Thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions. I'm pretty sure a shed or greenhouse will be allowed because there are plots that already have them. you can see them here http://bit.ly/cnT1y3 The whole site has a chain link fence with thick hedgerow around 3 sides. There is a padlock on the gates - so...

I have been on the waiting list for three years - and finally I've reached the top I got a call saying I can have an allotment. Well to be accurate half a plot. I'm chuffed to bits. This is a great time of year to find out as it gives me some time to plan. Next week I'm meeting up with one of the co...

[quote]It is quite worrying the amount of detail you can see if you zoom into some of these photos. It's an ideal tool for burglars and other fraudsters. You could even see the name of our burglar alarm providers on the alarm case, and the location of our security lighting. We've applied to have our...

Every year I enjoy trying out new tomato varieties in my search for the perfect tom. I'm sitting here with all my seed catalogues trying to decide what to buy. Sadly I have only limited space - I can fit 12 plants comfortably in my small garden. So, I tend to grow 4 varieties per year (3 plants of e...

I only bought my replacement covers a few weeks ago. So, not sure if the thicker cover is frost proof ...until next year It certainly seems more durable and looks it will last longer than the original - which perished after a couple of years. When I did some searching for a replacement cover I also ...

I bought my replacement covers - for a 4 tier greenhouse from wilkinsons. They do two versions. £5.99 gets you a thick heavy duty cover - use this link to see it http://tinyurl.com/csus2b or the standard clear PVC cover for £3.99 http://tinyurl.com/cse6ul I bought one of each - the clear one for sum...

I'm pretty sure I read that they had managed to grow 2000 year old seeds found in the pyramids. So, as long as your seed has been stored in a cool dry place - then it might be worth giving them a go. you could try doing a germination test. Place some on kitchen towel and keep it damp and warm. Check...

[quote="IanNW"] Have also decided to grow a few items to attract the gardeners friends, i have some borage (got this from the eden project last year) .....[/quote] Keep an eye on the Borage it will spread everywhere! I put some in our back garden and it seeded itself all over the place. It...

I decided to cover the broad beans with fleece as a precaution. Last year I foolishly left out some tomato and pepper plants and the pigeons nipped the tops of the lot. All I was left with was some sad looking stalks and not much time to start again. so, better safe than sorry with the broad beans. ...

I've a few broad beans (at various stages of growth) still in pots.

Hopefully the weather looks good this week. So, I'd like to plant them out and direct sow a few seeds too - to make up the numbers.

Do I need to protect the pot grown plants from the local pigeon population?

many thanks

Christina

I am led to believe that blue spectrum light is best for this sort of thing. Grow kits are widely available and Envirolites seem to be the new big thing but they are really expensive. lighting can be cataegorised by its colour temperature. Common tungsten lighting produces a warm reddy/orange light...

Why not have the fox shot by a licensed pest controller?It might save a lot of heartache in the long run with a little knowledge of the foxes lifecycle - you'll find this suggestion won't solve your problem. Foxes are territorial. In urban and country areas their territories butt up against each ot...

I have to agree with Compo. I've been on a waiting list for over two years and still no chance of even a half plot. I have a very small garden in London and I grow flowers for the local bumblebees and a few veg for me and the OH. I have space for half a dozen tomato plants, which give us something n...

>> is the lack of light in a black bag an essential element for compost production?<< Hi David If the bag has a few holes in it then some worms will find their way in to help with the composting process. Now, composting worms like to be in the dark - so, I guess they'd prefer a black bin bag to a cl...

This is my first year growing shallots.

some of them have flower spikes forming.
Do I leave them on the plant?

or should I pinch them out so that all the plants' energy goes into making tasty bulbs?

Thanks