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out for onions to be planted in it this spring. So that's where they are.In this lovely firm bed that was originally intended for beans, I've planted 50 odd sets of an F1 onion variety called Hercules. It's supposed to store well, which is just what I

I was pleased with this year's Christmas harvest – much of our Christmas dinner was allotment produce. King Edward potatoes from the garage were roasted, Charlotte new potatoes from store were steamed. Greens took the form of braised leeks and

next year. So here are my allotment New Year resolutions for 2009:I must grow crops that don't require regular picking as I don't live close enough to the plot to get there more than a couple of times a week. That's just not enough to harvest runner

of new potatoes through the season. I can't remember all the varieties off the top of my head but the list includes: Annabelle, Charlotte, Picasso, Golden Wonder and Red Duke of York. Impressive hey?! We're also growing a long keeper to store over winter

of my maincrop potatoes towards the end of September, dry them off in the garage and then bag them up to store and eat through the winter. We're still eating them now.To ensure a good crop you should 'chit' your potatoes before planting them. This simply

It's this time of year when the allotments become a frenzy of activity. Everyone is digging, composting and manuring like mad. My neighbours Mr and Mrs Ron wait until Easter, then till and plant their three plots within a week. The rest of us just

in the pond where I work. There is no sign of birds nesting in the blackthorn at the plot, although it's hard to see through the swathes of blossom covering the tree.Activity at the allotments, however, has been regular and sustained. This week all my

is such a good 'doer' - I can't remember ever having a bad crop and I've grown 'Charlotte' for years now. (Spud-heads should check out The British Potato Council.I spent yesterday sitting in the sun, carefully checking each spud before storing them. One

challenge for the compost 'steward' will be to sort out the compost bins at the allotment (we have 3 at home and plan for another 3 on the plot).  We use one to store brown materials which we have gathered up like bags of leaves and some paper,  the other

Brambles are the unsung heroes of the fruit garden.A couple of weeks ago I was spring cleaning my store cupboard when I found a stray jar of blackberry jam trapped behind the mountain of marmalade. The pleasure I got when we opened it for breakfast