I grew Cherokee beans from Real Seeds last year for the first time, and was really impressed with them, so they are a "must" from now on. Also growing their Cupidon beans, Sanguina beetroot, and Precoce de Louvier cabbage. The beets are already measuring over an inch in diameter at their t...

Beetroot and runner beans will also give you decent crops if you sow them in the next couple of weeks, also peas for a late crop.
Cheers, Lyn

Thanks for that, Deb.
Cheers, Lyn.

Can someone please explain the difference between "hardneck" and "softneck" garlic? I've got some good-sized bulbs in the garden (bought last autumn from a garden centre and planted in October)which seem ready to harvest now, but I have no idea what "neck" they are. Is ...

Hi Lizzie, If the plants are still fairly small, they "think" they are too young and not ready to reproduce yet. This happened to my plants a couple of years ago, but eventually they started to produce good cucumbers when they finally got going. Also, they may not have been fertilised, and...

Hi Compo - That should be O.K. Once the nettles and water start to smell, it means they have started to break down and rot, and start to be effective. The plants will love it. Some people leave it to ferment for a bit longer, e.g. three weeks or even longer, but that makes the brew more concentrated...

I remember reading an article (can't remember where or when, though) featuring Bob Flowerdew using bones which he burnt to produce a high phosphate (I think) plant fertiliser. Maybe someone else can be a bit more specific on this.
Regards, Lyn

Thanks for that, Allan. In view of what I have read in various articles, I was beginning to wonder if my practice of having saved the runners each year for about 6/7 years was just storing up disaster, but as everything seems to be quite healthy, it seems I don't need to worry after all. Regards, Lyn

Hi Cherrycoop, Here is a recipe for Elderflower Cordial from "The Foody" website. I made it last year, and it keeps really well for ages in the fridge. (Provided the family don't keep helping themselves!) It is nice for making a "spritzer" with a splash of white wine and topped u...

Hi,
I've found that if you leave a stick poking out of the trap the beetles are agile enough to climb up it to escape, but for some reason the slugs don't.
Regards, Lyn

Yes - I find they are a bit like strawberries in that respect, but great for cooking - I use loads of tomatoes in various recipes, so all the surplus goes into polythese bags into the freezer. A propos the "cuttings" mentioned earlier in this thread, when you pinch out the side shoots, jus...

Hi Loz I always grow the carrots in containers. I never have success with them in the ground - the slugs are lying in wait for them the moment they germinate. I just use ordinary B&Q multi-purpose compost in the pots, keep them watered, and feed them every couple of weeks or so with liquid seawe...

Thanks for that, Compo and Tigger. I hadn't realised that the stuff was bio-degradable. I'll be a lot happier using it now. I am still intrigued as to what it is made of, though ...
Lyn

Any advice as to what to do with the old compost from last year's hanging baskets and containers which still have water-retaining gel "globules" in? What is this gel made from? To date last year's old globules have not diminished at all, and I am reluctant to put the compost which contains...

We have had a reasonable crop of curly kale in a small area which only gets the sun in the late afternoon.
Lyn