Common Ground

Episode 4 : Easy Pickings

This week on Common Ground, we’re celebrating the rewards of the season — harvest time! From tomatoes and beans to courgettes and cucumbers, we’re digging into the best ways to pick your crops at their peak and keep them tasting great for longer. We’ll chat about tried-and-tested methods for preserving your harvest — from freezing and drying to pickling and fermenting — so nothing goes to waste. We’re also joined by a friend of the farm who’s turned seasonal gluts into delicious preserves, proving that a bumper crop is just the beginning of the story. So whether your veg patch is overflowing or you’re just curious about making the most of what you grow, this episode is packed with tips to help you savour the season.

Episode 3 : A Bug In The Machine

This week on Common Ground, we're talking bugs - but the good kind (and some of the bad too). We dig into the role of beneficial insects in keeping your veg patch healthy, and how to handle the not-so-welcome pests trying to munch their way through your hard work. We’re also joined by Mark, a passionate beekeeper and friend of the farm, to chat about the essential role of bees in pollination and how beekeeping fits into a thriving growing environment. Whether you're battling aphids or curious about bees, there's plenty to buzz about in this episode! www.buzzintobeekeeping.co.uk

Episode 2 : Bright Young Things

Welcome back to Common Ground! In this episode, Jessie and Alex dive into one of the most debated topics in the grow-your-own world: young plants. Are they a helpful head start or a cheeky cheat? We chat about what makes young plants so tempting—and sometimes tricky. From light and warmth to hardening off and planting out, we share our thoughts on getting the best from your little green starters. We also catch you up on what we've been doing on the plots this week: planting, feeding, harvesting...

Episode 1 : The Opening Gambit

Welcome to the first episode of season one, with Jessie and Alex Its the first episode! Jessie and Alex sit down to chat about how the each ended up in the growing industry - their different paths, shared values, and what makes their approaches unique. They also catch-up on whats been happening on the allotment and on the farm over the past few weeks.