The Plot Thickens - No-Dig, Allotment Living

For those ready to geek out over the finer details of onion sets, garlic bulb sowing plans, and budgeting for the season ahead—you’re in the perfect place. But, if that’s not your thing, feel free to jump ahead by a full 13 minutes!

We're loving the turn of the season, entering that glorious time of year where we're layering cardboard and compost, sowing green manures, and mulching our garden beds. It's the stuff of our daydreams! 

Karin’s been hard at work, carefully collecting Marigold, Nasturtium, and Sweet Pea seeds, ensuring next year’s blooms will be as vibrant as ever. Vicky, on the other hand, has been busy drying seeds from her cucumbers, making sure nothing goes to waste.

And in even more exciting composting news—Vicky’s got a brand-new addition to her garden crew… a Wormery! Yes, a whole new world of composting magic has begun!

Charles Dowding's new book Compost has arrived and Vicky is swooning. Karin has made a start of planting for autumn, with spring onions and broadbeans in trays at home.

We got a sweet anniversary surprise from Karin's eldest; two pretty The Plot Thickens signs for our respective sheds.

We're talking slugs, again. The allotment's slugs seem to have now all commuted to Karin's plot for a holiday, after finding a deluge of slugs on her plot this morning.

Having been despondent about the fox digging up the lettuce seedlings in the bed of Bokashi compost, it's finally come up trumps, providing so many nutrients for Vicky's random pumpkin plant which is absolutely booming. 

We've both been really disappointed with our corn on the cobs and feels like our sweetcorn may have suffered from a lack of pollinators this year. 

Vicky finally makes her first ratatouille this century and Karin has some lovely pears.

Q: Is a big courgette called a marrow? Do share your thought on our poll!

Finally back to our plots after our holidays! While going away is lovely, coming back to your little green paradise is SO exciting. The familiar paths, the occasional weed to pull and gorgeous smells of ripe fruit and veg!

Vicky did a successful watering swap with an allotment neighbour while Paul, scarred by last year's dry disaster, redeemed himself with a fortnight full time watering schedule.

All in all a good reunion :-)

Have you ever thought about why we adore our compost so much? We've come to realise that perhaps because it's a living entity. Feeding, nurturing, turning, measuring and watching it mature into something you are proud of is much like having a pet or a child!

This episode was recorded 2 weeks ago, it's short and sweet whilst we are away on our holidays! We'll be back with you with with a packed full episode next week!

P.S. You might notice Vicky has a bit of a cold, so apologies for the sniffles and the occasional passing plane.

Early morning on the plot chatting about all things allotment, foxes, watering (and a lack of) and great useable items from the St Albans Reuse site.

When you've been making your own compost for over 20 years, its hard to then just order it in! Karin's struggling with the wish to make all of the Plot 2 beds with her own inputs and yet, wants the job done like, now!

To buy or not to buy, that's the question.

Karin has just finished the last of the ratatouille she made QUITE a few days ago, as expected no one in the family were keen to try it. Vicky has renovated her compost heaps, and is in full swing rearranging the beds on her plot to maximise growing space.

Saving the best 'til last, Vicky has big news, introducing her new project Soil Squad! Have a listen!! All very very exciting :-)

Just another morning of chatter about our week on the plots and a visit to work in the gorgeous hotel kitchen garden. 

We both have a few courgettes in all shapes and sizes so Karin is looking forward to cooking a ratatouille. 

Karin's Ratatouille Recipe

onion

garlic

butter

olive oil 

aubergine (1cm quarters) salted until shrivelled) 

courgette (1cm sliced) 

tinned tomatoes

water

salt

thyme

(or give it to a friend if you hate ratatouille like Vicky)