I lost my nan to cancer in October 2017 and I found it quite hard to cope. Someone suggested that gardening was really therapeutic and a great way of clearing your mind. So I bought myself two small raised beds and a handful of seeds for the spring. I have been hooked ever since!
There is something so incredibly humbling about growing your own fruit, vegetables and flowers. I can just completely lose myself in it. Life can be so busy and overwhelming at times, but it's very calming to know that no matter how difficult things might feel, the seasons will still come around, the seeds will grow and the birds will still be singing.
Did you start with an allotment or with a veg patch in the garden?
I started with a vegetable patch in our garden in our rented property. So I had to grow most things on a patio in pots! I was very glad when an allotment plot became available.
You got your first allotment last year. How have you found life on the plot?
I love life on the plot. The second you walk through the gates, you’re entering a different world. My site is in South London, just off a busy road. But the second you enter the site, it feels incredibly peaceful and quiet. It's a little slice of paradise!
You have two young children. How have they enjoyed life on the allotment?
This story is from the November 2020 edition of Kitchen Garden.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2020 edition of Kitchen Garden.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
EASY DOES IT!
As the growing season gathers pace there's one thing often in short supply: time! Ever feel like you're chasing your tail? Benedict Vanheems offers some tips to save valuable time and effort
A NEW Kitchen garden!
It's time for sowing and planting in the new garden and while Martin is busy with that, Jill is making a tasty asparagus soup
OUR PLOTTER OF THE MONTH
Kitchen Garden readers rose to the challenge when we asked for pictures of their plots to appear in the magazine this year. It's time to meet another of our talented competition winners
MANAGING WEEDS, NATURALLY
Weeds are never far away but you can keep them at bay without recourse to weedkillers
Meet the apple doctor
KG editor Steve Ott chats to Glyn Smith, head gardener for the National Trust's Erddig estate in Wrexham, about his career and love of the garden he has tended for 38 years
A CORNUCOPIA OF COURGETTES
It's time to sow a first batch of tender crops such as courgettes for picking through the summer months. KG editor Steve Ott has some tips for a super harvest
FLAVOURSOME FRUIT CURRANTS
you If I want to plant some soft fruit that is easy to grow and will give you plenty of flavour, how about trying currants?
TRY AMARANTH! The dual-purpose veg
Garden Organic's research manager Anton Rosenfeld extols the virtues of amaranth and how to grow it
A SPACE APART
Instagrammer James Martin shares his love of gardening and how much it has helped him and his family both mentally and physically under very difficult circumstances
HITTING THE SWEET SPOT
Welcome to the wonderful world of sweetcorn as Rob Smith takes a look at both old and newer varieties, with some growing advice too