bag so you know when you put them in.

Purchase Courgette Seeds

If you are wanting to grow courgette seeds you can click the Amazon link below where you can purchase seeds directly from Amazon

Purchase Courgettes seeds by clicking here

Find out all about growing courgettes from seeds here.

Tumbling Tomatoes – How to grow them.

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Home/2020/July

Tumbling Tomatoes – How to grow them.

There are many varieties of tomato on the market these days to try and grow at home in pots or in the ground. However did you know you can grow tomatoes in hanging baskets? There is a variety of tomato called tumbling tomatoes. These are obviously named after how they appear, hanging down from the hanging basket to make it look like they are tumbling.

In this article, we will be explaining how to grow tumbling tomatoes at home or at your allotment. Tumbling tomatoes are very easy to grow and you can even get fantastic harvests from each plant. Up to 70 tomatoes per plant. We share our tomato tips and advice so that you will be able to grow great plants and get amazing results.

Tumbling tomatoes are cherry sized tomatoes which are ideal for pack lunches or picnics. Just make sure you slice them in half if you are giving them to a child so they do not swallow it whole.

You can grow your tumbling tomatoes either outside in the hanging basket or you can grow it in a polytunnel or a greenhouse hug up. The choice is up to you.

Find out about different tomato varieties here.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-

Click to see book on Amazon

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

How to grow tumbling tomatoes

When growing fruit and vegetables you always need to plan out and decide where you are going to grow them in your garden. You also need to find out the conditions that it likes best for it to grow successfully, this will help you get better tomato harvests and nicer produce. When growing tomatoes they are always best grown in the polytunnel or greenhouse as they like hotter temperatures but more are being developed to be grown outdoors for those who don’t have greenhouses or polytunnels. In this tumbling tomato guide, we will be giving you a step by step process of growing them from sowing, planting, harvesting and caring for the plants. Fingers crossed you get a great harvest of tumbling tomatoes.

When to sow, plant and harvest tumbling tomatoes

When you sow tumbling tomatoes they need to be planted at the right time of year. Here you can find out when to sow, plant and when to expect to harvest tumbling tomatoes.

SowFebruary to April
PlantMay – June
HarvestJuly to October

** Please not these are timings for the UK! Obviously it all depends on the weather also**

Click to purchase tumbling tomatoes from Amazon

The best place to grow tumbling tomatoes

The best place that you can grow tumbling tomatoes is obviously somewhere warm either in a polytunnel or a greenhouse. You can grow them in your hanging baskets hooked onto your house wall. Make sure they are in a warm sunny spot which will help them grow and ripen. This variety will produce up to 70 tomatoes per plant so your friends and family will love you as you will certainly end up giving lots away to them unless you make something with them.

The best soil to grow tumbling tomatoes in

The best soil to grow tumbling tomatoes in will be multi purpose compost as you will be growing these in hanging baskets. Don’t use soil just dug from the garden. The compost will have all the nutrients in to help create a great crop. Just keep feeding them on a weekly basis once the flowers have started to increase crops.

How to sow tumbling tomatoes

When it gets to the time of sowing your tumbling tomatoes it could not be any easier. We also include a video below with advice on how to sow your tomato seeds – this can be done for any variety of tomato.

To sow your tumbling tomatoes you can follow this step by step process:-

1)      You will require a seed tray with holes in the bottom for drainage.

2)      Put a layer of compost in the bottom of the tray.

3)      Sprinkle the seeds along the top of the compost.

4)      Cover the seeds with another layer of compost

5)      Sprinkle the compost with water – do not over water just enough to soak the compost. Use a watering can with a sprinkler on the end.

6)      If it is cold in your greenhouse cover with a layer of cling film this will keep them moist and also warm – this will help with germination

How to plant tumbling tomatoes

Tomatoes generally do not take a long to time to germinate. They take on average 14 to 21 days to germinate in the right conditions you could even be seeing signs of life after 7 days. Let the tomato plants keep growing in the seed trays until they are quite large around 8cm, just enough for them to be able to handle them. When they have got big enough so that you can handle them without the risk of snapping the stems they can be transplanted into individual plant pots.

When you are potting them up into individual pots they need to go into plant pots that are around 8cm tall. Now you can carefully transplant the tomato plants into there own pots of compost. Be careful when doing this as you don’t want to damage the plants or the roots. Once you have transplanted them give them a good watering then water every other day if it is hot water every day so that the plant does not die. Keep your tomato plants in the polytunnel or greenhouse where it is light and warm – this will encourage them to get growing well. Make sure you pot up a few extra plants just in case any get eaten by the slugs or snails. You can always share any spare plants with family and friends. Why not make a hanging basket as a present for someone.

When the tumbling tomato plants have reached around 15cm you can then transplant them to there final position – this being the hanging baskets. Fill your hanging basket with multipurpose compost, making sure that the hanging basket has holes in the bottom for drainage or it will drown the plants and rot the roots. Place 2 -3 plants in each hanging basket. Give them a good watering once you have planted them.

Looking after your Tumbling Tomatoes

One main difference with growing tumbling tomatoes you don’t need to trim off the shoots. You can just leave them to grow making the plant bushier. This will also encourage the plant to make a great amount of produce.

When it comes to watering the hanging basket this will have to be done every day as they will soon dry out with it being a small basket. In warm weather you may need to do them in the morning and at night.

The tomatoes will need feeding once a week when the flowers start to appear on the plants

Purchase Tumbling Tomatoes

Below you can purchase tumbling tomato seeds from Amazon to try and purchase some yourself.

Click to purchase tumbling tomatoes from Amazon

You can find out more information about growing fruit and vegetables here.

Freezing Parsnips - How to guide

Freezing Parsnips – How to guide

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Home/2020/July

Freezing Parsnips – How to guide

Welcome to the world of preserving the earthy sweetness of parsnips through freezing! If you’ve found yourself with an abundance of these delightful root vegetables and want to extend their freshness, you’re in the right place. In this comprehensive guide on freezing parsnips, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to ensure that you can enjoy the flavors of these winter treasures throughout the year.

Parsnips, with their sweet and nutty taste, are not only delicious when fresh but can also be a fantastic addition to your meals when preserved properly. Whether you’ve harvested a bumper crop from your garden or stumbled upon a great deal at the market, freezing parsnips is a convenient way to keep them at your culinary disposal whenever the craving strikes.

Join us as we delve into the art of freezing parsnips, exploring the best practices, essential tips, and creative ways to incorporate these frozen gems into your favorite dishes. Let’s embark on a journey to preserve the goodness of parsnips, ensuring you have a steady supply of these versatile roots whenever you need them.

Have you grown too many parsnips to store in the pantry? Not got enough room to store them? Well rather than letting the parsnips rot and go off you could start by freezing them. Freezing parsnips is is quick simple and easy to do. Plus you won’t be wasting vegetables especially if you have grown them yourself.

If you freeze your parsnips you can then end up storing them for months as they will not go off in the freezer. Give the parsnips a good scrub down, peel them then finally blanch them before you decide to put them in the freezer.

Do you want to learn how to grow parsnips? Find out here.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-

Click to see book on Amazon

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

How to wash, blanch and freeze parsnips.

Here you can a find a step by step plan of washing, blanching and freezing your parsnips:-

  1. Place your parsnips in a bowl of water for one hour to soak. This will help remove any muck on the parsnips.
  2. Wash your parsnips under a cold tap, to get all the rest of the dirt off scrub them with a nailbrush. This will get into all the groves of the parsnip and get the dirt out. Don’t use a nail brush you have used on yourself.
  3. Use a peeler rather than a knife to peel the parsnips as you don’t want to end up cutting chunks out of them. A peeler will just take the skin off them
  4. Either using vegetable dicer or a knife chop the parsnip into 2-3cm chunks.

You can follow the next steps on how to blanch the parsnips ready for freezing them.

  1. Boil a pan of water on the oven.
  2. Once the water is boiling you can gently place in your parsnip cubes.
  3. Your parsnips will take around 2-3 minutes to blanch if you have cut them to 2-3cm.
  4. Place the parsnip cubes straight into a bowl of ice-cold water – add a few ice cubes to the water to get it colder.
  5. This will stop the parsnips from cooking straight away.
  6. You can now place your parsnip cubes on a clean towel or kitchen roll and pat them down, leave until they have dried out
  7. To freeze the parsnips put them in a vacuum-sealed food bag – write the date on the bag with a sharpie so you know when you put them in the freezer. These will last around 13 months.
  8. If you put them straight into the freezer bag they will all freeze as a clump. If you want to freeze them individually put some greaseproof paper on a baking tray and lay them on that then freeze.
  9. Once they have frozen on the baking tray you can put the pieces in the bag and seal.
  10. When you are ready to use the parsnips you can get the bag out of the freezer and let it just defrost at room temperature.

Conclusion

As we conclude this guide on freezing parsnips, we hope you’ve gained valuable insights into preserving the rich flavors of this versatile root vegetable. Freezing parsnips is not just a practical way to prevent waste; it’s a culinary investment that allows you to enjoy the delightful taste of parsnips in a myriad of dishes throughout the year.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ve learned how to maintain the quality, texture, and nutritional benefits of parsnips, ensuring they remain a delicious addition to your meals even after being frozen. Whether you choose to add them to soups, stews, roasts, or side dishes, your frozen parsnips will bring a touch of earthy sweetness to your culinary creations.

So, the next time you find yourself with an abundance of parsnips, don’t hesitate to freeze them and savor the taste of this winter gem whenever your taste buds desire. Happy freezing, and may your future meals be filled with the wholesome goodness of preserved parsnips!

You can find more tips and advice here for fruit and vegetables.

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