Hello all!

I'm looking for some soft fruit recommendations. Anniversary gift for my partner, so trying to channel his preferences in my description.

We're on heavyish soil with some clay and some stones (though has been improved over the years) at the top of a very gently sloping site - not too exposed and windy but will probably get frost over the winter.

He was really impressed with a fruit that our plot neighbors grow - elongated, shiny, black fruit, must be a blackberry hybrid. Not sure what they were called though and never see our plot neighbors to ask! We have a boysenberry, some raspberries, and (unintentionally, of course) lots of wild blackberries. Any recommendations for one of the other blackberry hybrids?

Also, he rescued a white grape variety from a discount table at the garden centre. But it's actually a wine variety and that will be a totally new adventure for us (why not?! hate to see a plant go to waste). Any recommendations for an eating variety (any color) that will grow in Birmingham?

We also have black, white, and red currants, and strawberries (plus rhubarb and some fruit trees). He says he doesn't care for gooseberries. I'll probably buy some blueberry plants for my little one separately, which I'll need to care for in pots as our soil isn't acidic enough for them. Prefer something that can be planted in the ground. I think he'd also be interested in late-season strawberries. We're planning to get a fruit cage sorted for next year, so can be something that needs protection.

So, the short version: any suggestions for blackberry hybrids? eating grapes? late-season strawberries? any other must-grow soft fruits?

Thanks!

Hi all,

I sowed some creeping thyme which has turned into loads and loads of very little seedlings. Do I prick out one by one or, like lobelia, prick out little clumps together?

Thanks!

Just received an email from Plants of Distinction that's a bit worrying:-

[b]New rules coming into place at the end of the year[/b]

will mean that we are unable to continue offering the wide selection of Heirloom Tomatoes that many of you have enjoyed growing over the years.

Our new catalogue will be available in a few weeks and you will see a big change in the Tomato section. We do have lots of lovely new varieties to tempt you, however most of the heritage varieties we have all come to love will no longer be included and so whilst we are still able, we wanted to give you a chance to grow these favourites for one last time.

Familiar names such as Black from Tula, Caspian Pink, Halladay’s Mortgage Lifter, Hill Billy Potato Leaf, Japanese Trifle Black, Lemon Tree, and Russian Black are just a few of the varieties disappearing from the UK for good.
.............................................

I presume this is something to do with Brexit or ?paying to register seed varieties?

Whatever the cause, its all the more reason for us to save heritage/open pollinated seeds before they disappear for good.

I reckon we have a pretty good diet - loads of fresh fruit and veg, lots of pulses and not much meat. Biscuits, cakes and puddings are a weekend only thing, as is alcohol and even then not a lot. Today I think we achieved ten portions of fruit and veg but it is usually closer to seven.
How do you guys do and what is your veg/fruit split? (Although technically I think almost all our veg was fruit today!)
Today we had apples, bananas, half a peach and a pear, cucumber, tomatoes, tomatillo, pumpkin, aubergines, lentils plus some onion, garlic, chillies & ginger which might have made one more portion.

Just occured to me that the days will soon be short and the nights colder!

Do you have a set plan you follow each year?

I have given up planting in the autumn with the exception of garlic, which incidentally, is planted on raised ridges to keep its feet a bit drier. I give the soil a quick turn over and remove the bigger stones which seem to crop well each year!

Decide whats going where next year and feed the beds accordingly, most beds will get a manure dressing with the exception of next years beetroot beds, these get a generous application of BFB in the spring.

Some of the beds will be covered with clear polythene, this encourages the weed seeds to germinate, which get hoed off when the frosts arrive, i find it makes the spring dig easier. Towards the end of the year the brassica cages will get a good dressing of manure and then get covered with weed membrane. When uncovered for planting in the spring, the worms have done their job and the soil is nice and firm, ready for planting out.

I also like the shorter days for carrying out maintenance tasks.  I also use the winter months to stock up on compost, gives me plenty of time to riddle it ready for sowing. 

Greenhouses get a good clean including giving the glass a thorough clean. All my tools get a good clean and wooden handles oiled.

Anyone do any snorkelling?  Told you it was random   

I want to have a go. Mainly so I can use my camera, with more than just my hands in the water . Might be able to see what I’m photographing then   .
I’ve started looking at face masks & things. Just wondered if anyone has any experience or advice.

Evening Folks

Does anyone know if there is a difference between the sets planted in autumn and spring?

If not would sets purchased now be ok/last until planted spring next year?

Is anyone else interested in trying quinoa? I was interested in why it is spelt as it is but pronounced completely differently. Does anyone know?

I think these are ready to harvest now but weather looks dry for next week so will leave and keep an eye on them. They are not meant to be eaten by any birds or animals but we have the full set of marauders here (apart from deer).

   

I didn't want to detract from Broadway's sad news, but here at last is a pic of my BFFF (Best Feline Friend Forever):

   

Yes, that's her in my bed - I swear she thinks she's human!

She also likes to play fetch:

   

Note that I did not teach her this - she just started doing it of her own accord so I could throw her toy again!

Maddie was diagnosed with diabetes at the end of July, but is doing well on her insulin and will no doubt continue to be an adorable pain in the butt for a few more years (she's coming up on 15, and Burmese are almost as long-lived as Siamese).

I walk my dog along the edge of a wheat field. About a week ago, and even though the wheat is about ready to harvest I saw the farmer spraying the field.We quickly vacated the field edge.

It appears it was weedkiller as the weeds are now dying in the field and even the wheat leaves have turned yellow. I used to work in amenity horticulture and did some tractor mounted spraying myself. As far as i know this could only have been a glyphosate based or worse still an aminopyralid based weedkiller.
Its rather worrying that the wheat will soon be harvested and as long as an appropriate time has been left before harvesting the farmer is quite within his rights to do this?

Sorry if this may seem alarmist but I will in future be sourcing organically grown flour or bread because of this.

PS I don't really understand why this was needed and wonder how organic farmers achieve the same result?