Search found 63 matches

by Urban Fox
Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:01 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: You win some and...
Replies: 6
Views: 2359

Re: You win some and...

Geoff

which weather service are you using? The one you posted looks interesting.

I used to like met check

http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/HOBBIES/gardening.asp

but it has an intermittent bug and instead of todays weather - you see it was frosty in March!
by Urban Fox
Sun Jun 03, 2012 10:49 am
Forum: Weeds, Pests and Diseases
Topic: Mass of worms in compost bin
Replies: 11
Views: 4470

Re: Mass of worms in compost bin

There are other reasons why worms clump into a ball. Usually it is because they are feeling a bit stressed. Typical things that cause balling are:- >>They are too cold - not likely at the moment >>Too warm >>Too wet - is your bin covered? >>Composting material they don't like - onions and oranges Th...
by Urban Fox
Wed May 30, 2012 12:42 am
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: Enouragement for those with lanky tomato seedlings
Replies: 8
Views: 5108

Re: Enouragement for those with lanky tomato seedlings

Don't forget when you prick out your tomato seedlings, for potting on, you can plant them quite low down in the pot. I usually put the seed leaves to the level of the compost. Then when you plant them out in the soil you can plant them deep again. They will grow roots along the stem which makes them...
by Urban Fox
Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:27 am
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: SWEET PEAS
Replies: 6
Views: 4667

Re: SWEET PEAS

Compo

you might want to take a look at what this guy is doing

http://www.allotment-diary.co.uk/April- ... guide.html

you'll need to scroll a good way down the page to 21st April..

he has the usual A-frame - but hangs chicken wire down for his peas to grow up.

looks interesting - I might give it a try too.
by Urban Fox
Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:17 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: The perfect shed
Replies: 17
Views: 6300

Re: The perfect shed

Many thanks for all the great replies. At the moment I'm still planning I want to get some preservative on it - but it hasn't stopped raining long enough to do anything here. interestingly - I was chatting to some of the other plot holders about shed security. Some lock up their shed - while others ...
by Urban Fox
Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:47 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: The perfect shed
Replies: 17
Views: 6300

The perfect shed

I now feel like a proper allotmenteer - As I now have a beautiful new shed. It arrived this morning, with two lads who put it up for me. It is a thing of beauty (all 8ft X6ft) Trouble is - it is raining. so I'm sitting at home watching the rain and dreaming about how to kit out the shed. I'll need a...
by Urban Fox
Fri Mar 23, 2012 5:13 pm
Forum: Seasonal tips
Topic: Best source of Frost warnings
Replies: 16
Views: 11210

Re: Best source of Frost warnings

I love m They have a Hobbies section - which is great - because you want different weather forecasts if you are surfing, looking at the stars or down on the allotment. The gardening section gives the usual Max and Min temps - but also SOIL temp... very handy when you're waiting to sow carrot seeds. ...
by Urban Fox
Thu Jan 12, 2012 12:42 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: rabbits!!!
Replies: 5
Views: 2241

Re: rabbits!!!

I have now asked my neighbour's lad to try with his ferret.
Any more ideas?


Foxes ;-)
by Urban Fox
Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:17 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Stolen pipework
Replies: 4
Views: 1680

Stolen pipework

I just received the following email from our allotment site manager. Seems someone has been stealing the metal pipes from the site. What a rotten bit of news for the new year. I suspect that will mean an increase in rent to pay for replacements to be fitted... probably only to be stolen again. I sus...
by Urban Fox
Fri Dec 02, 2011 12:57 am
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Allotment Rent
Replies: 14
Views: 4028

Re: Allotment Rent

My half plot is £50 per year.

Considering the new gym that has opened locally is £15.99 a month - I consider £50 a year rent good value for all the fresh air and exercise I'm getting digging out bindweed :D

maybe we should have a poll to see who pays the most and who is gets a bargain.
by Urban Fox
Wed Nov 02, 2011 6:40 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Is your shed a little dark?
Replies: 3
Views: 1918

Is your shed a little dark?

See what can be done to light up a dark shed.

a brilliant but simple idea

http://www.permaculture.co.uk/videos/03 ... tic-bottle
by Urban Fox
Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:13 am
Forum: Harvesting Q&A
Topic: Red Chard
Replies: 6
Views: 3427

Re: Red Chard

"fibrous and slimy, with that oppressive earthy taste,"

Alan - you don't have a part time job for the chard marketing board do you? :lol:

maybe I'll take Monika's advice and just grow a small amount.

thanks
by Urban Fox
Sat Oct 22, 2011 2:10 pm
Forum: Harvesting Q&A
Topic: Red Chard
Replies: 6
Views: 3427

Red Chard

We had a nice day out at Osterly park last week and they have a lovely walled kitchen garden. They had red chard dotted around. The bright red stems agains the dark green leaf looked so beautiful. So, I was thinking of growing some next year. But, I've never eaten chard before. So, I was wondering -...
by Urban Fox
Fri Oct 21, 2011 9:31 pm
Forum: General chatter
Topic: Does growing your own save money?
Replies: 45
Views: 13052

Re: Does growing your own save money?

"The lottie is an enjoyable theraputic extra in a hectic and sometimes unpleasant world.." I agree with tangoman. I enjoy gardening and still get that childish joy from getting seeds to sprout and grow. My day job involves lots of technology (which I also love). But the allotment is a welc...
by Urban Fox
Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:46 pm
Forum: Harvesting Q&A
Topic: Help! Knee deep in apples...
Replies: 2
Views: 2613

Re: Help! Knee deep in apples...

I noticed the allotment holder a few rows down from me has chopped up a lot of windfall apples and put them on the soil surface - I guess the worms will dig them in. I have a wormery so, I'm putting chapped up bruised windfalls in the bin for them. alternatively you could dig a bean trench which wou...