Yep, this kind of dumbing-down is everywhere; I just think we shouldn't go gently into it. I suppose I'd have to agree, reluctantly, that that programme might attract some new people to gardening. However, those who want real substance are poorly catered for not only on tv but also, I submit, in the...

Simply a deadful production.Confused and confusing. A showcase for some director's ideas of smart. What's the point of all those out-of-focus shots, bird's eye views, rapid-fire sight bites, etc., etc. Surely what we want is, simply, the view of things we'd have if we were there The fact is that the...

Am I mistaken or were some TV areas recently treated to a series of programmes featuring Mr D. and a polytunnel project? Anybody know anything about this?

Days lengthening...won't be long till the fever sets in! Season's greetings!

Iain.

Thanks Herby. I'll get a Honeywell catalogue. I reckon your point re. forcing/low light levels is an important one. I guess there's no alternative than to learn by trial and error in one's own, local, conditions.In fact, I have a big Autogrow P-something propagator but it's 20 years since I last use...

Thanks,folks.I'm setting up to grow in the season coming. I'll be growin veg. for our own use in my new tunnel (21x42).I need a greenhouse to support it by effecting germination AND keeping plants comfy from Feb/Mar/April till May when they'll go into tunnel. Thought an 8x6 with lots of shelving wou...

In the last post Herby refers to the fan on -I take it- his g/h heater. I'm about to buy one and I was wondering if anybody has any advice regarding what's good and what should be avoided. What are the must-have features? I note, by the way, that the firm "Parasene" are in administration. ...

Right, Allan, I'll try half of them on wilted comfrey leaves this year. Thanks.

Iain.

Hi Peter, Yes, and in Ireland too I believe- on their "lazy beds" which (I THINK) were raised beds that weren't dug -except incidentally to harvest the potatoes- but were mulched with seaweed, as you say. If I get the chance this season coming I'll give it a go and see what effect it has o...

Thank you for your kind sentiments,OH. I shall certainly try again! After all, Scotland has claims to be the home of the tattie. As Colin says, it'd be fascinating to investigate differences in say tomato and apple varieties grown in identical ways in different locations in the UK.
I.

I filled the bottom (20-25% of each bin) with rough whinstone pieces about tennis ball size. I blinded this with about 4" of poor topsoil. On top of that I put a layer of about 5" of well-rotted horse dung, and on top of that I planted 4 seed potatoes. I covered them with first class topso...

I offer this anecdote aware that it proves nothing: last season, for the first time, I grew first earlies- about 10 cvs including Swift, Rocket, Maris Bard, Red Duke, Foremost, Lady C., Sharpe's Express. I grew them in bins- the standard, pre-wheelie type. They all cropped well- good-sized tubers- a...

Encore!

Hello Geoff, Good idea to take the snow head on! I'm wondering if the same effect could be achieved using readily available sheep wire i.e. 4 or 5 inch holes. We here would certainly need the small mesh on top or the tits and finches would strip the buds off fruit before the winter was out. Mind you...

Great stuff. Thanks folks.

Iain.

Thanks, John. What size is your cage, may I ask? Am I right in thinking that they supply internal uprights as well as the ones on the periphery? Did you get your netting from them too? When you pull your netting to stretch it taught (-ish) is there no problem with the uprights bending?

Iain.