Search found 4546 matches

by Monika
Mon Jul 25, 2022 4:09 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Farewell, good friends .....
Replies: 11
Views: 3122

Farewell, good friends .....

Well, the time has come to say farewell. I am now on the priority waiting list for our local hospice, the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in Oakworth (of 'Railway Children' fame) and will like be there in two to three days' time. Many thanks for your friendship, practical help, compassion and all that ...
by Monika
Sat Jul 23, 2022 8:07 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 254
Views: 24846

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

I remember it well, Primrose. I spent all my working life in a university and when their first computer was installed, no more than two people were allowed in the room because of possible weight problems!
by Monika
Thu Jul 21, 2022 1:33 pm
Forum: Harvesting Q&A
Topic: 2022 harvests
Replies: 122
Views: 93811

Re: 2022 harvests

We have had about a dozen of Gardeners Delight tomatoes off our three plants (in the greenhouse) and, hopefully, lots more to come. The sweet pepper plants have also revelled in the heat but are still all green.
by Monika
Mon Jul 18, 2022 11:06 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 254
Views: 24846

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Same here, shallotman. I am seriously worried about all the insects. Last night, a very balmy evening, we sat outside in the comparative cool for nearly an hour, surrounded by insect-friendly flowers (red valerian, evening primrose, single dahlias etc etc) and espied ONE moth and no bats at all. Are...
by Monika
Fri Jul 15, 2022 8:00 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 254
Views: 24846

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Ah, baler twine .... When my OH worked as dry stone waller, mainly on farm land, we always had loads of bits of baler twine for the allotment (still have some in the garage now). And, of course, the twine kept his trousers up and his loose shirt flapping in the wind.
by Monika
Fri Jul 15, 2022 7:57 pm
Forum: Harvesting Q&A
Topic: 2022 harvests
Replies: 122
Views: 93811

Re: 2022 harvests

Commas, OH, commas!
by Monika
Fri Jul 15, 2022 5:21 pm
Forum: Harvesting Q&A
Topic: 2022 harvests
Replies: 122
Views: 93811

Re: 2022 harvests

Having harvested all the shallots (Jermor), I let them dry on wire racks in the sun the last few days and tidied them up today, nicely sitting in the shade with a coolish breeze, in fact, as the dry skins peeled off, the breeze took them away and scattered them like orange butterflies all over the g...
by Monika
Thu Jul 14, 2022 7:53 pm
Forum: Weeds, Pests and Diseases
Topic: Pea problem
Replies: 13
Views: 7959

Re: Pea problem

Sounds like lack of water at the roots or, at least, lack of moisture in the air. Perhaps too dry for insects to pollinate them?
by Monika
Wed Jul 13, 2022 7:31 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 254
Views: 24846

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Thank you, OH. And the cheese sandwich sounds relish - I trust you had with some red onion jam or home made pickles?

When we had the allotment and grew lots of red onions, I always made pots and pots of red onion jam, always very popular for selling at village fairs etc.
by Monika
Wed Jul 13, 2022 1:29 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Early Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 102
Views: 15460

Re: Early Summer Bits and Bobs.

We keep the windows wide open and the curtains shut on the sunny side, then, as the sun moves round, do the same on the other side of the house. At least, there is a good SW breeze today.

Do you think it's time for Midsummer Bits and Bobs, OH? It certainly feels like it ........
by Monika
Wed Jul 13, 2022 1:25 pm
Forum: Harvesting Q&A
Topic: 2022 harvests
Replies: 122
Views: 93811

Re: 2022 harvests

Strangely, in spite of the very warm and dry weather, we did not get any blackfly on the broad beans this year. They did get a long soaking with the sprinkler every other evening and I cut off all the tops quite early, so that might have helped. This morning, before it got TOO hot, we clean-picked a...
by Monika
Fri Jul 08, 2022 5:07 pm
Forum: Harvesting Q&A
Topic: 2022 harvests
Replies: 122
Views: 93811

Re: 2022 harvests

That's been the main difference in the potato growing between the allotment (in the ground) and at home (in pots), OH. The allotment yield was always greater, but so often some of the potatoes were completely slug eaten or at least partially so (in spite of using nematodes), or half rotten or green,...
by Monika
Fri Jul 08, 2022 12:34 pm
Forum: Harvesting Q&A
Topic: 2022 harvests
Replies: 122
Views: 93811

Re: 2022 harvests

We harvested our last pot-grown potatoes (Kestrel) this morning, and quite a decent crop they were, too. And sooo clean!
by Monika
Fri Jul 08, 2022 12:33 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Early Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 102
Views: 15460

Re: Early Summer Bits and Bobs.

I suppose Kilimanjaro is achievable for a fit person, rather than a seasoned climber, Geoff. At more than 19,000 feet (nearly 6,000m) high, it's the lack of oxygen and the freezing and windy conditions at the top which makes it such a challenge. The ascent had to take five days, almost zigzagging al...
by Monika
Thu Jul 07, 2022 8:45 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Early Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 102
Views: 15460

Re: Early Summer Bits and Bobs.

I just had to let SOMEbody know: my grandson Chris reached the top of Kilimanjaro at 4am this morning on a five-day charity climb in memory of his younger brother Rob whom we lost in February. He has already raised more than £12,000 for Sarcoma UK.