Hi,

I agree with Monica and I use tomato feed. I use it a couple of times a week (when I remember) when the plants start fruiting.

And don't forget, if your plants are kept inside, you may need to play at being bee and polinate them with a small paintbrush/ make up brush.

Pawty

Hi, I always wear gloves - I have rhs leather ones which were a gift and various others but my favourite are from Aldi - I buy a few pairs to cover the year when they are in. Always wear wellies - I'm a hunter fan (sorry), but The fit is perfect for me and they come in fantastic colours!!!! Love my ...

Hi, All of the plants which I kept inside in the bedroom windows have lots of chillies on. The ones on the patio in pots have just started to fruit. The ones down the lotty are looking very sorry for them selves. I put them out before the storm a few weeks ago and the took a bit of a battering. But,...

Hi, Pulled mine up at the weekend. Around 20 ok and out drying. But had rust. Half of the crop had been impacted by the deadly onion rot which The lotty has been suffering with for a few years and knew it would be a risk to try again - but worth it as we love fresh garlic. I think it was introduced ...

Hi, Thin base is the way to go. Toppings - that's a whole different topic. But personally, I think the key is keeping it simple. Not too many ingredients. But, having the lotty, makes us have to be creative. Tomatoes are a must, and nothing beats a sauce made from those off the lotty with fresh herb...

Hi,

Well there you go. Walking to the lotty after work today and look what I found on the canal path! Same place I saw the slow worm - what a haven for wildlife. To be fair- She wasn't overly happy at having her picture taken... in fact was a bit angry!

Hi, Yes, easy once you know how - and just 2 ingredients - egg and flour! Mix, knead, chill, roll and ta da! Fresh yummy pasta. I'll let you know how the gnocchi goes. Out of intestest, we made pizza a couple of weeks ago. Aldi had a special offer on flour and I couldn't resist trying the Italian pi...

Not as much as I should. But my favourite time is when it's really quite on the lotty and I've spent a couple hours digging. I sit in the middle of it (literally on the ground!), drink my flask of soup, listen to the birds, sit back and feel really proud about what I've just achieved, thinking about...

Good looking bread as always ... Slightly different but I had a go at making pappardelle! It was really good and so easy. Key was the flour (tipo '00') and Kneading the pasta dough fOr a good while. I have a pasta maker which I love ( absolutely love gadgets like this - perfectly designed and no nee...

Hi, Also planted wasabi rocket! I fed some to Mr Pawty as 'micro' salad..... it's pretty hot but has a lovely flavour. I keep a trug thing in the back garden for growing cut and come again salad. I sprinkle lots of different seed and see what grows - it's a great way of using a small space. I grow '...

Hi,

As an update, I put them outside and gave them some feed - they survived and are ready to be planted out! The dead wilted centres grew out. All they needed was a bit of time and tlc. Now this big question.... will we get cobs (before the mice do!).

Pawty

Hi,

Apparently there's a stag beetle survey going on. Link below on how to identify and report - going to keep my eyes out for them. Can't believe they spend their first 5- 7 years underground, emerge, find a mate, and then that's it!

https://ptes.org/campaigns/stag-beetles ... tle-facts/

Pawty

Hi,

Yes, a very lovely slow worm. We get them at the lotty - they love to live under the black plastic sheeting to take advantage of the heat. I always remove the sheets carefully, with Mr Pawty at the ready with his camera!

Stag Beatles- they sound pretty cool.

Pawty

Walking back from the lotty today I came across this little fellow crossing the canal path. I stayed while he crossed to make sure he didn't get squashed by any bikes. Love finding them - sign of a heathy environment.

Pawty

Hi,

I would say every other seed germinated - picture below to show what they look like. The test will be whether we get fruit!

Pawty