In 2018, I grew my ‘Honeycomb’ tomato plants in containers of Dalefoot Composts Double Strength Wool Compost (these seeds were sown in containers of Dalefoot Composts Wool Compost for Seeds; then the seedlings were potted on into containers of Dalefoot Composts Wool Potting Compost. Finally, these tomato plants were potted into containers of Dalefoot Composts Double Strength Wool Compost. No fertiliser was used.) In a pan, gently heat the vinegar, water, salt and sugar (if using) and simmer until everything has dissolved.

Whilst worms are moving up and down through the layers of the soil, they open spaces called pores. The action of worms along with the action of bacteria and fungi creates soil with lots of pores. These are spaces through which air and water can travel into the soil, making the soil well-drained: Dalefoot Composts, the Lake District peat-free compost maker, has added comfrey into its peat-free Wool Compost range giving an extra super charge of nutrients and trace elements for blooming, healthy plants.

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Try and ditch the power tools and gloves. Get properly connected with your garden by hand as much as you can. It helps you see so much more and understand how everything is interconnected. Water early in the morning or later in the evening and water deeply so the moisture can permeate further into the ground. Water the soil not the plant foliage. So this December as we nudge that bit closer to Christmas, I urge some little acts of homemade giving and kindness in your local community with items that many of us gardeners will most likely already have to hand. Be it friends, family, neighbours or complete strangers, the cost will be near priceless with a feel good factor guaranteed. tbsp sugar (or other sweetener eg agave) - optional (I usually skip this part but I do like tart food)

Last year, I trialled Dalefoot Composts Wool Compost for Tomatoes for the first time. This compost is a complete all-in-one organic, peat free compost and fertiliser. I didn’t use any type of fertiliser during this Compost Trial, as Dalefoot Composts Wool Compost for Tomatoes contains all the nutrients your tomato plants need. During this Compost Trial, I grew my tomato plants from seeds; these plants received all of their nutrients from the composts in which the plants were grown. These beds were made with 5cm of compost (after the dance!) on top of the card, on top of the weedy lawn. During 2021 I harvested so many things, including carrots, parsnips, squash, sweetcorn, cabbages, kale and leeks. No dig also reduces weeds because you’re not bringing up annual weed seeds by digging. It doesn’t mean no weeds, you still need to hoe and trowel out any weeds that blow on and germinate, but there are significantly fewer. It’s important too to ensure that weeds don’t try to sneak in from grassy paths and edges. I have creeping buttercups here in my garden which keep trying to colonise the veg beds by stealth so I regularly weed the edges. All three tests are carried out by an expert at a horticultural institute, and the compost for seeds and young plants test takes place in a temperature and humidity-controlled greenhouse. The composts for containers are tested outside once the nights are frost-free. The results are compiled by an independent assessor who's an expert in compost and plant health.We are delighted to present this first installment from gardener, cook and writer Steph Hafferty. An expert in all things ‘no dig’, she generously shares her knowledge and expertise with us for Dalefoot’s May blog and even spoils us with a recipe! Warm, sweet, succulent tomatoes…sun ripened globes of delight with their blend of sugar and acid and that distinct smell. The very thought of them lifts the spirits on a cold winter's day. So, lets make this a reality…by making 2021 the year of our best tomato crop ever... This is why mulch is often said to help with both wet and dry soils, it improves the drainage whilst simultaneously creating a better ability to hold onto water. If you’re planning new hedging this winter, add wildlife food plants to the mix: holly, hawthorn, dog rose and crab apples are all excellent sources of food and shelter.

Mr Bland is trying to connect with farmers and develop strong and sustainable relationships by offering to take their wool too. This is also made into compost and he pays a premium of 40p/kg for hill breed wool. For those of you who read our blog last year about Margaret and David’s Snowdrop Collection, you’ll know they started trialing Dalefoot Composts in 2017 and have produced excellent results. I feel a strong and passionate desire to protect our planet’s peat bogs. This is an urgent matter, it’s not something we can keep putting off to consider again in the future, at a more convenient time – for the peat that is being extracted now can’t be saved and so if we continue as we have done in the past, the opportunities we have in our hands, right in front of us now, will be lost forever.Having chosen your method and growing position water your seedlings well the day before planting. Growing tomatoes indoors: A medium-crumbly texture - is ideal. Composts that are too fine are prone to water logging, while those that are too coarse tend to need more frequent watering. A crumbly structure will allow excess water to drain through, while holding enough water and air for roots to thrive.

Reach out with little acts of kindness where you can; a warm hello, a compliment to someone who is looking sad… it offers hope for a more resilient future for us all, together.

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The great thing about peat compost is its ability to retain water and nutrients evenly throughout. This means that plants and vegetables can better access the water and nutrients they need to thrive. Assimilated sugars are transported round the plants to feed the growing cells. Surplus sugars are stored in older leaves and eventually turn to starch and become immobile. As the cells on the underside of the leaves elongate, they push the leaves into rolls. At this stage of growth the plant has ample actively photosynthesizing leaves and the bottom curled leaves can be removed. Natural pest control is truly a climate change savvy gardener’s ally in so many ways and nature’s finest predators can be encouraged in with gusto in relatively simple ways for free. To turn your outside space into a more balanced eat and be eaten ecosystem means it is then harder for one potential plant muncher to proliferate. When you consider that greater risk of pest and disease is unfortunately one of the biggest challenges with our changing climate it has become more important than ever to encourage and protect biodiversity close to home.