On the road again…yes folks, we are showing at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival 2025

Give Pain The Boot . . .

This is our second show allotment garden, following on from the success of our Tea Garden last year which was featured on Gardeners World.  

All the plants in the garden have been chosen for their healing abilities in tackling chronic inflammation, which is a significant health issue affecting a vast number of individuals across the UK. Recent statistics indicate that: 

• Over 10 million people live with arthritis, making it one of the most common inflammatory conditions in the UK. 

• Chronic inflammation is a contributing factor in heart disease, which affects around 7 million people. 

• Approximately 4.8 million people are diagnosed with diabetes, a condition heavily influenced by chronic inflammation. 

• Not only does chronic inflammation significantly diminish the quality of life for those affected. Persistent pain, fatigue, and mobility issues can lead to mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety, It also has a profound economic impact on the NHS, costing billions of pounds annually in treatment care. 

We want to help people address these conditions through a holistic approach that encompasses lifestyle changes and emotional support. 

Want to visit us at Hampton Court?  Tickets are available:  RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival 2025 / RHS 

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Things to Do in the Garden in June

June is the perfect month to embrace the vibrant energy of your garden, taking moments to enjoy the progress - whether admiring a newly unfurling rose or the buzz of bees flitting among lavender plants, let it be a source of joy and relaxation through these sunlit days. 

If you do want to do some work, pruning spring-flowering shrubs to encourage new growth and maintain their shape is the perfect task. Also, deadhead faded blooms from your plants to keep the garden looking neat and to promote additional flowering.  

Pay attention to watering, as the warmer weather can quickly dry out soil. Consider installing a soaker hose or using mulch to retain moisture around the roots.  

June is also a prime month to check for pests such as aphids or slugs, and to protect your crops with organic deterrents.  Slugs love Guiness – just pop a saucer in the ground and top up as required, they will be happy in slug heaven.  Companion planting is our favourite way to keep pests under control. 

Companion planting involves creating plant communities which have mutual benefits to each other; an organic way to protect your crops from pests or it could help improve pollination of fruit and.  Below is a starter guide for companion planting: 

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Recipe of the Month   

Strawberry Cake

A glorious Spring this year has contributed to a really good crop of strawberries, warm days and cooler nights have meant these fruits are sweeter than usual . . .

Ingredients

• 500g strawberries , hulled (ie tops removed)

  
  

WET ingredients

•  1 cup (200g)  castor sugar

•  ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil

•  2 large eggs

•  1 tbsp grated lemon rind

•   ¼ cup (60ml) lemon juice (1 large lemon)

•  1 cup (250g) plain yoghurt , unsweetened (Greek or just plain)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract (or essence)

  
  

DRY ingredients

•  2 ¼  cups ( 270g) plain flour

• 4 tsp baking powder (or 1 ¼  tsp baking soda)

• Pinch of salt

Serve with

•   Whipped cream or ice cream

• Extra strawberries

• Icing sugar for dusting

  
  

• Preheat oven to 200°C/390°F (180°C fan).

• Grease and line a 23 cm / 9" cake pan with baking paper/parchment paper.

  
  

Method

Strawberries

For inside of cake: Dice some strawberries into 1.5cm / 1" pieces to make 1 cup (about a third of the strawberries)

Topping: Cut the remaining strawberries in half. 

Cake

• Place Wet ingredients in a bowl and whisk well for 1 minute.

• Add Dry ingredients then whisk well until lump free.

• Pour half into lined cake tin, smooth surface. Scatter over diced strawberries. 

• Do not be tempted to add more diced strawberries than recipe states as cake will be soggy and take longer to bake.

• Top with remaining batter. Smooth surface, then top with halved strawberries, cut face down.

• Bake 50 minutes or until skewer inserted into centre comes out clean. If you need to cook longer, cover with foil if it starts getting too golden.

• Stand 15 minutes in the cake tin before turning out onto cooling rack.

• Cool 15 minutes+ before serving warm or at room temp. Dust with icing sugar, and serve with cream or if serving warm, ice cream!

Enjoy!

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