Allotments 4 All

I routinely use "UCI KoolGrip Thermal Latex Grip Gloves" and I'm able to touch nettles with these without fear, though admittedly I haven't tested them in a nettle patch with the nettles fighting back.

Amazing that they're able get through two layers of gloves?!

I'd recommend this tool https://www.axminstertools.com/japanese-gardener-s-sickle-202310
I have one similar but with a longer handle, unfortunately can't find one for sale right now, but they tend to be razor sharp and you can just slash away with no resistance and use a branch in your other hand to keep the nettles from falling towards you.:)

What do you use to stop being stung when pulling out nettles, Ive just tried thick gardening gloves with butyl gloves underneath and my hands are still stinging!

The soil is really good! Lots of nettles - which (apparently) are a good sign of fertile soil 🤞
It has some mares tail(horsetail?), which I'm digging out.
Still a little wary of a late frost, as temperatures have fluctuated but I'm hardening off and starting to plant beginning with brassicas netted from pigeons and in a raised bed

Thanks JanG I have been doing bits but determined to get things sorted.
Handyman came and did a wonderful job and he carried all my tomato pots out and i have spent today filling these with soil and getting them back into the greenhouse. I have over done it but seing physio tomorrow. So doing all the big things before then :) 5 tomatoes planted out the rest are really behind. Tomorrow peppers and chillis pots to fill and plants to transplant.
Just ordered more strawberry plants and sown more tomatoes so i have back up.

galina thanks will be resting thursday x

What an achievement.  Take a rest today! 

Congratulations! It must feel wonderful to be able to do things that you haven't been able to.

It does sound like a rather sudden burst of activity. Take care.

Hi All,

After having to rest and isolate for 4 months and gradually building up my energy levels since end of feb am finally getting things done in garden!

Today i managed to plant out
- broccoli seedlings
- onion sets extras planted out into gaps of ones planted in place 5 weeks ago

Sown
- spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, leeks, lettuce, spring onions, beetroot
- Finally got my spuds into buckets (ran out of soil)

Need to transplant all sage, thyme, rosemary, chillis, aubergine, tomatoes and peppers into bigger pots

Have handyman coming at 10am tomorrow to do some bits i physically can't do and that will be me done in the garden apart from the lawn.

I have now seized up !!

Cam

Great to hear from you, juliev and Galina.

And excellent news on the SPS discussion. Good that you have your ear to the ground on that. Do keep us posted.

Yes please, thank you Jan!  They are discussing a possible SPS agreement in weeks, which should be very good news for seed exchanges, if it actually happens. Otherwise the usual provisos. 

I'm in!
Thank you Jan for the time and effort to coordinate the circle.