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.
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.
Why I Was Invited to Speak Recently, I was invited to give a talk at the Cheshire Smallholders Association after being featured in the NAS (National Allotment Society) magazine. The Chairman’s father — a previous chairman himself — had read the article, tried the allotment
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 If a tree in your garden suddenly starts leaning, dropping leaves early, or showing fungus at the base, it’s easy to wonder whether something is seriously wrong. In many cases, the issue is less dramatic than it looks — trees are resilient, and seasonal
Introduction If your grow tent humidity is too high, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, high humidity in a grow tent is one of the most common problems indoor growers face, especially once plants move into the flowering stage. Plants do need some moisture in
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 – What to Harvest in May (UK) If you’re wondering what to harvest in May (UK), this is the month when the vegetable garden finally starts giving something back. After the slower harvests of early spring, warmer soil and longer days begin pushing plants
Introduction: Winter Gardening in the UK Winter might seem like a quiet time in the vegetable garden. However, it’s far from the end of the growing season. In fact, with the right approach, growing winter vegetables in the UK can keep your garden productive right
Introduction Autumn might feel like the end of the growing season. However, for vegetable gardeners in the UK, it’s actually one of the best times to plant vegetables and prepare for the months ahead. Even though summer harvests are finishing up, the soil is still