194 replies to this topic

[ozneil]

Don't brown snakes have a reputation for being sort of easily provoked to biting? Coral snakes don't, actually, unlike water mocassins or cottonmouths.

If they feel trapped or threatened they will attack otherwise they will get out of your road

[peony]

I think most snakes have a vested interest in NOT biting. However sometimes some, especially pit vipers, seem to be quite off the mark as far as biting.

[rolo tomassi]

We have snakes in Scotland too.

They don't tend to bite much unless you provoke them.

[Pat]

Ryan giving me a hand on the verandah - before the rain came down.

[peony]

Beautiful, Pat. I love geraniums. Ryan is getting to be quite a little man, isn't he?

[Pat]

Beautiful, Pat. I love geraniums. Ryan is getting to be quite a little man, isn't he?

The geraniums were pretty spectacular this year, peony, and the sweet peas are still blooming but the petunias never really came to much.

Ryan started school last week and was very excited about that.
He can be quite a help with the gardening but prefers to dig things up rather than plant.
I'll need to get him along to the allotment to dig out some of the potatoes.

[peony]

That used to be one of my boys' favorite activity. I just had to stop them before they started throwing them at each other.

[Pat]

That used to be one of my boys' favorite activity. I just had to stop them before they started throwing them at each other.

That's boys, peony. Ryan has the acquisition trait and the problem is that he just wants to keep adding to his pile.

His sister, Caitlin, can't be bothered and finds the allotment boring. At least the working part of it; she is quite happy to wander around chatting, and probably distracting, the other plot holders.

I got a taxi yesterday and got chatting to the driver, who also had an allotment, he told me that on Christmas Day they went along to pick Brussel Sprouts for their meal. That has made me wonder if now is a good time to plant Brussels. I feel like planting but not sure what can go in at this time of the year. Leeks perhaps and maybe garlic?

[peony]

That's boys, peony. Ryan has the acquisition trait and the problem is that he just wants to keep adding to his pile.

His sister, Caitlin, can't be bothered and finds the allotment boring. At least the working part of it; she is quite happy to wander around chatting, and probably distracting, the other plot holders.

I got a taxi yesterday and got chatting to the driver, who also had an allotment, he told me that on Christmas Day they went along to pick Brussel Sprouts for their meal. That has made me wonder if now is a good time to plant Brussels. I feel like planting but not sure what can go in at this time of the year. Leeks perhaps and maybe garlic?

Garlic, for sure. I grow some garlic in the rose patch to keep the insects off. I'm not sure if it works or not, but I like the garlic so it will stay.

[Pat]

Garlic, for sure. I grow some garlic in the rose patch to keep the insects off. I'm not sure if it works or not, but I like the garlic so it will stay.

Definitely works for the vampires, peony.
I must get planting.

[rolo tomassi]

Leeks. Now, there's an art to planting a leek.

(don't go there, Millie!)

We've had some mighty leeks in the allotment these past coupla years thanks to the tips from fellow-allotmenteers below...... (after a few years of pretty shit leeks, not worthy of anyone's soup...)

Here's how;

1) Buy some baby leek plants (not seeds, the ground's generally too wet hereabouts to get a decent crop)

2) Take your dibber, (or the end of a spade/hoe/fork in a credit crunch..) and dib some shallow holes into the soil, about 6 inches deep and about a foot apart (sorry I don't do metric..)

3) This is the important bit! Fill the holes with an inch or two of fresh watter. You can use your handy bottle of trendy watter--- or in Scotland, just wait a few minutes for it to rain......

4) Plant baby leeks into the watter-filled hole, and gather the soil loosely around the stem. Don't fill the hole with soil unless you want some mighty deid leeks....

5) Wait.

[Pat]

Leeks. Now, there's an art to planting a leek.

(don't go there, Millie!)

We've had some mighty leeks in the allotment these past coupla years thanks to the tips from fellow-allotmenteers below...... (after a few years of pretty shit leeks, not worthy of anyone's soup...)

Here's how;

1) Buy some baby leek plants (not seeds, the ground's generally too wet hereabouts to get a decent crop)

2) Take your dibber, (or the end of a spade/hoe/fork in a credit crunch..) and dib some shallow holes into the soil, about 6 inches deep and about a foot apart (sorry I don't do metric..)

3) This is the important bit! Fill the holes with an inch or two of fresh watter. You can use your handy bottle of trendy watter--- or in Scotland, just wait a few minutes for it to rain......

4) Plant baby leeks into the watter-filled hole, and gather the soil loosely around the stem. Don't fill the hole with soil unless you want some mighty deid leeks....

5) Wait.

Thanks for those very precise instructions, Rolo. Is it the right time to start the dibbing?

[Snow White]

Thanks for those very precise instructions, Rolo. Is it the right time to start the dibbing?

Phew........for a moment there ah thought you said dribbling.

[rolo tomassi]

Thanks for those very precise instructions, Rolo. Is it the right time to start the dibbing?

Some would say optimum Dibbing Season starts late July (in Scotland) and goes on until about the second week of September.

Late Dibbers might find their leeks looking more akin to chives come December..be warned!

ps we're having some crap tatties come out the allotment this week. Boil em for the merest 5 mins and they go to mush. What gives? Anyone?

[ozneil]

Some would say optimum Dibbing Season starts late July (in Scotland) and goes on until about the second week of September.

Late Dibbers might find their leeks looking more akin to chives come December..be warned!

ps we're having some crap tatties come out the allotment this week. Boil em for the merest 5 mins and they go to mush. What gives? Anyone?

Hi Akela when do dobbers start???

PS prob planted mushed potatoes

[Pat]

Some would say optimum Dibbing Season starts late July (in Scotland) and goes on until about the second week of September.

Late Dibbers might find their leeks looking more akin to chives come December..be warned!

ps we're having some crap tatties come out the allotment this week. Boil em for the merest 5 mins and they go to mush. What gives? Anyone?

I better get the leeks at the week-end. Our spuds have been superb so far. Especially the strange new fingerlings - very tasty. What type of potatoes are they, Rolo?

[ozneil]

Orchid buds about to bloom

[peony]

Discovered this lil guy when I was out watering.

[Pat]

Discovered this lil guy when I was out watering.

Cute, peony, and that green is glorious. Jim encountered a very aggressive fox at the allotment last night. I went along today and nowhere to be seen. The place is a mess with all the recent rain - millions of weeds, however, we have the tallest sunflowers ever seen and some very big teasles. If there is a height prize we are dead cert winners.

I brought home silverskin onions, kale, lettuce and more spuds.

[peony]

I wonder why the fox was aggressive? Rabies? Territorial?

Sounds like you made a haul. I planted some cherry tomatoes trying to get a crop before Christmas.