In this episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast, Elaine and Julia are joined by the delightful Helen, who brings a fresh perspective on utilising gluts of produce, particularly cucumbers, in the kitchen. The episode opens with a light-hearted moment as the trio savours homemade apple cake, setting a jovial tone for the discussions ahead. The conversation quickly shifts to the challenges of cucumber cultivation, with Elaine sharing her experiences of dealing with aphids and the importance of venti...
Jun 25, 2025•37 min•Season 3Ep. 11
In this episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast, Julia and Elaine are back with a lively discussion about the ins and outs of securing your very own allotment. With plenty of laughter and insightful anecdotes, they kick off the episode by sharing their personal experiences with the joys and challenges of allotment life. The duo dives into the essential questions to ask when viewing a potential plot, likening the process to buying a second-hand car. They cover everything from soil quality and wate...
Jun 11, 2025•39 min•Season 3Ep. 10
In this episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast, Elaine and Julia are back with plenty of gardening wisdom and a few laughs as they tackle the trials and tribulations of growing beetroot and peas. The episode kicks off with a delightful discussion about their recent experiences, including a humorous exchange about Barry's unfortunate bean mishap in the greenhouse. The duo dives into the specifics of beetroot cultivation, sharing valuable tips on germination techniques, watering methods, and the i...
May 28, 2025•42 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In this lively episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast, Julia and Elaine return to discuss the delights of growing pumpkins, squashes, and sweet corn, as well as the intricacies of succession planting. The episode kicks off with a humorous exchange about the recent warm weather and its effects on their allotment activities, including a comical mishap involving sunstroke and mistaken identities. As they delve into the main topics, the duo shares their tips and tricks for successfully cultivating p...
May 14, 2025•39 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Join Elaine and Julia for another informative episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast! In this engaging instalment, they dive into the delightful world of salads, aptly titled "S for Salad." The episode opens with a light-hearted banter about the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of growing your own salad greens. Elaine shares her disbelief at the number of people who still purchase trays of lettuce from garden centres instead of opting for seed packets, which can yield an abundance of fresh gree...
Apr 30, 2025•42 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Join Julia and Elaine for another delightful episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast! In this vibrant instalment, they tackle the intriguing topic of flowers, aptly titled "The F Word." As they dive into listener questions, they share tips on growing various flowers, including sweet peas and zinnias, while also discussing the importance of protecting young plants from the cold. Elaine reveals her exciting experiments with dahlias and cat litter, prompting laughter and admiration from Julia. The d...
Apr 16, 2025•48 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Join Elaine and Julia for another entertaining episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast! In this lively instalment, they discuss the ups and downs of allotment gardening, including the amusing mishaps of the week, such as Julia's unfortunate tumble in the shed and the resulting broken mugs. The episode kicks off with a humorous exchange about the unpredictable weather, leading into a fascinating conversation about dwarf plants and their suitability for smaller spaces. Julia shares her experiences ...
Apr 02, 2025•43 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Join Julia and Elaine for another engaging episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast! In this lively instalment, they dive into the world of gardening with a focus on the quirky and creative ways to grow your own produce. The episode kicks off with an amusing discussion about Julia's posh phone voice and leads into a heartfelt message from listener Fiona, who is eager to learn about starting her beetroot seeds indoors. Elaine shares her tried-and-true methods for seed starting, emphasizing the impo...
Mar 19, 2025•37 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Join Elaine and Julia for another entertaining episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast! In this lively installment, they shares their amusing confessions about recording in the great outdoors, with the sounds of nature providing an unexpected backdrop. As they dive into listener questions, they discuss innovative ways to grow carrots in potato bags and tackle the curious discovery of a bath on one listener's allotment. With laughter and camaraderie, they explore the possibilities of repurposing t...
Mar 05, 2025•41 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Join Julia and Elaine for another delightful episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast as they dive into the joys and challenges of allotment gardening in season three, episode two! This week, the duo welcomes back some of their favourite starter plotters who share their experiences and lessons learned from their first year on the allotment. Listen in as Liz, Tom, and Kevin discuss the camaraderie of communal gardening, the reality of managing expectations, and the joy of sharing bountiful harvests...
Feb 19, 2025•36 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Join Elaine, Julia, and producer Gareth as they kick off season three of the Potty Plotters Plotcast with a lively and humorous episode! In this first instalment, the trio navigates the quirks of recording in a cosy community room instead of their usual allotment, sharing witty banter about the unexpected joys of bowling greens and the enticing drink prices. As they dive into gardening updates, Elaine reveals her triumphs and tribulations with loofah drying, while Julia shares her experiences wi...
Feb 05, 2025•44 min•Season 3Ep. 1
The Potty Plotter Plotcast is back! To whet your whistle ahead of season 3 Elaine and Julia welcome you back. Episode 1 is available from Wednesday 5th February. If you enjoy the Plotcast and would like to leave us a support us to keep going - head to https://ko-fi.com/thepottyplotters Follow us @pottyplotters on Facebook , Instagram & Twitter Get in touch: naughtycorner@pottyplotters.uk A podcast for help with your allotment or gardening....
Jan 29, 2025•3 min
Join Elaine and Julia in the final episode of season two of the Potty Plotters Plotcast! As they wrap up the year with episode 40, the duo reflects on the ups and downs of the gardening season. With a touch of humour, they discuss their attempts at drying loofahs and the mishaps that ensued. If you’ve had better luck with your green loofahs, they’d love to hear your tips! As the winter months approach, the plotters share practical advice on pruning apple and pear trees, and the importance of tim...
Nov 06, 2024•37 min•Season 2Ep. 40
Join Elaine and Julia for a whimsical yet insightful episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast. As the autumn leaves paint the allotment in vibrant hues, the duo reflect on the beauty of the season's changes. From the striking red foliage of blueberry bushes to the fern-like asparagus beds, the plotters are captivated by nature's poetry. The episode takes a culinary turn as Julia shares her laminated recipe cards, revealing her method for creating a delicious spiced pumpkin cake. Gareth contributes...
Oct 30, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 39
Julia and Elaine are back with another delightful episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast. In this episode, they embark on a nostalgic journey through old gardening books, discovering that despite the years, the core principles of gardening remain unchanged. They chat about the enduring wisdom found in these books and marvel at the simplicity of past gardening tips. The episode takes a humorous turn as they discuss the unexpected results of saving seeds from last year's pumpkins, leading to a qui...
Oct 23, 2024•36 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Elaine and Julia are back with another lively episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast! This time, they kick off with a humorous discussion about the burning season on the allotment and the potential for a murder mystery game inspired by Cluedo, but with a plot twist. They brainstorm how the podcast could be integrated into the game, making it a unique experience for listeners. The episode takes a turn towards practical gardening advice, as Elaine and Julia delve into the art of dealing with snapd...
Oct 16, 2024•32 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Elaine and Julia are back with another lively episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast. In this episode, they welcome new neighbours Glynis and Trevor to plot number 32 and discuss the noisy yet charming atmosphere of their allotment. The trio dives into the practicalities of using IBCs (Intermediate Bulk Containers) for water storage on the plot, offering tips on how to keep the water clean and algae-free. The conversation then shifts to the weather, with Gareth attempting to fill in for the abse...
Oct 09, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Elaine and Julia are back, and this time they're recording outside at the beginning of October. They kick off by discussing the unfortunate fate of Gerry's sweet corn, stripped by magpies, and move on to updates from last week's episode. Gareth, shares his experience with poached pears and planting garlic in tubs. We provide tips on how to salvage green pumpkins and prepare them for Halloween. The conversation shifts to the importance of organizing seeds, with Elaine revealing her clever method ...
Oct 02, 2024•38 min•Season 2Ep. 35
Elaine and Julia are back with another engaging episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast! In this episode, they tackle a listener’s question from Alix in Bristol about the pros and cons of using fabric pots and air pruning for patio gardening. Elaine shares her experiences with fabric pots and explains why she prefers reusing plastic pots. Julia dives into the concept of air pruning and its benefits for root development, particularly for sweet peas and trees. The conversation takes a delightful de...
Sep 25, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Elaine and Julia are back, taking refuge in the new summer house at Potty Plotters HQ due to the unseasonably cold September weather. In this episode, they discuss the challenges of managing allotments and gardens during unpredictable weather, with a focus on wildlife and the impact of frost on their beloved dahlias and other plants. The duo shares their experiences with the recent frost, the importance of timing when planting, and how the weather has affected their harvests this year. They also...
Sep 18, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Elaine and Julia return with another delightful episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast, filled with laughter and practical gardening advice. This week, they dive into the world of squashes and pumpkins, sharing tips on how to manage these sprawling plants on your allotments. They discuss the importance of lifting pumpkins off the ground to prevent rot and the benefits of turning them to achieve an even colour. The duo also marvel at Eric's impressive squash archway, a true tourist attraction on ...
Sep 11, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 32
This time Elaine and Julia talk to Thelma Robinson from the Derbyshire Beekeepers Association. Thelma educates listeners on the challenges bees faced this year, the importance of planting for pollinators, and the fascinating behaviour of honeybees. Julia’s curiosity leads to a whimsical discussion on whether bees have knees, adding a touch of humour to the informative segment. We share invaluable advice for Sarah, a novice gardener from Derbyshire, on starting her allotment journey and selecting...
Sep 04, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 31
In this episode, Elaine and Julia tackle the topic of weed management on allotments, offering practical advice and sharing personal anecdotes about the use of weed burners. They discuss the pros and cons of using weed burners versus traditional methods and the importance of safety when handling such equipment. Elaine and Julia also delve into the exciting opportunity to win an allotment site through the Green Allotments competition. They speak with Deborah, the CEO of Green Allotments, who expla...
Aug 28, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Elaine and Julia are back for another episode of the Potty Plotters Plotcast, enjoying the lovely weather outside. The main topic of discussion is the multifaceted use of sheds on allotments. Elaine shares her experience of having three sheds—one for pots, one for tools, and a sitting shed for relaxation and occasional tea and cream scones. Julia talks about the importance of having a personal space on the allotment and the benefits of sheds, especially for those who spend long hours on their pl...
Aug 21, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 29
In this lively episode, Elaine and Julia celebrate National Allotments Week, discussing the importance of showcasing allotment activities and welcoming the local community to learn more about the joys of allotment gardening. They reflect on the changing demographics of allotment users, noting the increase in flowers. The duo shares amusing anecdotes from their recent experiences, including a mishap with well water and a giant cucumber from Steve's plot. They also introduce a massive Beefmaster t...
Aug 14, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 28
In this episode, Elaine and Julia find themselves recording from Gareth’s house due to logistical reasons, giving them a chance to nosey around his plants and greenhouse. They discuss the challenges of staying on task at the allotment, especially when faced with the overwhelming need to deadhead, harvest, and water. Gareth showcases his modest tomato harvest and the trio shares a laugh about their social media and email mishaps. The conversation turns to the joys of harvesting cucumbers, black c...
Aug 07, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 27
In this episode, Elaine and Julia discuss the importance of pruning fruit trees and share their personal experiences with espalier pear trees, apple trees, and the intriguing plumcot. Learn the best practices for summer pruning to encourage growth and fruit production for the next year. They also delve into the benefits of collecting rainwater for your allotment and how to properly care for your cucumber plants. If you enjoy the Plotcast and would like to support us to keep going, head to https:...
Jul 31, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 26
In this episode, Elaine and Julia find themselves serenaded by the sounds of an 80s and 90s music festival nearby, but they stick to the task at hand—discussing all things allotment. They clarify some points from last week's episode, including what Elaine has been harvesting from her plot. They dive into the mysteries of potatoes, especially those that don't flower, and how to handle shallots that haven't dried back yet. The conversation shifts to the quirks of growing blueberries, with Julia sh...
Jul 24, 2024•29 min•Season 2Ep. 25
In this episode, Elaine and Julia discuss the challenges of this year's unpredictable weather and its impact on their gardening efforts. From waterlogged plots to late planting seasons, they share their experiences and offer advice on how to adapt. Kev's potatoes are a no-show, and the ladies ponder the mysterious disappearance of bees, leading to pollination issues. They also talk about the benefits of planting sweet corn and how to protect it from pests, and Gareth gives a greenhouse update, s...
Jul 17, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 24
In this episode, Elaine and Julia dive into the excitement of their recent adventures and garden updates. Discover how Julia caught a man fondling her melons in the polytunnel and what his wife had to say about it. Elaine and Julia also share their experiences with netting fruit bushes to protect them from birds and discuss the challenges of growing brassicas in unpredictable weather. And don't miss out on the fun stories from their talks and raffle prizes, including the much-coveted horse muck ...
Jul 10, 2024•33 min•Season 2Ep. 23