https://www.lidl.co.uk/biodiversity

Ask at LIDL for a free packet of flower seeds on Friday, 20th May.

Can’t believe this! 
Yet another offer from T&M that I’m actually pleased with - what is going on!!!
Nurserymans’ Choice of 48 bedding plants, a packet of incredibloom and 5 pkts of seed. Just pay postage. 
(I don’t work for them honest!!!)
Double Petunias, bedding begonias, single petunias, , lobelia, bacopa, nicotiana, rudbeckia and impatiebs.

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https://thebigplasticcount.com/

Have you seen this? Starts tomorrow.
The idea is that a household counts every bit of plastic that they dispose of, whether by recycling or binning, and the results will be sent to the government, supermarkets etc askng them to do something about reducing the plastic.

Happy 2nd Birthday Garden & Gossip 

Special thanks to the Boss for setting the Forum up and keeping it running

Thank you all for keeping me sane for the last 2 years - you're all great company and source of advice with plenty of laughs along the way.

I like making plate pies (usually corned beef, onion and potato)

The bottom of the pie never looks 'cooked' to me? I usually cook for 30 minutes at 200c in a fan oven. I have tried cooking longer to hopefully cook the bottom but finish up burning the top.
It also seems to depend on what pastry I use? puff pastry giving a better result than shortcrust pastry?

To all you pastry officianado's what is your secret for curing the soggy bottom syndrome?

Just wondering which seeds you have finished sowing for the year and put away for 2023 (if any left).

I've finished sowing tomatoes and courgettes (27 plants should be enough ).

   

I grew a few chard and perpetual spinach plants in the GH over winter and they are massive - took over the GH.  The photo was taken about a month ago when I'd started clearing the chard on the right. You can see some in the bucket!!
 If you harvest the tops of the plants (the young tender bits)  the plant produces side shoots. Nothing odd about that, you may say.  When these side shoots touch the ground, they root, a bit like strawberry runners. Result  - more plants when you sever the cord. No wonder it was a jungle of chard. 
I've put some of these unrooted sideshoots into water and, when they root, I'll plant them in the garden. I've already transplanted some chard that was bolting to add to the self seeded clumps around the garden.
 Plants for free

Just seen this - Whitworth's discounted short date jam sugar - down from £2  to 75p. May be worth stocking up if you're jamming soon. 

https://whitworths-sugar.co.uk/products/jam

Any ideas what is causing this on my damson leaves? 
Distorted green “nobbles around the edge of each leaf. 
Initially thought it was aphids or other bugs, but it’s part of the leaf.

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I've never tried non stop begonias,  but after Spec mentioned then, I gave them a look.  I fancy their blousey look. Is it too late to get some corms and bring them into life or would it be better to try plug plants?  If plants, do they form corms for next year? Or should I give up for this year?