In the Allotment



This week, I’ve been experimenting with something a little different — late-night gardening under torchlight!With the clocks changing, I found myself missing the allotment after work, so I thought I’d give working by flashlight a try. Let’s just say, it’s not something I’ll be repeating. Between juggling a torch and trying to weed one-handed, it was more trouble than it’s worth.



Still, it was good to see how things are ticking along. There’s not too much to do this time of year — overwintering crops are established and looking after themselves — but I did take the chance to observe the health of my soil.



Lately, I’ve been noticing a lot of mycorrhizal fungi in the soil, those delicate white strands that form a natural network underground. It’s often called the “internet of the soil,” helping plants communicate and share nutrients. Seeing that tells me my soil is alive and healthy.



Good soil health is everything. Adding organic matter, compost, leaf mould and mulches all feed the soil and the life within it — worms, fungi, bacteria — which in turn feeds our plants. That’s why we say, “feed the soil, not the plants.”With winter approaching, I’ll be leaving most of the work for the weekends, focusing on mulching and protecting the soil ready for next spring.







In the Kitchen Garden



Back home, it’s been a similar story of abundance. Despite being November, the beds are still bursting with produce — tomatoes, chillies, aubergines, kale, broccoli, cabbages, and peas. Even the nasturtiums and dahlias are still flowering, giving the garden a slightly overgrown but wonderfully productive look.



The chickens are doing well too, though we’ve had a bird flu alert from DEFRA. Thankfully, I’m not in a protection zone, but I’ve started taking precautions — covering the run, moving feeders, and preparing to disinfect boots when going in and out of the coop if needed. It’s important to stay vigilant and protect our birds as winter sets in.







Seed of the Month – Winter Purslane



Our Seed of the Month for November is Winter Purslane, also known as Claytonia or Miner’s Lettuce.It’s one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow at this time of year.



Sow the seeds thinly on the surface of moist, peat-free compost and cover lightly. It doesn’t need warmth — in fact, it prefers cool temperatures and short days. It’s perfectly happy in a cold frame, greenhouse, or even a windowsill pot.



Harvest the young leaves regularly for salads. They have a soft, refreshing texture, a little like spinach, and are full of vitamin C. A perfect way to add a splash of green to winter meals.



Get your seeds here.







Recipe of the Week



This weeks recipe has been inspired by our Seed of the Month and has created a Winter Purslane and Potato Salad with Mustard Dressing.This simple dish combines the mild lemony flavour of Winter Purslane with warm potatoes and a tangy mustard dressing — proving that even in the depths of autumn, the garden can still put dinner on the table.You can find the full recipe on our website.







In the Potting Shed



This week, I’ve been reading Digging for Victory by Twigs Way and Mike Brown — a fascinating look at how gardeners in wartime Britain grew their own food and wasted nothing. That led me to think about wood ash, which ties in nicely with Bonfire Night.



If you have a fire or bonfire, save that ash!Wood ash is rich in potassium,