Category Archives: Smallholding

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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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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No dig diary, 6th June 2026

Posted on June 7, 2026 by james

The first thing to get done today was to plant out chile peppers and aubergines in the greenhouse where I spread compost yesterday. The peppers are a mix of Malawi Piquant, Biquinho and Khang Star Lingria, the last of which … Continue reading →

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No dig diary, 5th June 2026

Posted on June 7, 2026 by james

Weeding and compost-spreading in one of the greenhouses today, preparing for plants to go into the ground tomorrow: peppers and aubergines to start with, then melons once they’re large enough. Perhaps a few other bits and pieces too, once the … Continue reading →

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Yanmar 1510D starter motor replacement

Posted on June 6, 2026 by james

As I mentioned a few days back, the starter motor on the tractor has been playing up. With hindsight I suspect it has actually been close to failing for some time. Anyhow, I had a hunt online for possible replacements … Continue reading →

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No dig diary, 4th June 2026

Posted on June 6, 2026 by james

At last the polytunnel is planted up with almost all of the crops I want in it this year, having been delayed by the cold and my blood pressure issues. All the tomatoes and peppers are in, just have cucumbers … Continue reading →

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