Search found 1869 matches

by Stephen
Mon Sep 05, 2022 9:19 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Put your tongue away!
Replies: 7
Views: 2571

Re: Put your tongue away!

:P
by Stephen
Mon Aug 29, 2022 11:29 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Is it time we ditched the word gardening?
Replies: 18
Views: 1243

Re: Is it time we ditched the word gardening?

"Gardening" is a far less baggage laden term than "horticulture". But social media, of which James Wong seems very fond, emphasises the appearance rather than the other wonderful aspects of gardening, the open air, the exercise, the thoughts of what to plant where, the sympathy w...
by Stephen
Mon Aug 29, 2022 11:21 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Late Summer Bits and Bobs, dear Monika.
Replies: 71
Views: 5599

Re: Late Summer Bits and Bobs, dear Monika.

Impossible stuff bindweed, or nearly so. I wrap as much of the growth from the tip downwards in a plastic bag and spray inside then tie the knot tightly. It isn't organic but is effective and very economical and controlled. My experience differs a little, I have found some bindweed withered in this ...
by Stephen
Sun Aug 28, 2022 9:05 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Renting a place within commuting distance to London
Replies: 43
Views: 2815

Re: Renting a place within commuting distance to London

I understand that the housing market is like that and has been for a while. It is also significantly overpriced in large parts of the UK.
by Stephen
Thu Aug 25, 2022 10:56 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 254
Views: 26874

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

I was delighted too, Primrose. Decent rain for most of the morning and damp even the afternoon. But I'll still put a trowel into the ground at the weekend to see how deep into the soil the water has reached.
by Stephen
Thu Aug 25, 2022 10:53 pm
Forum: Harvesting Q&A
Topic: 2022 harvests
Replies: 122
Views: 101334

Re: 2022 harvests

Similarly light crop of potatoes (but I don't weigh them) and very scabby. Supermarkets wouldn't sell them.
by Stephen
Wed Aug 24, 2022 6:19 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 254
Views: 26874

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

It's like Autumn has arrived up here, it's more end of September than August In that leaves are falling here in Hertfordshire because the trees are stressed by the drought, this applies. Blooming hot here and still no rain Yes, as close as undersized underwear (see Clive's post too) and Berkhamsted...
by Stephen
Wed Aug 24, 2022 6:15 pm
Forum: Weeds, Pests and Diseases
Topic: Wasps' nest
Replies: 5
Views: 4591

Re: Wasps' nest

I got stung when I found the nest by accident. It took about a fortnight for the mark to heal.

In the depths of winter I'll dig or at least turn the contents of the bin. I'm certainly not going to try to remove the wasps, they aren't a nuisance. We can put the new fallen leaves in other bins.
by Stephen
Wed Aug 24, 2022 1:40 pm
Forum: Weeds, Pests and Diseases
Topic: Wasps' nest
Replies: 5
Views: 4591

Wasps' nest

This one is in the leaf mould bin (a chicken wire enclosure, so open to air)

I can just leave it until winter but do I need to worry about it when I want to use some of the leaf mould? If my reading is correct then their nests are only used for a single year, so can I dig stuff out in winter?
by Stephen
Wed Aug 24, 2022 1:35 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Happy Birthday.
Replies: 13
Views: 841

Re: Happy Birthday.

Happy birthday
by Stephen
Tue Aug 23, 2022 10:26 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 254
Views: 26874

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

It is so dry on the 'lottie that the bindweed has shriveled. With luck, it might become a victim.
by Stephen
Fri Aug 19, 2022 12:47 pm
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: Giant Pumpkin nesting in my Acer
Replies: 7
Views: 3203

Re: Giant Pumpkin nesting in my Acer

I try to get my squash to climb - but up sticks not into trees!
by Stephen
Fri Aug 19, 2022 12:43 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.
Replies: 254
Views: 26874

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

We cut down the french beans today, they were well past their best and the last couple of pickingings were fit only for soup. I tthink the end of season was brrought forward by the drought but we had an excellent crop off them. My notes are that the yellow "Montegusto" arrive slightly ahea...
by Stephen
Wed Aug 17, 2022 10:12 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Back to Blighty at the end of this week
Replies: 8
Views: 1209

Re: Back to Blighty at the end of this week

I guess this is all at the behest of government.