Search found 970 matches

by Colin2016
Fri Nov 01, 2024 7:11 am
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Tools for a new allotment
Replies: 6
Views: 265

Re: Tools for a new allotment

Stove
Kettle
Mug
Chair
Favourite gardening magazine
by Colin2016
Wed Oct 30, 2024 7:16 am
Forum: Best practices
Topic: No dig and other connundrums
Replies: 9
Views: 348

Re: No dig and other connundrums

Arnt the weeds smaller so easier to hoe off, unless you just let them grow like I did on one bed, but on the plus side plenty for the compost bin. I collect from various sources for composting and never have a balanced mix I just keep topping it up as needed, temp gauge is usually in the red. Cut gr...
by Colin2016
Wed Oct 02, 2024 6:34 am
Forum: Ask the team
Topic: compost, garlic, shallots
Replies: 4
Views: 2089

Re: compost, garlic, shallots

Perhaps lay cardboard down with compost on top then start planting. Got this in email newsletter from Charles Dowding.... "Onions and weeds This month is good for planting sets of onions to overwinter. Best do that where weeds are not prevalent, because the thin leaves of onions (and garlic) of...
by Colin2016
Fri Sep 27, 2024 6:56 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Autumn Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 115
Views: 14538

Re: Autumn Bits and Bobs.

There is a notice in health centre encouraging to book COVID & flu jabs at reception. Always booked by visiting surgery usually after getting letter from NHS. Latest letter for RSV vaccine, a new one on me, I'm guessing there will others waiting for me as I get older.
by Colin2016
Fri Jul 26, 2024 6:05 am
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Soil prep alternatives!
Replies: 12
Views: 3634

Re: Soil prep alternatives!

How about this Charles Dowding suggests

"....White mustard (Synapis alba) is the only green manure I occasionally sow in September up until mid-October. It is killed by moderate frost of -5°C/23°F so there is no mulching or digging-in needed."
by Colin2016
Thu Jul 25, 2024 7:00 am
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Soil prep alternatives!
Replies: 12
Views: 3634

Re: Soil prep alternatives!

If you want to spend money Mushroom compost?

Free option make your own compost using the horse manure.

Add in grass cuttings nettles weeds to get it hot to kill off the bind weed, let it cool down so the worms can do their business and you will have some great compost for feeding your plants.
by Colin2016
Fri Jul 12, 2024 6:06 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 239
Views: 53726

Re: Summer Bits and Bobs.

Thank you both for your thoughts, I harvested another bed like this and spuds were a good size and very tasty, no sign of bad ones, was expecting not to harvest till August/September time though. Five weeks ago I had eyes tested told cataract need doing given options of where to have it done. Next d...
by Colin2016
Thu Jul 11, 2024 2:51 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 239
Views: 53726

Re: Summer Bits and Bobs.

Do these have blight?
by Colin2016
Thu Jul 11, 2024 7:03 am
Forum: Readers Recipes
Topic: Gnocchi with smoked haddock
Replies: 11
Views: 5716

Re: Gnocchi with smoked haddock

Seems there is still a fish market in Lowestoft which is where fish van man gets his. He said Europe can't get enough of hake and far east like our cockles. When on holiday in Hastings there was an area with fish shops and boats together, wonder if the fish did the traveling to London? Around here C...
by Colin2016
Tue Jul 09, 2024 8:29 am
Forum: Growing places
Topic: Solar Grow Lights
Replies: 6
Views: 2324

Re: Solar Grow Lights

Have thought using Led lights, usb connector and battery power pack (those used to charge phone away from mains) would be a good combination for off grid sheds. Brought small kit to try out, did not see any great improvement then power pack failed. As for solar panels when I found out how long they ...
by Colin2016
Mon Jul 08, 2024 6:58 am
Forum: Readers Recipes
Topic: Gnocchi with smoked haddock
Replies: 11
Views: 5716

Re: Gnocchi with smoked haddock

We are fortunate to have a proper wet fish shop and van near by so do not have to buy the over wrapped in plastic substitute for fresh fish from supermarket. Never tried gnocchi with smoked haddock usilly have it with new (home grown ideally) boiled potatoes and what ever veg from garden. An alterna...
by Colin2016
Sun Jul 07, 2024 6:15 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 239
Views: 53726

Re: Summer Bits and Bobs.

Thanks for all your replies.

Yes they are Swift, most tast ok to me er indoors said she had a watery one though.

I think my main spuds have blight, my neighbour who sprays his are ok so guess this spraying works.

Wonder what the farmers do as can't see them spraying every week?
by Colin2016
Sat Jul 06, 2024 7:33 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 239
Views: 53726

Re: Summer Bits and Bobs.

Thanks for the explanation Westi, now I know what my new neighbour on the plot is spraying on his spuds.

Is spuds splitting like the picture below a cause of blight?


split spud (1).jpg
split spud (1).jpg (279.42 KiB) Viewed 3000 times
by Colin2016
Thu Jul 04, 2024 8:30 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 239
Views: 53726

Re: Summer Bits and Bobs.

What is "Blight Guard water" Westi?
by Colin2016
Thu Jun 13, 2024 6:36 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Early Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 142
Views: 28863

Re: Early Summer Bits and Bobs.

Wet fish shop has reverted to cash only due to charges for using cards.

Personly I would prefer to use cash but flashing the card is so much easier.