Author Archives: james

No dig diary, 9th February 2024: Bitter about the hairy cress?

Posted on February 9, 2024 by james

What is it with Hairy Bittercress? It’s an absolute pig to get rid of and seems to spread like crazy. I weeded my entire plot right at the end of August last year and normally that would be it until … Continue reading →

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Memory Lane, 4th May 2022 (again again): Oi! Sycamore! NO!

Posted on February 9, 2024 by james

Each spring, over several weeding sessions, I have to get rid of buckets full of sycamore seedlings that are trying to grow in the veggie plot. Thousands of them get absolutely everywhere. And when it’s not the keys (or more … Continue reading →

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Growing your own is too deer

Posted on February 9, 2024 by james

One of the bigger problems I have with “pests” in my veggie plot is the local roe deer. As I’ve posted before they’ll wander in and start noshing on whatever appeals to them, which is often what might appeal to … Continue reading →

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Memory Lane, 4th May 2022 (again): Bees a-bumbling

Posted on February 8, 2024 by james

My summer broccoli (or calabrese if you prefer) didn’t do very well in 2022. Or perhaps did rather too well, I’m not sure. It formed nice heads that just accelerated through “ready to pick” and charged on straight to flowering. … Continue reading →

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Snapdragons are go!

Posted on February 8, 2024 by james

I really out to be able to remember the proper name but right now it escapes me, so Snapdragons it is. Ah! Antirrhinums! Them’s the things. Anyhow, to the point… I plan to sow a few batches over the next … Continue reading →

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Cheap alternative to Charles Dowding’s module trays

Posted on February 8, 2024 by james

Charles Dowding has designed some lovely module trays for starting off his seedlings. I’d use them in a heartbeat. Unfortunately in the volume I’d use them, I really can’t justify the cost. I particularly like the fact that they have … Continue reading →

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Memory Lane, 4th May 2022: When I grow up I want to be a pineapple

Posted on February 7, 2024 by james

I’ve posted before about growing pineapple plants from the top of a fruit that has been eaten. I’ve been keeping working at it and had a couple of successes along with quite a few failures. I suspect it’s something that … Continue reading →

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Hamming it up

Posted on February 7, 2024 by james

From time to time we have been known to partake of the occasional slice or two of hamm purchased from the local butcher. A butcher who is highly recommended, it has to be said. My wife got chatting to someone … Continue reading →

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Being driven to distraction

Posted on February 7, 2024 by james

The DVLA have very kindly sent me a letter saying that me driving licence is due for renewal, presumably so they can issue me a new card with a more up-to-date photo that looks nothing like me. These days it … Continue reading →

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Memory Lane, 3rd May 2022: A double-decker xylophone

Posted on February 6, 2024 by james

Ok, perhaps not 😀 At the start of 2022 I needed to make up a lot a frames for beehives, but storage once made up is a bit of a problem, especially as my bee shed was due to move … Continue reading →

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