The Gooden Life

Keith & Freya are in their mini greenhouse this week planting their courgette/ zuchini crop for this year. Staying with the Italian theme, we're getting our Italian Kale seeds in. Cavalo Nero, which costs a bomb in the shops and is a really attractive plant as well as being a tasty money saver. 

There's beetroot and collard greens being planted for the coming winter crop and an update on how our seedlings are progressing from past week's episodes.

We are also sharing our money saving recipe for seed compost using kitchen waste, old planting soil and ancient play sand from the garden.......

Keith & Freya are in their little greenhouse planting more seeds for 2025 and planning what will go on their plates as well as in the garden!

The Lobjois lettuce are sprouting, the first planting of sweet peas are breaking through and the cornflower and marigolds are racing away!

This week we are planting Kalettes and a herb the Romans used to snack on, Alexanders..... It still grows wild in England..... The descendants of the pants Caesar brought from Italy.

With local and national garden shows gearing up for 2025, let's take a look back at The Gooden Life at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last year with some ideas for you.

Heritage veg seeds from an exciting start up company, Fuschias from a multiple gold medal winner and how a designer got inspiration for her "Bridgerton" garden.

Ideas we can translate into our own patches and plots!

Join Keith & Freya back on the allotment for a day of planting a new crop, Jerusalem artichokes. 

Not easily available in the shops but a delicious alternative to spuds and a beautiful plant that looks like a sunflower.

We harvest overwintered Leeks, the final pickings of the Italian Kale and the Collards keep on giving!

Keith & Freya are putting all their saved toilet roll tubes to use and planting their broad beans and sweet peas. Both of which love a little more space for their roots!

We are also planting our tomato seeds with some good tips on which are best for beginners, as well as the more experienced Tom grower!

There's also a warning of frost in the forecast so find out which seeds to hold off panting for another month or so....

Keith & Freya are tidying the strawberry bed for a top crop in 2025, thinking about redesigning their raised bed layout and planning the plants for the pollinator's that'll be producing our top crops for 2025!

There's some tips about what to spread on your rhubarb (apart from custard) and trimming our bush now, so we don't disturb the birdies! 

Welcome to another "Gooden Life" as we plot and garden in the Cotswolds, growing food and flowers the best way we can. We are not experts, but hopefully we can offer a tip or two?  

Keith & Freya Gooden turn their snippers to their raspberries and blackcurrants plants. One needs a hard hair cut (like Keith) while the other requires a little more thought and finesse! (Freya)

A little time and effort will guarantee you a good crop for eating and preserves for 2025, so don't rush this important job.

Welcome back to The Gooden Life, your guide to gardening and plotting for 2025! 

Keith & Freya Gooden are back for a third year and today ,in our mini greenhouse in the sunshine, planting Bishop's Crown red Chilli and beautiful blue cornflower! 

Also advice for getting your parsnips going.... They can be tricky, but worth the effort!

A new year of growing, weeding and feeding starts here!