2026 - What I did today.

I got my replacement raspberry canes. I can't say I'm that impressed with them, they appear to have been out of the ground a very long time and I'm doubtful they'll pop, but the principle has been upheld! My battle won. The canes are in a bucket of water and I think I'll plant them in pots so I can nurture and keep an eye on them. Harking back to that little polka dot plant I got sent by mistake, the price of that on Carbeth website is £8.99 with £4.99 p&p nigh on £14 for a slip. I'm in the wrong job. PS baby polkadot is happy and thriving.

JJB good to hear your canes finally arrived, hopefully they'll pick up.

Managed to get the second cut on the grass this year, lowering the blades slightly.

Went to the allotment to put in some sweet peas that had been left in the newly constructed cold frame there. Did a bit of weeding and took some cuttings of oregano, lemon balm, achillea, and rosemary.

Did some seed sowing, some in trays, some direct. Rock splitting with Bobs help. Started placing the rocks we’d split around the eye bed.

The car started first time, so I reloaded the car with perennial leeks, kale and mint (and a gardening book) and went to the garage to have the battery checked. It was within acceptable levels (whatever they are) and he said that if I was driving every day and reasonable distances, it would probably be OK for another year or two. Since that is no longer my driving style, I've asked him to order a new battery. Its my nextdoor neighbour's garage so I trust what they say.
Then, I carried on to visit the friend and deliver the plants. Friend was out walking her dog - a Husky - so I had a long chat with her Mum (Friend's Mum, not the Husky's!!)
Friend, Husky & I did a tour of the garden and I came home with some sourdough bread flour and two big acorn squash from store.

Emptied a compost bin after that mostly digging up dandelions.

I got my replacement raspberry canes. I can't say I'm that impressed with them, they appear to have been out of the ground a very long time and I'm doubtful they'll pop, but the principle has been upheld! My battle won. The canes are in a bucket of water and I think I'll plant them in pots so I can nurture and keep an eye on them.  Harking back to that little polka dot plant I got sent by mistake, the price of that on Carbeth website is £8.99 with £4.99 p&p nigh on £14 for a slip. I'm in the wrong job.  PS baby polkadot is happy and thriving.

PS I had an email yesterday from Carbeth saying they only have a record of me ordering a polka dot plant. It beggars belief!

I'm in the process of preparing ground for the raspberries I'd put into pots earlier in the year.  Once the pots are free the new canes will be planted. After shopping today I shall have to spend time in the gh potting on toms and shuffling stuff around to avoid the cold. There's so many jobs that are shouting out to be done.

I can't believe they're still going on about their mistake after it's supposed to be rectified, JJB. Someone there is so petty and, dare I say, not really cut out for customer service.

Moved some seedlings from one of the little gh/cold frames to the sunnier side of the garden for the day. Hopefully I don't forget them over there. We shouldn't have a frost but I don't think they'd like 4C either.

Had an absolutely terrible night's sleep. Half convinced myself that I don't have enough space for growing cut flowers even to give away, in the middle of the night of course, but I still have my online baskets of seeds awaiting my moment of weakness. Been eyeing up a sad spot in the front border that could host a few flowers for cutting...

Turns out selling from anywhere that can be accessed without a fee, even private land, requires a street selling license here. Several hundred pounds and requiring an application early in the year during a specific 6 week period...I do threaten to move to Shropshire every time we leave Birmingham for the day...

Thank you for entertaining my ramble. I'm tired!

Did some food shopping but also bought a large planting pot for my Tayberry and some Calendula & Nasturtium seeds from Poundland (aptly named for the seeds but the pot was three squid!) Called at the allotment on the way home and the first things I tripped over were two empty large pots the same size as the one I had just bought!