Biggin Hill Allotments

11/04/2026

Now here is an interesting concept! Crop rotation.

Do you rotate your crops or don’t you?

I did up until now! (Or tried to) However, this year I will be doing it differently! I’ve always found it so restricting, but having read this, I feel confident in my decision to plant my annual crops where ever I want to! My only concern is that I have a tendency to forget where I planted random crops… 🫣 (some little visitors to my allotment like to steal my plant labels!) Probably the fox cubs? I’ll update you later in the year with the results! Wish me luck 🍀

Will you be rotating your crops this year?

08/04/2026

02/04/2026

Spring has most definitely sprung!

Interesting fact of the day:

All hosta species are edible and considered a delicacy in Japan, often called "hostons" or plantain lilies. The best time to eat them is in early spring, when young, tender, rolled-up shoots (similar to asparagus) can be harvested. They are commonly steamed, stir-fried, or sautéed, with a flavor often described as a mix of asparagus and artichoke.

Key Tips for Eating Hostas:
Best Time: Harvest young shoots in early spring before the leaves unfurl.
Parts to Eat: Shoots (hostons), young leaves, and immature flower buds are edible.
Preparation: Wash thoroughly. Sauté in butter, oil, or stir-fry with soy sauce.
Flavor: Often described as a slightly bitter asparagus or a cross between asparagus and bok choy.
Safety: Ensure the plants have not been treated with insecticides or pesticides.

Warning: Hostas are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Another reason to love hostas! Edible shade loving plants- who knew?!

18/03/2026

Well I’ve never seen these before! I had to google them, initially I was worried that I was being invaded by a foreign species! The Golden dung fly. Actually quite pretty for a fly aren’t they? I took the lid off my comfrey tea and this is clearly what drew them to my plot 😷🤣

13/02/2026

I’ve not been onto my plot much recently due to all the rain. So I’ve been preparing for the season ahead. Heres what I’ve go growing on my windowsill at home. This year I’m growing some dwarf varieties of beans in containers at home because I don’t always have much time to spend harvesting them on my allotment and they get too big and stringy. I can pick them more often at home in the garden. Until the lasts frost, most of these will need to be grown on under cover.

What have you got growing at home?