TheGardenSmallholder.com is a practical blog for people who want to grow more of their own food, keep a productive garden, and run a smallholding mindset — even if they only have a backyard and a few raised beds.
This site is led by Zoe Lowe and supported by a small editorial team. We started The Garden Smallholder because a lot of gardening content online is either too glossy (“perfect cottagecore”) or too technical. Most growers don’t need a lecture — they need a plan that works with the season, the weather, and the time they actually have.
Our approach is simple: clear advice, tested routines, and guides you can follow without special equipment or a huge budget. We focus on steady progress: soil first, a manageable crop plan, realistic pest control, and small systems that make everything easier — compost, watering, crop rotation, and storage.
What we cover
We publish a mix of guides and seasonal updates, including:
- growing basics (soil, compost, feeding, watering, mulching)
- vegetables, herbs, and small fruit (what to plant, when, and how)
- practical smallholding skills (planning, simple structures, tool use, storage)
- pest and disease prevention with a realistic, low-drama approach
- harvest, preserving, and “use what you grew” kitchen basics
We prioritize methods that are accessible for beginners but still useful for experienced growers who want better structure.
How we work
We aim to keep articles grounded in real-world practice. When we reference timings, plant care, or common problems, we cross-check details against reputable horticulture sources and update posts when better guidance becomes available or conditions change. We avoid miracle fixes and try to explain tradeoffs clearly.
Editorial team
The Garden Smallholder is maintained by a small team:
Zoe Lowe — Editor & Lead Writer
Hannah Greer — Grow Guide Editor
Miles Benton — Research & Seasonal Planning
For corrections, questions, or partnership inquiries, please use our Contact page. We usually respond within 1–2 business days.