In this episode of Gardening Together, we visit Vallis Veg to explore an inspiring community initiative—Staples. This project brings local growers together to cultivate staple British vegetables in a collaborative way, dividing the work and sharing the harvest.

With groups dedicated to potatoes, grains, squashes, and onions, each team manages over 55m² of growing space, working in small groups of 3-4 people. We’ll hear from the growers about how they set up the project, planned their crops, tackled challenges, and what they’ve learned in their first year.

Could this model be replicated in other communities? What are the benefits—and surprises—of growing staples together? Tune in to find out!

We discuss tips and tricks for a shared garden allotment:

1. Consider the "no dig" approach to maintain soil structure.
2. Use mulch to suppress weeds and grasses.
3. Focus on careful planning and research for successful gardening projects.
4. Embrace a newfound passion and adapt to changing circumstances.

Darren's journey began when the pandemic left him unemployed as a professional chef for 18 years. During the lockdown, he discovered a passion for gardening while reviving an overgrown garden on his property. His interest in the natural world grew, and he decided to pursue a career as a gardener.

He enrolled in an RHS course and, through a chance meeting with the owner of a hotel where he previously worked, he was offered the role of overseeing a market garden project. One key approach he adopted in gardening is the "no dig" method, which involves not disturbing the existing soil structure and using mulch to suppress weeds and grasses.