The 'Allotment Diaries Podcast' is a podcast that aims to provide an honest look at what it's like to own an allotment plot. It discusses what has worked well as well as what has not worked so well. The podcast will also feature interviews with other allotment holders about their experiences and allotments, as well as special guests. For more information or to submit a question, please email allotmentdiariespodcast@gmail.com.
📻 Siste episoder av Allotment Diaries Podcast
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EP.76 | Christmas Day at the Allotment Diaries (00:32:14)
Laura and Chay return with a special Christmas Day episode of Allotment Diaries. This time, the conversation is less about digging and growing and more about festive traditions, Christmas Day rituals, and—of course—some truly questionable Christmas cracker jokes. On behalf of everyone at the Allotment Diaries Podcast, we’d like to wish all our listeners, past and present, a very Merry Christmas. Thank you to everyone who continues to support us and tune in as we share regular episodes about a...
EP.75 | Back on the Plot: Winter Plans, Polytunnels & Seed Dreams (00:51:47)
After a month off — thanks to both Laura and Chay being knocked out by flu, general illness, and the fact that December can feel like a quieter time on the allotment — they’re back to chat all things plot life. While winter is often seen as a slow month, there’s still plenty to be getting on with. Laura shares what she’s been up to on her plot over December, from winter jobs to keeping things ticking along. Chay, on the other hand, admits to not getting up to much on the plot itself, with his...
EP.74 | Harvest and Home UK: Claire’s Allotment Journey (01:30:33)
In this episode, Laura and Chay chat with Claire, an allotmenteer from Portchester in Hampshire, known online as Harvest and Home UK. Claire’s allotment journey began just four years ago when she and her husband, Trev, decided on a whim to apply for a plot—despite having no prior gardening experience. Like so many who discover the world of allotments, they quickly became hooked. Since then, their passion has continued to grow. They’ve taken on additional plots, started keeping chickens, and e...
EP.73 | Birthdays, Escaped Chickens, and Winter Plans. (01:11:28)
In this episode, Chay and Laura catch up on what they have been harvesting and what’s been happening on their allotments while juggling the chaos of their children’s birthday parties. Chay shares an amusing story about an unexpected visitor to his plot — an escaped chicken from a neighbouring allotment — and explains how he handled the situation. The pair also discuss their upcoming plans as they prepare for the winter months, with a few surprising projects on the horizon. They delve into a l...
EP.72 | Growing Stories & Soil Squad with Vicky & Karin of The Plot Thickens (01:35:21)
In this episode, Chay and Laura sit down with Vicky and Karin, the brilliant duo behind The Plot Thickens podcast. As fellow podcasters, they share a deep appreciation for the passion, dedication, and courage it takes to create meaningful content purely for the love of it and for the benefit of listeners. Vicky and Karin open up about how they first met, what inspired them to start their podcast, and the journey they’ve been on since – from the highs and lows to the lessons learned along the ...
EP.71 | From Plot to Plate: Growing, Cooking, and Sharing. (00:47:39)
In this episode, Laura and Chay chat all about growing, harvesting, and cooking straight from the plot. They share stories of the very first things they ever grew, the crops that make it onto their must-grow list every year, and whether they plan their planting with cooking in mind or simply let the harvest inspire what ends up on the plate. They also dive into the tricky question of knowing when something is ready to harvest, swap go-to seasonal recipes, and talk about their favourite plot-t...
EP.70 | Talking to Plants: Laura & Chay’s Allotment Catch-Up. (00:49:29)
In this 70th episode, Laura and Chay reunite to swap updates from their plots as well as what they have been up to. While activity on the allotment has been a little quieter, there’s still plenty to chat about—from everyday challenges to the latest quirky plant science. Laura dives into the fascinating world of “listening to your plants” with an audio wave machine, and the pair explore a recent study suggesting that speaking kindly to your plants could actually boost their growth and health. ...
EP.69 | Plotting for Wellbeing: Celebrating National Allotment Week. (00:53:58)
In this episode, Chay and Laura are joined by Guy Herzmark, the Northern Regional Representative for the National Allotment Society (NAS). to talk all things National Allotment Week — running from 11th to 17th August 2025. This year’s theme, Allotment and Wellbeing, puts a special spotlight on mental health and exploring the many ways allotments can boost our mood, improve our physical health, and connect us with nature and community. Guy shares the purpose of the week, along with practical i...
In this episode, Laura and Chay catch up on everything happening on their allotment plots during the busy month of July. They dive into what they've been harvesting recently, the various tasks they've been tackling, and how they're managing their plots during a particularly dry spell. With a potential hosepipe ban looming due to the lack of rain, they offer practical tips on water conservation and how to prepare for restrictions. At the point of this recording (July 2025), hosepipe bans are i...
EP.67 | From Chelsea to Hampton: A Stroll Through the Flower Shows. (01:04:24)
In this episode, Laura and Chay reconnect at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, taking listeners along for a walk-and-talk through the event. As they explore the showgrounds, they share their impressions and offer a thoughtful comparison to their recent experience at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Despite the challenging conditions — including high temperatures, crowds, and a makeshift recording setup — their conversation captures the vibrant energy of the day. The episode also features a light...
EP.66 | The National Allotment Society with Guy Herzmark (01:16:35)
In this episode, Laura and Chay are joined by Guy Herzmark, the Northern Regional Representative for the National Allotment Society (NAS). With over 25 years of experience as an allotmenteer in Newcastle Upon Tyne and many years of service as a site chair, Guy brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for allotment gardening. He shares insights into the work of the NAS, the UK's leading organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting allotments. Representing over 125,000 members, the NAS wo...
EP.65 | Designing Green Dreams with James Smith! (01:29:29)
In this episode, Laura and Chay are joined by the talented James Smith, an accomplished garden designer at Landscape Services. James is a former RHS medalist and was a finalist for the prestigious Young Designer of the Year award. With years of experience designing stunning gardens and landscapes across Hampshire and Dorset, James brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to the conversation. James shares his journey into the world of landscape design—what first inspired him, how he develop...
EP.64 | From Scrubs to Soil: Holly’s Allotment Journey! (01:20:23)
In this heartwarming episode, Laura and Chay sit down with Holly, a midwife and passionate allomenteer from St Albans, to talk about how she discovered solace and mental clarity through her allotment plot. Holly began her gardening journey in 2020, just before the pandemic hit, and shares how her small plot became a vital sanctuary amidst the pressures of frontline midwifery during unprecedented times. She opens up about expanding to a larger plot and managing the demands of her profession, a...
EP.63 | ‘Following in my Footsteps’: Leanne's Allotment Journey and BBC Gardeners' Beautiful Borders. (01:15:13)
In this uplifting episode, Laura and Chay chat with Leanne, a passionate allotment gardener who has taken on three plots since 2021. Leanne shares the highs and lows of her gardening journey, the lessons she’s learned, and how growing her own produce has become a vital part of her daily life. The conversation also highlights Leanne’s recent leap into the spotlight with her garden design, "Following in My Footsteps," which she showcased at the BBC Gardeners' World Beautiful Borders exhibit. Sh...
EP.62 | Buzz Into Beekeeping with Mark: From Hobbyist to Hive Maker! (01:56:22)
In this episode, Laura and Chay are joined by Mark, founder of Buzz Into Beekeeping, who shares his experience transitioning from a beekeeping enthusiast to launching a small business. Mark outlines how his interest in pollinators led to the development of the Buzz Box Starter Pack—a compact, beginner-friendly kit designed with urban and small-space beekeepers in mind. The discussion explores the practical realities of starting a beekeeping business, including logistical and ecological ...
EP.61 | Growing with Clare – Containers, Bulbs & a Touch of Scottish Culture (01:19:49)
In this episode, Chay and Laura are joined by Clare from Motherwell, an enthusiastic allotment holder now in her fourth year of growing. Clare shares her passion for container planting, discussing the practical and personal reasons behind her approach, with a particular focus on the joy of planting bulbs. Listeners also hear about Clare’s new venture—growing sweet potatoes—as she reflects on the early stages of her progress and the challenges she’s encountered so far. As with many episodes, t...
EP.60 | The One Where They Barely Stay on Topic (Featuring Anna) (01:49:13)
In the 60th and longest-ever episode of Allotment Diaries Podcast, hosts Laura and Chay are joined by special guest Anna for a delightfully off-topic conversation that starts with good intentions (allotments!) and ends up covering just about everything else. While allotments were meant to be the focus, the discussion veers off the composted path and into all sorts of unexpected territory — including family life, favourite Netflix shows, the joys and perils of 'adolencenses' with smartphones, ...
EP.59 | Laura and Chay record on their plots! (00:43:51)
For the first time ever, Chay and Laura take the podcast to the plot—literally! Armed with a microphone, a questionable sense of direction, and an eye on the looming rain clouds, they attempt a walking tour of their allotments. Expect thrilling updates on what’s thriving, what’s barely clinging to life, and what’s been entirely claimed by weeds. It’s short, it’s chaotic, but it’s packed with insight—and possibly some accidental slapstick moments. To see the video, check out the Al...
EP.58 | Laura and Chay chat about progress on their plots. (01:03:54)
In this episode, Laura and Chay catch up on the progress they've made on their allotment plots. With the weather warming up and the days getting longer, both of them have seen a surge in activity. Laura shares her efforts in preparing her plot by tackling weeds, clearing the area, and getting ready to build a DIY shed. Meanwhile, Chay has been busy sowing a variety of seeds, including aubergines, peas, and beans, along with some unique seeds Laura had given him. The episode also feature...
EP.57 | Exploring Allotments in Los Angeles with David Benjamin. (00:53:28)
In this episode, Chay visits Fountain Community Garden in Hollywood during his trip to Los Angeles and sits down with Garden Manager David Benjamin. They discuss how community gardens (the US equivalent of allotments) operate in LA, the variety of plants grown, the challenges they face—including the impact of recent wildfires—and their future ambitions. While UK allotments and LA community gardens have distinct differences, Chay uncovers striking similarities, from the ongoing battle with pes...
EP.56 | Garden Press Day – Our Honest Review. (00:45:48)
In this episode, Laura and Chay share their honest review of Garden Press Day, which they attended for the first time on February 18th in London. They discuss their expectations versus reality, giving insights into what the event had to offer and whether it lived up to the hype. From innovative new gardening products to clever designs that promise to make gardening easier and more successful, they highlight some standout finds from the day. Plus, this episode marks a special moment—Laura and ...
EP.55 | Charles Dowding: A Deep Dive into Organic Gardening and the No-Dig Approach! (01:04:49)
In this exciting episode, Laura and Chay have the incredible opportunity to chat with the legendary Charles Dowding, a household name in the world of organic gardening, particularly known for his expertise in the no-dig method. Throughout the conversation, Charles shares his fascinating journey to becoming a pioneer in organic gardening, revealing how his life experiences have led him to this path. He provides an insightful look at what drives him and his ambitions for the future. Listeners w...
EP.54 | Jayne: An Allotmenteer and Mum of 2 Joins Laura and Chay on the Show (01:19:24)
In this episode, Laura and Chay chat with Jaynes Wallace, an allotment enthusiast from the South East of England. They dive into everything from growing food to family dynamics, with Jaynes sharing her incredible expertise on crafting natural remedies to fend off those pesky winter bugs—starting with the magical "fire cider." Jaynes opens up about the rollercoaster of highs and lows she's experienced after five years with her allotment and how it’s become a haven for improving her family's me...
EP.53 | Growing Into 2025: Laura and Chay's Plans for the Year Ahead! (01:01:20)
In this episode, Laura and Chay delve into their allotment plot plans for 2025, sharing what’s in their seed boxes and how they go about deciding where to plant what. They discuss the importance of crop rotation and other key factors that influence their planning for the new season. Listeners will get an intriguing insight into the different approaches Laura and Chay take to their plot layouts. While Laura sticks with the traditional bed system, Chay has opted for a more unconventional approa...
EP.52 | From Belgium with Love: Mellisa Opens Up About 2024, Her New Book, and What’s Next! (01:20:11)
In this first episode of 2025, Laura and Chay are thrilled to welcome back Mellissa, who was a guest in 2023 (Episode 17). Since then, Mellissa’s life has seen its share of highs and lows, and in this episode, she opens up about the rollercoaster of 2024 and her exciting future ambitions. One of the most intriguing parts of this conversation is Mellissa's new book, currently in the drafting stage. She shares how her passion for gardening has deeply influenced the story she's crafting and how ...
