Frequently asked questions
Growing Guides
What are the easiest herbs to grow on an allotment?
Chives, mint, thyme, rosemary, parsley, and oregano are among the easiest herbs to grow and require minimal maintenance once established.
Can I grow herbs all year round?
Some perennial herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and sage can be harvested year-round. Annual herbs like basil and coriander are grown during the warmer months only.
Should herbs be grown in pots or in the ground?
Many herbs grow well in the ground, but containers are ideal for mint and tender herbs. Pots also help control soil moisture and spreading.
How often should I water herbs?
Generally, water herbs regularly while they establish. Once mature, most herbs prefer drier soil and only need watering during prolonged dry periods.
Why do my herbs have lots of leaves but little flavour?
Overfeeding or very rich soil can reduce flavour. Herbs develop stronger aromas when grown in moderately fertile, well-drained soil.
How do I stop herbs flowering too quickly?
Harvest regularly and grow herbs in suitable conditions. Some flowering is natural, but frequent cutting delays it.
Can herbs survive winter on an allotment?
Many perennial herbs survive winter outdoors if grown in well-drained soil. Tender herbs should be grown annually or protected from frost.
When should I plant potatoes on an allotment?
Potatoes are usually planted from March to April depending on variety and weather. First and second earlies go in earlier than maincrop potatoes.
Can I grow potatoes from supermarket potatoes?
Yes, but there is a higher risk of disease. Certified seed potatoes are more reliable and recommended.
How often should I water potatoes?
Water potatoes regularly once plants start flowering. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Do potatoes grow well in containers?
Yes. Potatoes grow very well in large containers as long as there is enough depth and regular watering.
How do I stop potatoes going green?
Earth up soil around stems and ensure tubers are not exposed to light.
What causes potato blight?
Blight develops in warm, damp weather. It spreads rapidly and requires immediate action to prevent crop loss.
How can I increase potato yields?
Use good seed, improve soil organic matter, water consistently, earth up properly, and avoid overcrowding.
When should I plant courgettes on an allotment?
Courgettes are planted outdoors from late May to June, once the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
Can I grow courgettes from seed?
Yes. Courgettes are easy to grow from seed, usually sown indoors in April or outdoors after the last frost.
Do courgettes grow well in containers?
Yes. Courgettes grow well in large containers (30–40 litres) with regular watering and feeding.
Why do courgette flowers fall off without fruiting?
This is usually due to poor pollination or cold, wet weather. Hand-pollinating flowers can solve the problem.
How often should I water courgettes?
Courgettes should be watered regularly to keep soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and fruiting.
What is the best way to increase courgette yields?
Improve courgette yields by spacing plants well, feeding weekly once fruiting starts, watering consistently, and harvesting regularly.
How many courgette plants do I need?
Most households only need one or two courgette plants, as each plant can produce a large number of courgettes.
When should I plant onions and garlic on an allotment?
Onions are planted from seed or sets between January and April, while garlic is best planted in autumn (October / November) or early spring.
Plot Management Guides
What are the easiest herbs to grow on an allotment?
Chives, mint, thyme, rosemary, parsley, and oregano are among the easiest herbs to grow and require minimal maintenance once established.
Can I grow herbs all year round?
Some perennial herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and sage can be harvested year-round. Annual herbs like basil and coriander are grown during the warmer months only.
Should herbs be grown in pots or in the ground?
Many herbs grow well in the ground, but containers are ideal for mint and tender herbs. Pots also help control soil moisture and spreading.
How often should I water herbs?
Generally, water herbs regularly while they establish. Once mature, most herbs prefer drier soil and only need watering during prolonged dry periods.
Why do my herbs have lots of leaves but little flavour?
Overfeeding or very rich soil can reduce flavour. Herbs develop stronger aromas when grown in moderately fertile, well-drained soil.
How do I stop herbs flowering too quickly?
Harvest regularly and grow herbs in suitable conditions. Some flowering is natural, but frequent cutting delays it.
Can herbs survive winter on an allotment?
Many perennial herbs survive winter outdoors if grown in well-drained soil. Tender herbs should be grown annually or protected from frost.
When should I plant potatoes on an allotment?
Potatoes are usually planted from March to April depending on variety and weather. First and second earlies go in earlier than maincrop potatoes.
Can I grow potatoes from supermarket potatoes?
Yes, but there is a higher risk of disease. Certified seed potatoes are more reliable and recommended.
How often should I water potatoes?
Water potatoes regularly once plants start flowering. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Do potatoes grow well in containers?
Yes. Potatoes grow very well in large containers as long as there is enough depth and regular watering.
How do I stop potatoes going green?
Earth up soil around stems and ensure tubers are not exposed to light.
What causes potato blight?
Blight develops in warm, damp weather. It spreads rapidly and requires immediate action to prevent crop loss.
How can I increase potato yields?
Use good seed, improve soil organic matter, water consistently, earth up properly, and avoid overcrowding.
When should I plant courgettes on an allotment?
Courgettes are planted outdoors from late May to June, once the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
Can I grow courgettes from seed?
Yes. Courgettes are easy to grow from seed, usually sown indoors in April or outdoors after the last frost.
Do courgettes grow well in containers?
Yes. Courgettes grow well in large containers (30–40 litres) with regular watering and feeding.
Why do courgette flowers fall off without fruiting?
This is usually due to poor pollination or cold, wet weather. Hand-pollinating flowers can solve the problem.
How often should I water courgettes?
Courgettes should be watered regularly to keep soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and fruiting.
What is the best way to increase courgette yields?
Improve courgette yields by spacing plants well, feeding weekly once fruiting starts, watering consistently, and harvesting regularly.
How many courgette plants do I need?
Most households only need one or two courgette plants, as each plant can produce a large number of courgettes.
When should I plant onions and garlic on an allotment?
Onions are planted from seed or sets between January and April, while garlic is best planted in autumn (October / November) or early spring.