2026 - What I did today.

Here we go - another year of doing things!

Planted lots (about 6 bunches) of supermarket spring onions in a 30ltr tub in GH1.

Moved the tubs of mashua & oca into the GH. I may be too late to save these as the soil was frozen solid. Probably should rename them Mushua and Orribla.

Moved the tubs of mashua & oca into the GH. I may be too late to save these as the soil was frozen solid. Probably should rename them Mushua and Orribla.

The two Alstroemeria plants that I had in the tumbledown greenhouse at the allotment got soaked (the glass above was missing)and then they got frost damage. I brought them home and put them on the bedroom windowsill to dry out and took off the blackened leaves. They are tuberous and would have died if left methinks? They are now recovering nicely and have new green growth appearing!
I think your Oca will be ok (not familiar with mashua though?) Jerusalem artichokes seem to survive ok outdoors and are tuberous? (Having said that, so are dahlias and they deffo wouldn't survive.)
Time to shut up as I am just digging a bigger hole for myself!

Vinny I’m sure only burning destroys Jerusalem artichokes they’ll spring up again next year from the smallest of pieces.

It’s looking like my GH lettuce won’t survive even though I’ve got them fleeced

I finished weaving my 6 willow swallows today. I definitely improved over the 6 . First 2 I’m keeping as they’re not good enough for anybody else. The other 4 I’m reasonably happy with. I’ve got some willow left over so I’m going to attempt a basket with them. If that hurts my hands as much as making the swallows did. Then that’ll be the end of my willow weaving hobby. But very pleased I’ve had the chance to try it. Something I’ve wanted to try for years. Still not actually taken any photos of them yet.

I finished weaving my 6 willow swallows today. I definitely improved over the 6 . First 2 I’m keeping as they’re not good enough for anybody else. The other 4 I’m reasonably happy with. I’ve got some willow left over so I’m going to attempt a basket with them. If that hurts my hands as much as making the swallows did. Then that’ll be the end of my willow weaving hobby. But very pleased I’ve had the chance to try it. Something I’ve wanted to try for years. Still not actually taken any photos of them yet.

We really need pictures SC.

I imagine those willow weavers have a very strong hand grip which is supposedly a sign of longevity?

My Great grandfather lost his sight when he was 5. Aged 14, he started as an apprentice in the Cardiff Blind Institute, weaving willow baskets that were sold from horse drawn carts. He retired from basket making when he was 69. I never met him but I bet he had strong hands.

I finished weaving my 6 willow swallows today. I definitely improved over the 6 . First 2 I’m keeping as they’re not good enough for anybody else. The other 4 I’m reasonably happy with. I’ve got some willow left over so I’m going to attempt a basket with them. If that hurts my hands as much as making the swallows did. Then that’ll be the end of my willow weaving hobby. But very pleased I’ve had the chance to try it. Something I’ve wanted to try for years. Still not actually taken any photos of them yet.

We really need pictures SC.

Still not a good picture. But here is one of the swallow I’m happy with.