Allotment Diaries Podcast
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.
Episodes
61 episodes
EP.58 | Laura and Chay chat about progress on their plots.
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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 58
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1:03:54
EP.57 | Exploring Allotments in Los Angeles with David Benjamin.
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 57
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53:28
EP.56 | Garden Press Day – Our Honest Review.
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 a...
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Season 4
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Episode 56
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45:48
EP.55 | Charles Dowding: A Deep Dive into Organic Gardening and the No-Dig Approach!
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.T...
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Season 4
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Episode 55
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1:04:49
EP.54 | Jayne: An Allotmenteer and Mum of 2 Joins Laura and Chay on the Show
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 r...
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1:19:24
EP.53 | Growing Into 2025: Laura and Chay's Plans for the Year Ahead!
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 influ...
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Season 4
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Episode 53
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1:01:20
EP.52 | From Belgium with Love: Mellisa Opens Up About 2024, Her New Book, and What’s Next!
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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 52
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1:20:11
EP. 51 | Christmas Day Special: Holiday Cheer & Festive Vibes
In this extra-festive Christmas Day special episode, Laura and Chay are getting into the holiday spirit by sharing their Christmas Day plans. They take a fun trip down memory lane, reflecting on the highs and lows of 2024 on thei...
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Season 3
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Episode 51
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23:38
EP. 50 | Beginning of a New Era: Meet Your New Host, Laura!
In this episode, the Allotment Diaries Podcast welcomes their new host, Laura, who joins Chay to discuss the latest happenings at their allotment plots. They share a quick update on the progress they've made, including some successe...
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Season 3
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Episode 50
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38:48
EP.49 | Laura and Chay talk about the use of Polytunnels, Plastic Pots, Carpets, Tarps and Tyres on an allotment site.
In this episode, Laura and Chay chat about what they've been up to on their allotment plots lately (spoiler: not all of it involves growing vegetables). They dig into the hot topic of Polytunnels, Plastic Pots, Carpets, Tarps, and T...
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1:02:27
EP.48 | Veteran Allotmenteer Guest: Paul from Ipswich
In this episode, Laura and Chay have the pleasure of speaking with Paul Sutton, an experienced allotment holder from Ipswich. Paul explains how he got into allotmenting, gardening, and growing, and he takes us on a journey through the years, de...
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Season 3
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Episode 48
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1:06:26
EP.47 | Get to know Laura, our new stand-in co-host from Southampton.
In this week's episode, we learn a little bit about Laura, the new co-host who will fill in for Amy while she is away.We learn about Laura's plot, how she acquired it, and why she chose an allotment plot. We also learn about the challen...
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Season 3
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Episode 47
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1:01:56
EP.46 | Special Guest: Dr Deborah Burn PhD, CEO of Green Allotments Charity
In this week's episode, Chay has a fascinating and in-depth conversation with Dr Deborah Burn PhD, CEO of Charity known as Green Allotments, and allotment holder for nearly 30 years. Deborah is ...
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Season 3
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Episode 46
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1:02:37
EP.45 | Special Guest: Louise Third MBE, an Allotmenteer in Nottingham.
In this episode, Amy and Chay have the pleasure of speaking with Louise Third MBE, who at the age of 60 took on an allotment in 2020, prior to the pandemic. They discuss how she came to own an allotment plot, the challenges she faced, and the b...
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Season 3
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Episode 45
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1:07:56
EP.44 | Amy's crocs with socks and our allotment plots.
In this episode, Amy and Chay catch up to discuss what they've been up to during their summer holidays so far, as well as what they've been up to on their plots lately. Amy discusses her latest footwear, 'crocs', much to Chay’s dismay. ...
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Season 3
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Episode 44
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36:41
EP.43 | Allotment activities, duck racing, and winter crop planning!
In this episode, Amy and Chay talk about what they've been doing on their allotment plots. While Amy has been busy volunteering at her annual local duck racing weekend, Chay has been working on his plot, weeding, sowing his winter 'Christmas di...
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Season 3
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Episode 43
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43:32
EP.42 | Finally, allotmenteering in the sun and heat!
In this episode, Amy and Chay discuss Amy's recent visit to the BBC Gardeners Live Show in Birmingham. Unlike last year, Amy went beyond the free alcohol section to explore the rest of the show. She even got to see a few gardens!In othe...
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Season 3
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Episode 42
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40:10
EP.41 | Special guest on the show (Noah, 6 years old)
While Amy was away, Chay had the pleasure of speaking with the show's youngest guest, his son Noah (6 years old), who discusses what it's like to be a little person in the world of allotments and what the next generation of allotment holders wi...
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Season 3
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Episode 41
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22:02
EP.40 | Amy visits the RHS Chelsea Flower show 2024
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is one of the world's greatest flower shows, featuring cutting-edge garden design, spectacular floral displays, and celebrity visitors. Amy had the pleasure of attending on behalf of the Allotment Diaries Podcast, an...
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Season 3
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Episode 40
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34:28
EP.39 | Despite the weather - the sow must go on!
Amy and Chay catch up in this episode and talk about what's been going on—or not—on their allotment plots. Chay describes in detail what he has already sown and what he intends to do in the upcoming week or two.In this episode, Amy also...
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Season 3
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Episode 39
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34:39
EP.38 | Chat with Kumud Gandhi, a food expert and the author of 'The Garlic Story'
This week's guest is none other than Kumud Gandhi, a renowned food scientist, keynote speaker, published author, food writer, broadcaster, and the founder of 'The Cooking Academy.' As National Garlic Day approaches on April 19th, 2024, what bet...
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Season 3
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Episode 38
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40:37
EP.37 | All about allotments with Jonathan Moules.
In this fantastic episode, Amy and Chay have the pleasure of speaking with Jonathan Moules, an allotment holder from East London. Jonathan Moules is a newsletter editor for the Financial Times and writer of The Week Ahead. He also ...
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Season 3
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Episode 37
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1:04:59
EP.36 | Chit Chat about Seeds, Sheds, Garden Shows and Curry!
This episode, Amy and Chay discuss what they've been up to recently with their plot. Chay discusses a problem with his shed roof and the seeds he has purchased for this year.They also talk about seed storage and whether they save seeds ...
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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38:49
EP.35 | From Ballet to Garden Design with Andy Peasgood.
In this episode, Amy and Chay speak with Andy Peasgood, an incredible ballet dancer who has decided to pursue a new career in horticulture and garden design. Andy discusses his time dancing, how he got into dancing, and what led him to the worl...
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Season 3
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Episode 35
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1:00:32
EP.34 | Allotment Plans for 2024 and some Passionate Rambling!
In this week's episode, Chay and Amy briefly discuss their plans for their allotment in 2024. Amy discusses all of the vegetables she plans to grow this year, as well as when she intends to sow them. While Chay's growing plans aren't as detaile...
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Season 3
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Episode 34
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37:27