https://gardenandgossip.org/ Sun, 19 Apr 2026 08:34:27 +0000 MyBB https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2422 Wed, 21 Jan 2026 15:16:04 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2422
  IMG_9684.jpeg (Size: 66.59 KB / Downloads: 6) looking for growers in 

Eastern & Western Scotland
The Highlands and outlying islands
Wales
Northern England]]>
  IMG_9684.jpeg (Size: 66.59 KB / Downloads: 6) looking for growers in 

Eastern & Western Scotland
The Highlands and outlying islands
Wales
Northern England]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2421 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:57:01 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2421
Now the pedants will say that if the recipe requires an onion, it has to be an onion - not a leek, spring onion or the leaves of elephant garlic.
Similarly if it requires cabbage, it can't be kale, cauliflower leaves or sprouts. 
Spinach must be spinach - not chard or beetroot leaves. 
A salad must have lettuce........

All year round I can pick leaves of spring onions, leeks and elephant garlic, chard, cut and come again lettuce, rocket and various other salad leaves. They're all quite easy to grow and undemanding. 
However, I struggle with cabbage, cauliflowers & sprouts, broccoli, bulb onions and heading lettuce.

So why put myself through all the work and expense when I could grow the taste substitutes with relative ease.

Suggestions welcome for other easy taste substitutes.]]>
Now the pedants will say that if the recipe requires an onion, it has to be an onion - not a leek, spring onion or the leaves of elephant garlic.
Similarly if it requires cabbage, it can't be kale, cauliflower leaves or sprouts. 
Spinach must be spinach - not chard or beetroot leaves. 
A salad must have lettuce........

All year round I can pick leaves of spring onions, leeks and elephant garlic, chard, cut and come again lettuce, rocket and various other salad leaves. They're all quite easy to grow and undemanding. 
However, I struggle with cabbage, cauliflowers & sprouts, broccoli, bulb onions and heading lettuce.

So why put myself through all the work and expense when I could grow the taste substitutes with relative ease.

Suggestions welcome for other easy taste substitutes.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2389 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:52:16 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2389
What are your plans and hopes for 2026. 

Any changes you want to make- structural, organisational. 
Seeds and plants that you haven't grown before? You know the score. 

Last year's thread https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2210  may give you some ideas. about what went well, what could have done better, and what you won't do again!!]]>
What are your plans and hopes for 2026. 

Any changes you want to make- structural, organisational. 
Seeds and plants that you haven't grown before? You know the score. 

Last year's thread https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2210  may give you some ideas. about what went well, what could have done better, and what you won't do again!!]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2367 Thu, 31 Jul 2025 10:41:14 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2367
This is my tunnel fruit bed. Planted up on the 25th September 2024. 
  20240925_161516_Original.jpeg (Size: 571.11 KB / Downloads: 11)  
It has a pomegranate, lemon, blood orange, 2 avocados 

This is the same bed on the 29th July 2025 
  20250729_144745_Original.jpeg (Size: 596.16 KB / Downloads: 12)  
It still has all the above list planted

What do you need to remind yourselves about?]]>
This is my tunnel fruit bed. Planted up on the 25th September 2024. 
  20240925_161516_Original.jpeg (Size: 571.11 KB / Downloads: 11)  
It has a pomegranate, lemon, blood orange, 2 avocados 

This is the same bed on the 29th July 2025 
  20250729_144745_Original.jpeg (Size: 596.16 KB / Downloads: 12)  
It still has all the above list planted

What do you need to remind yourselves about?]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2362 Mon, 14 Jul 2025 07:54:25 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2362 I've put all the vegetables that I could grow into Traffic Light categories - Green Light are my favourites, the ones I really, really want to grow, Amber Light means it would be good to grow but not as my first choice. Red Light veg are ones I've struggle to grow and don't really enjoy - or, can be bought fresh cheaply.

For example:-
GREEN Light veg include Tomatoes, cucumber, courgettes, beans, mangetout, salad leaves, beetroot & carrot, chard. 
AMBER Light veg include leeks, onions, radish, broad beans, spinach, kale.
RED Light veg are parsnip, swede, turnip. kohl rabi, aubergine, peppers, celery, celeriac, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, sprouts, sweetcorn.

What about the Zones, I hear you ask?

ZONE 1 is the Best growing area - sunny, fertile, close to water and to home. Its the easiest to maintain because its convenient to pop into! Basically, its the GHs and pots on the Patio and the old Chicken Run.
ZONE 2 are the Veg Plots at the far end of the garden - BUT not all of them, only those that have been kept clear, or have usable structures like bean frames
ZONE 3 are the Veg Plots that need some TLC and the rest of the garden. 

Now it doesn't take a Giant Leap to see that GREEN Light veg should be grown in Zone 1, AMBER veg in Zone 2, and RED Light veg seeds should be chucked out, swapped or randomly scattered.]]> I've put all the vegetables that I could grow into Traffic Light categories - Green Light are my favourites, the ones I really, really want to grow, Amber Light means it would be good to grow but not as my first choice. Red Light veg are ones I've struggle to grow and don't really enjoy - or, can be bought fresh cheaply.

For example:-
GREEN Light veg include Tomatoes, cucumber, courgettes, beans, mangetout, salad leaves, beetroot & carrot, chard. 
AMBER Light veg include leeks, onions, radish, broad beans, spinach, kale.
RED Light veg are parsnip, swede, turnip. kohl rabi, aubergine, peppers, celery, celeriac, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, sprouts, sweetcorn.

What about the Zones, I hear you ask?

ZONE 1 is the Best growing area - sunny, fertile, close to water and to home. Its the easiest to maintain because its convenient to pop into! Basically, its the GHs and pots on the Patio and the old Chicken Run.
ZONE 2 are the Veg Plots at the far end of the garden - BUT not all of them, only those that have been kept clear, or have usable structures like bean frames
ZONE 3 are the Veg Plots that need some TLC and the rest of the garden. 

Now it doesn't take a Giant Leap to see that GREEN Light veg should be grown in Zone 1, AMBER veg in Zone 2, and RED Light veg seeds should be chucked out, swapped or randomly scattered.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2325 Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:49:22 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2325 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2210 Wed, 28 Aug 2024 14:06:56 +0000 JJB]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2210 I hope to reduce the work involved in the garden. P isn’t as able as he once was and I'm past my sell by date    I'm planning to drastically reduce the number of tomatoes I grow. Reduce the toms in both the gh and outside. Although i love growing them the freezer isn’t big enough, plus the amount of 'from scratch' cooking I do is getting less and less. I also don't think that I need 6+ cucumber plants, that's just ridiculous for two of us. Same goes for 10+ courgettes/squash.  The 4 or 5 courgettes sown in July after my faux pas with the sprayer, are producing more than enough fruit for two of us.

This year I grew mainly DFB with just one row (instead of 3 or 4 rows) of CFB, which weren't that successful as it turned out.  I put up a 15ft long 'A' frame with MT one side and CFB the other. The principle worked reasonably well, the baking weather at the wrong time did not. The DFB were fine early on but then succumbedto drought or summat so weren't keen on producing a second flush.  

I say it every year but next season I'm going to try and concentrate on successional growing and sow courgettes and beans in two batches. If I reduce the gh plants I may be able to keep a potting station active all year in the gh. Usually I fill up the gh's then haven't got a flat space to sow, prick out etc. 

The upshot is, fewer cucs, toms, beans and courgettes. I wonder how much of this I will achieve.  ]]> I hope to reduce the work involved in the garden. P isn’t as able as he once was and I'm past my sell by date    I'm planning to drastically reduce the number of tomatoes I grow. Reduce the toms in both the gh and outside. Although i love growing them the freezer isn’t big enough, plus the amount of 'from scratch' cooking I do is getting less and less. I also don't think that I need 6+ cucumber plants, that's just ridiculous for two of us. Same goes for 10+ courgettes/squash.  The 4 or 5 courgettes sown in July after my faux pas with the sprayer, are producing more than enough fruit for two of us.

This year I grew mainly DFB with just one row (instead of 3 or 4 rows) of CFB, which weren't that successful as it turned out.  I put up a 15ft long 'A' frame with MT one side and CFB the other. The principle worked reasonably well, the baking weather at the wrong time did not. The DFB were fine early on but then succumbedto drought or summat so weren't keen on producing a second flush.  

I say it every year but next season I'm going to try and concentrate on successional growing and sow courgettes and beans in two batches. If I reduce the gh plants I may be able to keep a potting station active all year in the gh. Usually I fill up the gh's then haven't got a flat space to sow, prick out etc. 

The upshot is, fewer cucs, toms, beans and courgettes. I wonder how much of this I will achieve.  ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2198 Sun, 28 Jul 2024 10:07:19 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2198
I have these 
  20240728_093813_Original.jpeg (Size: 470.58 KB / Downloads: 18) 5m long 31cm wide. The plan is to keep them full length. cut them in half length ways (not all of them, som have other jobs). Use them as sheltered , slightly raised beds between my tunnels. If you can imagine the hosepipe in the next photo is the sides of my tunnels. I can make the gap between tunnels bigger if needed. The more I do that the least space I have for normal raised beds the other side.

  20240728_093139_Original.jpeg (Size: 141.86 KB / Downloads: 17) I have lots of these cradles for them to sit in. My first plan was to cut the cradles at the red lines and have a small pyramid type arrangement. With top cradle sitting on top of the bottom pipe beds. As the cradle is only 6cm wide I wouldn’t lose much growing space. Also the pipes once cut in half and are in the cradle sit 6cm higher 
  20240728_095518_Original.jpeg (Size: 123.98 KB / Downloads: 10)
  20240728_095727_Original.jpeg (Size: 390.93 KB / Downloads: 16) . Hopefully these 2 photo helps paint that picture, but possibly not. My next thought was is that top pipe going to shade the bottom ones too much? 
Considered a teared style not sure how to construct that. One thing I probably should have mentioned sooner is, it’s all very heavy! Before compost gets involved. Also considered use 2 at the same level. 

I have these other bits available in the construction if you can come up with anything.

  20240728_093525_Original.jpeg (Size: 179.42 KB / Downloads: 16)  
  20240728_095935_Original.jpeg (Size: 140.6 KB / Downloads: 15) Unfortunately all the small pipe has been cut down to about 2m lengths

Any ideas, suggestions? Would be great. My brain is starting to hurt!]]>
I have these 
  20240728_093813_Original.jpeg (Size: 470.58 KB / Downloads: 18) 5m long 31cm wide. The plan is to keep them full length. cut them in half length ways (not all of them, som have other jobs). Use them as sheltered , slightly raised beds between my tunnels. If you can imagine the hosepipe in the next photo is the sides of my tunnels. I can make the gap between tunnels bigger if needed. The more I do that the least space I have for normal raised beds the other side.

  20240728_093139_Original.jpeg (Size: 141.86 KB / Downloads: 17) I have lots of these cradles for them to sit in. My first plan was to cut the cradles at the red lines and have a small pyramid type arrangement. With top cradle sitting on top of the bottom pipe beds. As the cradle is only 6cm wide I wouldn’t lose much growing space. Also the pipes once cut in half and are in the cradle sit 6cm higher 
  20240728_095518_Original.jpeg (Size: 123.98 KB / Downloads: 10)
  20240728_095727_Original.jpeg (Size: 390.93 KB / Downloads: 16) . Hopefully these 2 photo helps paint that picture, but possibly not. My next thought was is that top pipe going to shade the bottom ones too much? 
Considered a teared style not sure how to construct that. One thing I probably should have mentioned sooner is, it’s all very heavy! Before compost gets involved. Also considered use 2 at the same level. 

I have these other bits available in the construction if you can come up with anything.

  20240728_093525_Original.jpeg (Size: 179.42 KB / Downloads: 16)  
  20240728_095935_Original.jpeg (Size: 140.6 KB / Downloads: 15) Unfortunately all the small pipe has been cut down to about 2m lengths

Any ideas, suggestions? Would be great. My brain is starting to hurt!]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2191 Sun, 14 Jul 2024 20:09:36 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2191 Official name - Mertensia maritima - common name Oyster leaf, Oysterplant, Sea Bluebells, Sea Lungwort. Lots of names for this one! Said to have a distinctive salty taste with slightly, crunchy, fleshy green leaves, reminiscent of eating oysters!
It grows wild in Scotland, SC, one for you to look out for on your walks.

I have some Pennard seeds, from a seed swap https://www.pennardplants.com/proddetail...d=Seed1170 Other suppliers are available including those we love to hate. 
Some pretty pictures at https://www.wildflowerfinder.org.uk/Flow...rplant.htm]]> Official name - Mertensia maritima - common name Oyster leaf, Oysterplant, Sea Bluebells, Sea Lungwort. Lots of names for this one! Said to have a distinctive salty taste with slightly, crunchy, fleshy green leaves, reminiscent of eating oysters!
It grows wild in Scotland, SC, one for you to look out for on your walks.

I have some Pennard seeds, from a seed swap https://www.pennardplants.com/proddetail...d=Seed1170 Other suppliers are available including those we love to hate. 
Some pretty pictures at https://www.wildflowerfinder.org.uk/Flow...rplant.htm]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2175 Sun, 16 Jun 2024 11:00:52 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2175

  20240605_094954_Original.jpeg (Size: 481.54 KB / Downloads: 20)

It’s a little bigger than this now. Photo taken last week.

Actually after just looking at this photo again it almost doubled since this was taken]]>

  20240605_094954_Original.jpeg (Size: 481.54 KB / Downloads: 20)

It’s a little bigger than this now. Photo taken last week.

Actually after just looking at this photo again it almost doubled since this was taken]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2146 Tue, 09 Apr 2024 19:48:32 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2146
As you know, I don't have chickens now so their old run is looking for other uses. 
Its fenced on all sides but there is no roof. 
The sides are higher at the door end (about 7') but only a couple of feet high at the far end. The roof was removed so that I could stand up in it. Putting netting over it would not work.
Its in the shade most of the day but I may be able to  lower some of the nearby shrubs to give a bit more light. 
The floor has been lined with chicken wire to stop rats so its not suitable for root crops. 
The floor has been divided into two halves - the upper half (door end) had gravel on it and this is mixed with the soil now.
The other half has plenty of well manured  soil/compost over the wire. 

How would you use this space? I have some ideas but thought I'd see what you could suggest as two heads or twenty heads are better than one.]]>
As you know, I don't have chickens now so their old run is looking for other uses. 
Its fenced on all sides but there is no roof. 
The sides are higher at the door end (about 7') but only a couple of feet high at the far end. The roof was removed so that I could stand up in it. Putting netting over it would not work.
Its in the shade most of the day but I may be able to  lower some of the nearby shrubs to give a bit more light. 
The floor has been lined with chicken wire to stop rats so its not suitable for root crops. 
The floor has been divided into two halves - the upper half (door end) had gravel on it and this is mixed with the soil now.
The other half has plenty of well manured  soil/compost over the wire. 

How would you use this space? I have some ideas but thought I'd see what you could suggest as two heads or twenty heads are better than one.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2133 Fri, 15 Mar 2024 11:13:47 +0000 JJB]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2133 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2117 Sun, 18 Feb 2024 17:25:05 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2117
Today, I've sown 6 mangetout peas in 4 identical pots, filled with the same compost mix (mostly coir). 
Pot 1 is inside a sealed plastic bag, inside the Hot Bin  which is in GH 1
Pot 2 is under a clear plastic supermarket tray in GH1
Pot 3 is uncovered, alongside Pot 2, in GH1
Pot 4 is in my bedroom!

Which one will germinate first?]]>
Today, I've sown 6 mangetout peas in 4 identical pots, filled with the same compost mix (mostly coir). 
Pot 1 is inside a sealed plastic bag, inside the Hot Bin  which is in GH 1
Pot 2 is under a clear plastic supermarket tray in GH1
Pot 3 is uncovered, alongside Pot 2, in GH1
Pot 4 is in my bedroom!

Which one will germinate first?]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2115 Thu, 15 Feb 2024 17:25:26 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2115
  raised bed.jpg (Size: 87.53 KB / Downloads: 23)

Saw this today on FB and immediately thought of SC.]]>
  raised bed.jpg (Size: 87.53 KB / Downloads: 23)

Saw this today on FB and immediately thought of SC.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2102 Sat, 03 Feb 2024 21:05:36 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2102 Tomatoes
Cucumber
Courgette
Mangetout
DFB
Salad leaves. 

Every year I sow early tomatoes in January BUT why don't I sow the others at the same time? Mangetout and salad leaves should be OK if sown in January and I have done this previously. Cucumbers, Courgettes and DFB are more of a gamble............but, hey, if it doesn't work all I've lost are a few seeds. 

Guess what I'll be doing this weekend?]]> Tomatoes
Cucumber
Courgette
Mangetout
DFB
Salad leaves. 

Every year I sow early tomatoes in January BUT why don't I sow the others at the same time? Mangetout and salad leaves should be OK if sown in January and I have done this previously. Cucumbers, Courgettes and DFB are more of a gamble............but, hey, if it doesn't work all I've lost are a few seeds. 

Guess what I'll be doing this weekend?]]>