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.
Knowing when to harvest carrots in the UK mostly comes down to timing, size, and a quick look at the root shoulder. Pull them too early and they’ll be thin and underdeveloped. Leave them too long and they can become woody, split, or lose some
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 the
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
Introduction: Is It a Fruit or a Vegetable? 🍅 Your salad might just be a fruit bowl in disguise From the juicy tomato to the crunchy cucumber, plenty of what we toss into savoury meals are, technically speaking, fruits – at least if you’re asking
Introduction A Beautiful and Bountiful Choice Are you looking for a grapevine that’s both attractive and productive? The Himrod grape vine checks both boxes. It produces honey-sweet, seedless fruit and grows quickly with a climbing habit that’s perfect for fences, trellises, and pergolas. This green
A Quietly Brilliant Choice for UK Growers Looking for a productive and elegant grape to grow in your garden? The Perlette grape vine is a seedless, white dessert variety that’s especially well-suited to UK conditions. With its pale yellow-green clusters, subtle sweetness, and impressive yields,
The Flame Seedless grapevine produces sweet, crisp red grapes and is a popular choice for fresh eating. It can grow successfully in the UK, particularly in a sunny, sheltered position or greenhouse, and can also be trained in a large container with suitable support. But
Introduction: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Seedless Grapevines in the UK Wondering how to grow seedless grapevines in the UK? With the right variety, proper care, and a little patience, it’s completely achievable. Some hardy seedless varieties thrive outdoors, while others may need greenhouse
Introduction Growing your own fruit is one of the most rewarding aspects of gardening, and seedless grapevines in the UK are a fantastic addition to any home garden or greenhouse. Whether you want to: Seedless grapevines offer easy maintenance, excellent flavor, and reliable yields, making
Introduction Why Grow Peas? Growing peas is one of the most rewarding experiences for gardeners, whether you’re a beginner or have a few seasons under your belt. Not only are peas easy to cultivate, but they also offer a fresh, homegrown taste that store-bought varieties
How to grow a Herb Garden for beginners This article will teach you what you need to set up a herb garden – a simple, easy and rewarding way to get into growing your food. We will look at what a herb garden is, the
Introduction: What Perennial Vegetables Should I Grow in the UK? Looking to grow more food without doubling your effort? Perennial vegetables are one of the best ways to build a low-maintenance, self-sufficient garden. Unlike annuals—which need sowing every year—these hardy plants come back year after