Dave Allan
@boddave.bsky.social
π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ ΏI write from home in the Scottish Borders, and have run courses and workshops on π±gardeningπ± and home composting.
I've opened an account on Substack where I post some free and some subscribed articles URL: davexallan.substack.com. See you there!
I've opened an account on Substack where I post some free and some subscribed articles URL: davexallan.substack.com. See you there!
I've just published this article on my Substack account.π±
davexallan.substack.com/p/broad-bean...
davexallan.substack.com/p/broad-bean...
Broad Beans - Their Hidden Secrets
The broad bean is one of the veg gardenβs unsung heroes despite all its advantages.
davexallan.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:53 PM
I've just published this article on my Substack account.π±
davexallan.substack.com/p/broad-bean...
davexallan.substack.com/p/broad-bean...
Perfectly. They're kept in a tray so they can't fall over. The seedlings fill the space and may send out a root at the bottom. It's very easy to tease apart, I use a bulb planter to get the depth without great excavations.
January 15, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Perfectly. They're kept in a tray so they can't fall over. The seedlings fill the space and may send out a root at the bottom. It's very easy to tease apart, I use a bulb planter to get the depth without great excavations.
Of course πππ!
January 15, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Of course πππ!
πwhat's holding you back?π
January 15, 2026 at 10:51 AM
πwhat's holding you back?π
π€£Well well well Jett, thank goodness AI is holding your hand! You'll have a happy Thursdayπ€£!
January 15, 2026 at 10:11 AM
π€£Well well well Jett, thank goodness AI is holding your hand! You'll have a happy Thursdayπ€£!
My overwintering broad beans planted under a home-made cloche. You can see I use bog roll inners instead of plastic pots. (Much more on beans in an article I'll be publishing soon on Substack. Will give you a link.)π±
January 15, 2026 at 9:55 AM
My overwintering broad beans planted under a home-made cloche. You can see I use bog roll inners instead of plastic pots. (Much more on beans in an article I'll be publishing soon on Substack. Will give you a link.)π±
Our first snowdrops making a brave appearance.π±
January 14, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Our first snowdrops making a brave appearance.π±
Thanks Jett - it's a great way to start the day and I hope you have a good one too!
January 13, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Thanks Jett - it's a great way to start the day and I hope you have a good one too!
The crisp morning sunlight!π±
January 13, 2026 at 10:37 AM
The crisp morning sunlight!π±
Yellow is such a delightful natural colour for this time of year. Summer brightness, autumn fading aster yellowy brown a d winter the magnificent mosses and lichens.
January 12, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Yellow is such a delightful natural colour for this time of year. Summer brightness, autumn fading aster yellowy brown a d winter the magnificent mosses and lichens.
And you dear Jett - I hope the week brings you every satisfaction.
January 12, 2026 at 9:15 AM
And you dear Jett - I hope the week brings you every satisfaction.
The weather's so changeable here - glorious crisp morning like this a couple of days ago, wet windy and foul ever since!π±
January 12, 2026 at 9:10 AM
The weather's so changeable here - glorious crisp morning like this a couple of days ago, wet windy and foul ever since!π±
Good luck Peter - nothing beats GYO!
January 11, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Good luck Peter - nothing beats GYO!
Hi Peter. I reckon you need about 60cm - they're big, hungry plants so need a bit of low room and quite fertile soil. I swear by 'em!
January 11, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Hi Peter. I reckon you need about 60cm - they're big, hungry plants so need a bit of low room and quite fertile soil. I swear by 'em!
Thanks Jett. After posting the pic here yesterday, I thought I'd do a more detailed piece in substack! Happy Sunday to you too!π
January 11, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Thanks Jett. After posting the pic here yesterday, I thought I'd do a more detailed piece in substack! Happy Sunday to you too!π
I've just published a free article on Substack on Kale.
davexallan.substack.com/p/kale-the-p...
davexallan.substack.com/p/kale-the-p...
Kale The Prince of Brassicas
Nero di Toscana, illustrated here, is one of the best advertisements for kale, an ancient crop that has now made an impressive comeback.
davexallan.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 3:48 PM
I've just published a free article on Substack on Kale.
davexallan.substack.com/p/kale-the-p...
davexallan.substack.com/p/kale-the-p...
Thanks Jett! Have as good a day as any American could when seeing your country being dragged into a cesspit by Trump.
January 10, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Thanks Jett! Have as good a day as any American could when seeing your country being dragged into a cesspit by Trump.
Hope! After all the recent storms, snow and ice, this brave little Nero di Toscana kale looks promising.... π±
January 10, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Hope! After all the recent storms, snow and ice, this brave little Nero di Toscana kale looks promising.... π±
Good morning my very dear Jett and thanks - I always like a healthy obsession!! And I have written pieces for folk with one or two plants and there are lots of you. Cheers!
January 9, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Good morning my very dear Jett and thanks - I always like a healthy obsession!! And I have written pieces for folk with one or two plants and there are lots of you. Cheers!
I've just published this free article on Substack. It gives you an idea about the articles I'll be publishing there in the coming months:
//open.substack.com/pub/davexallan/p/grow-your-own?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
//open.substack.com/pub/davexallan/p/grow-your-own?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Grow Your Own
Grow your own is one of the joys of gardening, as I found at the age of eight when sowing my first little line of turnips.
open.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:52 AM
I've just published this free article on Substack. It gives you an idea about the articles I'll be publishing there in the coming months:
//open.substack.com/pub/davexallan/p/grow-your-own?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
//open.substack.com/pub/davexallan/p/grow-your-own?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
There's beauty everywhere. Nature is an unbeatable artistπ±
January 8, 2026 at 10:18 AM
There's beauty everywhere. Nature is an unbeatable artistπ±
What a tangled Web they weave!π±
January 7, 2026 at 9:45 AM
What a tangled Web they weave!π±
I agree. As well as being keystone plants, their ineffable beauty is stunning!
January 6, 2026 at 10:02 AM
I agree. As well as being keystone plants, their ineffable beauty is stunning!