Thanks - I'll get a big bag of "ordinary" sugar then.

Pardon my ignorance but whats the difference between this and"real" sugar ?

The pickled gherkins are turning white in the jars - have I done anything wrong ?

Me too - had a look this morning and don't think I can eat whats there quickly enough (especially as its been raining these last few days).

Belinda,
Thanks for that I will take them out and let the rest grow.
I'll remember for next time !

I'm cropping lots too have run out of jars, some are going yellw after grren is this OK ?

At last, loads of rain - it absolutely hammered it down, got drenched going outside to see how quickly the butts were filling. By the time I got there they were full!
Next year will have to get more and link them up properly.

From the arid parts of Surrey

I pickled my first ever batch of gherkins ans shallots on Saturday. Folloowed the instructions to heat but not boil in brine for 10 mins, allow to cool, put in the jar and cover with vinegar. I now have 1 litre of mushy shallots and 1/2 litre of mushy gherkins - what have I done wrong ? I will get m...

ter one from the Draper range as it has adapyers for 1/2" hose (standard hosepipe) and is a bit cheaper - you may be able to get it delivered to your friendly Draper stockist

http://www.draper.co.uk/Pages/Pagesource/p405.pdf

Machine Mart have a cheap drill powered pump (use cordless on the plot) suitable for transferring water to your butt if hoses are not allowed. Would also be OK for filling water butts from the bath for those of us with downstairs bathrooms.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.as ... 2165&g=122

Agreed I will have to remember where they are but I was considering it for relatively small beds with minimal digging after they are in (trowel rather than a spade) also putting it 6 - 8" deep should be OK I think. Soaker hose would be OK but I live in the Middle East (of Surrey) with deserts a...

Not quite soaker hoses but I am seeking individual opinions (not necessarily facts) on an idea; With the talk of watering at the roots of plants in this heat with the upturned drinks bottles / directed pipe etc. I am considering "underground reservoirs" along the lines below. When I dig up...

I thought around £7 for 100 plants inc delivery was pretty good value !

Are these going to end up HUGE or normal or thin ?
What size can they be first harvested (assuming they dont cook in the ground first) ?
I'm hoping we can have some fresh dug ones for Xmas lunch.

I've read the article but could not find reference to "Rami" these were in the KG "Special Readers Offers" (got 100 planted out and felt they should have at least got a mention !

I've voted "Partly" for the following reasons; lack of rain, the general public in taking for granted the fact that they use drinking water to flush the loo and clean the windows / cars / patios (and water golf courses, football pitches, race courses) and watering plants the water companie...