Having watched Monty Don remove these from the top of his garlic I did the same today. He suggested that they can be cooked. I haven't tried that so must look it up. Anyone tried?
Mary @maire Wanstead
Wanstead
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See 10 CommentsHow are you fruit and veg plots doing? Anyone wish to share their food growing experiences/photos? I must admit I got impatient back in those dark February days and sowed seeds too soon so had to hold many plants back which I fear has set some back. Potatoes, onions, garlic looking healthy , tomato plants and sweetcorn looking scrappy, some beans and cabbages looking decimated😥 Will post some photos later.ooking forward to anyone sharing theirs.
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See 2 CommentsIf you know of anyone renting out a room in Barking area. A friend is looking for one. Thanks
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See 9 Commentshttps://www.change.org/p/redbridge-council-save-redbridge-lane-west-allotments-from-cadent I appreciate this is a local issue but there's nothing to stop people signing it on principle as it could happen anywhere and could set a precedent. Cadent want to take it over as a car park for their vehicles and equipment however what is the likelihood of it being reinstated after that period? And any of you allotmenteers will know that it can take years to get a plot to a manageable state, not to mention the cost in time and money. Please consider signing and sharing. Many thanks
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An allotment neighbour told me about this technique and is experimenting with it. I'd never heard of it. Our site is on heavy clay and prone to flooding as it's close to a river. Soil levels drop and one needs loads of compost and manure to try to build it up especially if making raised beds and trying the no dig method. There is never enough manure or home made compost and it would be costly to buy enough. The advantage with this technique is that there are lots trees on the periphery of our site so plenty of dead branches and logs and a local tree surgeon also delivers this as well as wood chippings. You can even use scrap wood. I found it interesting. She started by experimenting just with a big plastic bin with a wood layer at the bottom and is now making a full bed in the ground https://www.growveg.co.uk/guides/how-to-make-hugelkultur-beds-for-growing-vegetables/
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See 5 CommentsSowed some Swift and Red Duke of York on my plot today. It might be a wee bit early but figured the Irish traditionally sowed them on St Patrick's day and here Good Friday though the latter is a moveable feast. Hopefully they'll be ok. I've had the leaves hit by frost in the past but the tubers have survived. I have some Pink Fir Apple and Charlotte salad potatoes to go in but will probably wait a week or so.
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See 8 CommentsThis is a welcome initiative in an era when repairing goods is seen as non-profitable and discouraged so consumers are forced to replace. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/10/tough-new-rules-aim-to-make-electrical-goods-last-longer
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See 3 CommentsI read that water from boiling potatoes was good for spraying whitefly. I then read it was also good for watering your plants as the starch spurs the release of plant nutrients in the soil. In fact most veggy cooking water is good for your plants including pasta water and water from boiling eggs which contains calcium. However added salt is not good for them but I don't add salt to potatoes anyway. I do save some veggy water for stock and gravy but will definitely use any surplus for my plants.
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See 24 Commentsonly two vegetables to grow which ones would you pick? Difficult choice but I think I'd have to say tomatoes and potatoes.
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See 15 CommentsHas anyone had success with these? I've always grown them from sets but the varieties are quite limited. Was tempted to grow some more unusual ones from seed like the lovely Italian Tropea ones.
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See 6 Commentshttps://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/book-delivery-to-vulnerable-barking-dagenham-redbridge-6886426 I posted this in my local group but thought it might be of interest here. I see so many books disposed of but this is a lovely idea as it recycles as well as giving pleasure to people.
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See 3 Commentshttps://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/book-delivery-to-vulnerable-barking-dagenham-redbridge-6886426 What a great idea
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See 7 Commentshttps://ktcityfarm.org.uk/ Heard about this on Robert Elms Radio London slot today.
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See 2 Commentshttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/dec/12/country-superstar-charley-pride-dies-aged-86
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See 1 Commenthttps://metro.co.uk/2020/10/27/slum-london-apartment-bought-for-1000-is-now-worth-3-7-million-13482974/
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See 18 CommentsI have a greenhouse for the first time and started all my seeds in it this spring. It's not a large one and doesn't have beds inside, just shelves and it's on paving slabs. Any ideas on what a greenhouse novice could grow in it over winter in pots or troughs?
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See 5 CommentsI wrote this on an old thread thinking it would be bumped to the top but it didn't so starting a new thread .My Marshmello bare rooted strawberry plants grew well but produced very little fruit. I'd read there wouldn't be much fruit first season, plus I didn't put a net over so I think birds got at what little fruit there was. I now have healthy looking plants and loads of runners both in the raised bed and trailing outside it. Should I try to root all the runners to increase my stock? Is there anything else I should do now to prepare for next year? I'm a strawberry novice!
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See 11 CommentsI usually sow garlic and onions in Autumn to over winter. I have also shown broad beans at that time in the past. Has anyone grown anything else successfully around this time ? Anyone grow veg in a greenhouse over winter? I'm going to try winter spring onions and perhaps some potatoes for Christmas but any other ideas gratefully received.
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See 21 CommentsHello everyone. It's been quiet on here , must be that we are all so busy growing veg! Hope everyone is keeping safe and well and in good spirits. I was given this plant and it has produced quite prolifically but I don't know what it is. I assume it's in the squash family. As you can see it's a dark yellow, skin slightly rough the size of a large grapefruit only pear shaped . I don't know if it's edible or one of those ornamental types. If it's edible how to cook it? Any ideas?
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