I wouldn't have thought you needed it for tomatoes. I think I've seen it on TV (probably Chris Beardshaw on Beechgrove) that using leafmould is almost the same effect and a lot cheaper. I make all my potting composts using leafmould in place of peat.

Might be a foreign posting by the time he finishes it!

No spawn yet but water "boils" with frogs when you walk past the pond (but no sign of a yeti).

Clive shouldn’t have mentioned Skoda, brought back the horror month I’ve just had. The day my wife had a doctors’ appointment I went to the car and found the clutch pedal of my beloved Skoda flat on the floor. Thought it something simple so got it taken to an outfit that do clutches and brakes and t...

Have a good day and enjoy the match, I wonder which Wales will turn up.

Soggy here too. Snow yesterday and ½" rain overnight to wash it away. It is strange we often see Bullfinches briefly at this time of year then never later.

Bit of a treat on the bird table the last few days with a handsome Bullfinch.

Definitely not lime, potatoes hate lime and it creates scab. My old book says cut at planting time and plant them cut side down onto the compost or manure that is lining the trench. The simplest solution for another year is to find somewhere that sells seed potatoes loose so you don't end up with ov...

Apologies didn't notice the double hole. That almost suggests it takes mains which is a bit unusual. PS : As it is still sold you might be able to look at one in a shop and work out if it is simply a mains lead or a charger that plugs in. PPS : forget that I see the B&D website says "Includ...

Anyone for string? I looked around for a new supply of garden string and, like with most things, I was horrified by the prices. In the end I went bulk buy and it has been delivered today and looks excellent. So if you don't mind stocking up try https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325753669001

It looks to me like you need a power supply with 12V DC output. Have a look through the power supplies you have for different things, if the round connector fits then look at label and see if it is 12 volts, it probably will be. Most of the ones I've found listed that say they are compatible with B&...

My wife makes masses of preserves, taught by her grandmother so probably been doing it for nearly 70 years. A small amount of bottled fruit, plum family mainly and occasional pears. Jams from soft fruit; we grow strawberries, red and black currants, loganberries, blackberries, blueberries, gooseberr...

The sad thing is how few trees are being replaced. There's lots of effort put into creating woods and wildlife corridors but I think the specimen trees in old parkland or fields and odd trees left to develop in hedgerows are what make the landscape. The hedge flails that block drains and puncture ty...

Are these direct sown peas? I stopped trying direct sowing years ago and use rootrainers instead and don't lose many apart from when a rabbit got to them. I sow two per cell.

At least cookie nag gone and I can go back to the dark side, thanks!