This time Elaine and Julia talk to Thelma Robinson from the Derbyshire Beekeepers Association. Thelma educates listeners on the challenges bees faced this year, the importance of planting for pollinators, and the fascinating behaviour of honeybees. Julia’s curiosity leads to a whimsical discussion on whether bees have knees, adding a touch of humour to the informative segment.

We share invaluable advice for Sarah, a novice gardener from Derbyshire, on starting her allotment journey and selecting the right potato varieties for festive feasts.

The importance of planning and preparing your allotment for winter is highlighted, with suggestions on fruit trees, paths, and maintaining structures.

As the episode wraps up, Elaine and Julia reflect on the joys and challenges of participating in horticultural shows, offering tips on how to present your produce and avoid common pitfalls. From the importance of uniformity to the proper labelling of jams, their experience as judges provides listeners with a comprehensive guide to showcasing their gardening achievements.

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A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.

In this episode, Elaine and Julia tackle the topic of weed management on allotments, offering practical advice and sharing personal anecdotes about the use of weed burners. They discuss the pros and cons of using weed burners versus traditional methods and the importance of safety when handling such equipment.

Elaine and Julia also delve into the exciting opportunity to win an allotment site through the Green Allotments competition. They speak with Deborah, the CEO of Green Allotments, who explains the details of the competition, the criteria for entering, and the long-term benefits for the winners. The conversation highlights the importance of community involvement and the joy of creating sustainable, biodiverse gardening spaces.

Additionally, the episode touches on the joys of growing cultivated blackberries, the importance of planning for next year's flowers, and creative ways to involve children in allotment activities. Elaine and Julia share their experiences with growing cut flowers for weddings and how planning ahead can lead to beautiful, bountiful gardens.

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A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.

Elaine and Julia are back for another episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast, enjoying the lovely weather outside.

The main topic of discussion is the multifaceted use of sheds on allotments. Elaine shares her experience of having three sheds—one for pots, one for tools, and a sitting shed for relaxation and occasional tea and cream scones. Julia talks about the importance of having a personal space on the allotment and the benefits of sheds, especially for those who spend long hours on their plots.

Later, they interview Luke from Derby County Community Trust, discussing the allotment projects they've been working on together. Luke shares insights into the importance of planning and having a purpose for the allotments, the challenges of managing produce, and the broader impact on the community.

Elaine and Julia wrap up with a segment on the do's and don'ts of allotment gardening, emphasising the importance of following site rules and the benefits of using cardboard as a weed suppressant.

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A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.

In this lively episode, Elaine and Julia celebrate National Allotments Week, discussing the importance of showcasing allotment activities and welcoming the local community to learn more about the joys of allotment gardening. They reflect on the changing demographics of allotment users, noting the increase in flowers.

The duo shares amusing anecdotes from their recent experiences, including a mishap with well water and a giant cucumber from Steve's plot. They also introduce a massive Beefmaster tomato, sparking a humorous debate about its size and comparisons to cricket balls and large oranges.

They respond to listener questions, offering advice on courgette pollination issues and the impact of a lack of pollinators this year. They suggest using a paintbrush to manually pollinate courgettes and discuss the benefits of planting more pollinator-friendly plants around allotments.

Listener Gemma from South East London shares her successes and failures on her allotment and seeks tips on growing loofahs in her new polytunnel. Elaine provides detailed instructions on how to grow loofahs, emphasizing the importance of patience and proper care until the first frost.

Mandy from Matlock recounts her journey of transforming a neglected allotment into a productive space, despite numerous challenges. She seeks advice on what to plant in the gaps left by mishaps, and Elaine and Julia suggest various options, including dwarf French beans, chard, and autumn carrots.

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A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.

In this episode, Elaine and Julia find themselves recording from Gareth’s house due to logistical reasons, giving them a chance to nosey around his plants and greenhouse. They discuss the challenges of staying on task at the allotment, especially when faced with the overwhelming need to deadhead, harvest, and water. Gareth showcases his modest tomato harvest and the trio shares a laugh about their social media and email mishaps.

The conversation turns to the joys of harvesting cucumbers, black currants, and blueberries, with Elaine and Julia recounting their recent bountiful pickings. They also touch on the successes of growing lettuces in hanging baskets, a clever way to avoid slugs, and the benefits of mixed salad leaves.

Gareth provides an update on his greenhouse progress, boasting about his plum tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. Elaine and Julia discuss the importance of pinching out the growing tips of tomatoes and deadheading marigolds to encourage better growth. They also delve into the benefits of planting marigolds and snapdragons to deter pests and attract pollinators.

As they prepare for National Allotments Week, they encourage listeners to send in pictures and voice recordings of their gardens and allotments. They also tease an upcoming episode where they will be cooking with chard, aiming to demystify this often overlooked vegetable.

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A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.

In this episode, Elaine and Julia discuss the importance of pruning fruit trees and share their personal experiences with espalier pear trees, apple trees, and the intriguing plumcot.

Learn the best practices for summer pruning to encourage growth and fruit production for the next year.

They also delve into the benefits of collecting rainwater for your allotment and how to properly care for your cucumber plants.

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A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.

In this episode, Elaine and Julia find themselves serenaded by the sounds of an 80s and 90s music festival nearby, but they stick to the task at hand—discussing all things allotment. They clarify some points from last week's episode, including what Elaine has been harvesting from her plot. They dive into the mysteries of potatoes, especially those that don't flower, and how to handle shallots that haven't dried back yet.

The conversation shifts to the quirks of growing blueberries, with Julia sharing her success tips and the importance of ericaceous compost. They also touch on the challenges of growing parsnips and the surprising success of chillies in the unpredictable British weather.

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A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.

In this episode, Elaine and Julia discuss the challenges of this year's unpredictable weather and its impact on their gardening efforts. From waterlogged plots to late planting seasons, they share their experiences and offer advice on how to adapt. Kev's potatoes are a no-show, and the ladies ponder the mysterious disappearance of bees, leading to pollination issues. They also talk about the benefits of planting sweet corn and how to protect it from pests, and Gareth gives a greenhouse update, sharing his success with tomatoes and cucumbers. The episode is rounded off with a discussion on flowers, celeriac, and the best time to plant beans.

If you enjoy the Plotcast and would like to support us to keep going - head to https://ko-fi.com/thepottyplotters

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Get in touch: naughtycorner@pottyplotters.uk

A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening.