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Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 8:38 pm
by Westi
It is obvious sometimes when you look at the pics & prices like for like, they are exactly the same - what was their thinking? We were loyal to some companies but will move in a blink for value & quality so they might as well just show their hand & stop the overload of the same stuff coming through the door & make it an even playing field & they will save some money too! I actually find myself looking at page 2+ of my search now days to buy seeds that a) cost less & b) germinate!

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 8:03 pm
by Elmigo
While we're getting ready for a new life in a new place, the balcony gardening continues! Today I put a net around my watermelon to prevent it from snapping off too early. I think this is a real mid summer thing...

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Also, all the peppers are getting really close to ripeness and now I'm getting kind of impatient for it. Does anyone harvest JalapeƱo this early? I always see them darkish green in stores but they also get red sometimes.

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Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 8:21 pm
by Westi
We have rain coming - well hopefully, I believe I have got excited with the weather report on many an occasion only to be deeply disappointed! I have empty beds that need digging to get in the late summer stuff in, but in the heat I do not have the energy to struggle with every fork full, if I can actually get the fork in I can't break up the big clods that come up but they do get a little hose but not too much as real plants need it more than a bald plot! Thankfully spud beds do it for me so got a 2nd Runner Bean structure up as the Jazzy (Thanks Pa they are lovely), have been harvested!

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 8:31 pm
by Primrose
Water melon starting to look exciting Elmigo. I only grow Hungarian Wax chillies now which I let turn red before I harvest which is when I understand they achieve full heat. You can harvest chilliest when they're green but generally I think they're contain less heat at that stage. Depends on your palate I guess and how fiery you like them.

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 8:42 am
by Colin2016
I would eat the size you have, find they are not as hot but a good start, you can always add a couple if it's the heat you want.

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:46 am
by Shallot Man
Planted some bare rooted roses rather late in the year. Problem is, our friendly fox keeps digging around the roots for worms. Have tries ground up cooked egg shells. No luck. Weak solution of Jeyes liquid, no luck. Even lime sprinkled around them. No luck. Don't really want to go out and buy netting. Any ideas ? :x :x :x

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:26 am
by retropants
My mum has had to completely fence off her rose bed at the new house, as deer get in and they eat the leaves & the buds, which are a particular favourite of theirs. 4foot chicken wire doesn't look pretty, but you get used to it fairly quickly.

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:34 am
by alan refail
Shallot Man wrote:Planted some bare rooted roses rather late in the year. Problem is, our friendly fox keeps digging around the roots for worms. Have tries ground up cooked egg shells. No luck. Weak solution of Jeyes liquid, no luck. Even lime sprinkled around them. No luck. Don't really want to go out and buy netting. Any ideas ? :x :x :x


How to piss off foxes. Human urine (male) preferably first pee of the day really does deter foxes by marking out a territory which they leave alone. At least it works in the countryside where we are, that is, if there are any foxes left after local farmers have shot them!

https://www.thatsfarming.com/news/keep-foxes-away

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:58 am
by oldherbaceous
They shoot the Foxes around here too, then moan about the amount of Rabbits...

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 10:08 am
by alan refail
oldherbaceous wrote:They shoot the Foxes around here too, then moan about the amount of Rabbits...

There are so few rabbits round here except in the sand dunes. They must shoot them too!

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 11:25 pm
by Stephen
I have had very poor germination from my beetroot this year. Those which did germinate have done well.

As in previous years I have sown directly into the plot. Right next to them, the parsnips have done brilliantly, an absolute bumper crop but will need thinning.

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2019 8:38 am
by Colin2016
Multi sowed different types of beetroot then planted them out with good results...Perhaps that will work for you.

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2019 11:01 am
by Diane
It's raining at last. I'm in the same boat as Westi - parched earth - wilting plants - no raspberries at all and the rhubarb is like concrete.

Just in time to revive the garden before the approaching heatwave again.

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2019 12:42 pm
by Monika
We had some very welcome light rain this morning but now the sun has come out again. Like with you, Westi and Diane, everything is terribly dry. Luckily, with no longer having the allotment and just growing vegetables in the garden at home, we can put on the sprinkler, but nothing beats a good heavy rain shower, does it?

Re: Mid Summer Bits and Bobs.

Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2019 3:38 pm
by oldherbaceous
A steady rain in the night, then a pleasantly warm day, does it for me.....