I wasn’t going to do the diary thing until I got my hands on my new garden. But thanks to covid I get to spend one last year in this garden that I love and has been my life for the last 6-7 years. It’s also done wonders for my mental health. 
So I thought it only fair to give it a little space in the diary.

When we moved in it looked like this.


   


Today it looks like this.

   

Fang is my old girl. One day she’ll start acting like it.

   

   

Badger. She has the same attitude as a badger !

   

I'm not much of TV viewer but I saw a review of a new programme that might be worth a look at - 
"Grow your own at home with Alan Titchmarsh" 
Filmed in the gardener's own homes during lockdown so may be a bit more realistic than some of the Gardening programmes. 

https://www.itv.com/hub/grow-your-own-at...a0153a0001

Morning Folks
 
Any hints, tips on what you feed your plants and frequency.
 
My understanding is the tomato feeds are used once a week and can also be applied to cucumbers, chilli’s/peppers, strawberries?
 
What about other veg, beans, onions, courgettes, etc….A general purpose feed???


*** Mods, feel free to move this to a more suitable board if necessary ***

Ok so I know the French get iffy about calling this Champagne but, it’s been historically called this for a long time so well tough.

I’ve converted a number of the street to home brewing and 5 of us will be making this delightful little number, over the next few weeks. I’ve dished out some of the tasks, deheading, sugar and lemon shopping. So I can concentrate on the bits I enjoy, the gathering and the brewing. The burping and the refrigerating will be shared. We are limited only by the number of bottles I have, 39 x 2 litres, as the others are Complete novices but 78 litres between 5 is still a reasonable number. 

Hopefully it will be the first of many, I did hear that back in the 70’s there was a unused cesspit that was dug out and converted into a brewing chamber in our cul de sac so we are essentially reviving an old tradition.

By the way V, what was the name of the wine made with the grape trimmings? I’ve been racking my brain all day and it’s defeated me. Ignore me, I’ve just remembered, Folly.

Jay asked me to post this recipe   

3lb rhubarb  cut in pieces 
3lb sugar
2 large or 3 smaller oranges use the Juice and rind
Ginger around finger size piece grated 
Juice of a lemon

Add everything to pan and leave overnight
Next morning bring to the boil and continue boiling to setting point
Jar into hot sterile jars add lids.  

I use an old set of Avery lb and oz scales so I don’t do metric. 

Think that’s everything.

Ideas for when you come back from your plot with a few things but not enough to make them the star performer on your plate!
One courgette, a handful of peas, a couple of spring onions and so on. 

My fall back "recipes" are mixed salad, stirfry or soup.
One thing I've never tried, because the name puts me off, are "smoothies". We "smooth" the dog or cat, not our veggies. 

But I digress, as usual. 
Since I can usually find lovage, kale and some sort of onion leaves, I've been wondering whether I could "Smooth" them into something.
Having never eaten/drunk one I've no idea what they are - apart from looking like comfrey tea. 

Does anyone "Smooth" and what do you use to make it and how do you use it?

Any other ideas for bits and pieces?

OK I love odd pieces of information and I’m always willing to learn more. By strange I mean true. Here’s my first 5 to whet your appitites. 

Camels can’t walk on ice - it’s because they move their legs unlike most mammals e.g both sides together. That movement is what can make people sea sick. 

It takes 2 watering cans to fill a grow bag tray. The birds love to bath in it outside our front window. 

Honey bee’s cannot fly. According to scientists their body mass is too heavy for their wing span. Has anybody told the bee’s yet?

Giraffes have the same amount of neck bones as we do. 

There is only a 4% difference in genetic makeup between us and a banana.

Very helpful for the lost label, incorrectly labelled, or the eb@y reaper seeds, that never are   .

These boys know there Chillies. 

https://www.cliftonchilliclub.com/identi...illi-plant

A handy chart for anyone wanting to try breeding.
Also handy if you’re only growing a couple of varieties and want to know if you need to isolate for seed saving.