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out on sun-baked earth in the hot August sun.After a few weeks in the shed I took the onions home. Some of them were whoppers and were very heavy because of all water they had absorbed. At home, every consistently sunny day, I moved the onions from

them swiftly to their new home, firming the soil around the roots with my boot as I backfill the hole. I always water the roots thoroughly afterwards, although sometimes when it's raining I'm not sure it's necessary.

What a freezing start to 2009 it's been. It's absolutely perishing down here in Bath and must be almost unbearable further north, or east for that matter. The watering can outside my back door is solid with ice and even the curly kale is looking

It's been very dry lately, so I've had to water my crops on a daily basis. The poor plants need every drop they can get as my allotment has turned into a dustbowl.Despite the dry conditions, my strawberries have been fantastic this year. I've got

from drying out.Even though my soil is rich and silty, the hot period we had a few weeks ago obviously dried the soil out enough to create the perfect conditions for potato scab. It just goes to show how critical the critical watering period is.

I always worry about the allotment when I go on holiday. Will it all dry out or get a thorough soaking? Luckily the plot was well watered when I slipped away for a wet and windy week in Cornwall.I may not have appreciated the weather very much

plums from Italy. The only British plums I've tasted this season are from my neighbour on the allotment.It's all rather depressing really. The majority of consumers are either too busy or too indifferent to write to supermarkets demanding that they stock

What an odd summer we're having. I'm behind after not daring to sow a thing in April as I knew I wouldn't be able to keep them watered enough in those scorching temperatures. Then May hit us with lots of rain and wind so all the slugs and weeds I

, nitrogen-rich ingredients sandwiched between brown, carbon-based ingredients with a very light sprinkling of water now and then). I also mentioned some optional extras that will help turbo-charge a pile like shop-bought compost accelerator, nettles, comfrey

variety I'll invest in for the allotment.It won't be long before I'm making one of my favourite desserts: blackcurrant leaf ice. It's an old Constance Spry sorbet recipe which is both heavenly and low in calories. In deference to Ms Spry