https://gardenandgossip.org/ Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:29:36 +0000 MyBB https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2468 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:37:54 +0000 JJB]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2468
A particular species of bamboo will flower at intervals of 10 to 130 years. All examples of that species will flower at the same time no matter where in the world they're growing or under what conditions. A bit of a simplification but nonetheless fascinating. 


https://www.guaduabamboo.com/blog/bamboo...rs%20later.]]>
A particular species of bamboo will flower at intervals of 10 to 130 years. All examples of that species will flower at the same time no matter where in the world they're growing or under what conditions. A bit of a simplification but nonetheless fascinating. 


https://www.guaduabamboo.com/blog/bamboo...rs%20later.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2463 Sat, 21 Mar 2026 20:36:09 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2463 These days, I don't have any "best clothes" - probably because I rarely go anywhere "posh". 
The point of this waffle, is the realisation that these habits have rubbed off into the garden - and I need to break the habit.

For example, I pulled some carrots up this week because they were bolting.  They were big but inedible! If I hadn't been keeping them "for best" and had pulled them up weeks ago they would have been smaller but much nicer. More to the point, I could have eaten them instead of adding to the compost bin. 

Its the same with seeds - I'm a hoarder - not necessarily a buyer, but, an acquirer of seeds at swaps. When I decide to sow a particular seed - let's say courgette for example. I'll sow the oldest seeds first and keep my fingers crossed that they'll germinate. If they don't, I'll sow the next oldest but, I rarely sow the freshest seeds. They go into storage for another year.
Each time I sow and fail, I've wasted time, compost and energy. If I went straight to sowing the freshest seeds, in theory, I should have healthy seedlings from the start. 

Part of the problem is that, some packets of seeds contain far more seeds than any "normal" person needs  - or can sow within a year or two. As you know,I am unable to throw anything away - especially seeds - so part used packets are stored with the unopened - and my next round of sowings will not just be old seeds, but opened packets of old seeds, which may have deteriorated even more than unopened packets of a similar age. So its a double whammy!

I'm going to try to overcome my frugal habits this year - by sowing seeds that are in date and by picking "small and beautiful" crops instead of thinking that I need to win a giant veg competition. 

Is there a support group in G&G that can help me please?]]> These days, I don't have any "best clothes" - probably because I rarely go anywhere "posh". 
The point of this waffle, is the realisation that these habits have rubbed off into the garden - and I need to break the habit.

For example, I pulled some carrots up this week because they were bolting.  They were big but inedible! If I hadn't been keeping them "for best" and had pulled them up weeks ago they would have been smaller but much nicer. More to the point, I could have eaten them instead of adding to the compost bin. 

Its the same with seeds - I'm a hoarder - not necessarily a buyer, but, an acquirer of seeds at swaps. When I decide to sow a particular seed - let's say courgette for example. I'll sow the oldest seeds first and keep my fingers crossed that they'll germinate. If they don't, I'll sow the next oldest but, I rarely sow the freshest seeds. They go into storage for another year.
Each time I sow and fail, I've wasted time, compost and energy. If I went straight to sowing the freshest seeds, in theory, I should have healthy seedlings from the start. 

Part of the problem is that, some packets of seeds contain far more seeds than any "normal" person needs  - or can sow within a year or two. As you know,I am unable to throw anything away - especially seeds - so part used packets are stored with the unopened - and my next round of sowings will not just be old seeds, but opened packets of old seeds, which may have deteriorated even more than unopened packets of a similar age. So its a double whammy!

I'm going to try to overcome my frugal habits this year - by sowing seeds that are in date and by picking "small and beautiful" crops instead of thinking that I need to win a giant veg competition. 

Is there a support group in G&G that can help me please?]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2425 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:41:50 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2425
 
I dislike:-
The way Americans call soil "dirt" like its rubbish to throw away.
Anything that features a woman in a cardigan and beads who sells flowers and overpriced seeds
A man who promotes No Digging as the answer to life the universe and everything as if its a sin to wield a spade.
TV Gardeners with perfectly manicured, weedfree gardens.]]>
 
I dislike:-
The way Americans call soil "dirt" like its rubbish to throw away.
Anything that features a woman in a cardigan and beads who sells flowers and overpriced seeds
A man who promotes No Digging as the answer to life the universe and everything as if its a sin to wield a spade.
TV Gardeners with perfectly manicured, weedfree gardens.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2424 Sun, 01 Feb 2026 13:28:01 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2424 If anyone can contribute anything useful - and I don't mean scoffing about it being for witches and pagans - please do so. I'm looking at it with an open mind and hope you can too!

The end of January/beginning of February is called Imbolc and it marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. When we welcome a return to the light, lambs are born, spring flowers are emerging. Snowdrops are brought into the house. Candles are burnt and bonfires lit. 
It's also St Brigid's day when crosses are woven from rushes in Ireland and ? Scotland so Imbolc is paired with the Christian calendar. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imbolc

Its also Candlemas - from the Christian calendar https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/common/candlemas
.......and there's a Full Moon - the Snow Moon tonight.
Snowdrops are known as Candlemas Bells. 

So many traditions and beliefs coming together. 
I'm going to celebrate Imbolc in my own little way . I'll pick some snowdrops and light a candle. Tonight I'll look for the Snow Moon.

Sorry about the rambling. Just trying to understand it all!]]> If anyone can contribute anything useful - and I don't mean scoffing about it being for witches and pagans - please do so. I'm looking at it with an open mind and hope you can too!

The end of January/beginning of February is called Imbolc and it marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. When we welcome a return to the light, lambs are born, spring flowers are emerging. Snowdrops are brought into the house. Candles are burnt and bonfires lit. 
It's also St Brigid's day when crosses are woven from rushes in Ireland and ? Scotland so Imbolc is paired with the Christian calendar. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imbolc

Its also Candlemas - from the Christian calendar https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/common/candlemas
.......and there's a Full Moon - the Snow Moon tonight.
Snowdrops are known as Candlemas Bells. 

So many traditions and beliefs coming together. 
I'm going to celebrate Imbolc in my own little way . I'll pick some snowdrops and light a candle. Tonight I'll look for the Snow Moon.

Sorry about the rambling. Just trying to understand it all!]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2418 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:46:47 +0000 Vinny]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2418
https://cdn.realfood.gov/DGA.pdf]]>
https://cdn.realfood.gov/DGA.pdf]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2412 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 08:43:07 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2412

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2025 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2262]]>
2025 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2262]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2407 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 22:13:42 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2407
Here's 2025 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.p...light=2025]]>
Here's 2025 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.p...light=2025]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2399 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 12:46:53 +0000 Vinny]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2399
I have a Just Giving page which I would like you to add to if, and only IF, you could afford it? I have started with a £30 donation but any amount would be appreciated.
I will of course be contacting family and friends through what'sapp and also the team I do my excercises with once we start again on 6th January. 3100 press ups are a tall order so wish me luck in getting my goal of £150 for Cancer research.

Many thanks in anticipation and I will add the link for any donations.

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/p...-118119029]]>
I have a Just Giving page which I would like you to add to if, and only IF, you could afford it? I have started with a £30 donation but any amount would be appreciated.
I will of course be contacting family and friends through what'sapp and also the team I do my excercises with once we start again on 6th January. 3100 press ups are a tall order so wish me luck in getting my goal of £150 for Cancer research.

Many thanks in anticipation and I will add the link for any donations.

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/p...-118119029]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2398 Sun, 28 Dec 2025 09:08:42 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2398
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  IMG_9641.jpeg (Size: 86.34 KB / Downloads: 7) ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2395 Thu, 25 Dec 2025 10:51:26 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2395 ]]> ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2377 Sun, 28 Sep 2025 08:59:40 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2377 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1wgeq702dyo
Don't think I'm ready to convert my little pond into a rice paddy yet, though]]> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1wgeq702dyo
Don't think I'm ready to convert my little pond into a rice paddy yet, though]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2375 Sun, 21 Sep 2025 07:45:40 +0000 JJB]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2375 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2372 Wed, 20 Aug 2025 05:33:25 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2372
  IMG_9252.jpeg (Size: 90.12 KB / Downloads: 5) .

I’ll be icing a chocolate & Guinness cake and a coffee & walnut cake this morning which do you want a slice of ? 

It might not look very pretty after posting    .]]>
  IMG_9252.jpeg (Size: 90.12 KB / Downloads: 5) .

I’ll be icing a chocolate & Guinness cake and a coffee & walnut cake this morning which do you want a slice of ? 

It might not look very pretty after posting    .]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2371 Tue, 19 Aug 2025 12:09:16 +0000 Vinny]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2371 Big difference before and after so let's hope I can keep it like that?

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  VTRY5214.JPG (Size: 161.04 KB / Downloads: 10) ]]> Big difference before and after so let's hope I can keep it like that?

  WKCE1046.JPG (Size: 226.74 KB / Downloads: 10)

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