I hope she recouped some of her costs and barbecued the leg they cut off.

I'd rather have the plague of frogs.

I might try these next year too.
Ferline is doing me proud this year outside as usual.

I thought you were offering us some, Chantal. I was going to say, no thanks, I have plenty of my own. Yes, it sounds like mildew. I just cut off the leaves and make sure the plant's well fed and watered. In my experience it's something all cucumbers, melons and courgettes get as the season goes on a...

I think tomatoes and peppers and chilli peppers enjoy the same conditions, as do aubergines, but the latter need a long growing season and it's hard to give them the warmth they need in February! I just looked up the variety of pepper I grow and it's called Cristal. As I said I got it in Spain, thou...

I think it's the lack of sunlight and warmth. Chilli peppers usually grow well for me, but have been like a weather report this year, only flowering when it's been sunny for a week or so.

The thing I find always does well in my greenhouse is peppers. I'm usually picking peppers from July to November. However, I found a good variety that I bought out in Spain (they're like huge chilli peppers in shape, but taste like bell peppers). Sometimes hitting on a good variety is the answer. I ...

Chantal, you look truly beautiful in your big white dress.

Welcome back m'dear Lizzie. The forum was quiet without you, even Herby was subdued. I've completely lost any comprehension fo whatever you and the Grockodile are talking about (and I've only had a pint!) but I just wanted to say that I'm irresistable to all biting insects too. There's an internet r...

You're welcome.

Epsom salts I think Chantal. Not sure about dilution rate but I doubt you can overdose.

If my experience of large public bodies is anything to go by, they will be so inefficient and incompetent that they won't even notice what you do as long as you keep quiet about it. I would take down the fence, cultivate the land and put a shed on it (and, if anyone asks, say you did it all seven ye...

Are you leaving them a bit too long before picking? I find I do this. I tend to leave them until they turn a deep red but they taste nicer if a little under ripe.
Plus I find all the rain has diluted the flavour of fruit this year too (or maybe lack of sunshine?)

Can't believe I missed this.
And a belated Hairy Burpday from me too.

We generally don't go for more than a week and that's usually in the first week of the school holidays, so not really a peak time for picking. Unfortunately neither of my neighbours would recognise a fresh vegetable if it jumped up and down shouting "I'm a fresh vegetable, I'm a fresh vegetable...