July 2022 plant raising, no dig interplant, weekly advice, making compost and different types
3rd July 2022 Featured, Summer, Uncategorized
The weather has been unusual. June for example was sunnier than normal, yet no warmer than normal, thanks to some exceptionally cool nights which really slowed down growth of summer plantings such as beans and cucumbers. The dry theme of 2022 continued and watering will be a big feature of July for many of us. […]
READ MORE
Trial beds dig/no dig plantings and results 2013-2018
29th December 2020 Trials
For subsequent years of this ongoing trial, see 2019-21 page Starting out in 2013 I made two large beds, five feet wide and sixteen feet long (1.5x5m), the same area as Lower Farm’s experiment,
READ MORE
February 2019 a few sowings, compost and mulching, courses, snow and pigeons
9th February 2019 Winter
Be careful of sowing too early, there is no rush in spring because later sowings often catch up as it warms and lightens. For example I plan to sow tomatoes on 18th March this year. In the next two we
READ MORE
Links
7th December 2018 No Dig Growing
In the Spotlight Weekly What, When and How Newsletter, subscribe here Audio! Hear me read my no dig course book, at Homeacres with 2022 updates Buy a book Latest video Saving seed! Save your own seeds
READ MORE
Sowing Timeline for Vegetables
7th December 2018 Sowing
These dates are distilled from decades of trial and error in my gardens, where my results have highlighted best timings for best results. I have included links to the lessons of my online course, From
READ MORE
Multisowing
7th December 2018 Sowing
The vegetables I have found worth sowing and growing in clumps For certain vegetables, there are considerable benefits of sowing two or more seeds together, as opposed to a single seed per module or s
READ MORE
Choosing seeds and varieties
7th December 2018 Seeds and Varieties, Sowing
Which seed variety to buy – these have worked for me, over several seasons. Firstly let’s consider seed quality, of what you may buy. Seed Sourcing and freshness I have had good results wi
READ MORE
Propagation: germinate, grow and plant seedlings for a long season of bigger harvests
7th December 2018 Seeds and Varieties, Sowing, Videos
Skills you need to make the most of your precious seeds and to elongate the growing season, through early sowing, overlapping crops and filling empty spaces at any time. My tips cover where to sow, ho
READ MORE
Sowing and Growing for Schools
7th December 2018 Schools, Sowing
The gardening methods I recommend, no dig with less rotation and ultimately less weeding, are great for youngsters in school. My videos receive good comments in terms of child friendliness. This is fr
READ MORE
No Dig Trial 2020-2021
5th December 2018 No Dig Growing, Trials
Photo 6th September 2021 shows the second plantings of summer, dig bed top and no dig bed bottom This trial began in 2007 and ran until 2012 at Lower Farm. It’s to compare growth of the same veg
READ MORE
Winter wonders: the vegetables that thrive in frozen weather
5th December 2018 Articles, Uncategorized
Imagine a vegetable garden in winter, and you’ll probably conjure up an expanse of bare earth alongside a frosted-up greenhouse. But market gardener Charles Dowding’s plot couldn’t be more diffe
READ MORE
Is No-Dig Gardening a Better Way to Grow?
4th December 2018 Articles, No Dig Growing
I write regularly for Gardeners World, Kitchen Garden, Country Smallholding, Optimum Nutrition and Dove (Bruton parish) magazines, occasionally for the Daily Telegraph and others. In November 2015 for
READ MORE