Warthog

Talkback: Using green tomatoes

I grew six tomato vines in my porch up here at 1000 ft in the North Pennines, provided me with a constant supply for myself from late August. I took them down before going away on holiday and made 4 pounds of green tomato jam with the unripe fruit, but will certainly try the relish next year, thanks.

Talkback: Bats

Happened to me once staying in a friend's house near Dover, woke to feel a draught every few minutes on my face. Stupidly what I did was open the bedroom door, so it flew through there and then had the whole house to play with! Getting a bit of help from the others staying there, we eventually cornered it in the toilet and I picked it up, still remember the feel of its tiny claws clutching my fingers. And yes, I know I shouldn't have done but I wasn't up in bat protection in those days.

Talkback: Cleavers

I couldn't agree more. The stuff seems to hide itself until it suddenly bursts forth rampantly over everything in the border, and as fast as you try to pull it out, it sticks to everything and breaks up into pieces.

Talkback: Weather damage to plants

Up here in the North Pennines I have for the last two nights covered all my newly planted stuff, mostly with light packaging material, some with weed barrier, anything to give a bit of shelter! It does seem to have worked in temperatures up to -4C.

Starting from scratch

Thanks, will have a look.  But it's more how do I begin to prepare the ground for planting when it's in such a bad state?  Am removing builder's rubble, and underlying black polythene which previous owners laid down, Site is very uneven due to building work.  Clumps of rushes and horsetail both front and back.

Starting from scratch

Next year I need to begin redesigning the garden at my retirement home, which I moved into 4 months ago. We are at around 1000 ft in the North Pennines. It is boggy in heavy rain, with a stream at the bottom of a dip,  At the moment there is a row of large overgrown bushes along the stream which I want to remove.  I cannot afford professional help.  Ideas on how to begin, anyone?

Talkback: Using green tomatoes

I grew six tomato vines in my porch up here at 1000 ft in the North Pennines, provided me with a constant supply for myself from late August... 

Talkback: Bats

Happened to me once staying in a friend's house near Dover, woke to feel a draught every few minutes on my face. Stupidly what I did was ope... 

Starting from scratch

Large garden gone to wilderness