Category Archives: Smallholding

Memory Lane, 11th May 2022: Wax on, wax off

Posted on February 12, 2024 by james

My bee shed needed to move so I’ve been pulling together everything that was in it. I’m mostly using starter strips and unwaxed frames now, so I’m not entirely sure what to so with this lot, that is “some of” … Continue reading →

Posted in Bee-keeping, Smallholding | Tagged | Leave a comment

No dig diary, 11th February 2024

Posted on February 11, 2024 by james

I had to go out and do some weeding today. The state of the veg beds was quite distressing, with Hairy Bittercress like this: and sycamore seedlings already out of the ground and growing away. I managed to get two … Continue reading →

Posted in Smallholding, Veg plot | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Memory Lane, 5th May 2022

Posted on February 11, 2024 by james

This is the first pineapple plant that actually survived when I tried to get it to produce roots in a jar of water, one year on. I suspect it has split into three separate plants, but information about pineapple propagation … Continue reading →

Posted in Smallholding, Veg plot | Tagged | Leave a comment

Memory Lane, 4th May 2022 (last time!)

Posted on February 10, 2024 by james

This is how I have supported my broad beans for the last few years once they’ve been planted out. They seem to do really well which is lovely, but also it’s a problem because the strings just don’t do a … Continue reading →

Posted in Smallholding, Veg plot | Tagged | Leave a comment

No dig diary, 10th February 2024: How many?!

Posted on February 10, 2024 by james

When I dragged myself out of bed this morning the evidence of an overnight frost was there for all to see, but at least it was sunny and being outdoors appeared quite inviting regardless of the mud that keeps trying … Continue reading →

Posted in Cutting Garden, Smallholding, Veg plot | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Smallholding, Veg plot | Tagged | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Smallholding, Veg plot | Tagged | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Smallholding, Veg plot | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Smallholding, Veg plot | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Smallholding | Tagged | Leave a comment