Monthly Archives: August 2014

Half full!

Posted on August 31, 2014 by Helen

And no plastic….. We’re talking about the compost bin here, rather than my glass of beer. Whilst turning the compost heap earlier this evening, I was joined by a friend who was almost as enthusiastic about the amount of new … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Good for the environment, Social | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Prevention is better than cure….. especially when there isn’t one!

Posted on August 31, 2014 by Helen

Last October, this is what happened to my tomato plants: And this is what happened to the tomatoes: One minute, the tomatoes were ripening nicely and my biggest concern was how to keep the critters from demolishing them. The next … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, In the kitchen | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Flower bulbs

Posted on August 30, 2014 by Helen

Temptation came to my house last month in the form of an email offering me half price spring (and autumn) bulbs at one of my favourite garden centres. As my daughter is particularly keen for us to have flowers, flowers … Continue reading →

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Propping up the cucumber

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Helen

Don’t you just love the surprise of growing something new?! After a shaky start, by not helping the cucumbers along with a small paint brush to fertlise them, I’ve finally got three growing on one vine. Yippee! The biggest needs … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Just what I need after a hard day’s work!

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Helen

After a five-day weekend, I knew what was coming at work today… Suffice to say I was glad to get into the garden and pick blackberries with my daughter afterwards! As if this wasn’t pleasure enough, upon inspecting the smaller … Continue reading →

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Developing the autumn garden

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Helen

In spite of the continued drizzle today, I still sat on my thinking chair on the patio and came up with plans for this autumn. I’m very pleased with my garden, looking full with a touch of colour as well … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Good for the environment, In the kitchen, Social | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

The ziplock bag

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Helen

On Friday we got some plums from the organic farm and, wondering if it might be possible to grow some trees from the pits, I did a quick internet search. The upshot of this that I am now not only … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Good for the environment | Tagged , , , | 22 Comments

The usefulness of nettles

Posted on August 24, 2014 by Helen

Last year was the first time I noticed nettles growing in the garden. Was this because the soil was changing (fertility levels, composition) or some other factor? The answer to that question will undoubtedly remain a mystery but what benefits … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Good for the environment, In the kitchen | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Experiments with seedlings

Posted on August 23, 2014 by Helen

Recently, I read about gardening on clay soil, which suggested producing seedlings which are then planted in the garden soil when strong enough. Tonight it was the turn of lettuce and spinach with this method. My rationale is that even … Continue reading →

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More morning delights!

Posted on August 22, 2014 by Helen

No, I won’t keep you guessing today. This is a cucumber – and a fertilised one at that. After spying the first baby cucumber, I did an internet search and discovered a page which said that indoors cucumbers shouldn’t be … Continue reading →

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