I had reasonable success a couple of years ago with Blenheim Orange (Last year was too cold & wet) in an unheated greenhouse. I don't think it is an early variety. Melons need as much heat has you can give them with lots of support for both the plant and the fruit. Keep well fed & watered an...

Sounds like a great idea Carole. At least slugs and snails won't be able to get to them. (unless they're related to Chris Bonnington) I grow mine in normal containers which are all on top of a large galvanized coal bunker. I've found that the dreaded slugs and snails won't climb the metal sides. Hol...

I find my sombrero is excellent for keeping the sun off me when I am toiling on the plot....the rim does fill up with rain though and it can get a bit floppy!!!!

I grew butternuts up a piece of trellis last year with some success & am repeating it again this year due to pressure of space.....The only way is up! I used trellis as I thought that canes would not be strong enough to support the weight. I tied them to the trellis every 6" or so to stop t...

Hello Clare, My raspberries have been very slow this year possibly down to the cold weather so don't panic. The autumn ones should be cut down to just above ground level in February as they then produce fruit on the new growth, so hopefully you should get a crop this year. The early fruiting will pr...

Hi Barry, our allotment has a large combination padlock on the gate...no keys to loose...as long as you can remember the numbers!!

Speedy

Hello everybody,

We've had the dreaded lily beetles on our fritillarias for a couple of years. I've found the only control is regular "pick up & squash" trips.

I agree with Johnboy's observations, but I would very much doubt that any legislation would even be considered by any government. The supermarkets are far too powerful, have too much financial clout and too much influence with our political parties for anything which may be detrimental to them being...

I've tried all of that.....I've even taken the bath plug away......I think its some kind of teenage mental block or selective hearing when when Dad is nagging on about saving water for his beloved plants.

I agree...we can't rely on sods law to help keep everything watered. I now have water butts on all my downpipes and everything is mulched as deep as possible. Any tips on how make my teenage daughters from leaving the tap on will be gratefully received.

You realise that now they've introduced hosepipe bans that it will p*ss with rain all summer.....

I got my horseradish from Wilkinsons last year which I've grown in a large plastic pot, (about 24 inches tall & the same across the top) as I had read that it was invasive. I just filled the pot with garden compost and put the horseradish in and kept in watered in a corner of the garden....I jus...

I gave my Mum a selection of packets of seeds of her fav flowers.....far cheaper & she'll enjoy growing them throughout the summer. (And they fitted in the card!!!)

Just picked some carrots,(early nantes) which according to my label were sown 9th September last year & have over wintered in my unheated greenhouse...Its cheered me up!

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