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 The Short-haired Bumblebee (Bombus subterraneus) is a rare and historically significant bumblebee species in the UK. Once widespread across southern England, it is now best known for its dramatic decline and subsequent reintroduction efforts aimed at restoring this lost pollinator to suitable habitats. This
Introduction The Great Yellow Bumblebee (Bombus distinguendus) is one of the UK’s rarest and most distinctive bumblebees. Once widespread, it is now largely confined to a few remote coastal areas, where it emerges during the summer months and quietly goes about its work as a
Why Small Allotments Can Be Surprisingly Productive If you’ve taken on a small allotment — or you’re working with a compact garden space — it’s completely normal to wonder whether you’ve got enough room to grow anything meaningful. But honestly? Small plots can be incredibly
Introduction Square foot gardening is one of the simplest and most reliable ways to grow vegetables in the UK, and it’s fast becoming a favourite method for anyone searching for square foot gardening UK guidance or beginner‑friendly veg plot plans. Instead of battling long, traditional
Introduction Planning your first allotment can feel like a big leap, especially when you’re trying to visualise your future allotment layout on a bare patch of earth. With so many choices — beds, crops, tools, and endless allotment ideas — it’s no surprise most beginners
Introduction Switching to DIY natural cleaning products is one of the easiest ways to create a healthier, greener, and more affordable home. Because most homemade cleaning products rely on simple, natural ingredients, you can quickly reduce chemicals, cut plastic waste, and save money without sacrificing
How to Take a Pallet Apart (Without Breaking the Boards) Learning how to take a pallet apart the right way saves time, prevents damage, and gives you a steady supply of strong, reclaimed timber for free. Whether you’re building garden planters, DIY furniture, or a
Struggling with humidity or droopy plants in your grow tent? The problem usually isn’t your light—it’s your airflow. Introduction Good airflow and well-placed grow tent fans aren’t optional—they’re essential for every indoor grow tent. Without the right grow tent ventilation setup or properly positioned grow
Introduction Planning Ahead for the New Season As another growing season approaches, the first question many UK gardeners ask is: Where’s the best place to buy vegetable seeds in the UK? With so many online seed suppliers offering everything from heritage varieties to organic vegetable
Best White Vinegar for Cleaning (UK) Keeping your home clean doesn’t have to mean using harsh chemicals or pricey sprays. White vinegar for cleaning is one of the most affordable, effective, and eco-friendly ways to keep your home fresh and sparkling. It’s a natural cleaning
Introduction: Why Go Natural? More people than ever are choosing the lemon and white vinegar cleaner and other natural cleaning products — not just for the planet, but for their own wellbeing. After years of using chemical-heavy sprays and single-use plastic bottles, many households are
Introduction If you’ve ever searched “where to buy cannabis seeds in the UK” online, you’ve probably seen countless results — and just as many conflicting answers. The truth is, finding a trusted UK cannabis seed bank can feel like a minefield. With so many online