Its the perfect weather for a big bowl of soup. Please share your Soup ideas with us.

I make enough for several days at a time,  eat it fresh for 2 or 3 days and freeze the rest.  My recipe doesn't exist - just a selection of whatever is lying around is bunged in the pressure cooker. It always taste OK, whatever is in it. 

My soup of the week is Pumpkin, Carrot, fresh ginger and Baked beans.

Having spent the afternoon with a Veg box supplier, it started me thinking about how I would fill my own veg box from the garden. 
According to a list I found somewhere, in November and December, I should be able to harvest:-
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage (summer)
Carrots
Cauli (winter)
Chard
Kale
Lettuce
Parsnip
Radish
Spinach
Swede
Turnip

I'd have to buy in sprouts, cabbage, cauli, parsnip, swede and turnip - but I could add as substitutes, leeks, Chinese leaves, landcress, tomatoes and mangetout.

What would be in your Veg box?

A Wilko shopper has revealed how she filled her trolley after spotting a 5p bargain in her local store. The woman grabbed hundreds of discounted seed packets, some of which had been £1 each before the huge reduction.
 She bought a whopping 533 packets, which came to £26 .65 . 
She wrote: "533 packets of seeds for £26 .65! 

5 pence a packet reduced at Wilko."

Could this have been Veggie?

I've been given a root of japanese anemones either white or pinkish and quite tall.

Are they thugs and run rampant? I understand they prefer partial shade. I'll have to be mindful of where I plonk it.

How do you stop aphids in winter?
They are one of the main reasons I don’t grow in the polytunnels or bring things into the house. 
But this year I’m trying to start a few things early. My Cosmos that I’ve sown at completely the wrong time of year is actually doing very well. It’s about to flower. But I’ve just evicted it from the tunnel as it’s covered in aphids. Can’t see the little green sh**s on any of the seedlings, at the moment.
I use ladybirds to control them if I have a problem in summer but they won’t survive in winter and they should be hibernating anyway. 
So how do I control them in winter on young delicate plants?

I was thinking of having a GandG calendar printed, not for 2023 but 2024

All you need to do is submit a monthly picture which depicts the month. The picture can be of anything gardening related. Members will select the monthly winner.

Each winning entry will feature in the calendar and be entered into a draw next November, the winner will receive a £50 prize. All entrants will receive a copy of the calendar.

Why might even get to see Vinny on his little tractor

Add your name below if you wish to participate.

At the pub they have rosemary that sends up really long stems... mine is nothing like that! Now I want a tall variety.

I have bought myself some trailing rosemary that will drape over the wall...any one have a variety that has long straight/upright stems.


....I may have to take my snips

I've been sorting through my bean seeds tonight (everyone needs a hobby) and I have the same dilemma as I have every year. 
Should I grow
1. the reliable ones, like Hunter, that are good to eat 
2. lots of different ones to find a new favourite
3. beans for drying or for eating fresh
4. heritage beans in order to save seeds for sharing or for next year
5. CFBs or runners (can only grow one runner if saving seeds to grow next year)
6. dwarf beans or climbers
7. jumble all the seeds together and not worry about it.
8. NEW Give seeds to Volunteers to grow (thanks Garrett and DJ)

Anyone making homemade gifts or cards for the C word?

I’ve made a few cards

         

Contains a little packet of mixed self saved seed

   

Also trying to get as many gifts as possible that also give to charities.

I have a plastic bag full of seeds that I have no recollection saving.  Here's  a pic of seeds, dry petals and heads. Anyone knowledgeable have any idea? It might be a tall oxeye daisy but looking online at oxeye seeds they're not quite the same.

   

PS if anyone want some daft potluck unidentified seeds speak up..............I'm sure I hear the deafening silence ?