Search found 105 matches

by Binky
Sun Apr 09, 2017 11:20 am
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Raspberries
Replies: 2
Views: 2557

Raspberries

Two new canes on my summer fruiting raspberries (Glen Ample) have red leaves. The rest are green, as usual. The plants are six years old and have never had red leaves before. Should I worry about this? Cut them out? Or just leave them and see what happens?
by Binky
Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:00 pm
Forum: Cooking tips
Topic: Tapioca
Replies: 6
Views: 4478

Tapioca

In April last year, a nice recipe for Tapioca Pudding with Rhubarb and Raspberry was published in the magazine. Does anyone know where you can buy dried Tapioca these days? The big supermarkets no longer stock it.
by Binky
Wed Aug 19, 2015 10:41 am
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Shallot problem
Replies: 14
Views: 7169

Re: Shallot problem

Following the fiasco with my shallots this year, I have been looking at different suppliers. Some are offering autumn planting shallots. I have never planted shallots in the autumn. Has anyone done this successfully?
by Binky
Fri Jun 05, 2015 8:51 pm
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Shallot problem
Replies: 14
Views: 7169

Re: Shallot problem

I wrote to Marshalls. They never replied - despite their website claiming they reply within 4 working days and that their products are 100% guaranteed!

....and the shallots still haven't grown.
by Binky
Mon May 18, 2015 8:02 am
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Shallot problem
Replies: 14
Views: 7169

Re: Shallot problem

Thank you for your suggestion, OH. I have soaked the base of two of them for a week - still no sign of life.
by Binky
Sat May 09, 2015 8:54 am
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Shallot problem
Replies: 14
Views: 7169

Shallot problem

About 6 weeks ago I planted some shallots (Jermor). They are not growing - no shoots, no roots, nothing. I bought them from a reputable company (Marshalls) and they seemed sound when I planted them. I lifted a couple yesterday and they are not rotting - just sitting there. The bed is covered with ne...
by Binky
Tue Jun 04, 2013 12:31 pm
Forum: Weeds, Pests and Diseases
Topic: Bindweed
Replies: 3
Views: 2575

Bindweed

Has anyone had any success controlling/killing bindweed with New Roundup Gel? After several years of unsuccessfully trying to dig it up, I thought I would try it and the label clearly says it will eradicate bindweed. I have been applying it for several weeks. I started when the new leaves first appe...
by Binky
Thu Apr 04, 2013 6:24 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Allotments - Complaints Procedure
Replies: 2
Views: 1976

Allotments - Complaints Procedure

We manage our allotments on behalf of the local council and don't have a particularly effective system for managing complaints. Can anyone in a similar situation offer advice or point me towards someone/somewhere that has proven procedures for dealing with plotholders' complaints?

Thank you.
by Binky
Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:13 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Lawn Food
Replies: 10
Views: 3735

Lawn Food

Now that the snow has gone, I was looking at my front lawn and it is very sad - it seems to be mostly moss. Is it too late to apply autumn lawn weed/feed/mosskiller, in the hope that the grass will be ready to perk up in the spring? Or shall I wait a till spring and use the spring lawn food? I could...
by Binky
Sun Nov 11, 2012 8:59 pm
Forum: Best practices
Topic: plot allocation
Replies: 9
Views: 3779

Re: plot allocation

We self-manage our allotments on behalf of the local council (300+ plots on several sites). We have a waiting list and when someone reaches the top of the list, they get a plot. Everyone deserves a chance. If we only selected “good, experienced gardeners” or those who were recommended by committee m...
by Binky
Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:43 am
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Pea 'Sima'
Replies: 1
Views: 1927

Pea 'Sima'

Does anyone know who stocks a pea called 'Sima'? I used to get it from Marshalls, but they discontinued it a year or so ago.

It is a wrinkle seeded pea which overwinters very well and if you plant it about now you get really good, sweet early peas.
by Binky
Wed Jun 20, 2012 1:57 pm
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Advice on onion sets
Replies: 18
Views: 7161

Re: Advice on onion sets

Mine are exactly the same. First they started to split into 2 or 3 (a bit like shallots). Now they have all bolted. Marshalls other comment, when I wrote querying the unusually large size and suggesting that they might bolt was "Red Baron even though they are not heat prepared do show a good na...
by Binky
Wed Jun 20, 2012 1:52 pm
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Garlic hasn't formed cloves
Replies: 9
Views: 5669

Re: Garlic hasn't formed cloves

Mine are the same. I planted Early Purple, Albigensian and Iberian Wight in early November. They had a good spell of cold weather in February. All are good healthy plants but none have split.
by Binky
Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:10 am
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Advice on onion sets
Replies: 18
Views: 7161

Re: Advice on onion sets

Yes, but I didn't know if it was OK to mention a supplier by name. The advice I have received from Marshalls is: "The Red Baron which you have received are larger as they are a higher grade"...... but I'm still not too sure about them.
by Binky
Thu Apr 12, 2012 10:03 pm
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Advice on onion sets
Replies: 18
Views: 7161

Re: Advice on onion sets

Thank you all for your comments. I have checked the catalogue and they were not advertised as heat treated. But it is the size of them that is amazing/troubling me! They are more the size of shallots than onion sets. Anyway, I'll give them a go and see what happens. Felix: I grow them mostly for the...