The Plot Thickens - No-Dig, Allotment Living

After a quick debrief about their first ever interview follows lots of chatting about Vicky’s new ’home’; a pretty little shed that was put up in an hour and a half by a couple of very efficient shed builders. All she needs now is a nail gun to make her life on the plot complete. With thanks to Alex Kizenkov for intro music.

Vicky has been prepping her plot for shed delivery and is worrying about her levelling not being up to scratch. Karin has been busy sowing some experimental seed batches, documented in a newly bought 5yr diary.

We’re bathed in a spot of sunshine this week. Karin finds an interesting opportunity to share a small holding for free in Ware, Hertfordshire via the AllotMe  website. The lure of beekeeping and a poly-tunnel for free gets Karin all excited but she decides its suited to someone on an allotment waiting list locally. AllotMe app is a great place to go if you can’t wait to grow in a green space but t...

The usual flurry of love for a day at Waltham Place 's Biodynamic Gardening c ourse! We honestly couldn't wait to talk through our amazing day so this episode was recorded in the car! It makes for an excellent studio so this week's sound is a treat for your ears! We found out so much more about : seed compost mixes and which may be the most sustainable all manner of green or time savin...

Vicky's mood has lifted and she makes plans for her not so 'wild' wild life area of her plot. Rewilding is on the menu and she discusses the benefits of a bit of human intervention when it comes to biodiversity. Karin has finally made the sandpit that has been hanging around in the shed for a couple of years into a mini raised bed. A little handy Ikea tip is also squeezed in, in this w...

Busy busy busy on the plots this week, Karin preps her beds, builds the compost heap and takes a peek at how her winter sowing is coming along. Vicky's in a wrestling match with her plot layout. It needs a proper kick into shape before the sowing season kicks off—starting with widening the central path, because once that's set, it's set for life! As ever, compost and cardboard dominate...

In a not-so-subtle attempt to impress Vicky, Karin has Darwin up and measured her plot, and the beds that will be part of her 5yr rotation. The goal is to grow ingredients for a nice Greek salad. Vicky has tested her soil and had more success with that than with her attempts at drumming up interest on social media. Karin is interested however, and they agree that whatever the results were, they we...

Day one at Waltham Place for a Biodynamic Gardening Course and we're hooked. We were too excited to wait until next week, so we took this re-record on Sunday to share the day's highlights with you today. Big thanks to the team at Waltham Place for their amazing warmth and wisdom, and to the amazing Andre Tranquilni, Estate Manager & King of Biodynamics. If you feel like a pig in mud re...

Can you have too much soil? Vicky and Karin don't think so, and make big plans for Karin's front garden as a make shift community composting centre, using their new -found app MakeSoil. A lockable dalik and shredder will rub shoulders with the trees Christmas that Karin has already collected from her neighbours. Dreams also feature, with King Charles making a surprise visit, and Vicky resi...

Good news for sleepy heads! We've removed the loud drum beat at the end that has woken many of you up. Instead, we've replaced it with some birdsong from the plot to lull you as you sleep. However, If you do manage to stay awake, here's some of the things we talk about: Self-sufficient with water Winter planting in milk bottles  Trying to live more sustainably, we know we are playing c...

In this episode, Vicky shares her passion for birds, making Karin feel distinctly lacking in knowledge. However, as often happens with these two allotmenteers, the conversation quickly turns to compost, and a new potential source of material. Books were on the Christmas list; Vicky has read about permaculture and Karin guerilla gardening. As always, thanks to Alex Kizenskov for intro/outro music.

On the plot in Christmas week, reflecting on things we're grateful for and how we'd like to be buried! Merry Christmas everyone! Ps. Excuse the munching in this episode - Vicky promises never to eat on the podcast again!

Join us for another episode from the allotment, where Vicky and Karin have received the Garden Organics Heritage seed catalogue. The excitement is palpable as they discuss the Global seed vault, seed monopolies and the beauty of small spaces. And Basil, the unusual tomato specimen survivor. With thanks to Alex Kizenskov for intro/outro music.

We swap the coffee for mulled wine this morning, Karin lights a candle and shares the gingerbread and we settle down under a warm blanket in the shed to share our Allotment based Christmas wish lists!

In this episode, Vicky has a fantastic compost surprise; three hip high compost bays full of black gold. Karin is still on about the leaf mould, and have discovered a way of speeding the process up.

In this episode, Karin shares her plans for coaxing reluctant seeds into action over winter. It might be chilly, but Karin proves that it's the perfect season to sow the seeds of anticipation for a vibrant spring garden. In the meantime, Vicky's been snuggling on the sofa with cups of tea watching these wonderful things: The Wild Gardener A National That Rebuilds Itself, Rebuilds It's...

In this episode, Vicky takes Karin through a biodiversity survey, checking off 50 (!) or so questions on how well they are doing in biodiversity terms on their plots. From wildlife ponds to bat boxes, join the pair as they explore ways to make their plots more welcoming to wildlife. Thanks to Alex Kizenkov for intro and outro music.

Karin’s been on a mission to tackle food waste in her kitchen, she’s declared a 'stop shop time,' raiding her cupboards and fridge to give those forgotten remnants a second chance before turning back to the supermarket. In the meantime, Vicky’s been turning her living space into a winter garden, proving that you don't need acres to grow your greens. She’s been uncovering the magic and...

Join Vicky and Karin as they sip coffee and chat all things allotment. Get ready for an engaging conversation as they dive into topics like composting, Vicky's new duo apple tree and even an unexpected use for a hay bale. So grab a coffee, sit back, and enjoy this green fingered adventure with Vicky and Karin. Thanks to Alex Kizenkov for our intro/outro music.

This week, Karin and Vicky, are joined with their two daughters (and a fox) as they all get into the spirit of Halloween on the plot, from making pumpkin soup to brewing a witch's cauldron of biochar. We chat about all manner of things that Karin has been busy with this half term on her plot including prepping bokashi pots, planting broad beans and her brolly brainwave! Who said autumn wasn&#3...

Come with us on a stroll with us from Karin's up to Vicky's plot. We'll pause every now and again along the way for imaginative growing ideas, inspiration and engaging conversation. We discover clever water collecting solutions and chat about local community harvest initiatives. Karin shares an impossible-to-forget episode of the podcast Table Manners featuring Miriam Margoles, while V...

It's finally a typical autumn day in the UK, it's cloudy and windy on the plot so Karin and Vicky are tucked inside the shed today. But, being the intrepid gardeners they are, they're all set to burst forth onto their allotment as soon as the recording wraps up. Vicky's super excited to share her plans to plant her flowering bulbs, onions, and garlic ready for the winter, Karin sneeks a peek insid...

A drowsy episode on Karin's allotment, not made any better by a headache inducing discussion of gravity and it's role in water pressure. Apologies. If low energy had a face, this would be it.

The sun shines once again at Sandridge Road Allotments as Karin get to grips with her new headset and the pair try to improve the sound quality! They reflect on their week on the plot, planting in the gooseberries, popping along to Festival of Permaculture with You Tube's Huw Richards, and Vicky gets a little political talking about Chris Packham's Environmental Protest. September is proving to be...

After a mini tour of Karin's cosy shed, it's time to leave and take a saunter up to Vicky's plot - self professed organised chaos. The pair natter away about, layers of cardboard to suppress the couch grass, Hugelkultur developments, Vicky's plans for fruit trees and bushes and the inherited potato plant. Ps in case you're interested, the quote Vicky was trying to remember was...