I think most people start off wanting some measures for ingredients when trying a new recipe first time if only to get some idea of relative proportions, otherwise many of them won,t necessarily be successful But having cooked something few times it becomes pretty easy to adapt and cook Meals by ear...

Good to have you popping in Johnbiy. I hope all is well with you and it's good to know you still check in, if only to read what's happening on here.

Snooky, don't forget you're now supposed to plant trees to account for your carbon footprint if you're flying abroad, so maybe plant some fruit trees from all those catalogues !

Amazing progress Elmigo. Have you been toiling all night by torchlight ?? I think those fences would be great for tall vegetables like tomatoes and climbing beans which will thrive from being protected from the wind and not shade out other plants. I do think the conifers will cause problems with soi...

Monika and Robo. Thinking of you both and the problems you are your families are facing.
Keeping busy helps but we all know how thoughts come to haunt you in the dark early hours. Enjoy the positive things while you can.

Yes definitely time for mid winter. I have a couple of brave snowdrop tips peeping through !

Inidentlly I have wild strawberry plants growing ina north facing border. Have never seen a single one of them bear a fruit. They,ve become q bit Of a nuisance plant actually!

well done Elmigo and OH, Sound like a nice hot bath should ease those aching joints !

Elmigo what are you doing with all that removed grass?
Leaving it upside down in a corner or a bin to rot dowN to make compost?

Blackberries will grow perfectly well on a shady north facing fence. They will just ripen a little later. Swiss chard (which is a more robust version of spinach does well too. There is a particular good variety called Fordhook Giant if you can get it whixh has lovely big leaves, and as a bonus seems...

The tops of Brussels sprouts are even more delicious than the sprouts themselves in my opinion!

I don,t know how old your house is Elmigo but always be prepared for surprises when digging in a new garden, especially if the previous owners were not keen gardeners and didn,t do much excavating when they moved in. The original builders can leave all sorts of rubbish just below the surface when th...

And not a tool, but a willing voluntary helper with a good sense of humour is always a welcome addition, especially if the weather isn,t very nice!

My basic minimum essentials would be: - a sharp spade (straight ended rather than pointed). FOR DIGGING NEW AREAS - a long handled digging fork. (Ladies size for me!j. FOR DIGGING NEW AND EXISTING AREAS - a minimum of two short handled trowels ( because you always put them down and never remember wh...

Have a happy day. Good way to start a new deccade !

Agree. I think in such cases one just has to plough on with one's work and say nicely "You don,t mind if I work while we talk do you, because i,ve got a lot to do in a short time ? One would have to be pretty gormless not to take the hint.