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.
Tomatoes can crop well outdoors in the UK when they get enough warmth, sunlight and shelter. Our short growing season, cool nights and unpredictable summer weather make timing and variety choice important. Bush tomatoes are often easiest for pots and smaller gardens, while cordon varieties
Introduction There’s nothing quite like biting into a fresh, juicy strawberry you’ve grown yourself. Whether it’s for the flavour, the savings, or the simple satisfaction, learning how to grow strawberries at home is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable things you can do in
Potatoes are one of the easiest and most reliable crops to grow in the UK. Whether you have an allotment, raised bed or just a couple of large containers, they can produce a generous harvest without requiring complicated care. In this guide, I’ll show you
Garlic is one of the easiest crops to grow in a UK garden or allotment. Plant individual cloves in autumn, give them full sun and free-draining soil, and they’ll establish roots through winter before putting on strong growth in spring. For most UK growers, October
Introduction – How to Grow Salad Leaves at Home in the UK If you’ve ever wondered how to grow salad leaves at home in the UK, you’re not alone. Supermarket salad might look convenient; however, it often comes with a high price tag and plenty
Imagine a garden where plants naturally support one another, reducing the need for fertilizers, pesticides, and excessive watering. That’s the magic of Three Sisters Planting—a time-tested companion planting method used for centuries by Indigenous peoples of North America. It’s a sustainable way to maximize garden
Radishes are one of the quickest and easiest vegetables to grow, which makes them a great choice for gardeners at any stage. They grow fast, mature in as little as four weeks, and add a crisp, peppery bite to all sorts of everyday meals. If
The best vegetables to grow in the UK are crops that cope with cool springs, changeable summers and occasional poor weather. Potatoes, salad leaves, radishes, beetroot, peas, beans and courgettes are all dependable choices for new growers. Your best options will also depend on your