Rural Diaries - live the country life, love the countryside and learn about rural issues

Posted by Sally on March 19th, 2009 in Gardening, Green Living

I’m always on the hunt for new blogs to read, tips to try out and photos to go ooo ahhhh at, so I thought I would share some of my best finds with you.

Here are a collection of 5 British blogs about allotments and veggie’s, how to grow them (the vegetables, not the allotments) and what to do with them once they’re grown … oh and some great seasonal cooking recipes.

I have listed informative blogs, while it’s nice to read about people’s holidays and what the cat got up to this week I wanted to give you a resource to get you fired up and planting, not sitting reading about people’s lives or checking out photo diaries from allotments.

1. Down on the Allotment

In celebration of Matron giving up shopping in supermarkets I’ll start with her allotment blog and her forced rhubarb: Down on the Allotment and she’s even making home made bird boxes … Matron I’m a big fan!!

2. My Tiny Plot

This is a great no nonsense blog with great posts like what to grow in the shady bit and there are always plenty of readers comments with added tips. Mums should check out the baby food posts.

3. Mostly I will be Growing

That’s not an introduction, it’s the name of a great blog about an allotment in Essex. Mostly I will be growing is a really informative blog and I love the weeds and pests section. The photos aren’t as impressive as some other allotment blogs but you get a lot more content.

4. Allotmenticity - Captain Tongo’s Diary

If you’re not a great reader then check this blog out, each post has a recording of Captain Tongo giving allotment tips and recipes on Aston radio every monday. The recipes are written on the blog posts and the radio show has a brilliant title Sod it, grow your own have a listen, it’s very entertaining and you can pick up some great growing tips.

5. Little Gem’s

This blog includes a number of different subjects (eg sewing and cooking) but it has some good information about little gem’s allotment garden and there are some lovely recipes too. Just look at the top right for the words ‘allotment garden’ and click that, if all you are interested in is the posts about allotment gardening.

If you want to have a go at growing unusual varieties then have a dig (no pun intended) through the Organic Allotment blog. The blog is not updated very often but there are some great unusual varities to try out.

There are just so many great blogs about veggies so my apologies to all the great bloggers I couldn’t fit in my list but feel free to leave a comment with a link to your vegetable blog.

Although it’s not a UK site I really wanted to mention Scarecrow’s garden as it has an excellent section on food gardening for beginners. From improving your soil to taking cuttings and compost making, a real treasure trove of information.

Here are my 5 reasons to grow your own, I hope you will find them convincing and give it a go.

If you’re just starting out with an allotment or want to trade tips with other allotmenteers then register at the Allotments UK forum and discuss growing vegetables.