http://bristol.ac.uk/cabot/news/2020/app...edR_EE703A

Interesting research project to identify apple varieties from their leaves - but more leaves are needed. 
Wish I lived nearer - I have lots of unidentified apples.

Just having a wander round the garden today and noticed this cherry tree trunk...is the tree dying? The leaves seem healthy enough though.

   

Afternoon folks

Earlier in the year I sowed asparagus and rhubarb from seed and both seem to be doing well.

The question I have is should I leave them in their pots until next year or plant out in beds now?

TIA

This is not really a problem as I have 2 cucumbers in the fridge and there are still 4 growing slowly on the plant but the leaves on the main stem turned pale green then yellow and now are dead. There is a cucumber near the top and a few green leaves at the end still may be growing. 2 other vines (same plant) are on the floor with 3 smallish fruit still growing and some leaves on them, again some have yellowed. This picture was taken 2 weeks ago and most of the leaves in the picture are now dead:

   

Any ideas what the cause is likely to be (ignore the nettles in the background)?

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.