Richard - you have more patience than me! I like oak smoked salt (M&S), really nice, but like any flavoured salt really and easy to make your own herb infused salts. (Richard already googling away - try pinterest)! Anyway back to your post - your mushrooms were 'magic' Richard? That is concernin...

Evening TB! I think you should research covering all the beds to extend the season for you up there. Richard is in a very exposed area & has built some pretty impressive covers for his raised beds that turned out pretty successful. Search his posts for the photos or send him a message & he c...

Interesting Gerry!

Now we are out of the EU I wonder if we will get these products in different packaging reverting to the old recommendations? England is a land of growers so a nice new market opening to them.

How exciting Pawty! None of mine have come yet as I bought through the allotment shop but they can't be too far away. When I get them, then I go and explore other sites as ordering so early & being disorganised I often forget what variety I have ordered. My compost has come, that was pretty exci...

Peter that is a lovely picture! Wonder how grand it would be to look out on the view at the top of the Shard?

Frost here until about 10am but then sunshine, which had a bit of warmth in it as well. Still clear outside tonight so a repeat performance tomorrow I expect!

OH & Pa - what a team! Good job the seed company's prepare them well then if that fate awaits! Our garden centre has there's in a nice position to prevent boil in the bag, but expect that is more to position them into the area with the most foot fall than any consideration for the seeds. Good jo...

Throw herbs into your dumplings Richard - both the soft dumplings in Jewish soup and the old beef stew ones. As you are undecided & unsure with herbs just split the dumpling dough so only 1/2 are herbed up & experiment away. I always put chives in my cheese omelettes, throw them into salads,...

Looks like there is a fair bit of room to have a couple more raised beds in the future & you could build hoop covers over those to extend the season a bit TB!

Love the roof line of your house - or is that the neighbours?

Hi jayjaybe! I've used J's and never had a problem in my greenhouse. Interesting, I best look closer. I have my greenhouse on pavers so always grow in pots. (Soil under the area full of builders rubble). I work on a 2 year cycle, complete change of compost one year then a 50% change with slow releas...

Weekend fine, no rain for several days before - I can feel a burn coming on! Mr Westi is a tad excited - I've been told to prune the fruit trees as they are going on the heap! Shame Tim is back on earth, I think he would have enjoyed a point in space to orientate him!

Thanks for popping in tigerburnie! (Can I call you TB)? Noted your signature - 60 years experience! Oh you are so very welcome to the forum and experience of various areas of the country will no doubt help immensely! Never, ever worry about popping in & adding anything; whether our winter boredo...

I made the mistake of growing Russian Tarragon - brute of a plant & very evasive, but it doesn't have the roundness of flavour of the French Tarragon and is lost in a sauce for chicken. I have found Sarah Raven is selling French Tarragon plants but the seed catalogues popping through the door ar...

If you are trying to roast them in the traditional sense, it is far too hot for garlic, but they will still crisp up if slow cooked as well. Just experiment with your cooking style Richard.

Funny Pa!

Can't say much about duck poo, but haven't noticed much improvement in the garden beds around the lake at work & there is many a duck about. Not sure our gardeners are as into growing as they are into mowing, so maybe not a good comparison!

Hi PP!

I can't make holes deep enough without trimming the roots!