Today I saw a Scarce Swallowtail butterfly. Never seen one before although I have seen Swallowtails. This is not a picture of the one I actually saw as it was moving too fast.

My Hunter CFBs have yellowing and dying leaves.  The newer growth at the top of the support is green.  Also another variety is doing the same, although not so drastically.  They have been watered regularly  and fed haphazardly.  Is this a natural progression or am I missing a trick.  Other CFB are OK with no yellow leaves.

Introduction - Hello.

There are 2 sorts of Fennel - the Annual bulb fennel and the Perennial "herb fennel.
This question is mostly about the annual one.

I've never managed to grow any Bulb Fennel - always seem to miss the optimum sowing date which appears to be July - first 2 weeks in August - in other words, NOW!! - although some of the seed packets give earlier dates which apparently, can lead to bolting.

Fennel di Firenze seems to be a popular giveaway on magazine covers - I have 4 unopened packets, only one in sow-by date - so he's the lucky bunny who's going to find his way into some modules today (doesn't like transplanting but I'm hopeless at sowing direct). The old seeds will be scattered randomly, in hope. 

I'm also going to start some Herb Fennel, the perennial one, green and bronze, to keep Florence company. 

Anyone growing Fennel bulbs this year?

                   

First there was an unlovely shrub here until someone gave me a pre-formed pond - so I dug up the shrub and enlarged the hole for the pond. The frogs came and everyone was happy until the pond sprang a leak. Out came the pond and the hole was levelled and filled with pebbles and a bird bath. Then the bird bath cracked and all that remained was the base, buried by pebbles. 

Seemed a pity to waste this area so added a post in each corner, some cross pieces surplus from a GH frame and some netting. Had to lower one corner as it was too close to the rotary line and my washing kept catching on it. Also netted on 3 sides only, as it would be daft to stop myself getting in there. 

I sowed lots of different mangetout peas in whatever pots and troughs I could find and put them in position . The seedlings didn't survive long as they were either eaten or dug up. This time I started the peas in modules in the GH and planted them out inside plastic bottles from the vinegar that was used to spray the front garden weeds. As you see, the peas grew unmolested and I'll definitely do this next time. 

The flowers are beautiful in various shades of white, pink, mauve and purple and the peas are yellow, purple and green - maybe some mottled ones too if I'm lucky!

 The moral of this story is - it doesn't matter how small the space is, you can always find room for a pot of peas. 

These are pretty common and love the teasles, as do we  

   

Fancy trying a weed burner of some description.There appears to be three versions, electric,paraffin and gas.

I have to rule out electric as it's for the allotment paths.

Just wondering how long those gas bottles last on the gas version and whether its worth going to the expense of a paraffin version?

I usually just hoe the weeds on the paths and leave them to dry out. The problem is that with the uncertain weather we have they never dry out and tend to re-root.
Burning them seems a good alternative and is quite environmentally friendly methinks.

Anyone got any info, or use a weed burner?

Back on our temporary forum before the official G&G, I promised someone (Broadway?) I'd post before and after photos of my garden, so...

I don't have a "proper" Before photo, because the garden was so overgrown you couldn't actually get in there! You'll just have to imagine the head-high brambles and buddleia the size of Yggdrasil

I hasten to add that nearly all the work below was done by our excellent gardener, Mark Johnson. I just planted the veg and helped my husband build the bike shed (behind the trellis in the second photo).

Phase 1 - after clearing the jungle:

   

Phase 2 - Fences and sheds done, old raised beds planted up

   

Still to come - new raised beds, lawn, etc.

Have 3 children up the mountain with me, on forced WimBerry picking today... Looking forward to a nice WimBerry pie and custard as a reward later.

Anyone else out picking?

Morning Folks
 
I want to replace the rickety old fence at the entrance to the plot with a row of lavender and wondered what peoples thoughts were regards seeds v cuttings?
 
Is it too late this year to start anything?

After having harvested 7 cucumbers on I pulled yesterday was very bitter, I don't know the variety but the only change I have made is to start feeding it with a seaweed solution I have now washed through the compost a couple of times with fresh water and will see if I can clean the plant a bit will let you know how it goes but has this happened to anyone else I have not removed any male flowerers, but I recon if it was that the previous ones would have been bitter