I've been using bran this year which seems to work against slugs in two ways. When it is dry they don't like to cross it as it is rough. When it is wet the cross it but also seem to eat it, which fills them up before they get to your plants. I also use beeer traps religously, even more effective is ...

Hi. Yes would have to agree sounds like shin splints. It happens when you have a sudden increase in (usually) high impact (running/jumping) activities (I'm sure banging your foot down on a spade end repeatedly could cause this). The muscles on the front of the shin grow too quickly to accomodate for...

I am currently trying to distinguish between some of my pumpkins and my corgettes. My husband just sighs and says "I told you so". But honestly at the time they were all seperated. Anyway, easily done. You're not on your own.

Tara

Thanks for the advice. I'll stick with this site. All of you have not failed me yet. I'll let you know in a couple of months how I got on.

Tara

See I wasn't mad. This is from m 'In crop rotation, leeks follow lettuce, cabbage or peas, but it is not a good idea to plant them immediately after lifting early potatoes. This is because the soil will be too loose and disturbed and leeks do best on a firm soil. ' I'll trust you guys and not the we...

Well maybe I dreamt it! I was searching around on the internet and books and I am sure I read somewhere about not followning potatoes with leeks. Can't remember why though. Maybe I will try it. Can I use the barrels then as a seed bed, then put the seedlings into the potato plot once the new potatoe...

That's funny because one of the things I read was that you shouldn't put leeks where your spuds had been. That would certainly be an option, but I think I may stick with the container idea. Certainly a lot less hassle as I can sow in situ and avoid transplanting etc. Getting a bit tired of all that ...

Just had another thought. Could I grow them in containers (large barrells cut in half)? I still have a few empty ones that we haven't assigned a purpose to. What do you think?

Tara

Thanks for the prompt reply. The info regarding Zermatt is that they will tolerate frost/winter temps, so hopefully will be ok on that aspect. Not sure where else I can put them on the plot though. Why can't they follow the onions, is it disease potential? What would leeks normally follow (in an ide...

Is it too late to start my leeks? They were kind of an after thought as I recieved some free seeds (Swiss Giant Zermatt). Ideally I would like to start them indoor (modules?) and then transplant them once I lift my overwintered onions. Is this wise? Any thoughts as always greatly appreciated. Tara

Hi. I also sowed my butternuts about a fortnight ago and was starting to think that they weren't going to show. I too had a poke around in the soil and now about half have started to come up. Maybe it's just a matter of waiting or maybe the poking about helped. I have also sown winter festival, nice...

Thanks all of you. Thought this subject was about dead. What a great response. All has been very useful info. I may experiment a bit and not pinch out one plant and see what happens. However as all are going outside soon, don't expect it'll extend my season much longer. Thanks again for all the help...

Hi all, I've planted nasturtiums in a tray indoors in order to get a few early flowers to put in salads. They are looking quite tall and healthy now, but I'm wondering if it is neccessary to prick them out and put into pots, or could I leave them in the tray, harden off and plant out soon. I am runn...

Mine died too this winter. It was fine until the snow we had in March. I then saw that Monty had lost his as well on GW and didn't feel so bad. However I believe if you have a bit of green on the tips of the leaves you can sink the plant in to a pot and cover with soil leaving only the green tips sh...

I have grown tomatoes a few times over the years, but I don't think I ever really get this whole "pinching out" business right. I'm never sure I'm pinching the right bit. Diagrams, drawings etc would be useful if you know of any. Also, which types really need this (or other pruning). The t...