Search found 722 matches

by sally wright
Thu Jun 25, 2020 6:04 pm
Forum: Tools and Machinery
Topic: Hose Fittings
Replies: 10
Views: 7561

Re: Hose Fittings

Thanks Stephen, I KNEW that those things must have a proper name but I never found or heard it before. We have one at work; but I expect that I had better not call it that because it would cause some confusion with the nut-Driver we already have..... I do however find the socket spanner from a set t...
by sally wright
Thu Jun 25, 2020 12:44 pm
Forum: Tools and Machinery
Topic: Hose Fittings
Replies: 10
Views: 7561

Re: Hose Fittings

Now this is a subject that is etched deep into my heart as I am the one that usually does most of the watering (and fixing of watering equipment!) at work. So here are my thoughts on the subject. Brass fittings are easily available and not that expensive from these chaps. m (a tip, most standard hos...
by sally wright
Tue Jun 23, 2020 3:59 pm
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Planting brassicas
Replies: 10
Views: 3532

Re: Planting brassicas

Dear Compo, I usually just loosen the point in the row where the plants are to go so that I don't sprain my wrist digging the holes to plant them and then wellie them back in. Unless you use a road roller you cannot over firm the soil round a brassica plant. They don't have much in the way of big ro...
by sally wright
Mon Jun 22, 2020 2:44 pm
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Planting brassicas
Replies: 10
Views: 3532

Re: Planting brassicas

Dear All, brassicas do like to be planted deep and firm especially the winter ones or those that will get top heavy such as cabbages and cauliflowers. Up to the first or second pair of true leaves (depending on size and or potential wind velocity) and firm enough that a leaf tears rather than the pl...
by sally wright
Fri Jun 12, 2020 5:30 pm
Forum: Growing Advice for beginners
Topic: Peas and peashoots
Replies: 2
Views: 4631

Re: Peas and peashoots

Dear Bradley, all the garden peas can be used as pea shoots (except sweet peas - they are toxic!). Commercially they are usually grown to between 4 and 6 inches high (10-15cms) and then cut off and eaten. I find that the wrinkled seeded peas are best for this purpose as the round seeded ones are a b...
by sally wright
Fri Jun 12, 2020 4:57 pm
Forum: Ask the team
Topic: Large worms in my waterbutts
Replies: 12
Views: 7358

Re: Large worms in my waterbutts

Dear Mike, what you are seeing is the result of a process called aestivation. This is the summer hibernation of juicy tings in the garden such as worms, slugs and snails etc. When the weather is very dry, worms will try to find a moist place where they can sit out the dry summer. If you dig during d...
by sally wright
Fri Jun 12, 2020 4:51 pm
Forum: Ask the team
Topic: asparagus
Replies: 2
Views: 1368

Re: asparagus

Dear Paul,
pot them up, you'll never find them in the garden at that size once the foliage dies down. Put them in to a cold frame in the Autumn so they can overwinter properly.
Regards Sally Wright.
by sally wright
Fri Jun 12, 2020 4:49 pm
Forum: Ask the team
Topic: Many ants in my peach pot
Replies: 2
Views: 1355

Re: Many ants in my peach pot

Dear Breq, what you are seeing is the summer breeding nest; ants tend to come up above ground to do this as it is often warmer and dryer than the surrounding earth. A large saucer will discourage them the best as they prefer to commute using tunnels if possible. Keep the saucer filled with water if ...
by sally wright
Fri Jun 12, 2020 4:35 pm
Forum: Ask the team
Topic: Crowded Tomatoes
Replies: 3
Views: 1510

Re: Crowded Tomatoes

Dear Fatfrodo, what you could do is make a growbag sized shallow frame about 10cms or four inches deep which you then line with an old sack or polythene. Fill it full of compost (at least another grow bag's worth) and slide the bag with the tomatoes on top. The tomatoes as they grow will root down i...
by sally wright
Wed Jun 03, 2020 8:35 pm
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: Tomato conundrum
Replies: 11
Views: 8961

Re: Tomato conundrum

Dear Tracie, from what you have said this is a problem that started a couple of years ago. The tomatoes were fine before this? If this is so then it might be the polytunnel that is to blame. Or rather the plastic cover is. This is because as plastics degrade over time the light wavelengths they allo...
by sally wright
Sun May 31, 2020 7:41 pm
Forum: Cooking tips
Topic: A recomended toaster?
Replies: 10
Views: 6023

Re: A recomended toaster?

When going to choose a toaster it is ESSENTIAL to do the following. Get a piece of card and place upon it a slice of your usual loaf. Draw round the slice and cut out the slice shape. Take this template with you to the shop and test it in the toasters. If the card "slice" doesn't fit don't...
by sally wright
Mon May 25, 2020 1:00 pm
Forum: Growing Advice for beginners
Topic: monterey cypress seed propagation
Replies: 8
Views: 5899

Re: monterey cypress seed propagation

Dear Jules,
sadly the ones that float are usually hollow and un-fertilised. Sorry.
Regards Sally Wright.
by sally wright
Sun May 24, 2020 10:37 pm
Forum: Growing Advice for beginners
Topic: monterey cypress seed propagation
Replies: 8
Views: 5899

Re: monterey cypress seed propagation

Dear Jules, the water does not need to be hot! Please read the instructions again. After you take the seeds out of the water dry their exterior with a bit of paper towel and then put them into the plastic bag. Most tree seeds germinate on the forest floor so full sun is probably not necessary. Pre-c...
by sally wright
Sun May 24, 2020 2:16 pm
Forum: Growing Advice for beginners
Topic: monterey cypress seed propagation
Replies: 8
Views: 5899

Re: monterey cypress seed propagation

Dear Jules, look up www.treeseedonline.com They have a detailed method of germination to follow. The two things I think you have missed out on are the 24 hour soak before putting the seeds in the fridge and the maintenance of high humidity after sowing (I recommend putting the pot in a plastic bag)....
by sally wright
Fri May 15, 2020 10:18 am
Forum: Ask the team
Topic: Where to find iron and manganese?
Replies: 2
Views: 1611

Re: Where to find iron and manganese?

Dear Elmigo, A good quality tomato food which includes trace elements is probably your easiest way of obtaining the manganese as it is not usually sold as an individual trace element for home use. Tomato foods also contain the iron and magnesium that you need. There are organic versions of tomato fo...