Allotments 4 All

Quote from: markfield rover on March 31, 2026, 14:39:35Four O'Clock flower , I did the same as Vetivert and agree a little creepy for something that looks so refined when flowering . If all goes well I hope to be able to contribute to the circle. Thinking positive!!

Great to hear, MR. I'm sure all will go well but small contributions are perfectly acceptable. The bar has been set rather high recently but it feels important to emphasise that all manner of contributions are good, as long as collected with care, kept true to type and accurately named. I know you know all this, MR,  but just running through it in case anyone else is wondering about participating.

Do protect the runner beans!  Night frosts are still a possibility until mid May.  The peas should be absolutely fine, but French and runner beans are not frost hardy.  Broad beans should also be fine.

Shipping to UK is a big problem since Brexit.  But I read political moves are afoot to align UK and EU regulations to make trading easier, and I hope seeds are a part of that too.  There was an article in the press written by the English owner of Seeds of Italy on how difficult and costly it has become to import seeds from Italy to UK.  And that is a biggish commercial importer who can do reams of paperwork.  Most companies simply have given up.   

Also the list is getting a bit old, not all companies are still active.  But there are a few new seed sources in UK who offer interesting varieties. I hope the problem gets resolved soon.

I have just transplanted the strongest and bonniest little pea plants.  Unusually dark foliage too.  Thank you for Suttons Phenomenon.  As we are still in the grips of this year's very hard winter, each pea has a cut off plastic bottle on top to protect it for a little while.  Thank you Markfield Rover. 

Quote from: galina on August 03, 2017, 07:41:34http://www.vertiloom.com/en/service/bedrijfsgegevens/

Some very interesting pepper and tomato seeds, both heirloom and newly bred in Belgium. 

they don't appear to ship to uk:(

Four O'Clock flower , I did the same as Vetivert and agree a little creepy for something that looks so refined when flowering . If all goes well I hope to be able to contribute to the circle. Thinking positive!!

After pre soaking i have my early peas, runner beans, sugar peas and mangetout planted outside. The peas had already germinated a few days before i added the runner beans as there sharing a large bucket and climbing frame.

The rain and occasional sun showers are going them the world of good.

Yesterday moved the 3 courgette plants out of the heated propagator the rest of the plants are still a bit small only on first leaves to transplant so i need to be more patient.

Quote from: Debs on February 23, 2025, 19:54:19So today after clearing floating debris from the small overgrown pond I unearthed a newt which I quickly put back and also a couple of mating frogs!
I've heard supermarket watercress can help oxygenate the water
Has anyone tried this?
Do I put the watercress straight into the pond??

I do this for my pond as the fish will eventually eat it. Look at the stems for nodes and you will see little roots focus on this with a little leaf but they do need moving water. You can pick up a cheap floating solar water fountain which will also help.

Quote from: juliev on March 29, 2026, 07:28:28@Galina, I have one seedling of Green Spindle (out of 3 or 4 seeds).

@Jan, you can count me in for the seed circle 2026.

Delighted to count you in, juliev. Three have declared now, but it's early days!