Search found 59 matches

by PT
Mon May 08, 2006 4:40 pm
Forum: Weeds, Pests and Diseases
Topic: Flea Beetle
Replies: 32
Views: 14537

Flea Beetle

Hi chantel.

Yep, that nicotine pray is very pongy stuff, but it dose work well.

Maybe you could try using yellow card, and rap cling film round it. Then when your finished you can discard the cling film. And you wont have to store a greasy card.

Peter
by PT
Mon May 08, 2006 1:21 pm
Forum: Weeds, Pests and Diseases
Topic: Flea Beetle
Replies: 32
Views: 14537

Nicotine spray

Hello Chantel. Lawrence D Hills, founder of the HDRA recommends nicotine spray.[But I don't think the HDRA recommends it now] Quote: Get 4oz of used filter tip cigarette ends. [Ask local pub] simmer in 2 pints of water for 30 mins toping up as required. strain through nylon stocking, dilute it by ad...
by PT
Sat May 06, 2006 10:39 am
Forum: Tools and Machinery
Topic: Oh for a Hoe!
Replies: 6
Views: 5059

Hoe's

Hi Allan. I didn't mean my reply on hoe's to sound argumentative. I was just stating my personal choice.
I'm not very diplomatic some times.

Kindest regards

Peter
by PT
Sat May 06, 2006 8:00 am
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Polystyrene Fish Boxes
Replies: 4
Views: 2620

Polystyrene Fish Boxes

Hi Allan. Those fish boxes you mentioned are the best thing since sliced bread. I get mine from Waitrose. The hole salmon come in them. I've grown a variety of things in them. There deep, hold water, and keep the root cool. Toms do well in them, fill with compost, cut, two holes in lid, plant toms t...
by PT
Sat May 06, 2006 7:16 am
Forum: Tools and Machinery
Topic: Oh for a Hoe!
Replies: 6
Views: 5059

Hoe

Hi Allan. I have 5 kinds of hoe, all with wooden handles. I prefer wood because it feels good, absorbs sweat, it's cheaper and easy to replace if you do brake it. And you can use the old handle for something else. If you give it a wipe over with a little linseed oil now and then, it'll last for year...
by PT
Thu May 04, 2006 9:02 pm
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: New potatoes
Replies: 21
Views: 9729

Potatoes

A tip I was given by a spud grower. For early spuds. Pick the biggest tubers you can. Then if they get nipped by Jack frost, there's plenty of go left.
by PT
Thu May 04, 2006 8:06 pm
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: New potatoes
Replies: 21
Views: 9729

Potatoes

Hi Brenjon.
Sandersj89 I think answered your question. Doing my early under straw, I get spuds before they go into flower. if your growing them in plastic sacks, it's not a problem to have a looksee. Make a hole in the side of the sack near the bottom and have a grope.

Peter
by PT
Thu May 04, 2006 7:01 pm
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: New potatoes
Replies: 21
Views: 9729

Potatoes

I'm surprised no one has mentioned no dig for new potatoes. I started doing this 8 or 9 years ago. The idea comes from HDRA Rytons no dig garden. Put an inch or so of compost/manure 3' wide and as long as you need. Plant potatoes 12" apart each way. Scratch through the compost so the spud sits ...
by PT
Thu May 04, 2006 5:44 pm
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: RUNNERS
Replies: 22
Views: 10231

Runners

I thought when I posted my reply to Compo it was loaded. [I wasn't wrong] There's many ways to plant and look after veg, you only have to look at the back issues of KG. The thing is, if it works for you thats fine. If your having problems and you ask for advice, expect many different answers, then d...
by PT
Wed May 03, 2006 8:29 pm
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: PEAS
Replies: 28
Views: 12158

Peas

I don't grow many peas these days. Maybe 20 or 30 plants. And those are for grazing, they don't make it home. Grazing on fresh veg is the best, doesn't much mater what it is. I've always got something on the plot to nibble, what ever time of the year.
Peter
by PT
Wed May 03, 2006 8:16 pm
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Tomato confusion
Replies: 19
Views: 7594

Tomatoes

The HDRA did a members experiment a few years ago. I can't remember the exact details, but it was something like this. Members were given tomato seed to grow. As the plants grew 2 were pinched out and 2 were not. As the toms ripened they were picked and weighed. The conclusion of the experiment was....
by PT
Wed May 03, 2006 7:40 am
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: BROAD BEANS
Replies: 4
Views: 3603

Broad Beans

Sounds like your doing great Compo, you'll be eating them soon.

Have you tried eating the pods? There nice picked when there about 3" long, then steamed. So are the tops when you pinch them out.

Peter
by PT
Wed May 03, 2006 7:29 am
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: RUNNERS
Replies: 22
Views: 10231

Runners

Hello Compo. All that compost and manure is a bit of a waste. Legumes are all nitrogen fixers, so don't need feeding, just lots of water. I suspect you'll get lush growth and little fruit if you over feed. So plenty of leaf mould and mulch, would be better. I like to successionally sow my beans to, ...
by PT
Wed May 03, 2006 6:45 am
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: PEAS
Replies: 28
Views: 12158

Peas

Hello Brenjon. It's not an exact science as to how long the shoots and root are. It doesn't matter if they are 1/2" long or an 1 1/2" 12mm or 38mm long. About an 1" 25mm is fine. The mix needs to be quit wet. It's also not important if it's peat or leaf mould shredded newspaper or som...
by PT
Tue May 02, 2006 1:28 am
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: PEAS
Replies: 28
Views: 12158

Peas

Hi Brenjon
Mung beans are the bean sprouts you get in chinese food and spouted mustard is a part of mustard and cress for salads. They are sprouted indoors in the dark and eaten while immature. A very rich source of vitamins and minerals