Category Archives: Smallholding

When I see an elephant fly

Posted on June 26, 2026 by james

Ok, so perhaps not, but there were plenty of horseflies in the polytunnel this evening, all waiting for a victim (me) to provide them with a nice juicy blood meal. Though given the problems I’m having with blood pressure of … Continue reading →

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Too hot to be chile?

Posted on June 26, 2026 by james

I’m getting fruit on some of my pepper plants already! This one is “Zitava”, which I believe is often used to make paprika. I’m going to have to have a go at that if I get enough fruit. And this … Continue reading →

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Break out the welder!

Posted on June 26, 2026 by james

Yes, I’ve been putting this off for a few days. Not entirely sure why, really. Possibly because I’ve not actually done any welding for a few years now and I’m a bit out of practice. So, I wheeled out the … Continue reading →

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Horsefly World Cup update

Posted on June 26, 2026 by james

They came at me mob-handed when I went to water the polytunnel this evening. All told I killed fourteen of them. I perhaps shouldn’t have slapped the one that landed in the middle of the front of my shorts quite … Continue reading →

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No dig diary, 24th June 2026

Posted on June 25, 2026 by james

Bit of a change today, again working in short bursts between coming indoors to cool down and top up with fluids. I planted out kale and sprouts. Hoops and insect mesh over the top. Then whilst I was wandering about … Continue reading →

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So, Mrs Blackbird…

Posted on June 24, 2026 by james

do you know anything about my plant labels being pulled up and compost chucked over them? Don’t give me that rubbish that a big bird did it and flew away! That’s what you said when I asked where all the … Continue reading →

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No dig diary, 23rd June 2026

Posted on June 24, 2026 by james

Progress is slow. It is so hot and humid. I had to get on with netting the next section of brassicas though. I took most of the day over it. Even going out and hammering in the stakes for one … Continue reading →

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I think this dog must be quite ill

Posted on June 22, 2026 by james

It has been throwing up all over my polytunnel…

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A shaggy inkcap story

Posted on June 22, 2026 by james

At least, that’s what I think this is. I discovered it, all by its lonesome, in the polytunnel when I was watering this evening. If my identification is correct then I gather they’re considered very tasty, but you have to … Continue reading →

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No dig diary, 22nd June 2026

Posted on June 22, 2026 by james

With a forecast of ridiculously high temperatures here in the wilds of West Somerset starting today, I got out early and opened up the greenhouses and polytunnel (which was already very hot). Some of the peppers were looking rather droopy, … Continue reading →

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