My planner, with Brussels Sprouts and Kalettes plus a tasty dish

[@Tsa4048]

I love to watch the simple recipes made from the garden harvests. Thank you so much for the inspiration. ❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am glad and you are very welcome 🙂

[@onamactavish9352]

Had enough Kalettes and Brussel Sprouts for 14 yesterday. Was super proud and rasberries for dessert. Planted 12 Sprout plants and used only 5 for Xmas dinner. The allotment has produced some fine food which was enjoyed by the family yesterday. Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and a super 2025 Charles. Thank you again for the constant inspiration😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lovely to hear of your success Ona, Wishing you a wonderful New Year 🙂

[@paulnjackson]

Happy Solstice season Charles! I'm delighted you've gone with Garden Planner. I have used this for several years and been mostly happy with it. Your involvement can only improve it. The great thing for your methods is the ability to specify months-in-ground and just view the situation for a particular month. Very helpful for succession planning. And making notes against a planting for those of us without your miraculous memory for planting dates. Also pleased to report that my previous years' plans and remaining subscription days have carried over to my access via your site.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Paul, I am happy to see all this, and hope you have a good year with it

[@TheEmdubbleu]

Yes, I'm also delighted that my previous years' plans and journal have carried over to my access via Charles' site. Thanks Charles! @CharlesDowding1nodig I'm wondering what is different when I access the planner through your site? A quick look didn't show me any differences - e.g. where do we see your recommended spacing (I had great success last summer with 9" spacing for lettuces that you'd recommended in a video, but I don't see that in the planner?)

[@agarangel1175]

❤🎄Frohe Weihnachten und ein Glückliches Neues Jahr wünsche ich Dir Charles🌠. Deine Videos sind einfach toll, ich durfte schon so viel lernen, Danke dafür. I found your channel through the videos that have now been translated into German. Thank you very much for that. I asked for your book No Dig for my birthday. I'm looking forward reading it.🎆❤I just had Brussels from the garden for dinner😉

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Schön zu hören, auch dir ein frohes neues Jahr 🙂

[@agarangel1175]

❤💚❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@ximono]

Merci beaucoup! And thank you for providing a planner with your data in it. That will be very useful this spring!

[@9172Nee]

Merry Christmas and a happy and successfull new Year and thank you for all your work, knowlege and enthusiasm you keep sharing with us All the best for 2025 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you and wishing you a successful 2025 also 🙂

[@patriciahill1101]

Wonderful meal...feast indeed! Can hardly wait to duplicate that main course and slaw. (I'm a former professional chef...) Happy Christmas and New Year. Be well!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Patricia, enjoy your meal!

[@timflatus]

I harvested some Kalettes for solstice dinner and probably have some over for new year! I need inspiring to use the lovely squashes I have stored. Bon apetit and a happy and productive new year!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great Tim, and see this squash cooking video, use any green leaf for spinach kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpOqi6KMeMyXsNE

[@timflatus]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig perfick! Thank you

[@Im-just-Stardust]

Thank you for the video! I also had been looking for this program for so long, thank you! Nicola seems to be an amazing cook its a great idea to bring her in your video. You have surronded yourself of great people.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful! Yes she is a fine cook

[@Anna-jl1rx]

Thank you for posting videos even during the holidays 😊 I must try kalettes some time. They look delicious, and so does the rest of your meal. If I may be as impertinent as to say so, it's good that you're not purely vegetarian. Pork, for instance, is the best source of thiamine and it also contains other important B vitamins. The problem is the same as with vegetables - if one has to buy them: How to find food with equally high levels of various nutrients (such as trace minerals) as food produced prior to the era of industrial farming. Thanks to your efforts, you and many of your viewers at least get to taste genuine fruit and veg😊 Well done and best of luck in 2025🎉

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How lovely Anna, thanks 💚

[@myslicechannel]

Merry Christmas Charles, and to your team. I wish you all a very happy New Year. I love your videos and all the ideas and inspiration they bring. Looking forward to learning more from you in the new year!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks 💚

[@myslicechannel]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig You're welcome!

[@stevendowden2579]

all looks lovely

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Steven

[@carltaylor1068]

Crispus sprouts a brilliant variety to grow

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes I like them, am growing some next year

[@jean-pierregesquiere533]

Hello Charles, Je ne connaissais pas la Kalette Je connais et cultive du chou Kale,des choux de Bruxelles et du chou frisé Quel délicieux repas qu'a préparé Nicola Miam 😋😋 Bonnes fêtes de fin d'année 🥳🎅🤶🍾🥂

[@annekolasinski860]

Try onions with orange juice, it's just yummy... And ''bon bout d'an'' as we say in Provence ✨ lovely Nicola, thanks for your smily recipes ...

[@waynesell3681]

Merry Christmas ! Brussels sprouts are wonderful. What a joy, I have some in the fridge.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh good and Happy New Year Wayne

[@waynesell3681]

@CharlesDowding1nodig Happy New Year also thank you very much 🙏

[@chaosinthecraftroom]

I love the combination of seeing the food grow in the garden and then cooking them 😋 I look forward to seeing the planner

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear 🌱

[@lksf9820]

Get some Sirloin down you Charles, you'll love it 😅 That dish looked lovely, I found out the other day Kale used to be animal fodder, how times have changed, now we have Kale sprouts!

[@AcademiaTica]

Happy holidays and have a great 2025 Charles and team

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much 🌱

[@azamshakoor3098]

Thats a nice spread of delicious home grown veggies 🥕,, 🍎,,, 🌱,,, 🧅,, 🧄,,, 🧈,,etc ,,healthy platter of food ,,like always inspired by your videos sirji 👍🇮🇳,, wishing you all at Home Acres Merry Christmas 🌲🎁 and a very Happy New year 2025 🎉🎉

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Azam, love your comments and may your harvests continue well

[@azamshakoor3098]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig yeah harvest at my terrace garden is at present harvested drumsticks means moringa tree seed pods ,,also mulberry ,,guavas,,custard apples,,Indian jujubees,,and Mango 🥭 tress are blooming with flowers,,🙏🇮🇳

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

A different world!

[@cipriantodoran1674]

Thx!

[@bertibear1300]

My kalettes were started too late and only 2 feet high! Everything is stopped growing so will have to wait till spring. Something is still eating my cabbages which are also stunned in SW England..

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh dear, roll on 2025. It may be pigeons if you have jagged leaf edges and they need some netting or mesh over the top gardening-naturally.link/gr8kv

[@DaraRich]

We still have caterpillars in sth. Germany. It’s stunning they could resist the cold up to now. Hope the damage on your crops would end soon!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Amazing how hardy they are. We have some after -4C

[@jc55555jc]

Greetings from Ireland Charles! Wishing you and yours health & happiness for 2025! 🥳💫

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks 🍀 may the beds rise to meet you

[@DaraRich]

Wow, great idea charles, this program- that looks really beautiful! Nice meal Nicola has created here! One of my dearest collegues is also named Nicola, therefore I really had to smile.

[@wictorsson]

Program has been around since at least 2019 at Growveg

[@DaraRich]

@ and also at several simlilar programs at American sites. But I find it helpful to see one especially with no dig beds which differ in various points concerning conventional gardening. And I suppose Charles added his special experience in there, too, that yo find documented in his book and countless bed trial- videos🌱. So I do really appreciate it😁

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So good!

[@gardenplanner]

@@DaraRich Yes, the Charles Dowding version has extra video content from Charles included and Charles has added in multi-sown icons to go with the No Dig methods he teaches.

[@franksinatra1070]

I never heard of kalettes. They look great!

[@Jazzidoodle]

So tasty stir fried with garlic scapes

[@manuelrojas4483]

Siempre aprendo algo 😂 es muy interesante.En estos días he estado viendo cosas de alimentación y en las coles en general,hoja verde hay mucho potasio que a veces es bueno,pero otras no lo es tanto,en caso de que nuestro riñón no pueda eliminarlo por algún problema nefrológico .Que buena cocina y estupenda ensalada .Te deseo un buen año 2025 lleno de buenos cultivos y buena salud para ti y tus seres queridos

[@abramhowitz]

Merry Christmas Mr Charles ❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Abram 🌲

[@mrkdavys3498]

In recent years... If you allow the Kalettes to grow in Spring, the young leaves are great in salads.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good to know!

[@gypsygem9395]

As are sliced Brussels sprouts!

[@tinkeringinthailand8147]

A wonderful, post Christmas, video Charles, I envy your plots and produce :) I need bigger beds. I started mine as small raised beds (as my plot is so stony due to the way they raise and compact the land to build houses here) many years ago as a "Tinkerer", but as I've gotten more and more into gardening (thanks mostly to you Charles), they just don't cut it any more. My next project will be to either merge some or make some new ones. I'm getting excited already at the prospect. Happy new year.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I'm happy to hear of your production. The bed width I recommend it is 1.2 meter/4 feet with paths of 40 cm/16 inches. Compared to the layout of market gardeners like JM Fortier, with 75 cm beds and paths, this gives more a decent growing space

[@cozyhomemakingvibes]

Lovely video

[@bonniebon7335]

Good to see you including animal fats. It’s important nutritionally, if only occasionally.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

👍

[@jayteaman]

Wow, those dishes look phenomenal. Well done to all.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@rebeccawhite2402]

Thank you Charles for sharing your Kalet Brussels, I did wonder what size they need to grow before picking. Have a wonderful Christmas and I'm hoping 2025 is a very good year for you - no slugs, snails, pigeons, rabbits being so destructive!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

One never knows! Thanks Rebecca

[@SimonNoDigNeale]

I do enjoy Kalettes, but I do suffer a lot from whitefly. I need to plant the right flowers around them to attract the predators.

[@kirstypollock6811]

Oooh thanks. My sister in law showed me these in a farmers field on our family Xmas walk. But she could not recall what they were called! Over here in Germany, there seems no consensus on the seed packets. Just "Rosenkohl" on some. But they all seem to be "Autumn Star F1". 😊. Ordered!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How interesting, I had no idea they are common in Germany!

[@TheD510addict]

Charles, I have heavy duty issues with grey looking aphids amd leave sooty looking stuff on my fall/winter grown greens. Do you encounter these? How do you minimize their impact?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I used to suffer these until I increased the organic matter in my soul through extra mulch, which keeps the plant stronger, and of less interest to aphids

[@WeAreAllOneNature]

I got some kalettes from Sainsburys 2 months ago - very, very delicious. I planted a few, but don't know if kalette plants can be grown this way?

[@WeAreAllOneNature]

Note to self: see planner with planting times etc at 0:18 to 0,50.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I don't think so! always fun to try

[@PlantNatives]

Will this account for me living in Texas where summer drought makes it hard for my plant friends?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I'm afraid not! But no dig helps conserve moisture

[@Pernilleisinthehouse]

The bacon could be substituted with baked homegrown chickpeas or another homegrown pea for a complete selfsufficient/plant based option

[@micheles2815]

Merry Christmas from Canada. Been following you for years and using the no dig approach. I’m curious about the garden planter. It looks identical to the Growveg planner I currently use and wondered if your version has any different features.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Michele and yes, it's based on that one, with my understandings - this planner has the principal features of my work, including no dig, minimal rotation, close spacings, rapid succession planting and interplanting. There are my videos relevant to every season, and I send newsletters of advice.

[@derriethornton698]

Another great video Charles, Is it possible to share the producer of the bacon? Merry Christmas

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks and Nicola found it at Spar in Bruton

[@GoustiFruit]

In France, we all know it. If it's called Brigitte, it's an hybrid.

[@amandar7719]

😬 I see what you did there. 🤣🤣🤣

[@annekolasinski860]

😂😂😂

[@annekolasinski860]

😂😂😂

[@thetessellater9163]

Unusual ponunciation, I've only known them as 'kale-ettes', not 'kal-ettes', but hey, what do I know !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Kale-ettes sounds nice 😀

[@TerribleTim68]

My Brussells seemed to not be as tightly wrapped this year, the sprouts were sort of loose. Did I do something wrong?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I suspect the variety, is it the same?

[@TerribleTim68]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig No, mine were Long Island Improved from Territorial Seeds.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Possible the seed has not been grown to such a high standard, taking it from plants with blown sprouts, many older varieties suffer this and I have

[@Tandenloos]

Good time s too Al en your darling cat ❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@PádraigJMCarey]

It would have been the perfect dish with some roast potatoes ;)

[@carolewarner101]

Mmmm! I absolutely LOVE brussels sprouts, but they always give me gas. Sorry if that's too much information, but I would love any tricks to get around that if you have any, because as I said I LOVE them!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh dear. Roasting them gives less in my experience!

[@tedbastwock3810]

Bacon & Brassicas ... I don't know what these loons down here are going on about, Charles. One of the most tasty things one can put in ones mouth & one of the most nutrient dense things one can put in ones mouth. I follow this formula frequently. It is a beautiful marriage. Not to mention that bacon from a responsible grower (preferably ones self !!!) is also very healthy for different reasons (most of your brain is fat!). Sometimes people like to say that charred meat is carcinogenic ........ EVERYTHING charred is carcinogenic, even charred kale! Don't burn your food!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Ted, nice perspective!

[@MrRespectable-gw2xd]

I love your work Charles and have your books and calendars here at home but a fairly expensive subscription app is awful business and I think beneath your usual ethical standards. I would 100% buy the app for a one off cost and I could also understand your company offering a trial period subscription at a lower cost. BUT as a solely subscription based money chaser it doesn't meet the mark nor is it worth it. That's just me though. All the best.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, and there is a free 7 day trial. Some will value it I am sure

[@MrRespectable-gw2xd]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Yes, I'm sure also. What's the truism again? Something and something are easily parted? Or shall we just use one of the capitalists faves.. What's something worth? Answer: What someone is willing to pay for it. I wish you all the best in your commercial endeavours.

[@amandar7719]

That looks delicious! Shame you rarely eat meat, Charles…. You have the perfect setup for escargot 🐌 or pigeon pie 🥧 😄 Hope you’re having a happy Christmas and wishing you and your team a successful 2025 jam packed with video treats. 😬😄🥂🫡

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Haha thanks Amandar. I would eat pigeon pie!! Wishing you the best for 2025

[@jrl623]

But why use hybrid seeds/plants ? everythings hybrid a.t.m. , even carrots , onions , where we are going...really sad , to be honest

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

No. Onions are my home-saved Keravel mostly. I try hybrids to compare, around 10% of what I grow. Reason is that I want worthwhile harvests. And for some vegetables like Brussels, the old varieties are now very poor from lack of seen maintenance.

[@jrl623]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig thanks for replying Sir ! I was just thinking loudly if I may . was generally speaking about the world of farmers...Merry Christmas should I ve been said ! And a very good next year !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is nice thanks

[@amandar7719]

I accidentally grew a hybrid runner bean during 2020 (stores ran out of seeds) from my saved seeds from 2019. I still grow them every year. Sometimes they’re large white beans, sometimes speckledy brown on pink. I call them my pot lucks. 😃

[@tedbastwock3810]

@amandar7719 The "joy" of F1 LOL I know your journey fully!

[@wictorsson]

Program has been around since at least 2019 at Growveg

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes sure and I have been working with them for six months. My planner is adapted for no dig, minimal rotation, my specific advice on growing and sowing dates and soil fertility, with video and other links

[@wictorsson]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Okay, So you mean that the input from the crop you choose is different than Growvegs?

[@forenamesurname1183]

@@wictorsson thats what it sounds like. i guess a little cross-pollination wont harm anyone.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sometimes yes, and the follow recommendations are a lot different, the video recommendations. Theirs is a very good planner, and that's why I'm working with them. I have also been very keen to create this one specifically tailored to no dig, which leads to differences in cropping and succession.

[@micheles2815]

@@CharlesDowding1nodigHi Charles. I’ve been using theirs for 10 years. Would your version still be able to pull in the dates for my region in Canada? Any chance my past plans could be imported over?

[@fplyerbs5251]

Some ethical bacon 😢😢😢

[@focus_photography1]

It's disappointing to see dead pigs' body parts mentioned in the beautiful looking plant food.

[@amandar7719]

At least the white fly bug proteins were washed out. 😄

[@terrialice6139]

So sad to see a pig lost its life for a meal that was wonderful without it. 🥲

[@WillSavage]

Oh for goodness sake, I knew there’d be one triggered Karen in the comments worried about the tiniest bit of bacon in a meal that’s 95% vegetarian.