Old Herbaceous, thanks - that might well be the answer.....oh well

Alan, you've misunderstood me - what I meant was, I've only just pulled out last year's (perpetual) spinach and planted out the seedlings I sowed this year - which are (?true) spinach rather than leaf beet or whatever you want to call it.......

I only just got last year's (perpetual) spinach out, yet the new plants I've planted out are bolting already - any offers as to why? not enough shade is the only obvious difference I can think of.........

no, you're definitely not the only one disappointed with T&M - I ordered holly trees via a tabloid newspaper offer and was expecting them to arrive as specified in the order form in time for Christmas, the idea being that they should be part of the Christmas decorations. Nothing till late Januar...

try Monty Don - that's assuming you respect him as a gardener, which I do; also, Geoff Hamilton's A Year in your Garden is excellent if you can find a copy any more; Carol Klein's Grow your own Veg is another good starter book.

nice to know I'm not the only gardener who defines themselves by football <g>

well Johnboy if you WILL go to Leominster for anything what do you expect? (ducking) sorry; I liked what I saw of Leominster the only time I was there - spent a night at the Youth Hostel, a couple of years ago.

thanks - I'll give it a couple more weeks to break down a bit more; I'm just a touch worried it might be too high nitrogen?

just rediscovered an old bucket of these things which has split and allowed water in, resulting in an unholy lump of extremely smelly stuff; would anyone think I could dig this into my veg patch without adverse results?

Old Herbaceous - if you mean it about sharing the seeds I'd be very grateful; also, knowing what this is has filled a gap in my gardening knowledge. I have the video of the 'Victorian Kitchen Garden' produced by the bbc about 20 years ago and the gardener in that Harry Dodson was trying to obtain se...

where did you get the couve tronchuda seeds, please?

I wish you luck in finding a home for the cockerel - wish I could say I would take him, but from South Wales to Milton Keynes isn't exactly very feasible...

taste being such a subjective thing, can I suggest you try a different type each year till you find one you really like the taste of?

hi Kevin. not sure of the model number now but it is a Parasene one with a double wick and a 'chimney' to diffuse the heat; and I don't THINK I turned the wick up - I only lit one - more than millimeters more than I normally set it if any more.

man called Paddy Fraser is being pestered by his priest for not coming to Mass and then one day for the first time in years he turns up; the priest congratulates him, but is told that in fact he'd come for one reason alone: someone has stolen his hat and he wants to know who's got it and he is going...