From bokashi to nettle, comfrey to horn manure, Karin and Vicky are well into organic stinky teas and preparations for indoor plants, pots and plots. Listen in as they describe their favourite natural ingredients as alternatives to chemical fertilisers. Clearly Vicky's glee and fascination of terrariums has blended with her excitement for geraniums and so throughout this episode she now refers to t erraniums . Apologies. She means TERRARIUMS. Terrariums Talk referred to Ben Newell, @worcesterter...
Apr 30, 2024•43 min
Vicky has been busy with her sowings again, extending her IKEA shoe racks almost across the whole length of the back of the house. Karin has had her first bag in the new Clothing Loop with a sweet little handy surprise inside. And of course it was The Gardeners’ World Magazine podcast with Kate Bradbury (season 12,ep 3) that Karin was rambling on about, not Garden Organics.
Apr 23, 2024•32 min
A jam packed episode this week as the sowing seasons ramps up! Tune in to hear about all that's been sowed, pricked out and transplanted this week on the plots, in the greenhouse and along endless windowsills! You'll be delighted to hear Vicky's mollusc update and our listener tips for snail and slug management! Karin is excited to start the Clothing Loop, a St Albans Clothes Swap Initiative to reduce clothes waste and pass on old favourites...Vicky's still waiting for her invite... It flags up ...
Apr 16, 2024•44 min
The warmer weather has arrived and with it has the slugs. Vicky’s broccoli has been obliterated but she thinks she has found a solution to the problem with a slug stew. Karin’s plot is surprisingly slug free and she puts it down to the pond with it’s hungry inhabitants. Vicky has been to an inspiring B and B over the Easter holidays; right up her street with birds everywhere.
Apr 09, 2024•35 min
This week we unravel the enigma of springing forward, but end up lost in time! Please do not refer to this episode for any sense-making on the clocks going forward. We clearly hadn't had enough coffee when we were recording. This week, with Vicky's mishap, we're all about slowing life down, The chilly, soggy weather gives us the perfect excuse to embrace a leisurely pace on the plot. Tune in as we delve into eco-friendly gardening practices, from reusing coffee grounds to encouraging the frogs t...
Apr 02, 2024•36 min
The spring equinox has arrived and with it lots of seed sowing, using newly found 'potting benches' from the St Albans Reuse site. Vicky gets excited about being able to see Karin's shed across the allotment, albeit at a safe distance, and devises a plan for a colour coded flag system. Vicky also puts Karin through a humiliating test of her own seeds; revealing Karin's lack of knowledge of anything seed related. With thanks to Alex Kizenkov for intro music.
Mar 26, 2024•39 min
Oh dear. Production values are lacking on this episode people - sorry about the wind and reverb. If you can bear to bear with us, we’ve got an uninterrupted episode as we dive into a good long chat about all we’ve sowed this week, plans for the plots. If you love endless seed-sowing talk, you're in for a treat! Karin shares an idea about using a seed tray as a mini replica of a bed to ensure frugal seed sowing and Vicky talks about the satisfaction of prepping seed compost in module trays ahead ...
Mar 19, 2024•33 min
After a quick debrief about their first ever interview follows lots of chatting about Vicky’s new ’home’; a pretty little shed that was put up in an hour and a half by a couple of very efficient shed builders. All she needs now is a nail gun to make her life on the plot complete. With thanks to Alex Kizenkov for intro music.
Mar 12, 2024•28 min
Vicky has been prepping her plot for shed delivery and is worrying about her levelling not being up to scratch. Karin has been busy sowing some experimental seed batches, documented in a newly bought 5yr diary.
Mar 05, 2024•36 min
We’re bathed in a spot of sunshine this week. Karin finds an interesting opportunity to share a small holding for free in Ware, Hertfordshire via the AllotMe website. The lure of beekeeping and a poly-tunnel for free gets Karin all excited but she decides its suited to someone on an allotment waiting list locally. AllotMe app is a great place to go if you can’t wait to grow in a green space but the local allotment waiting list is too long. AllotMe matches the growers with owners of gardens that ...
Feb 27, 2024•36 min
The usual flurry of love for a day at Waltham Place 's Biodynamic Gardening c ourse! We honestly couldn't wait to talk through our amazing day so this episode was recorded in the car! It makes for an excellent studio so this week's sound is a treat for your ears! We found out so much more about : seed compost mixes and which may be the most sustainable all manner of green or time saving seed trays the beauty of a planting plan to reduce "noise" in the mind sharing space - making room for spring ...
Feb 20, 2024•29 min
Vicky's mood has lifted and she makes plans for her not so 'wild' wild life area of her plot. Rewilding is on the menu and she discusses the benefits of a bit of human intervention when it comes to biodiversity. Karin has finally made the sandpit that has been hanging around in the shed for a couple of years into a mini raised bed. A little handy Ikea tip is also squeezed in, in this week's short episode (making up for last week's 42 min navel gazing). With thanks to Alex Kizenkov for intro musi...
Feb 13, 2024•23 min
Busy busy busy on the plots this week, Karin preps her beds, builds the compost heap and takes a peek at how her winter sowing is coming along. Vicky's in a wrestling match with her plot layout. It needs a proper kick into shape before the sowing season kicks off—starting with widening the central path, because once that's set, it's set for life! As ever, compost and cardboard dominate the chat and there's little bit about hair dye too. Instagram and Facebook: The Plot Thickens Pod. Email: tptpo...
Feb 06, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In a not-so-subtle attempt to impress Vicky, Karin has Darwin up and measured her plot, and the beds that will be part of her 5yr rotation. The goal is to grow ingredients for a nice Greek salad. Vicky has tested her soil and had more success with that than with her attempts at drumming up interest on social media. Karin is interested however, and they agree that whatever the results were, they were just going to add organic matter anyway. With thanks to Alex Kizenkov for intro music
Jan 30, 2024•32 min
Day one at Waltham Place for a Biodynamic Gardening Course and we're hooked. We were too excited to wait until next week, so we took this re-record on Sunday to share the day's highlights with you today. Big thanks to the team at Waltham Place for their amazing warmth and wisdom, and to the amazing Andre Tranquilni, Estate Manager & King of Biodynamics. If you feel like a pig in mud reading about biodynamic farming, take a look at Waltham Place's website To hear more from Andre himself, we l...
Jan 23, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Can you have too much soil? Vicky and Karin don't think so, and make big plans for Karin's front garden as a make shift community composting centre, using their new -found app MakeSoil. A lockable dalik and shredder will rub shoulders with the trees Christmas that Karin has already collected from her neighbours. Dreams also feature, with King Charles making a surprise visit, and Vicky resisting joining the fungi club. As always, thanks to Alex Kizenkov for intro music....
Jan 16, 2024•35 min
Good news for sleepy heads! We've removed the loud drum beat at the end that has woken many of you up. Instead, we've replaced it with some birdsong from the plot to lull you as you sleep. However, If you do manage to stay awake, here's some of the things we talk about: Self-sufficient with water Winter planting in milk bottles Trying to live more sustainably, we know we are playing catch up to so many who have done this for years and years. Books: Entangled Life, Melvin Sheldrake Seeds: www.inc...
Jan 09, 2024•38 min
In this episode, Vicky shares her passion for birds, making Karin feel distinctly lacking in knowledge. However, as often happens with these two allotmenteers, the conversation quickly turns to compost, and a new potential source of material. Books were on the Christmas list; Vicky has read about permaculture and Karin guerilla gardening. As always, thanks to Alex Kizenskov for intro/outro music.
Jan 02, 2024•27 min
On the plot in Christmas week, reflecting on things we're grateful for and how we'd like to be buried! Merry Christmas everyone! Ps. Excuse the munching in this episode - Vicky promises never to eat on the podcast again!
Dec 26, 2023•33 min
Join us for another episode from the allotment, where Vicky and Karin have received the Garden Organics Heritage seed catalogue. The excitement is palpable as they discuss the Global seed vault, seed monopolies and the beauty of small spaces. And Basil, the unusual tomato specimen survivor. With thanks to Alex Kizenskov for intro/outro music.
Dec 19, 2023•32 min
We swap the coffee for mulled wine this morning, Karin lights a candle and shares the gingerbread and we settle down under a warm blanket in the shed to share our Allotment based Christmas wish lists!
Dec 12, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In this episode, Vicky has a fantastic compost surprise; three hip high compost bays full of black gold. Karin is still on about the leaf mould, and have discovered a way of speeding the process up.
Dec 05, 2023•34 min
In this episode, Karin shares her plans for coaxing reluctant seeds into action over winter. It might be chilly, but Karin proves that it's the perfect season to sow the seeds of anticipation for a vibrant spring garden. In the meantime, Vicky's been snuggling on the sofa with cups of tea watching these wonderful things: The Wild Gardener A National That Rebuilds Itself, Rebuilds It's Soil: The Role of Women with Professor Karen Johnson Big up to Alex Kizenkov for intro and outro music!...
Nov 28, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In this episode, Vicky takes Karin through a biodiversity survey, checking off 50 (!) or so questions on how well they are doing in biodiversity terms on their plots. From wildlife ponds to bat boxes, join the pair as they explore ways to make their plots more welcoming to wildlife. Thanks to Alex Kizenkov for intro and outro music.
Nov 21, 2023•36 min
Karin’s been on a mission to tackle food waste in her kitchen, she’s declared a 'stop shop time,' raiding her cupboards and fridge to give those forgotten remnants a second chance before turning back to the supermarket. In the meantime, Vicky’s been turning her living space into a winter garden, proving that you don't need acres to grow your greens. She’s been uncovering the magic and science of growing of microgreens in recycled pots. Tune in also for an up date on their primary permaculture pr...
Nov 14, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Join Vicky and Karin as they sip coffee and chat all things allotment. Get ready for an engaging conversation as they dive into topics like composting, Vicky's new duo apple tree and even an unexpected use for a hay bale. So grab a coffee, sit back, and enjoy this green fingered adventure with Vicky and Karin. Thanks to Alex Kizenkov for our intro/outro music.
Nov 07, 2023•35 min
This week, Karin and Vicky, are joined with their two daughters (and a fox) as they all get into the spirit of Halloween on the plot, from making pumpkin soup to brewing a witch's cauldron of biochar. We chat about all manner of things that Karin has been busy with this half term on her plot including prepping bokashi pots, planting broad beans and her brolly brainwave! Who said autumn wasn't busy???
Oct 31, 2023•32 min
Come with us on a stroll with us from Karin's up to Vicky's plot. We'll pause every now and again along the way for imaginative growing ideas, inspiration and engaging conversation. We discover clever water collecting solutions and chat about local community harvest initiatives. Karin shares an impossible-to-forget episode of the podcast Table Manners featuring Miriam Margoles, while Vicky worries about potential disturbing coat sounds. And again, big thanks to Alex Kizenkov for our intro and ou...
Oct 24, 2023•44 min
It's finally a typical autumn day in the UK, it's cloudy and windy on the plot so Karin and Vicky are tucked inside the shed today. But, being the intrepid gardeners they are, they're all set to burst forth onto their allotment as soon as the recording wraps up. Vicky's super excited to share her plans to plant her flowering bulbs, onions, and garlic ready for the winter, Karin sneeks a peek inside her daughter's second-hand wormery and their excitement bubbles over as they contemplate the limit...
Oct 17, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 7
A drowsy episode on Karin's allotment, not made any better by a headache inducing discussion of gravity and it's role in water pressure. Apologies. If low energy had a face, this would be it.
Oct 10, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 6
