When to Pick? vegetable flavours of early summer

[@nathanpickett7224]

A cup of coffee, headphones in, Mr Dowding for half an hour. Pure bliss.

[@Horus45]

Yes Nathan!

[@ButAVapor]

I was thinking the same thing! Green tea in my cup ☺️

[@JavaThePuff]

Big fat joint and a cup of water over here ✌️

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

How true! He is a relaxing session in the day.

[@scottykonovalov4518]

He has been called the Bob Ross of gardening

[@mfr336]

On Saturdays, I treat myself by roasting my own coffee, and watching something nice. This channel is my new "something nice". No politics, no complaining, nothing emotional, just simple, delightful, innocent, yet totally compelling gardening. ☕

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

This is so nice to read, thank you and are you a coffee grower? Yes we need good news! And feelings.

[@passerby9123]

Quite seriously Charles, please keep the videos coming. There is a quality to them that stirs similar qualities in me, some from memories, some from invention and perhaps, even some from fantasies, but mainly they speak of a side to the concept of being British that is never portrayed in the international news or other media. Quintesential gentleness combined with practicality, not a single sign of agressiveness even when pulling out weeds, and the long lost art of gentlemanly conduct is easily understandable when seen in its natural form and in its natural environment.

[@westlondongardener4476]

Sooo true!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Ah thanks.

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

That is an excellent way to express how many of us feel about him and his videos. Hear, hear!

[@cestmoikim6514]

AMEN! from me, and mic drop from you, passerby, for such an eloquent description of the gem that is Mr. Charles Dowding--a blessing to us all! My husband and I have worked hard to try to raise our 3 sons to be gentlemen, and our daughter to be a lady. More goodness and light need to be scattered everywhere to combat the bad.

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

C'est moi, Kim! Us, too. Raising your kids to be good, kind and generous is a great to have achieved.

[@lenamurphy292]

I could listen and watch your videos all day long! So much information and your voice just relaxes me and makes me want to garden more! THANK YOU!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I'm so glad!

[@marlenei8611]

Dear Charles, a few weeks ago I went to our local composting facility to get some compost for my new no dig garden bed. However, as I noticed before, the compost I was getting wasn't taking water as easy as I thought. As I was shoveling, I noticed a woman comping up with lots of bags to get her compost.. Excuse me, I said to her, do you mind if I ask you a question? Have you used this compost before? Yes, I have. Ok, I noticed that it is not taking in water that much,did you have the same problem? Yes, at first it has a little lotus effect, but once it starts to soak up water it holds it really well. I am builing a whole garden bed out of compost only this year. Really? Yes. Do you know "no dig gardening"? (Me, a little speachless) Yes I do. Do you know Charles Dowding? (Her, a little speachless) yes I do! After giggling for a little while about what the chances are to meet someone who watches your youtube channel and how your method makes so much sense we said goodbye. Just a little funny story how you bring people together here in Germany :)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear!

[@willis8281]

Brilliant story 👍

[@Mrs-Emcee]

Marlene I same here in the Netherlands! My plot neighbour watches you too, we both do no dig/back to eden

[@cestmoikim6514]

Love your story, Marlene! It is so wonderful how Charles helps so many of us all over the world.

[@danielkrueger3265]

Hi, I’m also from Germany and had the same problem with compost we got for free from the city‘s composting plant. The compost didn’t want to take in any water, it just ran off across it and didn’t penetrate at all. After we realized that, we uncovered the heap of compost we got, to see, if this would get better over the next rainy days we then had. But even after that, the compost was only wet in the first two centimeters, and the rest of the heap was completely dry. Same went for the bed we created with cardboard and the compost on top. All our plantings there either wilted or grew so slowly (we planted in March: spinach, cauliflower, leeks, garden radish) that they only now started growing (leeks, still only max 10cm high) and cropping (radish), or directly went to shooting (spinach). Does anybody else have similar experiences? We were also wondering about the not so pleasant (at least not what I would expect from compost) I‘d say acidic smell of the compost.

[@cestmoikim6514]

I was feeling a bit stressed from my work day, sat down to watch your latest video--now I'm cool as a cucumber (aren't garden puns the best?)! Our family no-dig garden is coming along nicely, only because I serendipidously discovered your channel in March--congrats on 303K subs--you had 273K then! Thank you to you & Edward for this verdant, mouthwatering Spring garden tour. You help so many of us all over the world!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful to read this Kim, thanks

[@captainnemo190]

Your voice is the ASMR of gardening!🙂

[@lunadepana]

Admiring your garden from Germany! I would love a video "Top 10 perennials for the even lazier no-dig gardener" :-)

[@andreeabouros8981]

I'm happy because today I picked up from my garden first broccoli 🥦😁 and I also start to harvest peas,salad,radish,herbs,chard, kale,onion, strawberry and raspberry,plenty for Irish weather Thank you for all of the lovely videos and informations. Best of luck🌈

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful!

[@1fanger888]

The thicker part of the broccoli main stem makes a great eggplant substitute in baked dishes like parmigiana. Just peel away the outer fibers. Can be eaten out of hand raw.

[@junematthews8612]

Charles and team, the calm in the storm as always!👍

[@zachtbh]

Such a delight to see a garden fully occupied with veggies at this stage!

[@omfug7148]

I live in a similar climate in the PNW of the states but we did not have the warm dry weather that you have had, in fact it has rained every day in June---since I have to garden in pots (20-30 gallon pots so quite large) I am successfully "growing" crop after crop of fungus gnat larvae, LOL. At any rate, more Americans should grow broad beans, I sow in the Autumn but I also did an early spring sowing, and am harvesting bountiful amounts of delicious beans, the tender leaves can also be added to salads and stir fries, the fragrant flowers are also edible although I have yet to try those, so a most successful and unfussy crop.

[@alannamorse7166]

I'm in Vancouver Canada and oh my goodness you're right! My garden is drowning and the wood bugs are thriving!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So sorry! We have been lucky, so far

[@breaker-one-nine]

Wild sorrel I'm pleased to report is one of my "weeds". Its a delightfully delicious weed though. Just put some cardboard over some hummocks of them in a new bed, I've probably not seen the last of those.. 😄

[@denisebrady6858]

Wow shame on me I missed this one earlier- my apologies Charles. Great video as always. Cheers Denise - Australia

[@ryiin]

Why dose anyone dislike this man's videos. They're so peaceful and informative. It's like hating Enya.

[@mike1968442]

My mouth is watering, looking at all those beet leaves. I eat the leaves every day.

[@lorellstoneman74]

Just an absolutely perfect garden....shows years of knowledge fine tuned to a georgous result. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Happy gardening.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks

[@kathleenjones8501]

I was just thinking that I had better start picking some stuff in the garden and was wondering exactly how and when.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear Kathleen 🥬

[@chasinghorizon]

Always a start to my weekend. Amazing story telling and tranquil voice.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Ah thanks Mark

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

Thank you. What a great idea harvesting the lettuce outer leaves - fresh every time! I have been just picking leaves off my salad rocket. Your advice is so valuable. My onions are doing well by your no-dig cardboard method. I'm recording it on video as I go. No sighs of my beetroot though through the cardboard. Don't know what's happening . My courgettes also are struggling so I have put translucent buckets over them to try to perk them up. I wish I could eat beans and I would grow them. I will try no-dig carrots next year as the weeds are awful amongst mine. I have over-sown them but hope to thin out and eat. I have a couple of buckets with carrots too. Thanks again, much appreciated Mr Dowding.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Terry

[@joycemcinnis5457]

Beautiful, healthy looking garden. You have such a soothing voice. I watch and rest at the same time. Thanks for sharing your vast knowledge. I'm a novice gardener (March 2020) I will use some of your advice. Blessings

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wish you well Joyce

[@susancaulton5470]

I’m asking myself why your harvesting is so much further on than mine......however it’ll be the best I’ve had and that’s through using your method, so thanks again and for the great tips/advice x

[@Beano2100]

I found his calendar really helpful for this.

[@sandralatinista]

I'm both a new subscriber and gardener. Your show is like a poem. Thank you for teaching us what you know. I need to learn so very much.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Welcome Sandra and enjoy the show :)

[@wildchook745]

I was telling my partner and daughter that I am making a bed today with just cardboard and compost on the lawn. They gave me a funny look because I added that I get to plant on it straight away. I better show them LOL

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Go Mary!

[@markwiltshire1852]

Stunning Charles, all of the crops looks so clean.

[@LifeIsBestLivedLeisurely]

Thanks again as always charles. My garden is looking marvelous thanks to you. I have 35 lettuce, 15 broccoli, a dozen strawberry, 30 melons of 5 varieties, 20 cucumber, dozen tomato, bell peppers onions and so much more. Thanks for the push and delightful narrative to go along with extremely educational programming. My first two beds prior are entirely different than my other two made with techniques I've developed with your help.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great!

[@cestmoikim6514]

Wow! That is a lot of produce! Will you be taking some to a farmer's market or canning for Winter storage?

[@farmerjones5479]

Charles, with my tiny postage stamp plot i am proud to say that as a result of your tutelage, method and wisdom, i am feeding my entire neighborhood, friends and family. There have been job losses and much suffering here in America. Food security takes the edge off and keeps illness away. The plants are volunteering at many households, I give away starts and actual produce, i have been successful with things i never imagined possible. Thank you Charles. Be well. Be safe. Be present.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am so happy to read this, you are helping so many. Health is fundamental to everything.

[@abc_cba]

Soothing music, birds chirping, greenery, nice narration.. subscribed !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks and welcome

[@69Buddha]

Fantastic, timely video -- as always! The garden is looking top notch. I'd love to see a video of how you're maintaining your tomatoes at this time of year. I'm having my perennial argument with my better half about removing suckers and lower leaves versus leaving the plant to explode into a jungle mess. I'm a sucker plucker...

[@Themurphyshow7]

For indeterminate, pick the suckers. For determinate, let it bush out 😎

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks! I put up a video on IGTV about that plus side-shooting video here

[@aenorist2431]

And thats the confirmation of my inkling with regards to spinach. Most packets say to seed in February/May over here in germany, which I have not had any real success yet, as they always bolt. Have observed a few stray seeds germinating in the Autumn and those surviving winter and giving great harvest the following spring. Exactly what I'll do from here on out.

[@lukibenjamin741]

new video!!! everybody stay tuned. I started my mini garden already Charles.

[@aenorist2431]

Great video. In my second full year now, I have learned many of the "why doesn't it grow like it should" things, and am now struggeling with harvest timing. Appreciate the help, one step after the next toward knowing enough to start a market garden.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You can do it Ae

[@dannypalma8159]

Love your channel, videos, and tips. You inspired me to plan and start my first garden last year. Watching from SoCal.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lovely feedback Danny!

[@amitamukerjee8195]

Just. Gorgeous. So much to learn. I will be trying broccoli and first early potatoes next year, once I find an equivalent 'earth apple' here in France :-). And those asparagus and artichokes, gosh, so lovely. That potato harvest was fabulous! Growing your own really does mean less is more, I have discovered. You waste less, use it all creatively, all in all a delight. Thank you again for a wonderful treat of a video. A richly inspiring, beautifully filmed trove of wisdom and counsel (as usual). :-)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Happy to read this Amita, good luck with earth apples

[@MAuroraCharvat]

Sir, you have such an orderly vegetable garden..the rows were so neatly spaced.

[@Coccinelf]

We don't have a long growing season here but I still ate my first home grown food! It was bok choy thinnings and they tasted like brocoli! Yum!

[@trppaintings]

Brilliant Charles. I wish my vegetables looked even half as good as yours! After winning the battle of drought we had a violent storm in Norfolk which caused my veg garden to flash flood washing away the soil and taking much of my crop with it. Never seen horizontal rain with such violence before. However onwards and upwards they say lol. Great video though. 👍😢

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Gosh Ray that is horrible for you, I wish you well

[@trppaintings]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thanks Charles

[@JasonSmith-tv2zw]

Great Charles thank you. I pick my Artichokes just a bit bigger than golf ball size and then boil them in salt water about 10 minutes, peel just a few outer leaves until the softer inner leaves are showing and either eat them fresh or put them in oil. This way there is hardly any faff and picking small encourages the plant to grow more fruits

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great tip!

[@rogueon391]

A new Charles Dowding video is as exciting as taking a harvest from your veg plot and eating that harvest for lunch immediately. One of life’s little pleasures... Brussels with carrots was just the tip I needed right now :)

[@picass0o0o]

You have a lovely garden watching you is very soothing 🤗I'm from a Mediterranean country where we plant a lot of veggies when we harvest the young broad beans we eat the whole pod we cut it steam it or cook it and we eat the whole thing😁 but when they grow more we only eat the beans cuz the pod becomes hard. We tend to take advantage of every part of the plants😊 frome leaf to bottom 😉

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great!

[@jeffjeffreym1830]

Something I've started using during the hungry gap, are yacons. Although the frost kills off all their foliage, I leave them in the ground all winter. Nothing seems to cause too much damage to them and I don't start harvesting until about April. By that time most other crops have finished, but I'll have a few early lettuce and radish. I peel the tubers, slice them and use them like a cucumber. I dug the last one yesterday.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is brilliant Jeff

[@HaleySmith]

There is a deep nostalgia to your videos that I can't place but they make me smile deeply and I can't thank you enough for creating that feeling ❤️

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

V nice to know Haley thanks

[@4philipp]

Your harvests are always amazing to see. Here is a question: if you could only grow 5 plants and you need to live off of them for one year, what would you plant ? I think mine would be Onion, potato, cabbage, carrots and spinach. If I could get another 5, I would add : tomato, cucumber, garlic, winter squash and jalapeños

[@bigwheelsturning]

You need to make a "planting calendar" showing what and when to plant and the follow up crops after each harvest thought the year. Plus a have the "greenhouse" starting times too.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

charlesdowding.co.uk/sowing-timeline-for-vegetables/

[@El33G33kGoat]

Another wonderful video buddy, and good timing. Been looking around my garden and as it's my first grow was starting to let panic set in around when to harvest. :)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad I could help Peter

[@terriesmith8219]

Wow! What an abundant harvest!! I'm so jealous of your garden, Charles!! Mine aren't as large as yours. Sadly, I've very little space for planting, but so good to see all your hard work bare fruits.

[@westlondongardener4476]

What an enchanting video.... i love your peaceful demeanour too 🌱🌱

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you so much

[@imaknotafrayed8136]

Me. Dowding, love the sorrel. Can you please make a video with perennial plants like sorrel, rhubarb, Taunton kale, asparagus, etc? I’m sure you know all of them and I don’t. In your books I always highlight the variety of plants I can plant only once and grow for years. I think it’s especially clever for beginners. Thank you for finding time in busy season to teach us so much. Best wishes from Oregon!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Kasia. Two perennials videos are in online course 2! charlesdowding.co.uk/product/online-course-2-growing-success/ Glad you like sorrel.

[@sandy-rr1by]

nice gatheting of veg. thanks for taking us along!

[@tophercIaus]

A Cos Called Valmaine is an awesome band name.

[@GARDENER42]

I usually peel the tough outer off broccoli & cauliflower stalks, then eat the pithy inner, usually steamed. Peeled, raw cauliflower stalk has a nice, mild peppery flavour.

[@NotHereNoWhere]

Hi Charles, Never left a comment before, but I had to today. There is always something in your video that soothes my soul and vigors my mind. Thank you so much for uploading this video today! I feel more blessed today that I can garden in my backyard with you. I absolutely love everything you write too. Please make more videos on small gardening and second cropping. Thank you deeply and please take care. :) Truly, Eloise

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so welcome Eloise, nice you feel calmed :) and you can find many more videos + writing in my online course 2, covers second cropping a lot charlesdowding.co.uk/product/online-course-2-growing-success/

[@clauzzulmerch9619]

thank you Mister charles; beautiful garden,so much information very important. congratulations great job!!

[@madaxx1000]

Thanks for the time you put into these videos Charles! You offer some helpful wisdom. Watching from the maritime, Canada.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

My pleasure

[@kasiakrzewicka4615]

i realy enjoy your films and miss them when you not uplloading regurarly,(also i was worried about you) you are like Bob Ross of gardening:) I feel peacefull listening to your voice. thanks!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

This is regular upload for us, they are much work to create and edit, glad you love them!

[@sydneywoodyard6541]

Thank you Charles! Awesome video

[@denisebrady6858]

Oh Charles watching your videos is such an amazing pleasure especially when I am eating fresh produce you helped & taught me grow. Cheers your Friend Denise - Australia

[@alexspeirs8675]

Great video you are a very clever man love watching

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks 👍

[@vulk86]

I am jealous in those carrots!

[@marikalehman8611]

A big hello from Australia. I didn’t think I could long for warmer weather more but I was wrong! Thank you for yet another great video Charles 💚 Your garden is - as always - very beautiful and it was a pleasure to watch you harvest your gorgeous produce!

[@GreenEarthGardener]

I always enjoy your videos Charles, such a pleasure to watch. Gentle and nurturing tone, informative. “Father nature”! ❤️

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice of you Salv

[@growinginthecountry646]

So interesting about the elephant garlic bulbils. This is my first year growing elephant garlic and the seed cloves were very expensive. Nice to know I can propagate from the little bulbils!! They have done much better than my ordinary garlic this year.

[@BlackDogDesigns]

New subscriber here from the United States, I just love your videos and your garden❤️

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Welcome Shary

[@wildedibles819]

I have sorrel growing wild in my front lawn...it sneaks into the garden but its not a big deal I chop and drop and i think it helps but it might not too You know exactly what I am taking about lol :) Im learning to plant things that the bugs don't like Beets instead of chard Red veined sorrel instead of chard lol This red and green leaf lettuce i think its oak leaf instead of the fine leaf lettuce Cabbage im trying kolrabi instead Learning more and more every year of what growing best where Im excited most about tarragon it made it through my winter woot woot i love licorice I nibble on it in the garden

[@dlaity107]

24.10-ish Thank you so much for sharing also when yours don't do so well. Mine didn't either (3lb total yield this year) and I was ever so upset about it. It is so reassuring that someone else had a bad(ish) run with their potatoes this year.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sorry to hear that - and there is always next year!

[@dlaity107]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig absolutely! At least they taste nice too. ;)

[@ellenkendall3413]

Thank you for posting these videos. I love the inspiration and how you explain things very clearly and yet also don't hesitate to say when you don't know exactly why something happened. It's really lovely to follow along.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you so much Ellen :)

[@catherinegrace2366]

Broad beans sound like something I would like

[@gerryshort1426]

you are reminiscent of the late great geoffrey hamilton, who imbued me with his endearing style.you are SUPERIOR TO THE CURRENT GARDENERS WORLD PRESENTERS

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Gerry

[@jeannet9592]

I loved this garden and harvesting tour!!

[@havengrown7359]

Thanks Charles you're the best. Harvesting my last veg bags of the season today as winter has set in hear in southern Australia. I look forward to your summer posts to warm me up.

[@opencoop4268]

Thank you Edward and Charles! So inspirational :-) Just began harvesting early potatoes for the first time ever. Thanks for teaching that indeed hilling is NOT necessary. Great!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Our pleasure

[@claymagnolias707]

Thank you for making these videos; they are both informative and soothing. My husband and I have dubbed you the Bob Ross of gardening for this reason although I’m definitely more gardener than painter. We have very different climates (in SE Georgia in the US) but I’ve learned so much from you so far! The multisowing of beets is in the works now. Thank you again!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you like them! I never set out to be soothing, it flows from the garden :)

[@romanvansanchez1]

You make it look so easy! I love how you explain things. Now I need a cup of coffee!

[@tarosasaki3775]

Charles Dowding is very interesting even though I know nothing about growing vegetables.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Daichi :)

[@aliaub75]

How this great channel has less than 1 million subs is beyond me.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Well thanks Ali. They are quality if not quantity! Tens of thousands (maybe more) of newly productive plots and happy, healthy gardeners.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

Lovely to hear the thrush singing in the background

[@robertevans8024]

I'm shocked you don't have many, many more subscribers. I guess it's like that fantastic fishing hole nobody knows about. You're right up there with Roger Swain and Elliot Coleman.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Robert.

[@robertevans8024]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig I'm binge watching you right now. I feel honored to get your response. You are truly amazing ! Thank you for your wonderful videos ! 🕊️🙏💖💯

[@carolinesemple2298]

Always love watching harvesting of what you’ve sown. As always wonderful 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you enjoy it Caroline

[@leeseany]

Great content! I was lucky enough to Stumble across one of you’re videos.. Seeing other comments and more of you’re videos, it will help me and my new allotment with some fantastic advice and experience! I’ll be hoping to have some enjoyable harvests in the future to come. A credit to you, a true definition of hard work and passion.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Welcome aboard!

[@Ed-eq5kd]

Highly informative and so professionally delivered as always. Thanks Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Much appreciated!

[@97grad]

As always, it's such a pleasure to watch your videos Charles

[@AtheistEve]

Yeah, I like the more mature broad beans to the young ones. I grow my own now because shops only supply tiny broad beans. Thanks for the overview of how/when to harvest.

[@waynesell3681]

Excellent vegetables!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Wayne

[@waynesell3681]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig snowing today. . Cheers to you Charles

[@olgahucklesby7263]

So inspiring ..i have started growing my own food in containers and recently raised beds as I do not want to dig ...ti disturb the natural earth components. One day is one day...would love to have more in my garden to be self sufficient at least on my plant food needs

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to have that desire, you will work it

[@olgahucklesby7263]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig hopefully so. Thank you🙏

[@olgahucklesby7263]

Your videos are so uplifting and inspiring..please make as much as it is entertaining at the same time. Surely many around the world are feeling the same. I love the idea of also adding herb spot in your garden...it is truly rewarding for own food additives.

[@randomsurfer3963]

Your garden looks so green despite the drought which I imagine you've experienced as well. Very nice to see. Those artichokes looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing all this goodness :)

[@itsmewende]

Always a Great morning when I see a video up here, just wish I was notified the day it was up, seems it's always late for me. I'll be following your planting schedule this late summer and fall. Thanks again for all the info you stuff into your videos.!

[@gardenchums9625]

Oh Charles, you have changed my life! I love you for it!

[@grahamarnold4823]

Absolutely brilliant video superb content as always 👍

[@thebalconygrower8439]

Inspirational as always Charles.

[@alexbewley9005]

Great video! Always so helpful. Charles I recently bought your home and garden book but found you through this channel - so glad I did I can’t tell you. I am in my first full season at my allotment in Glasgow, some but limited growing experience, first time no digger. I have about 40m2 of beds with almost everything growing there that is in this video, germinated and moduled at home then planted out according to timings in your book and calendar for the most part. One thing that I find interesting is that although I believe we are in the same hardiness zone (Glasgow 8b, where we’ve had an exceptionally sunny April/May), your broad beans, beetroot, potatoes (I’m also growing Maris Bard, organic Scottish supplier), etc. all seem to be at least a week further ahead. On the one hand this makes sense, as I am about 200-300 miles north of homeacres, on the other hand being the same hardiness zone I expected perhaps more similarity with good conditions, which we have had - but this probably just betrays my fundamental lack of understanding of how hardiness zones actually work, and I should follow the common sense that being further north I am getting less sun. I suppose it’s also possible Somerset has had even better weather, or it could be partly my inexperience and less fertile medium. Anybody help me with my confusion? 🤔

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes that is interesting. We had 310hrs sunshine in May, daresay less in Glasgow but your days are longer. Only one week behind me is brilliant, for a first time grower, pat on the back Alex

[@alexbewley9005]

Charles Dowding thanks Charles!!

[@ThirdCoastGardening]

Wow, love how your garden looks.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks

[@rainskitchenandgarden]

Great video Charles, thank you! Your beets look amazing. I wish I had a nice long growing season. We are just settling in to our new home (New Brunswick, Canada), zone 4.5-ish. I followed your instructions for no dig (the cardboard packing boxes came in handy!). I ordered a mix of organic garden soil and compost from a local farmer, 3 cubic yards! It made 10 raised beds for me and I planted all sorts of delicious veggies and herbs and a bed of strawberries. Asparagus for the future. It's been hovering near 5C at night so I have all of the beds covered with floating row covers. I can't wait to see what comes of it! We have a lot of land here, so next year I may double the raised beds if I have the opportunity! I planted everything from seed (except the asparagus and strawberries) so hopefully we'll have a good harvest!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great I wish you well, in your chilly spot!

[@robertflanagan1364]

Thanks charles this has come at the perfect time. Its 6.45am . Im in Hertfordshire and these are the plants i have in my allotment and your well timed video has inspired me to get down there early and do some harvesting. Great video many thanks.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Perfect!

[@marcoslarini4670]

Your place it's a paradise for me

[@cityvegetablegardener2638]

Charles, I love listening to you. You actually, really inspire me!

[@SierraNovemberKilo]

Thank you. Your videos are the perfect accompliment to your book. I'm still learning basics!

[@dcraig7712]

watching your video's, I have learned to not worry about how well your garden is doing compared to mine. Just grow stuff we like to eat and enjoy the process. Enjoying 2 of your books, learning lots, enjoying the process and eating well. lol Great video once again.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That's great

[@craigmorganemancipateyours123]

8:05 Charles may you kindly enlighten us as to what variety of Spinach that is? Always a pleasure watching your updates :)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks and Medania - see How to Grow Spinach

[@monaraahmed7193]

Fantastic video 🤗🤗🤗