Search found 635 matches

by JohnN
Mon Sep 20, 2021 4:33 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Please can we have some more 'funnies'?
Replies: 1388
Views: 623198

Re: Please can we have some more 'funnies'?

A group of us were chatting in a Tottenham pub, one of whom was Jimmy Greaves. Noting the copious quantities of wine Jimmy was consuming, one of the group said "I don't know where you put all that wine, Jimmy". He replied "Well, the left leg's for red wine, and the right leg's for whi...
by JohnN
Sun Sep 12, 2021 3:56 pm
Forum: Cooking tips
Topic: Storing pasta sauces
Replies: 14
Views: 10921

Re: Storing pasta sauces

Doesn't really matter what type of apple, Primrose. If it's one from our garden then it's a Bramley, but if a bought one it will probably be a Cox or similar.
by JohnN
Sun Sep 12, 2021 9:40 am
Forum: Cooking tips
Topic: Storing pasta sauces
Replies: 14
Views: 10921

Re: Storing pasta sauces

Primrose, what a pity you chucked the mixture - it would have been a great soup. I always add an apple to my leek and potato soup, it gives it a "kick"!
by JohnN
Sat Sep 11, 2021 4:11 pm
Forum: Cooking tips
Topic: Storing pasta sauces
Replies: 14
Views: 10921

Re: Storing pasta sauces

Point taken, Primrose, I'd missed the first comment about freezer space. My first purchase after I got married and we bought a bungalow with a garden was to buy a freezer - 16 cu ft Beekay chest freezer, which I once nearly fell into!
by JohnN
Sat Sep 11, 2021 2:52 pm
Forum: Cooking tips
Topic: Storing pasta sauces
Replies: 14
Views: 10921

Re: Storing pasta sauces

I just wonder if, rather than go through the complicated procedure with Kilner jars, one can't just freeze the sauce in plastic boxes, or even bags?
by JohnN
Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:01 pm
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Non peat based composts
Replies: 28
Views: 14201

Re: Non peat based composts

My compost heap worms are mostly "brandlings", the little worms with yellow rings on. Are they useful, or not? They don't smell very nice!
by JohnN
Thu Jul 15, 2021 4:14 pm
Forum: Best practices
Topic: Use of well composted horse manure in the veggie plot
Replies: 9
Views: 5616

Re: Use of well composted horse manure in the veggie plot

I use chicken manure pellets by soaking them in water for a day or so and then using just the liquid. Even then I find foxes digging holes where I'v poured it. I guess they're disappointed!
by JohnN
Sun Jul 04, 2021 11:03 am
Forum: Weeds, Pests and Diseases
Topic: Blight
Replies: 11
Views: 7880

Re: Blight

Thanks all for your comments. I dug up one of the yellowing Arun Pilots and the crop was fine - a reasonable yield of medium and small "earlies", some of which are going to grace today's lunch table of fresh grilled salmon!
by JohnN
Sat Jul 03, 2021 9:45 am
Forum: Weeds, Pests and Diseases
Topic: Blight
Replies: 11
Views: 7880

Blight

The leaves on some of my potatoes (Arun Pilot & Desiree) are going yellow. Is this blight? I don't want to dig them up if they are still OK. I did spray with Bordeaux Mixture a month ago, but it may have been washed off by the rain. Thanks for any advice.
by JohnN
Tue Jun 08, 2021 4:31 pm
Forum: Ask the team
Topic: Mystery cucumber
Replies: 1
Views: 3337

Mystery cucumber

Can anyone tell me what kind of cucumber plant a "Minik" is. I bought it today from Waitrose and it's labelled as a Suttons product, but I cannot find it anywhere on their website. I tried phoning Suttons, but was just placed in a queue (at 7p a minute!) with no idea how long I was going t...
by JohnN
Mon Apr 26, 2021 9:33 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Please can we have some more 'funnies'?
Replies: 1388
Views: 623198

Re: Please can we have some more 'funnies'?

Sent to me by a friend: When one door closes and another door opens, you are probably in prison. * * * * * * * * * * * * To me, "drink responsibly" means don't spill it. * * * * * * * * * * * * Age 60 might be the new 40, but 9:00 pm is the new midnight. * * * * * * * * * * * * It's the st...
by JohnN
Mon Apr 12, 2021 3:49 pm
Forum: Tools and Machinery
Topic: Free roller
Replies: 0
Views: 9688

Free roller

I have a 3cwt Ironcrete lawn roller, in poor but usable condition. Free to anyone who can collect from Gatwick area.
by JohnN
Wed Jan 13, 2021 3:18 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Interesting Facts?
Replies: 26
Views: 4590

Re: Interesting Facts?

A couple of interesting "facts" - can't guarantee their validity. Just near Stony Stratford , on the road to Banbury, is a village with two pubs. One is the Cock, which was used as a coach horse change point, the other the Bull. One night there was a fire at the Cock, with many guests maki...
by JohnN
Sat Aug 22, 2020 3:43 pm
Forum: Best practices
Topic: re-using pickling vinegar
Replies: 2
Views: 1730

re-using pickling vinegar

I'm busy pickling beetroot with Sarsons Pickling vinegar, but it can get quite expensive. Is it OK to save the vinegar from the previous year's pots and re-use it, perhaps with a "freshener"? I expect the seasonings in the old vinegar will have lost some of their strength.
by JohnN
Thu Apr 23, 2020 9:46 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Only ‘old’ compost available
Replies: 11
Views: 3277

Re: Only ‘old’ compost available

Welcome Petunia. My wife and I love the Norfolk coast and have friends in Fakenham. Just one comment on responses to your posts: If you use chicken manure pellets, I find they take aeons to break down so I always soak them for several days and then just use the liquid. But our experts may have other...