Monthly Archives: July 2014

Mangetout crop

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Helen

After struggling to keep any of my mangetout plants going, I have finally got a crop out of them. In fact, I am amazed by the size of the pods, though they have perhaps been left to grow for too … Continue reading →

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Pumpkin progress

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Helen

Over the last few days, while the weather has been particularly fine and there has been little to do in the garden, apart from watering, I’ve been doing a spot of decorating. That hasn’t stopped me taking a peek at … Continue reading →

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Butterflies

Posted on July 27, 2014 by Helen

This morning I noticed a butterfly on our blackberries (brambles). Having only seen cabbage whites in recent years I was pleased and intrigued to come across this pretty brown butterfly, so I called my daughter out to have a look, … Continue reading →

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Male and female pumpkin flowers

Posted on July 26, 2014 by Helen

Since noticing what seemed to be a marrow growing on my pumpkin plant the other day, I’ve taken a keen interest in how pumpkins develop (also spurred on by what’s happening with the cucumbers). One thing I discovered was that … Continue reading →

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Broad beans flower again

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Helen

Went out to pick some broad beans for my tea just now and was surprised to see that new flowers have appeared on one of the plants. As I had thought the broad beans were coming to an end,  I … Continue reading →

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Chinese cabbage

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Helen

Three years ago, as a novice gardener, I put my cauliflower seedlings outside to harden off. No protection, just pots on the patio. Big mistake! When I got home from work, there wasn’t much left of them. At least I … Continue reading →

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The mystery nibbler

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Helen

On Monday, I put a net cloche over radishes in a growbag, primarily to protect the lettuce on the other side. Then this evening I have been out and noticed that something has somehow got under the cloche and eaten … Continue reading →

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Got my view back!

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Helen

Well, the compost bin is almost full now! Earlier on today, I noticed that some of the flowers on the florence fennel had shrivelled and died. It therefore seemed unlikely that there would be any of the hoped-for seeds forthcoming. … Continue reading →

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Good job, ladybird!

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Helen

I’m having a bit of a gardening spree today! Clearing up odd jobs, such as repotting okra and sowing cauliflower for overwintering…. Whilst taking a break just now, I noticed a sparrow hopping about the branches of the apple tree. … Continue reading →

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The cardboard mulch

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Helen

In 2010, I decided to get rid of my lawn. Not wanting to use weedkillers, I used a mixture of carpet over the grass and overturning the turf round the edges. This worked reasonably well, to the extent that I … Continue reading →

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