The Gooden Life

Keith & Freya are on the plot today with watering cans in hand as this year's fab English summer continues. 

But it's not all been success in the sunshine.

This week we hear about the successes and failures as the very dry season continues. Some crops have been abundant with others needing a bit more TLC.

Keith & Freya are sitting back on a sunny day and spotting the butterflies they see on the plot for the Great Butterfly Watch 2025.... It's a way for us growers to help the scientists record the species visiting us this year. But hurry! Time is running out to participate.

They're also potting on their spring greens for 2026 and thinking about spring and summer bedding as well, to attract next year's generations of pollinators!

It's peak summer time in Marshfield and Keith & Freya are starting to crop after a hot and sunny season!

But it's not all pulling or picking, as autumn (fall) carrots need planting and a plan need to be formulated to offload some of the courgette (zuchini) the sunshine is producing on the plot!

Keith & Freya are elbows deep in spud bags as they crop first early potatoes today.

You think this growing your own is easy? Listen to this and learn a lesson in patience and potato practicality....

Keith & Freya are planting next spring's greens today and have two varieties to recommend to you.

After a few hot days across the summer, fruit is ripening fast and it's time to harvest some of the bounty!

Plus... Your apple trees will be well in to the "July drop" when the smaller apples will be falling to make room for the main crop. With the heatwaves in the UK, it may be time to water and feed the orchard!

Keith & Freya are back from Greece and the weather in England is scorchio!

So when do you water? How often? Do I feed in a heatwave?

Keith & Freya tackle those questions and pass on what they do to maintain healthy growing when the sun is scorching the Earth!

It's midsummer and time to crop garlic and shallots, first early spuds IF the blooms have faded and plant for the winter and next spring.

There' still plenty to do on the plot and in the garden contending with a very dry spring, wet May and now more very hot sunshine in England. 

Tomatoes everywhere, and how exactly should you be watering your veg to get the best and prevent them bolting to seed?

Also the longest day means it's time to plant Pak Choi or is it Bok Choi? Same plant...... Did y...

Keith & Freya are at the Nick Mason garden open day at his home in Wiltshire.

The Pink Floyd and Saucerful Of Secrets drummer opens his garden and car collection to raise money for charity and his kitchen garden is a beauty!

We've also more advice on growing your pumpkins this year and harvesting alliums at the right time.

Keith & Freya are on the plot this week planting their pumpkins and squash before the longest day and giving an update on their cos lettuce, greens and carrots!

Tips on how to resist the temptation to pull up your garlic and shallots before mid July... Stop!

Freya also gives you her award winning !!! ( We like it) Elderflower cordial... Sugar free and all natural, but remember to follow the recipe exactly as raw elderflower can give you a dicky tummy! 

Keith & Freya have a secret to share with you and it involves an onioney fave!

The Leek! Humble?  Yes! Delicious? Yes! Hard to grow? Sometimes!

But we know the secret to getting your leeks long with big white bottoms and you don't need to be an obsessive show gardener to do it!

How can 12 minutes change your life? Listen........

Keith & Freya are back on the plot this English Bank Holiday weekend with a list of jobs longer than a monster prehistoric worm! 

Time to get the runner beans in and play the , "Lady Di" game with your tiny little lips! Tips to make sure they don't dry out or succumb to a late frost.

The strawberries are forming flowers and fruit, so it is time to nettum and feedum! To protect them from greedy birds, slugs , snails and children.....

Just think of those warm English strawberries in July, with single cream....

Keith & Freya are busy in the wonderful English spring weather, planting out those hardened off seedlings, and looking forward to a healthy crop of courgette and collard greens.

Also, some tips on how to get the water to the roots and how NOT to feed those abundant Zuchinni...... We are also looking after the final weeks of the strawberry growing cycle, as the plants set fruit.

Join Keith & Freya this week at "The People's Show", the RHS Spring Garden Show in Malvern, at the magnificent showground!

This show is one of the most useful in the calendar for practical gardeners, with plants for sale at reasonable prices, lots of good advice from the growers and nursery staff and some spectacular show gardens as well! 

And its cheaper than Chelsea! And less snobby!