Merry Tiller and Mantis Breakdown
I think the Merry Tiller was one of the best and most useful tillers ever made, solid construction to churn through the heaviest soil.
Yearly Archives: 2026
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Farewell Lotty Cat
After sixteen years we lost Lotty Cat on Tuesday, 7th April 2026. She's left a very big hole in our lives after 16 years.
Inflation, wicking bed, steps finished, cactus display
Small-space growing experiment with a wicking bed, new steps to the small greenhouse, lovely Easter cactus display a parsnip germination trick
Jack First Hot Bed Expert Visit
Vist to Jack First who has been involved in agriculture and horticulture for decades, and is an expert on growing in hot beds.
Reacting to Events, New Path, Sowing
Concerns over food supply, planting potatoes, sowing in the potting shed and constructing stepped path to the small greenhouse.
Greenhouse Arrives!
New greenhouse arrives, it could have gone a little better but it's here now. Spring showing in the fruit bushes, Lotty cat sleeps in the sun
Planning for Difficult Times Ahead
How we prepare for high food price inflation if the war in Iran continues and drives prices high without spending money
March Sowing Starts – March Plan
After a very dull and thoroughly miserable February, we’re finally in March and getting things sown. It's exciting when the season starts.
Replacement Greenhouse Coming Soon – I Hope!
Following Storm Chandra destroying my Vitavia greenhouse, I’ve chosen a replacement, and it’s now on order.
More Potting, Cauliflowers, Firewood and Dead Hedging
Potting up sprouts and cauliflowers, more cauliflower seeds. Creating a dead hedge and sorting firewood. Spring is near, just ask nature.
Potting Up Cabbage, Treating Potting Shed
Making the most of a fine sunny day. It may have been freezing, but it wasn’t raining. Lots to get on with, and the season has hardly begun.
US Growing Zones, Planting Dates
I had a question about growing zones. There’s a lot more to timing for growing than simple fixed dates based on averages.
Endless Rain and Carrots in Raised Beds
Coping with exceptional rainfall and its effects in the garden. How deep to build a raised bed specifically for growing carrots.
Electric Problem Solved, Seed Germination
Seeds sown a week ago are starting to emerge. Repairing the faulty electric socket was a lot easier than expected.
Sowing Alliums, Preparing the Brassica Tunnel, Electric Problem
Making the most of a fine gardening day. All went really well until the end when an unexpected problem struck.
First Sowings of the Season
The first sowings of the 2026 season made and into the propagator. Working from a plan generated from my spreadsheet.
Repairing and Tidying the Potting Shed
As we're into February, I'll be sowing seeds in the potting shed. Before I can start, I need to get the mess in there tidied up a bit.
Season Starts – Chitting Potatoes
We’re past the winter solstice and the plants know it. Time to start chitting potatoes and first sowings of onions, broad beans and so on.
Storm Chandra Kills Greenhouse
Storm Chandra has managed to destroy my main greenhouse, despite my efforts to make sure it would be safe.
Trees for the Chop
We’ll be recycling some trees this year into firewood and wood chip. A forced decision, really. Filling one of the new deep raised beds.
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