Was having trouble getting channels especially the radio channels on theT.V.Nothing wrong with boxes so put it down to the weather.Son-in-law suggested it might be the treeline.So I checked as it seems that the hedging around the house has put on a lot growth this year.
Sure enough a problem! A grape vine from next door had clambered over a pyracanthus,through a camellia and up and over the fig tree and wrapped itself around the satellite dish!Adistance of about 25ft.Needless to say out came the ladders and secateurs and vine has been cut back to the boundary.Hooray I have Classic FM back on line!!!
Summer bits and bobs.
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retropants
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Dear Westi, that all sounds amazing! We've had a couple of cucumbers already,a nd the cherry toms are almost there. Most of my lettuc ehave also bolted, even though I have been watering them diligently. The greenhouse has little aubergines and peppers forming and the chillies are already producing prolifically. The sweetcorn looks a bit sad, but some tassles have emerged at last. My mum gave me 4 plants from her tray. Hers (West Dorset) are 8ft tall, no kidding, with at least 3 cobs forming on each. Mine are about waist high, spindly and only 3 cobs from the 4 plants forming. I thought they were supposed to like it hot!!
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AdrienneRobinson
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Some decent rain here this morning - really happy to see that. Most of my lettuces have bolted now as well but I thought I’d leave one to flower and set seed as a bit of an experiment. I’ve got some more going but they need to be a bit bigger before I plant them out.
No cucumbers or tomatoes yet but I think the tomatoes shouldn’t be too long now.
My Japanese Wineberries have started cropping early this year and I always get a good amount of fruit off them, which I freeze and it keeps us going for months and months. (They freeze well and don’t collapse like my raspberries always seem to when defrosted).
Also picked 2 lovely calabrese and left the plants to hopefully produce some lovely side shoots.
No cucumbers or tomatoes yet but I think the tomatoes shouldn’t be too long now.
My Japanese Wineberries have started cropping early this year and I always get a good amount of fruit off them, which I freeze and it keeps us going for months and months. (They freeze well and don’t collapse like my raspberries always seem to when defrosted).
Also picked 2 lovely calabrese and left the plants to hopefully produce some lovely side shoots.
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Westi
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Pleased to see the weather report has stopped talking about another heat wave, it is really draining working in the heat. Hoping to finish the sows planned but got to get some self control & leave the weeds alone & catch up with them when all the sows completed, just can't help myself though! We had some rain this morning which was light but around for an hour or so & then followed by some frisky wind for the rest of the day.
I probably won't get anything netted tomorrow as wind is still going to be around but at least direct sows so not needed immediately & will make for a quicker job. I hope the wasps are less active with the wind around as would like to rake up the falls & try to rescue any Plum Beauties that they haven't had a taste of as the way they are going all the fruit will have squatters!
I probably won't get anything netted tomorrow as wind is still going to be around but at least direct sows so not needed immediately & will make for a quicker job. I hope the wasps are less active with the wind around as would like to rake up the falls & try to rescue any Plum Beauties that they haven't had a taste of as the way they are going all the fruit will have squatters!
Westi
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Cider Boys
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I had a quiet day, started lifting my onions this morning then fell asleep after lunch.
A reminder for any dog owners to check between their dog's paw pads for wild barley seeds that are dry and prevalent this time of year. I found some on three of my dog's legs. They can enter their blood stream and work themselves towards vital organs. Working spaniels and collies are prone to getting them attached between their toes. I also keep finding them getting into my socks.
Keep cool.
Barney
A reminder for any dog owners to check between their dog's paw pads for wild barley seeds that are dry and prevalent this time of year. I found some on three of my dog's legs. They can enter their blood stream and work themselves towards vital organs. Working spaniels and collies are prone to getting them attached between their toes. I also keep finding them getting into my socks.
Keep cool.
Barney
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Westi
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Very little progress today as lots of time wasted finding & re-securing the netting that had blown off in the wind we had, but all done & going nowhere now as got the delivery of more metal pins. I didn't need them as used bricks I collected, but a lot of them have disappeared. Not to worry though as expect their will be a few bricks left over when the builders relay the paths & I'll hide them better!
Thanks for the warning on the seeds Barney. Thankfully the dog does not go via the woods now after attacks from other uncontrolled dogs, but loads of 'seeded/wilded' areas over there. The council sell it as encouraging wildlife & bees etc but I think the truth is more likely trying to reduce costs. These co-joined councils meant the good ones doing their job well now have to support the failing ones. Fortunately our plot being so close to the Hampshire border it was given to them to manage so not Bournemouth council & they just do the admin stuff & leave the committee get on with doing what they do best but they pop down to say Hi & join in events.
Thanks for the warning on the seeds Barney. Thankfully the dog does not go via the woods now after attacks from other uncontrolled dogs, but loads of 'seeded/wilded' areas over there. The council sell it as encouraging wildlife & bees etc but I think the truth is more likely trying to reduce costs. These co-joined councils meant the good ones doing their job well now have to support the failing ones. Fortunately our plot being so close to the Hampshire border it was given to them to manage so not Bournemouth council & they just do the admin stuff & leave the committee get on with doing what they do best but they pop down to say Hi & join in events.
Westi
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Clive.
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Peas are easier than broad beans ... the beans ,they have a sense of humour as to which way is best to approach them... 
Hedge cutting at home today....long beech hedge trimmed side and top and carted to the compost heap...one bag of sweepings to go and then that's sorted.... Seems earlier than last year and feels back to about the time we used to do it. Loads of growth...but will be there be another growth surge after we get rain.?? Hopefully only enough of to put a few fresh leaves on and not too much as like to cut beech only once a year...
Using a Viking hedgetrimmer...2002 electric model, I add...not a Viking axe
C.
Hedge cutting at home today....long beech hedge trimmed side and top and carted to the compost heap...one bag of sweepings to go and then that's sorted.... Seems earlier than last year and feels back to about the time we used to do it. Loads of growth...but will be there be another growth surge after we get rain.?? Hopefully only enough of to put a few fresh leaves on and not too much as like to cut beech only once a year...
Using a Viking hedgetrimmer...2002 electric model, I add...not a Viking axe
C.
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oldherbaceous
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I cut a large Laurel hedge today but, I know that will need cutting again later in the year…..might try an axe next time….lol
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.
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Cider Boys
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I have now cut down all my laurel and it will all spring back again unless I take some glyphosate to the stumps. Finished lifting most of my onions, I have two thirds of them in the greenhouse and the remaining third in the outside porch. Despite my eldest son having some rain on Exmoor he has had to take bowsers of water to his cattle since the bore holes have run dry. I am in a rain shadow area and have not had any meaningful rain for months. Local farmers have all been busy with their combines but they are not baling much straw owing to the stems being so short. I would not be surprised to learn of a straw shortage this year. The weather and life all seemed better in the fifties, or is that just me?
Barney
Barney
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oldherbaceous
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We are predicted huge storms tomorrow with warning of flooding…..suppose we will get the last three months of rain, in one day, and that’s not good.
Very hot again here today….going to lift my Autumn planted onions, in a little while, why they are nice and dry!
Very hot again here today….going to lift my Autumn planted onions, in a little while, why they are nice and dry!
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.
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Clive.
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Yes, I just looked at the forecast again...looks a wet lot.!
A few days ago we were only predicted an hour of rain for Saturday, 10am hour...now they've had a rethink and it's many hours of, it suggests...
Just dug up my few Maris Peer and collected the Early Onward pea seed..
...and tally with the very warm.... I'm pleased I got the hedge done yesterday as no where near such a pleasant workable day today...
C.
A few days ago we were only predicted an hour of rain for Saturday, 10am hour...now they've had a rethink and it's many hours of, it suggests...
Just dug up my few Maris Peer and collected the Early Onward pea seed..
...and tally with the very warm.... I'm pleased I got the hedge done yesterday as no where near such a pleasant workable day today...
C.
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Clive.
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I've just put in 3 short rows of, quite tiny, leeks filling just under half the area where the Maris Peer were lifted from.
...and taken delivery of a feed of french beans.....and assorted other goodies including some beetroot..two of which are in the microwave heading in a sandwich direction for tea...quite high 'air miles' these...or rather Honda road miles all the way from Shropshire from an allotment where Radeo peas are grown
C.
...and taken delivery of a feed of french beans.....and assorted other goodies including some beetroot..two of which are in the microwave heading in a sandwich direction for tea...quite high 'air miles' these...or rather Honda road miles all the way from Shropshire from an allotment where Radeo peas are grown
C.
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Westi
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General confusion as usual with the weather! A warning has been issued for tomorrow for rain, thunder & lightening but the BBC page shows sunny intervals & a moderate breeze with only one reference to lightning at 4am! It will be a wait & see tomorrow then; but I do hope we get some proper rain & they will appreciate a bit of lightening in the mix.
Had a good day today as 1st job was to sort & trim Plum Beauty & rescue the good ones before the wasps get them all. Luckily the wasps were still mostly out of the mix so managed to crack on, so many plums on the tree, I took all the ones from the branches I trimmed & still got loads of fruit to take. My bag was so heavy carrying it to the bus, but I did drop off several dozen to the food bank & made up little bags for the bus gang so much lighter after that. Neighbours got loads as well. Strangely the other standard plum next to beauty has zero fruit.
Made progress with Lottie 2 & only 1/2 a bed to clear & feed. Sowed some more brassica's & even planted some wee baby cabbages I found hiding; yep just where I accidentally buried the packet when digging & couldn't find it, luckily in a paper packet not those hard to open wee silver ones. I will be putting in Chinese on some of these beds along with some more peas & the like. 1 bed will be covered until onion sets etc are available; going back to sets this year as the seed ones did not like the heat when tiny & sulked.
Had a good day today as 1st job was to sort & trim Plum Beauty & rescue the good ones before the wasps get them all. Luckily the wasps were still mostly out of the mix so managed to crack on, so many plums on the tree, I took all the ones from the branches I trimmed & still got loads of fruit to take. My bag was so heavy carrying it to the bus, but I did drop off several dozen to the food bank & made up little bags for the bus gang so much lighter after that. Neighbours got loads as well. Strangely the other standard plum next to beauty has zero fruit.
Made progress with Lottie 2 & only 1/2 a bed to clear & feed. Sowed some more brassica's & even planted some wee baby cabbages I found hiding; yep just where I accidentally buried the packet when digging & couldn't find it, luckily in a paper packet not those hard to open wee silver ones. I will be putting in Chinese on some of these beds along with some more peas & the like. 1 bed will be covered until onion sets etc are available; going back to sets this year as the seed ones did not like the heat when tiny & sulked.
Westi