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.
Despite the name, spring cabbage grown for a spring harvest is normally sown in late summer, planted out in autumn and left to overwinter. The plants sit through the coldest months before putting on stronger growth as light and temperatures increase. You can harvest them
Winter cabbage isn’t a single variety, but a group of hardy cabbages grown for harvesting from late autumn through winter. Hardy varieties cope well with cold, but they need time to establish before the worst weather arrives. Spring cabbage is slightly different: it is usually
Collecting onion seeds is simple once the seed head is mature. Wait until the capsules turn papery and hard black seeds are visible, then cut the head, finish drying it under cover if necessary, and crumble the dry capsules to release the seed. In UK
A sustainable garden should work with its surroundings rather than constantly fighting them. The aim is to use less water, fertiliser and unnecessary chemical treatments, reduce waste and create a garden that remains attractive and productive without becoming difficult to manage. You do not need
Raised beds create productive growing space without completely digging over a garden or allotment. They give you more control over soil quality, drainage and access. Why Choose Raised Beds? Raised beds aren’t essential for growing vegetables, but they can make a growing space easier to
Jerusalem artichokes are one of the easiest winter-harvest crops to grow in the UK. Plant the tubers in spring, give the tall plants plenty of room and harvest once the foliage dies back in late autumn. They need little maintenance and can produce heavy crops,
Turnips are usually ready to harvest sooner than many gardeners expect. Early varieties can produce usable roots in around six weeks, while maincrop types often take closer to ten weeks. Start checking the roots when the shoulders begin to show above the soil and pull
Turnips are one of the quickest root crops to grow in a UK garden or allotment. They are useful for filling gaps between longer-term crops, and because they can be harvested young, you do not need to wait for large roots before enjoying them. The
September is one of the busiest harvest months in the UK garden. Summer crops such as tomatoes, beans, courgettes and cucumbers may still be producing, while potatoes, onions, apples, pears and other storage crops begin to take centre stage. Some pumpkins, winter squash, leeks and
Greenhouse plants generally grow best when they receive plenty of useful natural light. In most gardens, the biggest gains come from choosing a sensible position, keeping the glazing clean, arranging plants carefully and adjusting ventilation or shading as the seasons change. Whether you are planning
Most rhubarb in the UK is ready to harvest from April to June. Look for young, firm stalks around 30 cm long, with leaves that have recently opened. Harvest by pulling and gently twisting each stalk from the base rather than cutting it. Do not
Rhubarb (Rheum × hybridum) is a hardy perennial that can remain productive for ten years or longer. The easiest way to grow it is from a dormant crown planted between November and March. Choose its position carefully, as rhubarb dislikes being moved unnecessarily. Give each