Thanks Westi - I'll try it that way and see if they start doing what they should be doing!

Hi Pa Snip - thanks for your reply - to be honest, probably fruiting on both, ie unpruned from previous year, and also on growth from current year. I think I've just got them in such a mess I don't really know what they're doing!

Hi all, I've not been here for a while, but I'm wondering whether anyone here can help. Every year, my summer raspberries, that have been in now for about 8 or 9 years at the allotment, have fruited later and later. I then end up pruning them later and later, and this year I'm only just pruning them...

Yep - I somehow managed to kill off 11 of my 12 that I bought and planted about 3 or 4 years ago - and I have no idea how, except that if I remember correctly it may have been a very harsh winter that year.

Hi Pa Snip
My allotment is approx 1/3 plot, probably 3 poles;
It's council owned;
I pay less than £50 per year.

AdetheSpade

I do find the grease bands (put around the trunk and also around any support as well, around September/October I think) plus the codling moth traps in Spring works really well. In fact this year, I forgot to replace the pheromone lure with the second one (the kit comes with 2 lures, the first to be ...

I made Alan's tomato and carrot soup today - delicious! Thanks Alan, I'm going to keep that recipe - I'm sure it'll be used time and time again.

I'm having a go at Cape Gooseberries this year for the first time - has anyone else ever tried them?

Well I'm definitely in the camp of 'no dig', and this is my third year . I'm pleased to say it really does work for me, and unless this changes I'll be continuing with this method. My soil is beautifully friable, not compacted at all, and my yields are just as good as before when I used to dig. Ever...

Dear Robo, I did wonder whether you were a Robinson - (that's my name too, and my stepson is known as Wobo (but he doesn't do gardening!)).

Anyway, glad you've found what sounds like a lovely one to try - I'll remember that one myself I think should I ever find myself without any saved seed.

Hi Robo, I've grown Duke of Albany for a few years now - someone gave me some seed and I've kept some back every year - they are a tall heritage variety, and I find them delicious, and manage to freeze quite a few each year too. Not sure where you might be able to get any, but I'd be happy to post y...

Thank you Primrose for this recommendation - it does look an interesting read, and I've just reserved it at my local library - I'm really looking forward to reading it.

We've had Allium leaf miner for a few years now - but the good news is that hopefully your leeks and possibly garlic will be OK. I've not grown onions now for probably 3 years, but I'm still growing leeks and garlic, and they seem unaffected.

Yes, we have had it here for several years now - they are such a pain aren't they. In the past few years (since we started having the problem) I've grown an early variety and not bothered to cover them, but harvesting them all by the beginning of October, and that's worked well and they've been fine...

Oh, and looking back in my log, I must have picked them at the very end of September, so possibly still a little early. I'll try and be more patient next year!