This archive brings together practical, experience-led articles from The Backyard Farmer, covering gardening, DIY, indoor growing, foraging, reviews, and sustainable living. Each post is written with real-world use in mind — focusing on working with nature, building practical skills, and making sustainable choices more accessible.
Intro Growing asparagus in the UK looks straightforward — until you actually try it. This is where a lot of gardeners slip up early on. It’s a perennial vegetable, so once it’s established, it can crop for 10–20 years. However, that also means early mistakes
Introduction Growing ash gourd in the UK isn’t something you see on most allotments — and there’s a reason for that. It’s a tropical vine that thrives on heat, long seasons, and steady warmth… three things we don’t always get here. So the obvious question
Introduction Growing apple trees in the UK sounds simple — and to be fair, it can be — but most issues don’t come from the tree itself. They come from how it’s set up in the first place. Choosing the wrong rootstock, planting it in
Introduction Growing courgettes in the UK is one of the quickest ways to get a decent harvest without loads of space. That said, it’s also one of those crops people think they’ve nailed—right up until something quietly knocks the yield back. On paper, growing courgettes
Introduction Knowing when to plant onions in the UK makes a bigger difference than most people think. Get it right and they’ll grow away nicely. Get it wrong, and they can just sit there doing nothing — or worse, rot off before they even get
Introduction If you’ve ever tried growing onions in the UK and ended up with tiny bulbs, plants that bolt early, or sets that seem to disappear into the soil — you’re not alone. Onions often get labelled as one of the easiest crops to grow.
Introduction If you’re wondering when to plant potatoes in the UK, the simple answer is March to May. In other words, that’s the typical potato planting window in the UK you’ll see in most guides. However, once you speak to experienced gardeners — or spend
Introduction Carrots are one of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables to grow in the UK. However, timing matters more than many gardeners realise. If you sow carrot seeds too early, cold soil can slow germination and leave you with patchy rows. On the other
Introduction Learning how to grow carrots in the UK is easier than many gardeners think. Carrots are one of the most rewarding vegetables to grow because they start easily from seed, take up very little space, and grow well in gardens, raised beds, allotments, and
Introduction Knowing when to harvest carrots in the UK makes a huge difference to flavour, texture, and overall crop quality. Pull them too early and the roots will be thin and underdeveloped. Leave them too long and they can become woody, split, or lose their
Introduction Potatoes are one of the most rewarding crops to grow in the UK. However, knowing when to harvest potatoes in the UK can make the difference between small immature tubers and a full basket of perfect spuds. The exact harvest time depends mainly on
Introduction You’ve probably seen them — those cheerful guides on growing avocado in the UK promising guaranteed success. Many, like RHS and Urban Veg Patch, boldly guarantee results. Technically, they’re not wrong. But it’s a bit like saying, “Plant this apple seed and you’ll have