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.
Nature does not follow a perfect timetable, and neither does your garden. The weather changes quickly, soil can warm more slowly than expected, and advice that worked one year may need adjusting the next. That is why this monthly UK planting guide is best used
A small allotment or compact garden can produce a useful amount of food when you choose crops that earn their space. Quick salads, climbing beans, leafy greens, roots and compact varieties can all provide reliable harvests without overcrowding the plot. This guide includes practical crop
Square foot gardening divides a bed into 1 ft × 1 ft sections, with each square planted according to the space a crop needs. It is a simple way to organise a raised bed, avoid overcrowding and make the most of a small UK garden
Planning an allotment is easier when you break it into practical stages. Assess the plot, map out the space, choose crops you want to grow, check when they need to be sown or planted, and create a plan you can use throughout the year. This
If you’re looking for the best place to buy vegetable seeds in the UK, DT Brown is my top overall pick for most home and allotment growers. It offers good value, a practical vegetable range, and the sort of straightforward seed buying that suits people
Finding the Perfect Gift for Gardeners Finding the right Christmas gift for a gardener isn’t always straightforward. Whether they love pottering in the greenhouse, pruning roses, or tending to veg beds, most gardeners are practical people who appreciate quality gardening tools that genuinely make a
Introduction Creating a wildlife friendly low maintenance garden UK doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. With a few smart choices in low maintenance garden design, you can enjoy a space that largely looks after itself while providing bees, butterflies, birds, and hedgehogs with food
Introduction Every gardener and forager knows the feeling when everything ripens at once. Bowls of tomatoes, baskets of apples, and piles of courgettes are a gift of abundance — yet without a plan, they quickly turn into waste. With energy costs climbing, finding simple, low
Why Collect Rainwater? (Cost Savings + Sustainability) If you garden in the UK, chances are you’ve looked at your water bill after a dry spell and wondered if there’s a smarter option. Rainwater harvesting in the UK offers exactly that—a simple, eco‑friendly way to collect
Introduction Spring is the busiest season for UK growers—and for good reason. After months of short days and soggy weather, the soil finally warms, the light levels increase, and the vegetable planting calendar suddenly feels wide open. Whether you’re tending a full allotment or a
Introduction: Amazon Garden Deals UK Hub Looking for the best Amazon deals UK to save money on your garden tools, outdoor gear, and everyday essentials? You’re in the right place. This page is updated weekly so you can always find the latest Amazon discounts, vouchers,
Introduction Bring bold colour and character to your garden with Lauren’s Grape poppy seeds. This hardy annual (Papaver somniferum) is prized for its rich plum-purple petals, striking dark centres, and soft silver-green foliage. It’s just as eye-catching in a cottage garden border as it is