As part of our ‘From the Plot’ series, we’ve been chatting to inspirational growers who generously share their gardening knowledge. We spoke to Jayne Hickling, the allotmenteer and school-gardening champion behind @allotmentcooks. Descended from generations of royal kitchen gardeners, her passion for growing has deep roots. Discover how Jayne champions biodiversity – and which plant reigns supreme at her own plot.
I’m a fruit & veg girl at heart
Jayne Hickling planting crops in rows and growing dahlias
Images courtesy of Jayne Hickling
I’m very much a fruit-and-veg girl, and have been growing my own for nearly thirty years. However, it wasn’t until 2014 that I got my first allotment – I’d always thought it was a man’s world. I’m so pleased that’s no longer the case!
I guess you could say that I’m quite traditional in style. I love the straight lines of beautiful produce, but I combine that structure with edimentals, wild areas, and companion planting to create a truly organic plot. I love how nature finds its way and rewards those who support biodiversity. Flowers were not the done thing when I got my first allotment, but if we want pollinators to thrive we can no longer be purely edible or non-edible gardeners.
I come from a long line of kitchen gardeners
Jayne’s grandad (boy, bottom right), great grandparents and great-great grandparents at Virginia Water Royal Windsor estates.
Image courtesy of Jayne Hickling
Like many people, my grandparents had a massive influence on me. Not only was I lucky enough to spend childhood summers in their garden – I later discovered that I come from a long line of kitchen gardeners who can be traced back for hundreds of years to the royal gardens of Windsor. It’s something I’m very proud to be carrying on.
Fresh sweetcorn is my favourite vegetable
Jayne Hickling’s potato harvest and polytunnel crops
Images courtesy of Jayne Hickling
The trickiest question I’m often asked is what I love to grow… really, it’s seasonal. Nasturtiums are absolute queens – edible, floral and the best companions. For eating, fresh sweetcorn is my ultimate love! But potatoes are amazing and cabbages are beautiful.
Gardening is a journey, not a race
Jayne Hickling on her allotment, preparing for the next task
Images courtesy of Jayne Hickling
There’s so much to pass on to new gardeners. Whether you’ve taken on a garden or allotment, the first thing is: take it slowly! It’s a journey, not a race. You may want a show garden, but enjoy the process. If you move somewhere with an older garden, leave it as long as possible, enabling you to see any gems that are already there. Keep what you love – pass on what you don’t.
The same with allotments: you don’t need to go crazy clearing the whole plot in one go. Depending on the time of year you start, go in sections, prioritising and phasing the work to suit seasons and soil. It can be overwhelming, and I’ve seen so many new plot-holders go all out, spending a fortune on infrastructure, only to give up, feeling it’s too much or too expensive. One big change each year is all you really need. And grow what you love! If, like me, you don’t like marrows… don’t grow them!
Food banks make great use of surplus veg
Jayne Hickling’s bountiful pumpkin and broad bean harvest
Images courtesy of Jayne Hickling
I feel so privileged to be part of the wider allotmenting community, and I’m proud to be able to donate surplus produce to food banks, along with my fellow allotmenteers. Last summer, the vegetables I grew and gathered supported 600 people in my local community every week. It’s a sad fact that, without that support, many may have gone without.
Community gardening is my passion
Jayne Hickling is an ambassador for Green Fingers Charity and enjoys teaching others to garden
Images courtesy of Jayne Hickling
Growing in schools is a passion of mine. As a teacher for over twenty-five years, encouraging children to learn to grow is really special to me. Over the last year, I’ve helped more than 1,500 children in my local community start growing their own. This is essential for all our futures.
A community gardening project to create unique raised beds
Images courtesy of Jayne Hickling
Growing is in my DNA, and I’m so happy to continue this through the school-gardening, community projects, charity support and the trusteeships I’m involved in. I also love being a BBC Radio Lincolnshire gardening expert. Now in my seventh year, it’s a real privilege and great fun. In the future I may even get around to writing another book… although I’ve been saying that for six years!
Grow like Jayne
This quick growing, super sweet variety is ideal for the UK climate
Image: Sweetcorn ‘Goldcrest’ F1 – Seeds from Suttons (© Dreamstime)
If you want to grow like Jayne, here are just a few of her favourites:
Follow @allotmentcooks on Instagram and YouTube for fruit-and-veg inspiration, wildlife-friendly ideas and inspiring community gardening. If you’d like to read about more inspirational growers, check out our ‘From the Plot’ series for a wealth of practical advice.
