About the authors

Two Dirty Boys

Paul and Robin met randomly on a dark Halloween night in 2010 and have haunted each other’s lives ever since. Together they run Two Dirty Boys, a Instagram blog about their allotment plot in Bow, East London. Unafraid of making mistakes and always willing to give something a go they enjoy sharing their successes and failures with friends and followers. Together they grow ingredients to make pickles, pies, teas, wines and cocktails. Awe-struck by nature they take great delight in the joys of germination, propagation, and fermentation.

Follow them @twodirtyboys

Paul Anderton

Paul grew up in Lytham St Anne’s, Lancashire, the son of two teachers. His interest in natural curiosities started in his childhood with his collection of exotic pets and reptiles. He first attempted to regrow a pineapple cutting with his father when he was nine years old.

He holds a degree in English Literature & Theatre Studies from Lancaster University and a Masters in Arts & Cultural Management from St Mary’s University of Minnesota, USA, and now runs a London based brand partnerships agency named Bicycle. His home is Bethnal Green where he lives with hundreds of houseplants and his beloved border terrier, Willy.

Robin Daly

Born in Devon and raised on the cream of her rolling hills, Robin first started gardening with his grandmother, spending hours pottering about her seaside greenhouse. She instilled her love of the natural world and the wonder of growing your own food. Robin left his Devonian idyll for the bright lights and smoke of London to Study Molecular Genetics at Queen Mary, University of London.

He kept up his love of gardening, moving his pots between rentals before settling in Stoke Newington and finally getting an allotment – after 7 years on the waiting list! Robin is a BAFTA winning TV producer and lives with his black and white cat, Leo.