https://gardenandgossip.org/ Sat, 02 May 2026 23:35:33 +0000 MyBB https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2473 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:51:16 +0000 Bren]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2473 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2472 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:45:50 +0000 Vinny]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2472
The farmers close by grow fields full of wonderful swede which I have never been able to emulate.

I have ordered a packet, and hopefully Magres will assist me in growing what up until now I have been unable to achieve!]]>
The farmers close by grow fields full of wonderful swede which I have never been able to emulate.

I have ordered a packet, and hopefully Magres will assist me in growing what up until now I have been unable to achieve!]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2471 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:00:15 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2471 The Duck says that they are St Mark's Fly which appears around St Mark's Day, 25th April. Should I tell them to go back to bed for a few more days? 

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-w...ark-s-fly/]]> The Duck says that they are St Mark's Fly which appears around St Mark's Day, 25th April. Should I tell them to go back to bed for a few more days? 

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-w...ark-s-fly/]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2470 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:09:58 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2470 I have several packets of marrow seeds which I ignore every year because a marrow is a big watery thing. Right!
My question is - if they're picked when small are they the same as a courgette to eat and to cook with?

I'm sure your answer will be  - try it and see - but I'm hoping for a knowledgeable reply here. ]]> I have several packets of marrow seeds which I ignore every year because a marrow is a big watery thing. Right!
My question is - if they're picked when small are they the same as a courgette to eat and to cook with?

I'm sure your answer will be  - try it and see - but I'm hoping for a knowledgeable reply here. ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2469 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 11:33:31 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2469

I don't know about you, obviously, but I have never followed any of the soil rotation plans  - where a specific group of veg move to another area each year - the theory being that each veg benefits from whatever was grown there in the previous year. Don't expect me to explain it  as its beyond me!
I've realised that I always grow beans in the same place - always grow peas in their own place, every year - because that's where the supports are.
Perennial vegetables - leeks, kale etc stay put and seem to thrive. ...............
.........So, why, are we advised to grow annual leeks and brassicas in a different place every year?

You can probably see where I'm going with this........to create permanent "beds" for each veg that I grow. It would have the added benefit that self seeders would be in the right place to grow, year on year.]]>

I don't know about you, obviously, but I have never followed any of the soil rotation plans  - where a specific group of veg move to another area each year - the theory being that each veg benefits from whatever was grown there in the previous year. Don't expect me to explain it  as its beyond me!
I've realised that I always grow beans in the same place - always grow peas in their own place, every year - because that's where the supports are.
Perennial vegetables - leeks, kale etc stay put and seem to thrive. ...............
.........So, why, are we advised to grow annual leeks and brassicas in a different place every year?

You can probably see where I'm going with this........to create permanent "beds" for each veg that I grow. It would have the added benefit that self seeders would be in the right place to grow, year on year.]]> 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=2467 Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:07:25 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2467 Let's start with essentials - the veg that you always grow and couldn't do without. For example - tomatoes - but which one?

Let's start with 10 (or less) essential veg, then we'll narrow it down to naming the variety. 
 My essential veg are :-
Tomatoes
Courgettes
Lettuce
Mangetout
Beans
Cucumber
Rocket
Kale]]> Let's start with essentials - the veg that you always grow and couldn't do without. For example - tomatoes - but which one?

Let's start with 10 (or less) essential veg, then we'll narrow it down to naming the variety. 
 My essential veg are :-
Tomatoes
Courgettes
Lettuce
Mangetout
Beans
Cucumber
Rocket
Kale]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2466 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:50:32 +0000 doublyjonah]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2466
This is mostly a rant of course, but please give me your advice for keeping them out of the garden and/or not being so worried about disease. We have purchased rolls of rodent mesh that are 40 cm deep which we plan to bury along the fence as much as possible. We have probably useless sonic scarers. We have moved pots and things around back there to make it less hospitable and blocked up the garage access (awaiting new steel door installation). Any other ideas? Please help your neurotic internet acquaintance.]]>
This is mostly a rant of course, but please give me your advice for keeping them out of the garden and/or not being so worried about disease. We have purchased rolls of rodent mesh that are 40 cm deep which we plan to bury along the fence as much as possible. We have probably useless sonic scarers. We have moved pots and things around back there to make it less hospitable and blocked up the garage access (awaiting new steel door installation). Any other ideas? Please help your neurotic internet acquaintance.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2465 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:55:04 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2465
  20240529_114809_Original.jpeg (Size: 302.61 KB / Downloads: 10)  
Or would you just use them single hight ?]]>
  20240529_114809_Original.jpeg (Size: 302.61 KB / Downloads: 10)  
Or would you just use them single hight ?]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2464 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:55:32 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2464
I’ve just started again. We used to feed them at the old place. Now most of the big noisy work is done. I thought it was about time we started. 

How & what do you feed ? Hanging feeders, bird table, ground.? 

I’ve got 2 hanging feeders, 1 seed, 1 peanuts. 4 fat feeders, 3 different types. Also one homemade feeder with wool in for nesting material. They get one handful of mealworms a day as well. They go on top of the big rock in the garden. 


  20260327_124907_Original.jpeg (Size: 191.3 KB / Downloads: 3)

I plan on having a bird table at some point. But it’ll probably be a homemade unique piece. It’s still in the planning stages. 

I buy my seed from here https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/MaltbysS...BNAZ4QHQD0
I get the 15kg bags . I’ve brought enough half coconuts fat feeders now that I can refill them with homemade fat feed. A mix of seed, mealworms & chopped currants .

What species do you see the most of? Mine is definitely the chaffinches 

Finally how often do you clean your feeders? 
I brush any stuck stuff off every time I refill. Going to try to be good and clean monthly.]]>
I’ve just started again. We used to feed them at the old place. Now most of the big noisy work is done. I thought it was about time we started. 

How & what do you feed ? Hanging feeders, bird table, ground.? 

I’ve got 2 hanging feeders, 1 seed, 1 peanuts. 4 fat feeders, 3 different types. Also one homemade feeder with wool in for nesting material. They get one handful of mealworms a day as well. They go on top of the big rock in the garden. 


  20260327_124907_Original.jpeg (Size: 191.3 KB / Downloads: 3)

I plan on having a bird table at some point. But it’ll probably be a homemade unique piece. It’s still in the planning stages. 

I buy my seed from here https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/MaltbysS...BNAZ4QHQD0
I get the 15kg bags . I’ve brought enough half coconuts fat feeders now that I can refill them with homemade fat feed. A mix of seed, mealworms & chopped currants .

What species do you see the most of? Mine is definitely the chaffinches 

Finally how often do you clean your feeders? 
I brush any stuck stuff off every time I refill. Going to try to be good and clean monthly.]]>