Author Archives: james

So many native ladybirds!

Posted on June 10, 2026 by james

For ten years or more we’ve been “overrun” by Harlequin ladybirds and sighting a native variety has become quite uncommon. For some reason however, this year things have all changed. I don’t think I’ve actually seen a Harlequin at all … Continue reading →

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No dig diary, 10th June 2026

Posted on June 10, 2026 by james

There were many heavy showers this morning, so first job of the day was to cut up some of the left-over water pipe from last year’s mains leak into lengths for hoops to use in the veggie plot, which I … Continue reading →

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No dig diary, 9th June 2026

Posted on June 10, 2026 by james

Yet more weeding today 😀 This time mostly in the cut flower bed which I’ve mostly ignored so far this year due to lack of time. The compost heap is looking rather full once again. It could well be time … Continue reading →

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Plant spacing

Posted on June 8, 2026 by james

I read a few days back that the plant spacings given on packets of seeds for vegetables owe more to commercial production than addressing the needs of the domestic gardener and that it may well be possible to plant at … Continue reading →

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A pretty weed

Posted on June 8, 2026 by james

No idea where the seeds came from for this, but it started flowering about a week ago in my “edible flowers” bed. I had no idea what it was though I thought it looked vaguely reminiscent of a mallow. Turns … Continue reading →

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Blood pressure variability

Posted on June 8, 2026 by james

Readings from the last few days. I’m not aware that there’s any obvious reason for the differences. Seems bonkers that they’re so radically different.

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No dig diary, 8th June 2026

Posted on June 8, 2026 by james

Bit of an unpredictable day today, but I decided I’d risk any rain showers and get everything set up for my climbing beans. First that meant doing yet more weeding, and of an area that I only weeded a couple … Continue reading →

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No dig diary, 7th June 2026

Posted on June 8, 2026 by james

Another compost-spreading day, today. This time in the polycrub, where my “overspill” tomatoes and peppers will go (amongst other things, probably). I started it some time back, but the polycrub isn’t finished yet. Unfortunately events have caught up with me … Continue reading →

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Squash lucky dip

Posted on June 7, 2026 by james

I had perhaps two dozen squash seeds in the propagator when the weather was ridiculously hot a couple of weeks back. Unfortunately everything in it ended up getting cooked. I just couldn’t control the temperature enough. As none of the … Continue reading →

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Such a fun guy to be with

Posted on June 7, 2026 by james

Whilst working in the veggie plot yesterday, I noticed this little mushroom in the grass, all by itself. And then in the polytunnel, this one. I assume they’d been triggered by the large swings in temperature (and rainfall, come to … Continue reading →

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