May Back Garden And Allotment Tour - Allotment Gardening For Beginners UK

In my subpod area, I've planted mixed salad leaves, spring onions, radishes, and beetroots. Everything has come through except the spring onions. I’m particularly pleased that the herbs I put in last year are completely flourishing.

I usually start planting most of my seeds out in May because I get much better germination. However, I did get a bit impatient towards the end of April and planted some early because my subpod area is a raised bed and keeps warmer.

A subpod is part of a raised garden bed that also functions as a compost system. It's great for composting waste from your garden and kitchen. It helps to keep the bed warm, which seems beneficial for germination and plant growth. I use it as a seat as well.

I start most of my seeds off in propagators because it's much easier, although some I do direct sow into the ground. Plants like courgettes, squashes, cucumbers, and sunflowers do really well when I start them in a propagator.

When watering seedlings, I'm careful not to overwater but make sure to check daily. As root systems develop, I adjust because the plants start to require more water. I only water them if they need it to prevent damping off, where the roots can rot and kill the plants.

For planting the sprouted French beans, I simply dibble a hole and drop them straight in, trying to aim for the tap root to be downwards. If it's not exactly positioned, it’s fine as the plant will find its way.

I expect to be able to lift some garlic in about a month's time for use. For crop rotation on my allotment, I have a rough plan where different crops will be planted, like chard in the area where garlic is currently, and plan to add squashes and projects to a new area I've taken over.