Practical Allotment Gardening for the Mildly Clueless

Bare-Root Fruit Trees: When to Buy, How to Choose, and Long-Term Strategy

Bare-root fruit trees are one of the best long-term investments you can make on a UK allotment or in a garden. In this episode, we explain what bare-root trees are, when to buy them, and why winter is the ideal time to plant. You’ll learn how to think strategically about tree size, spacing, self-fertility, and long-term placement — without getting lost in technical detail. This is a practical guide to choosing fruit trees that will thrive for years, not just look good on planting day.

Fruit Tree Mistakes That Take Years to Fix

Some fruit tree mistakes don’t show up straight away — they quietly limit growth, reduce harvests, and create problems that take years to correct. In this episode, we cover the most common long-term fruit tree mistakes made on UK allotments and gardens, from planting in the wrong place and choosing the wrong size tree to pollination errors and pruning problems. A practical guide to getting fruit trees right from the start.

Deciding What Not to Grow This Year: UK Climate Reality Check

Not every vegetable is worth the space on a UK allotment. In this episode, we make a practical, UK-specific “do not grow” shortlist — crops that often struggle with our cool summers, need too much protection, or take up loads of space for a small return. From sweetcorn and aubergines outdoors to fussy celery, pest-prone brassicas without netting, and carrots in heavy soil, this is a reality check designed to save you time, frustration, and wasted bed space. The goal isn’t to grow less — it’s to grow smarter.

Chilli 4/4 - Harvesting, Overwintering, and Using Your Chillies

In the final part of the chilli growing series, we focus on what happens after the fruits appear. Learn when to harvest for the best flavour and heat, how to extend the season in the UK climate, and whether it’s worth overwintering your plants. We also cover simple ways to dry, freeze, and preserve chillies, plus tips for saving seeds for next year.

Chilli 3/4 - Common Chilli Problems and How to Fix Them

In part three of the chilli growing series, we tackle the most common problems UK growers face and how to fix them. From poor germination and leggy seedlings to flower drop, pests, and blossom end rot, this episode helps you read the signs your plants are giving you. With simple adjustments to light, warmth, watering, and feeding, most chilli issues can be corrected quickly, keeping your harvest on track.