Grief Encounters...

2011-09-10T09:27:00.001Z

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Garden Bloomers. ..

2011-06-09T19:42:00.000Z

Well this is summer eh? Had breakins at our allotment site with 16 sheds being done - not much taken in the scheme of things but loads of hassle for those concerned with the damage done... Bastards, may they get their come upance.
On a brighter note, the garden id looking good at the moment... You might even say Rosey B-)

Rosa 'Blush Noisette'

Acer palmatum 'atropurpureum'

and finally my favourite

Rosa 'Ferdinand Pichard'

Whatever you do, don't Sneeze!

2011-05-30T09:51:00.000Z

Spent an interesting few hours on SUnday freeing my nuts off in search of the Night heron at Earlswood lakes..I was unsuccessful but had a really good time chatting to the other birders there and especially Kevin Groocock and Matt Griffiths (the starter of this rumour ).

The day started off with a bit of a mix up over the minibus and we eventually decided to go local in cars (Did I tell you it was a bird club trip?) So 4 of them set off to Rutland and the remaining 7 of us set off for Earlswood Lakes after it was suggested we try for the Night heron . The other lot were well on the way by then so didn't turn around .

We got to Earlswood and had a quick look round and there was no sign so it was decided to push on to Upton Warren and then come back later to try again, but I took a few shots whilst we were there.

Banded Demoiselle

Amphibious Bistort

So after a quick tea stop it was off to Upton Warren (somewhere I've never been before) and what a nice little reserve. The highlight of the trip for me was a beautiful pair of Bullfinches first I've seen like this for ages.

Male Bullfinch

it was at this point Kammo Kath decided to get her camera ou and then just as she lined the shot up Alan Ramsell sneezed with the inevitable result

Aaachoooo!

So if you want a shot kath... £5 :D We had the usual warblerage singing away and this fella stopped for a quick pose.

Sedge Warbler

and then it was back to earlswood for the long wait...

Mandarin and Mate

It was a bit slow as they say, and so anything that came into range got photo'd. The mandarin duck for one (along with his mate a female mallard).

Common Tern

Unfortunately for us the damn thing appeared about 30 minutes after we left but it was still a good day.

Sunset at Earlswood

Norfolk Weekend - part two

2011-05-23T19:33:00.000Z

So where did I leave you .. Ah yes, Titchwell so it must have been Sarnies, tea and bearded tits ! Right then Onwards and upwards.

Day 3 - The other way

Having ate heartily, we ventured to Kelling Heath in search of Dartford warblers of which there were none but we did get several stonechats and a solitary yellow hammer singing is heart out ( when he wasn't hanging on for grim death).

Yellowhammer

The heath looked a really good habitat but had had a few encounters with sparks from the steam engines of the North Norfolk Railway - never a good mix, dry heath and sparks. But I guess this will result in some re growth in a couple of years time.

Female Stonechat

Whilst here we bumped in to a ex pat from Warwickshire (whose name I can't remember) but we had a good chat about local birders that he knew so it was good.

Male Stonechat

Also, his colleague ( God, I'm resorting to work speak in my own time now!!) was incredibly knowledgeable about the chats on the heath, he must have spent years watching them !

From here we shot over to Salthouse, again windy but sunny. Here, after a bit of searching, we managed to tick off Wheatear, Rock pipit and shore lark so not bad for an hour or so. then over to Cley our last stop before we went home. I can recommend the Marsh-mans lunch - I have never seen such a slab of cheese!

Another Marsh man after his lunch

On the Marsh we only visited the two nearest hides I didn't think the strong winds would be conducive to anything popping out of the reed and apart from the "usual suspects" as they say we did manage a little and Temincks stint so pretty good considering.

I think the final species tally was 56 birds, 8 butterflies 2 damsels and a dragonfly (no ID) which when it was more of a learning trip for my friend and poor conditions and not a twitching trip was well worth it. I just wish I could have taken more photo's but even with the tripod it was bad being buffeted all the time.

Norfolk weekend - part one

2011-05-16T13:12:00.000Z

After a bit of discussion we (myself and a friend) decided to have a birdwatching weekend in norfolk. A bit of searching we hit on Blakeney as a base. A couple of more meetings over a curry and a few beers and we had an outline of what we fancied doing (Subject to changes of course) So here we go...

Day One - the journey up

Left home at a reasonable hour and took a steady drive up the A5/A47 nothing spectacular till we got to Tixover and then we had excellent views of two Red Kite slowly drifting over the car ... if only we could have stopped for a photo opportunity! Turned off into Collyweston and there was another Kite not quite as low but still good quickly followed by Buzzard Sparrowhawk and Kestrel .. so 4 raptors in the space of about 4 miles, pretty good going in anyones book me thinks. Originally we were going to head for the hotel and then take in some local sites but a quick change of plan and we headed towards RSPB Titchwell with the aim to arrive around lunchtime for a tea & sarnie stop ... it proved to be expensive but more later.

Early Purple Orchid at RSPB Titchwell

Fed and watered we took a slow walk around steadily ticking off the species that we wouldn't normally see in the heart of Warwickshire but it has to be said it was very windy and it was keeping some of the smaller stuf tucked well down in the reed beds. Then came the big mistake... on the way back to the car we called into the shop, I bought a couple of videos and John lashed out on a new pair of Bins, something he'd been planning to do but couldn't make his mind up. from here it was over to our base for the weekend, the Manor Hotel at Blakeney.

The Manor is an interesting place it has the look of a spanish courtyard about some of it. The rooms were Ok and you weren't restricted to two drinks per day like some places, with a bowl of milks and about 10 tea bags and the same of coffee - important for a tea-aphile like me :-)

Anyway, back to the birding, having check in tea'd up and unpacked we shot off to suss out a couple of site for the following day and then Wells Next the Sea for chips followed by a spot of owl watching. I have to say the Chippy was excellent but they always are by the sea! the Owls... none existant ( never trust a man who says guaranteed spot for barn owls). so back to the hotel for a few beers...

Day Two - oot and aboot

Following on from the first days success we had a conference over an excellent breakfast and decided not to go with what we'd decided and try some different sites due to the crap weather forecast ... (never trust a weather person!) So we tried some of the lesser know spots like Burnham Marsh

Sea Campion

and Burnham Norton.

Thrift - Burnham Norton

Both of these looked good sites but again the problem was the high winds were keeping stuff down but we did manage a few warblers, a blue tailed and a small red Damselfly and quite a few Wall Browns which considering the wind was a feat in itself!

Wall Brown

Back to Titchwell for a cuppa and sarnie and we decided to have another look around ( still no rain as forecast!) and saw more warblers then having sat on a bench for 5 minutes or so 3 bearded tit's appeared. but agin the blustery wind was making it hard work but it was still an enjoyable day

Ragged Robin RSPB Tichwell

Mixed bag

2011-05-02T17:01:00.000Z

Well the day started off normal enough. After a conversation on the lotty yesterday with another member of the committee I sowed about 100 Greyhound cabbage seeds and about 10 courgette seeds to use on a spare plot we've got ( help keep it clean & tidy). I nipped down the plot only to be roped into moving a double glazed door for someone who wanted it on his shed! Quickly followed by three railway sleepers and another shed on to my plot!

SO, I have a base to construct and a shed to repair & erect this week to make ready for next weeks preparation to plant out the 30+ Chrysanths and my Dahlia's (if I have any intime!)

Then I returned home and a quick mug of tea and a sarnie before shooting off in search of Dragonflies .. and guess what!

Hairy Dragonflies

Got them!!

Time for a bit of gardening ...

2011-05-01T09:03:00.000Z

Well the last few posts have been about natural history so I thought it was time for some gardening. At long last I've finished tidying the greenhouses out and have caught up with the potting up/seed sowing etc.

But forst a new one for me some Pleoines that have just flowered for the first time ...an'ct remember the names at the moment so a quick dash to the greenhouse is called for

pleione bulbacoides

Pln. 'Vesuvious Leopard'

Pln 'Vicky'

Stunning little flowers they are too. Now some views in the greenhouses

The lefthand side of the big Greenhouse

On here are are a few of the chrysanths I'm growing this year plus a few Border Carnations that survived the ravages of winter in the unheated Greenhouse.

Little greenhouse

And these are some more of the chrysanths plus the toms, peppers and a few other bits. This greenhouse now houses the Propagating bench so it stays a bit warmer... but still not up to -26c!! I lost quite a few Cacti this year as well (which I never have in the past) but I guess that gives opportunities for other things.

Surprise visit...

2011-04-26T15:31:00.001Z

Got home from Whitacre heath and my daughter volunteered to look after Darwin, her friends bearded dragon

This weekend

2011-04-26T08:19:00.000Z

So Bank holiday and it always rains eh... not this time! Had a glorious weekend that was made better by the fact I'm not in work for another week!!

SO what do you do, well I nipped out to my local reserve (Whitacre Heath) and had about an hour there. Loads of stuff calling but with this nice weather, the trees have all go leaves on so it's hard to see them!

Did see a couple of really nice male Pheasants though One of which I've posted on the whittty blog so here's the other one.

Pheasant

quite a lot of the spring flowers are going over already but I'm sure they will be back for a second flush.

Pink Campion

From here I nipped to Coton Lakes to get a shot of the toothwort and some Common Vetch

Toothwort

Not at it's best now but at least I've got a record of it. And the common vetch isn't the best shot I've ever taken as there was a bit of breeze just rocking it at the wrong time!

Common Vetch

Sunday I went to Paxton Pits and Summer Leys NR - two super little reserves, But alas, no camera so can't do much about that.

a little bit of sun ...

2011-04-21T14:14:00.000Z

And all sorts of things start happening! Last year I got some Auricula's (just for fun) and they really are hardy little fella's, these have been outside all winter ( and I recorded -26c in my unheated greenhouse) but they're certainly making up for it now.

Everest Blue

Nina

Beatrice

Autumn Fire

And the good news is there are still some to come!

Other things that are happening at the moment. I went to the Wyre Forest on Saturday and had a good few hours, only marred by the fact one of my new memory cards packed up! but luckily I had another two with me. but I lost some of the earlier shots I took. Still managed a few

Primrose

Bitter Vetch

the Bees were out in force which was good to see

Buff tails on Pear blossom

And this chiffchaff just couldn't wait

Nesting Chiffchaff

what else is happening...

2011-04-11T18:55:00.000Z

As you may have noticed, I am taken photo's of other things apart from Birds these days. To this end I've set up a blog for another group that hopefully I can contribute to in the next few months.

http://vc38flora.blogspot.com/ - Warwickshire Flora Group.

Homepage of the blog

so take a look and if you live in Warwickshire or visit Warwickshire (including the old VC38 county) take a look and maybe even fill in a sighting form for them.

Some more from yesterday

2011-04-10T10:25:00.000Z

few more photo's from yesterday...

First batch, some Wild flowers

Sweet Violets - Viola odorata

Interesting Lichens

Add caption

Now for something new to me, The Beefly - Bombylius major. A strange looking little sod but I guess it's mother loves it

Beefly - Bombylius major

And a proper job as my old friend used to say - you can see that the bee fly does look like a bee

Buff-tailed bumblebee -
Bombus terrestris

So a good day all in all.

Snook out for a couple of hours

2011-04-09T21:09:00.000Z

And went to Ufton Fields Nr Leamington Spa. THe weather was a bit too good really but hey, I'm not complaining!!. Anyway nothing of great importance but did get a few photo's of Bullerflies and a chance to play with my new lens - A canon 28-105mm f3.5 and i have to say, I think I like it! but most of these were taken with my good old faithful 100-400 ISL

The first shot is taken with the new lens and it looks OK to me both with and without the glasses on!

Little Grebe Pool

Now some Butterflies.

Orange Tip

Peacock

Speckled Wood

The last is the flower of one of the many willows and the 400mm lens blurs the background nicely I think. I didn't manage to see anything else of note but an enjoyable couple of hours.

Catkins

In t'greenhoose

2011-04-05T18:42:00.000Z

Well, just got back from sunny somerset and had a quick look in the greenhouse and my chrysanth plants look to have survived and the cuttings look as if they've rooted.

My Tomatoes have gone from zip to a pot full in two days , some alpine seedlings have sprouted but no signs of life with my remaining two dahlia tubers yet... still not bad really.

Need to finish tidying up and get rid of all the rubbish and then start laying out the garden soon to accomodate the 30+ cuttings. I think I'm going to level it off , spray with roundup and then put some membrane & gravel down to help suppress the weeds. then I can use it with a cold frame early on in the year,

Down the lottie I have a new shed to erect and rotavate the bit of land ready for planting out the 30-40 chrysanths and I may even sneak a few early tatties in.

Yesterday ...

2011-03-21T08:51:00.003Z

No, I'm not about to do a cover of a Beatles song ! Set off a tad on the lates side in the 3rd different mini bus of the year for Newport wetlands (Gwent I believe). Fair run down there and the sun came out despite what the weatherman said. Newport is a very pleasant looking reserve but has some strange views

As is the case this time of year it was quiet, WInter stuff gone, summer stuff not quite here yet but we liked the look of the place - well worth another visit methinks. Hears about 3 Cetti's warblers and 4 Chifchaffs but the rest was the usual suspects - Mallard, Gadwall, Pochard, Mute Swan, Shoveler, Coot, Gt Crested Grebe, Little Grebe,

We had fleeting glimpses of Bearded Tit in the reed beds and from the sea wall Avocet, Curlew& Shelduck. The facilities are good though.

We then drove the 4 or so miles to the other side of the reserve to the lagoons where there was a good selection of Waders (reminiscent of Snettisham ... or it will be in a few years time) where it was much of the same apart from Redshank, Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank - duly noted & called in to Birdguides ( I had to do it twice cos I forgot the location first time !! ... damn this cold)

From here we shot up to New Fancy View with a quick stop at Canop Ponds where we had cracking views of Mandarin Duck, ( I wish I'd taken my Camera now !) Treecreeper and Nuthatch. then back in the bus and a quick dash. NF viewpoint saw local who said " I've been here for about an hour and seen nothing" hmm, 25 minute before they shut the gate -didn't look good. Still we got Goldcrest and Coaltit in the conifers in front of us and then Mr Maddox hit the homer, sitting in the open in a stand of conifers a bostin (as they say in these parts) Goshawk, looking at him he'd no doubt seen us and was wondering what the hell we were doing so 10 minutes to spare.

The Team on Goshawk Watch

With the new enthusiasm we had we decided to nip to Parkend Church to try for some Hawfinches but sadly in the imortal words of Kath Oldbird "hero to zero in 30 minutes" Not a sniff of one but we did get Gt Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Mistle Thrush, Great, Blue and Longtailed Tits, and even better views of a Nuthatch. In the field next to the church we had 6 Song Thrushes at one point ( I should have taken the sound recorder as well!!) and a couple of Jackdaws.

So the verdict - Damn good day out and worth a visit again - Newport does suffer from the 'non birding' general public (or it did yesterday) but if it sparks one or two of the kids to take up natural history then thats a good thing. I will become another Titchwell I think in time and we can all use some of these!

The rest of the trip - I think whilst there isn't one place ( apart from NFV ) that shout out as part of a birding trip they are really good with a good selection of birds on view... Maybe a Saturday trip!

ntg

New book

2011-03-18T13:52:00.003Z

Well, l was looking at my book case and suddenly realised I had a gap so I bought this. You just know its going to be a rivetting read.

Final one from the weekend.

2011-03-15T21:07:00.000Z

On the friday evening we tried for the short eared owls and Barn Owls , we saw them but the light was so bad there wasn't a chance of a shot even at 400 ISO.

So here are some geese (probably Grey Lags) heading over to the Humber and looked nice against the sky.

Couple more from the weekend

2011-03-14T20:37:00.000Z

OK so theres 3 photo's but who's counting

Proper post

2011-03-14T13:09:00.000Z

Rather than the auto updates I thought I'd write something for once!

I had a few days at Barton on Humber staying with friends and on saturday we went in search of Adders ... Absolutely brilliant as you can see from my Flikr site or some of the same shots below.

ntg

2011-03-14T12:36:00.001Z

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2011-01-28T20:37:00.001Z

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Tales from the bottom of the garden ..

2010-01-27T21:34:00.006Z

Following on from a desperate plea from our hard pressed editor for things to put in to our newsletter I decided through shame that starting in the new year I would do two things:-

1. I would compile a garden list as I’ve always got time to look out the window but not always time to go round the local area

2. I would re design the bottom of the garden for wildlife rather than a rubbish dump!

The first one I will try and do monthly and send to Lloyd but the second I reckon I can string out over the year thereby satisfying our hard pressed editor ( he’ll have articles) and me – I won’t have to do it in a weekend J

So let’s set things out. The area I’ve got to play with is about 20ft x 13ft. My garden being long and thin (Mr Maddox, you’re making up your own punch lines).It already has some benefits to it as I inherited an old Hawthorn bush that I tried to train in an espalier sort of formation to stop the little gits from the school climbing over. And the last time I looked down there I’d got some self set Hollies growing – Berries hopefully but they are only about 12” high at the moment. The best feature though is the self set Silver birch that is currently around 30’ high and houses the feeders. There is also a small shed down there that I could move and use as a “hide” but the background is a bit boring (6ft fence panel)so there is plenty of scope for more plantings that will hopefully enhance this.

So what does it look like, I didn’t want to include photo’s as this would cost the club extra in photocopying expenses so I’ve done a couple of “not to scale” sketches a before and a proposed.

This shows the main bits of the plot. The Hawthorn, Silver Birch, a couple of Lawson’s Cypress and the shed. Underneath this is a load of rubble that was buried by the previous occupant which includes scrap iron, bricks and who knows what and I regularly get Bumble bees nest in it.

This is the proposed layout, removing one of the Cypress to give a log pile, and as it is a bank I intend making a dry stone wall on the front. I’ve left out the bird table that’s currently there as I’m not sure if it will stay in its current position or not. And as to the ground, well I’ll plant it up with a sort of Woodland edge mix although as it runs roughly North/South as you look at it on the page I could get away with pretty well anything. Something else I’ve got to fit in is my Compost bin as this seems to be popular with the local population of Grass snakes!

Added to this is a wildlife pond in front of this, extra feeders and a small wildlife meadow ( it means I don't have to cut it every week like a lawn :-)

Then all I need is the time to sit and take loads of photo’s but that would be another tale ...

Carnations part 2 ...

2009-05-06T01:00:00.007Z

Since my first interest I have picked up a couple more books:-

“Carnations and Pinks for Garden and Greenhouse” by John and Eileen Galbally

This I bought after it was recommended by Brian Yates in his excellent Pinks Blog on the BNCS Website – thank you for that Brian it’s well read and thank you Eileen for helping to write it. It’s a shame that some of the varieties aren’t around now ... or maybe they are (plug for the Heritage scheme)

And the other one I got from a local Charity shop for £2-50 ( a tad more than the original 18/6d !!) but equally useful and that is

“Growing perpetual flowering Carnations” by Steven Bailey.

So armed with these and the others mentioned in the 1^st part I worked out my plan of action ... or rather inactions due to the weather. I can’t remember when we had Snow, Frost, Fog and rain like this year. Anyway I have my two offspring well trained and they get me Gardening vouchers for birthdays and Christmas so rather than mix my own composts I usually buy it in. I don’t have the time to mix it and upto now the quantities are small any way. Also the last couple of years rather than the 5” or 6” of annual rainfall I normally get here in the Highlands of Warwickshire ( well 550ft asl is a mountain round here!) so I thought that I would use a similar mix to my Late Chrysanths as it is fairly open this is roughly

4 parts JI No.3, 4pts Miracle grow Multipurpose and 1 part Perlite and a dusting of calcified seaweed - maybe it’s not what you all use but I thought I’d start from here. Also I seem to get better results from Clay pots than Plastic so I dug out some of the spare’s and planted 3 plants in an 8” or 9” pot any odds left to be planted in 2 to a 3ltr plastic or singly in a 6” clay so we’ll see what gives the best results. This also helped out as I probably won’t have the spare room later on in the year so the 3 to a pot seemed the obvious course.

So what varieties am I trying to kill? Well, I’ll tell you.

Borders - 27 plants

Anne S Moore, Flanders, Hannah Louise, Irene Delatorre, Lord Nuffield, Pink Nuffield,Spinfield Grey, Spinfield Joy, Tamsin Fifield.

PF’s – 39 plants

Cromptons Classic, Cromptons Princess, Cromptons Bride, Summer Bride, Clara, Clara's lass, Betty's delight, Linfield Annie's fancy, Joannes Highlight.

Pinks – 6 plants

Linfield Dorothy Perry, Oakwood Erin Mitchel, Anders Dora bryan, Anders serene, Anders Gemma, Magenta Gem.

Added to this I have some replacement cuttings of some of the older plants I grow Carmine Letitia Wyatt, Laced Monarch and Claret Joy to adorn the Garden.

Pinks still waiting to be potted up

Borders brought in out of the cold ... frame

a couple seemed to have suffered

As you can see a fair mix so hopefully I should get something all being well. The only thing to do now is sort out the bottom of the garden so I have somewhere to stand them till flowering time ... But that’s another story.

New venture ...

2009-05-06T00:51:00.002Z

As you all know I’m an uncontrollable propagator ... no I’ve not got a huge family I meant plants, something I inherited off my Father who was a good gardener ( better than me). As a youth I hated gardening and most of all my father’s passion of Chrysanths . I eventually gave in and said I liked Dahlia’s and grew a few when I to keep dad happy. Then a turning point in my life, I got married and had 160’ of garden to look after ... not the ideal situation for a garden hater, but eventually the nagging er I mean persuasion paid off and I started to look after it and Pinks were one thing that went in. I bought some from the local garden centre. They were in 3ltr pots and cost me £1-50 as they were coming to the end of the season, but as I’d just acquired a greenhouse I did the decent thing and took loads of cuttings with the help of one of dads books “ Carnations for everyone” by Montague Allwood.

Then came another turning point a few years later, my wife was seriously ill for about two years and after buying here bunches of flowers each week I thought, “must be a cheaper way of doing this” and so I selected bunches of Carnations with some “cutting” on and then went to one of dads old Chrysanth chums and bought some sprays for cuttings (and somehow ended up with 6 late flowering plants as well ... George Freestone is both a very good salesman and now friend!). After growing for a couple of years I looked on the internet for a source of Carnation netting to use to grow my sprays and eventually came upon this the BNCS site, dropped an e-mail to see if they could help, had a very nice reply off Betty Linnell and Peter Booker and then it happened, I got the Carnation bug.

What I intend to do is to record my first stumbling footsteps in to the serious growing of all things Dianthus. But where to start?

I decided the only decent thing to do as I had had all this help from Betty & co was join the BNCS and I received my free booklet, read it and promptly sent for the other two. Not knowing what I fancied (if you pardon the pun) I felt the best course was to grow all types! So I duly trawled through the yearbook, and saw loads of photos, read the article on the website noted names and sat back and thought 6000 was probably too many ( Ok, so I exaggerated the number a bit) It quickly became evident that a lot of the good show varieties have one serious flaw ... they don’t smell! And as most of the plants in my garden have a scent of some sort I thought this was going to be a factor I had to consider. I like the idea of PF’s as these will give me a long flowering season ( unless I killed them) but some of the Borders seemed to have a nicer looking flower but shorter season .. so I’d have to get both, as I didn’t want loads of Pink flowers I looked at the colours and tried to pick different ones where possible so that would make for some nice mixed vases on the sideboard filling the room with a heady perfume.

Armed with my list I posted on the forum asking about Borders and got a reply almost immediately from Jim (via Betty) saying if I went over he’s have a few that would start me off. Mistake number two! Having softened me up with a cup of tea, Jim did a “George Freestone” like move and showed me all the ones he grew and the list went out of the window and I came away with a collection of scented border cuttings. One down, one to go.

It was about this time I decided that I would get some more late Chrysanth cutting of varieties I fancied growing so looked on Ivor Mace's website and realised he was selling some PF’s so I ordered 9 off him and thought that takes care of that but in a moments madness I mentioned to Betty that I’d got some and thought I might like a few more ... another trip to Dunfield and away I came with a few more ... and 6 pinks to play with! So that’s where I am to date. I’ll try and do a blow by blow account of how I get on and maybe someone will read these and think they might like to follow in my faltering footsteps and who knows I may even show a few but I don’t think the more serious amongst you will have to worry as I’m more of a grower than a shower although I do try and get a few Chrysanths in the local show if possible.

But 1 thing I might try this year is to answer a question for Mr Mace. I grow late flowering spray chryanths and I take the cuttings July 7^th and then when they are potted up into the final pots (3ltr) I Black them out with black plastic for 4 weeks or so and this induces the flowers to form. If I have space I might try sticking a spare Carnation in and see what happens.

Navel Gazing ...

2008-09-04T15:09:00.002Z

For various reasons that I'm not prepared to go into online I have spent the last 12 months seriously considering giving up the allotment. But due to the support and chivvying of my fellow plotters I have decided to keep going.

As No1 daughter is at University and No1 son now has a job that means he's not around so much, I have decided that a full plot is probably too much for us now ( I have a fairly big garden at home as well). So I thought half a plot should be OK then when I sat to draw up a list of what we wanted it seemed it would be too much !! At the same time I got a copy of Square foot gardening and on reading this I thought I could have a couple of beds for veg and then the rest of the space could be taken up with my beloved chrysanths, dahlia's and a few cut flowers ( carnations gladioli and sweet peas) so this is the plan with the addition of a polytunnel (24' x 14') for a special purpose but more of that later. So I'm off to get things planned out and then move the shed to a new position and we'll see what happens next year.

1st for a long time

2008-07-01T21:34:00.002Z

Well I can't believe where this year has gone !! I haven't got much to report really. Last was crap and I nearly gave up but I've kept the plot on for another year whilst I make my mind up. In the mean time I've been looking at the garden at home and a redesign is underway with the bottom half no longer the preserve of my beloved Chrysanths but being turned over to a wildlife patch. More of that later though ...

First for a long time ......

2007-11-17T19:11:00.000Z

Well, this is my first post since May! I just can't believe where this year has gone. The Summer was a washout and then work conspired against me so I've written 2007 off as a bad lot.

On the up side of things I've had time to sit and work out a plan of attack for next year and I decided that the one plot would be enough as my friend won't be borrowing part of the lottie so I have a blank canvas again to re plan things.

Top of the list is a polytunnel, I've been looking around at different ones and for various reasons not just price I've decided on a Citadel Space saver Polytunnel as it has higher sides than the normal ones and I'll probably go for a 30ft x 12ft this will leave me a bit of space down the side where I can stand a few pots of Chrysanths that will flower next November and are OK to flower in a cold house. the rest of the space on the bottom half of the plot will be taken up with Early spray chrysanthemum's and Dahlia's that I can grow on raised beds to help with the drainage and make it easier to dig. This leaves me with about 60ft of allotment to grow veg on. I still haven't decided if I'm going to bother with Main crop spuds next year after this year but I'll certainly grow loads of New potatoes in pots & tubs as these were a roaring success in the Grief house this year.

The Polytunnel will allow me to grow a few pots fullbefoer the ones in the ground come in to production. Other early crops I can get out of it will be Beans, Peas, Carrots etc. I must admit it has re-kindled the spirit after the disappointment of this year where I almost gave up.

At Home No1 son has been hard at it and has marked out a plot to grow some of the more choice veg that needs regular attention & picking like Salad stuff, Beetroot, Beans, Peas etc.

After the problems with the ground water logging so badly I have decided to go for Raised beds wherever possible at home and to this end I'm looking into getting a Mantis or the Honda equivalent to give me the opportunity to catch up with jobs when work gets in the way but I'll have to see.

So to end on a brighter note, we have just held our two chrysanthemum shows, 1 in September & 1 in November and a riot of colour they were, So I'll post some photo's for you look at.

First the Early Show .......

And now the Late show ....

Meet Plot 57...

2007-05-26T17:34:00.002Z

Well in a moment of madness the other day I decided to take on another plot. it came about because one of the guys has a polytunnel and the stuff he has had from it so far is unbelievable and i heard this little voice shouting "want one, want one"

As most of my existing plot is taken up with veg Ii couldn't really afford the room for a tunnel so I spied a couple of likely vacant plots and thought

"hmmmmm, 1 of those could be just what I need"

So I approached our site manager and whilst in conversation with him I thought I could also use it for fruit, Chrysanths, Dahlia's and Cut-flowers .... I know how to creep

So here she is, warts and all ( or should I say weeds and all)

Above is the view from about 1/3 of the way down looking back towards the roadway ( where the galvanised water tank is). The 1st 30ft or so is just this years annual weeds nothing a good hoeing won't sort out. Then if I put some membrane down & plant the Dahlia's through this it will keep them weed free.

The 2nd 30ft is a mix of Grass, old Carrots, Parsnips & Brussels - I think. This will need a tad more work on it but it can soon be licked into shape.
This is the remaining 130ft of which about 60ft is fairly clear and it's just the bottom bit that is untouched, but a dose of round-up and a whizz with the rotavator and it will be as good as new. This is where the polytunnel is going to go. I have sort of earmarked a 24ft x 14ft but one of the guys knows of some that are in need of a new skin and away you go so if they are the right price it may be bigger !

So as it is going to pissistantly rain this week end, it's noses in the catalogues & look at fruit. The plot next to me has some small trees on there already so there isn't a problem with me having any and I fancy 2 or 3 apples, 2 or 3 pears, a plum then the usual Raspberries, Currants and a couple of Strawberry beds ( that will please Mrs Grief as they are her favourites !!)

Meet

2007-05-26T17:34:00.001Z

Things are a happenning.....

2007-05-03T18:51:00.000Z

All this ere sunshine ( that's due to end on Monday - Bank holiday !!) has started to make all the Cacti wake up, even the seedlings are having a go.

And not everything that is blue is a bluebell at this time of year

The Natch is going well and has taken to the Greenhouse like a ...... errr Natch to a greenhouse!!

She actually sat down for the one photo .... almost unheard of. There are a few more Photo's from around the area that I've take whilst been dragged around by the Liver & White lunatic at this link

http://preview.tinyurl.com/23u5d7

http://preview.tinyurl.com/yrxo62

A rare treat last night (2nd May) I was allowed out on my own .... well with No1 son and we paid a visit to fellow Grape ( member of the No 1 gardening forum The Grapevine - see links) Pigletwillie who had aquired a 1000 ltr LBC for me - I think this is going to be much needed this coming summer!

Thank you David for the tank & great thanks to Karen for the much needed cuppa so thaw out frozen son ..... he doesn't have the insulation that me and piglet have !!

There was a commemerative photo take but modesty doesn't allow me to embarrass Piglet....... Second thoughts he's done it to me so I've lifted the photo :-D

Lottie goings on ....

2007-03-18T21:08:00.000Z

Not much to report at the moment. The Lottie site has been undergoing a bit of a revamp ( well hedgelaying ) so I've been a looking at that and managed to get a few foto's in between showers, sleet, hail & snow!!

As you can see there was a bit of a variation in weather on these photo's all within the space of 5 minutes!!

The greenhouse is filling up with flowers and Veg. I now have about 60 onions in there, 24 leeks ("The Lyon") so far with about as many again to prick out. Added to the disbud Chrysanthemum cuttings and the Dahlia's are just starting to shoot.

At my side through all this horticultural mayhem has been The Natch who has realised the benefit of a greenhouse - it's nice and warm and my wife doesn't come down there to nag you !! She has decided that her roll in the operation is Quality control of the buckets of water .

A roll she takes Very seriously !! and when she's not snoozing and drinking? ...

The story so far ...

2007-03-04T21:35:00.000Z

At the start of January I said I would keep a running total of the costs & any saving that I may or may not make by growing my own veggies. Time for an update I think so here is the total for this year so far

As you can see I'm running at a loss of £5 so far which I don't think is too bad. This includes the Leeks & Brussels that we've had but I haven't added in the spuds as I didn't weigh them to see what sort of yeild I got before we started to use them. And the Onions are a combination of Winter & summer ones that we have used so far.

Also today was supposed to be our AGM on the site but we had to cancel due to the torrential rain. In previous years we have sever had a full site so have always managed in the site hut but this year for the first time we have a waiting list & most folks turned up!!! So it looks as if we will have to have a proper one in a church hall somewhere - A sign of things to come hopefully!

I did intend to sow some Peas & Carrots under cover but the weather has been so crap that I didn't even bother I have puddles on my plot & I'm ontop of a hill 500ft ASL !!!

March already ....

2007-03-01T23:00:00.000Z

Well March has snook up on me already .... soon be Christmas! With the nights getting lighter it means I will be able to go down to the lottie at night and do an hour or so that should make no end of difference.

As you can see "The Natch" has take to the greenhouse game like duck to water, I think the fan heater just out of shot helped make her mind up

On the Veg front, I've got my seed tatties nicely chitting and have put some plastic down to try and warm the ground enough for an early sowing of peas

I thought I'd try Avola as it's a quick maturing one for a start.

The Broad beans are doing well in their Warm box ( sort of open topped coldframe) but it does shelter them from the winds & I have made a cloche (see above) out of plastic roofing to try an dry the soil out enough to get an early sowing of carrots underway. The Chrysanth cuttings are coming on now & I've just Started off the Dahlia tubers. along with some early french beans destined to be grown under glass and my precious red flowered Broad beans - these will be grown at home I think away from the Super Aquadulce ones.

And finally the Hative shallots look as though they are ready to go out now as well.

Goodbye to an old friend .....

2007-01-14T18:53:00.000Z

About a week before Christmas we had to have our old dog put down. Meg was a cocker spaniel and would have been 16 this year but unfortunately she suffered a stroke the same night as my daughter came back from University (may have been the excitement I guess) and when we took her to the vets it turned out she had 2 tumours as well. She was a marvellous dog and truly was man's ( well this man) best friend. She will be sadly missed. We thought over christmas about getting another dog but I couldn't face the anguish again and so we decided that we would wait twelve months and see how we felt. Christmas came and went and was probably the worsed one we have ever had.

Then a week ago we went to my wife's bosses house and were greated by his big roughty toughty Lurcher being chased around the house by a small liver & white lunatic.

Meet Nacho

It turned out that the 13 week old puppy in question was taken to one of the local vets to be put down as she had attacked the owners cat. The vets refused and a new home was sought and even my wife ( who isn't supposed to be a dog person) fell for her and so the small whirlwind blew into our lives and nothing has been the same since.

She has a mischeiveous nature, but there again I'm comparing her to a a 15 year old lady, and loves nothing better than to run off whith a shoe, sock or anything else. You usually get a sight f her with her ears pinned back trotting of at speed - a sure giveaway.

But she's learning slowly and now has developed a taste for a cup of tea (bit like her owner ). And when she's not reeking havoc she enjoys nothing better than a good snooze, along with a family member of course.

Today was the first time she's been down to my allotment and as usual she took it all in her stride with everyone falling for the cute face ..... if only they knew!!

Happy new Year !!

2007-01-03T20:46:00.000Z

Well 1st one of 2007. Hope you had a good 'un.

On the Grapevine ( excellent lively forum see link on left) Someone posted a thread about how much is saved by growing your own and it got me a thinking. Somme time ago I picked up an old Book by Richard Sudell book called "Practical Gardening & food Production" and from reading it I would guess it was written somewhere around 1935 ish. It's full of info that is still good today although a lot of the varieties have gone by the wayside and it;s a bit heavy on the chemical sprays for my liking. But as comparison I tried to work out what the value of the cost's & savings would be in todays money & climate. First problem was to try and rember how much £1 13s 9d would be in this new fangled money !! Then to try and find somwhere where I could calculate the value today.

Any way it was quite enlightening.
The total costs of tools, seeds and seed spuds worked out to £7 15s 3d which worked out to around £300 in todays money.

It then gave a list of crops and the expected yeilds which came out to a total cost to buy at the time of £13 9s 9d (which I suspect was quite a bill in the 1930's) and the cost of the seeds, muck and seed spuds was £2 7s which gave a saving of £11 2s 9d or a saving of around £400 in real terms as they say!!

This is quite some saving so this year I will try and keep an account of costs and see how much it does save. This isn't my main reason for Growing my Own though but if I can save a few bob along the way I think it helps.

Here is the lists and I hope you find it as intersting as I did.

Home sweet home .....

2006-12-02T22:32:00.000Z

Well after a few licks of paint the old shed looks a tad brighter now. It will be interesting to see if it stands up OK to the winds that have been forecast for tonight.

The following couple of photo's show the length of the two main beds that I have to play with and these are divided nicely with three Bedford Giant Blackberries . They need a bit of tying in I think but will be OK.

It's hope that I can move some Raspberries in near to these as well as my friend needs to get rid of his so I may well move them up to the lottie. Then I've got some Strawberries to move up here as well. That should keep the little lady happy as she loves strawbs & rasp's & all I need then is an Apple tree and then it's Blackberry & apple pie here I come ... hmmmmmm

The new plot

2006-11-25T23:32:00.000Z

Welll you've seen some photo's of the new plot I guess a plan would be good too. It will give me the excuse I need to do one for me, so this is what it looks like with some of the main feature on there.

I love roses, unfortunately for me my wife hates them so the 5 that I've managed to sneak in at home I think I may well move to here. I've got a 3 climbers/ramblers these are:-

Zepherine Droughin - lovely scent, gorgeous pink colour & no thorns.

Gloire de Dijon - again, lovely scent and a buff colour

Blush Noisette - Lovely scent & clusters of the most delicate pink flowers.

Add to this the two bush roses :-

Just Joey (HT) - Sentimental reason for this one. My Daughter had a doll when she was born that was called Joey - all that remains in the hat he wore so I got the rose instead!! Lovely scent & a Coppery Orange colour.

Ferdinand Pichard (HP) - A stunning colour Sriped - Pink / Crimson and wonderfull scent but with viscous thorns

If you look on David Austin Roses there are photo's of all of these.

As you will have noticed, they all have good scent - like Sweet peas I don't think it's worth growing them if they have no scent.

So thats taken care of the Roses. Next addition is some soft fruit. I've been offered some Raspberries by a friend so it looks as though I shall be re-housing som of these & I had just planted some strawberry runners on my old plot so these will need to be moved. I have inherrited some blackberries & a gooseberry bush and as luck would have it, I've just taken some cuttings of my red & black currant, so I think I'll leave those there. All we need now is to move the large pile of poo from the old one & that should be me done with the moving. So roll on the spring & lets get digging.

Today I was mostly.....

2006-11-17T14:53:00.000Z

Getting wet! Well I moved plots today & the weather started off nice but quickly turned horibble. Luckily I was sorting out the new shed so it wasn't too bad till I started to move the stuff from the old one. Then the Heavens opened!!! Drowned Rat springs to mind Still at least it's starting to look cosy & it doesnt leak like the old one did.

This is what it look like now after a bit of jiggery & a lot of pokery.

And here is the hub of the enterprise

But at least it has a nice view from the window !!

I've just got to start the hard part now & rough dig it all, still that shouldn't be too bad. .

I've got some remaining bits to move then I can plant the Broad Beans, Overwintering Peas, Japanese Onions & The Garlic & it will look like a real lottie !!

Roll on summer ..........................

Last One of the Year.........

2006-11-11T21:19:00.000Z

Well today was our Late Chrysanth show. So now thats over it's time to get ready for next year. It was a really good show & I always look forward to the late show as there is som much more colour than the early shw as that is dominated by White, yellow & creams. The Late show is all coulours from bronze, to deep red and these are made so much better with the cooler conditions. The following photo's probably illustrate better than loads of words.

Seasons of Mists, Mellow Fruitfullnes & Bloody Fireworks

2006-11-04T20:41:00.000Z

Well I see the time to terrify my poor dog is at hand again!!

Still I managed a quick trip up the lottie this week & got some Cabbage plants in, Some Freebie Strawbs, A load of shi..er Manure spread & a bit of scratting around the site found some Galvanised steel that had been chucked that is now a temperary roof on the old Shed - This will become a retaining wall when the new shed goes up & I can then chuck some of the debris behind it to make a nice wildlife bank with some wild flower seeds & rotting wood etc.

The Broad beans I sowed the other day are just begining to poke their heads through the compost so these will go to their new home behind the protection of some Twinwall Polycarb & two Double glazed Windows - should be nice & snug for them. The Onions & Garlic will have to brave the elements though.

I also managed to take some cuttings off my Redcurrant & Blackcurrant to repay the debt of the strawberries.

The best bit about this time of year is that you get to plan what you are going to do next year, the dipressing bit is reallising that you failed miserably - still if t was easy we wouldn't enjoy it would we Yes we bloody well would !!

So what are my plans for next year - still not quite sure but I've got plenty of time to make my mind up. One plan is to build a new shed & a bit of shelter to sit & enjoy the fruits of the tea pot.

Bit like this I hope. so we'll have to see won't we.

I fancy getting a Polytunnel as well, this would free up a lot of space at home but it would mean I would have to go to the lottie to make sure stuff was OK which isn't always easy for me but it would be good.

So Whilst WW3 rages outside & the dogs sits with her head under the covers I get back to planning ..........

Late flowering chrysanthemum

2006-10-30T14:42:00.000Z

Well as November fast approaches, time for a few of the late flowering jobbies. I usually grow Late flowering Singles & Anemones but this year I decided to have a go at a few more sprays. They have some distinct advantages over the normal Lates.

They are short life plants (the time between taking cuttings and flowering is short) & the cuttings don't need taking till July
Being short life they don't need much room - I grow them in 7" pots
They are easier to get to flower when you want them (although this seems to have gone a bit awry this year)

The only downside is you have to black them out for 12 hours a day for about 3 weeks still here we go

This is what the start out like & then 9 weeks later ...

........the final results

looking back 2

2006-10-20T17:15:00.000Z

Following on from the Echinopsis & related Hybrids, here are a few of the Mammilaria's.

These are popular as they are easy for beginers although there are a few difficult customers.

And some of my personal favourites, Rebutia's & Sulcorebutia's. Again the majority are easy for beginners but will repay the love and affection with masses of flowers.

And finally the Gymnocalyciums. Again easy beginers plants that will flower their roots off.

Looking back.........but not too far

2006-10-20T15:54:00.000Z

We're is a sort of limbo at this time of the year, in between the flowering periods for Chrysanthemums, the allotment looks more like a battle field than a productive haven & there isn't much to see. So I thought I'd share afew of the nicer photo's of this year with you.

As you may have guessed from previous posts I grow Veg, Chrysanths & Dahlia's but one of my other hobbies is the collecting of Cacti & Succulents. I've had some of these for years but this year I thought that I'd better take more care of them so having a root around I found the forum of the British Cacti & Succulent Society & what a mine of information they are. With there help & enthusiam the poor survivors (5 of them) were quickly re-potted & nurtured and then the bad bit, I bought a couple more and this then carried on & the 5 is now around 250 plus I have loads of seedlings to try and home next year !! Anyway, enough of my ramblings here are the photo's

First up are Echinopsis both Hybrids and species,

The Final a series of photographs of a flower of
Trichocereus Rubringhianus that opened over a spell of 3 or 4 hours one night.

The size of these flowers vary from 2" to 10" across

Big Tatties

2006-09-30T15:17:00.000Z

Well I couldn't think of anything else to call it !

I finally got to lift my maincrop Spuds today (well, most of them anyway).

Two varieties Maxine (a new on for me) & Piccasso (about the 4th year of growing it on the lottie). They were [;amted in the last bit of untamed wilderness on the site & it kept supprisingly moist throughout the summer, due to the fact there used to be a spring fed pond somewhere near my plot but it was filled in many moons ago. Anyway the results - there was a bit of slug damage (mainly due to the plot next to mine lying fallow for many years) so i've got about 2 carrier bags full so far that are damaged, but the Maxine seemed to be affected worse than Piccasso. As to Yeild, well the Maxine were about average I guess, not suree if I will grow this one again or if I'll go back to Desiree. Picasso on the other hand was a triumph. Not as much slug damage but I must have got 5-6lbs of spuds per root!! And some of them but weigh nearly 2lbs on there own!!! I hope they are a good chipper as I think they are too big for baking unless 2 pople want them to share !!

I'll have to get a couple of them cleaned up & post some piccies.

Also, I was discussing my thoughts for erecting a poly tunnel on the plot with my friend, John, as he "loans" a bit of the plot for growing some of the long term crops (leeks & spuds) at them moment. I have to say, the arrangement has worked well & I think it will continue for some time. I've know John for more years than I care to remember & he was my best man when I got married. and we work well together especially as he supplies the biscuits for the tea breaks!!

The Piccy as promised. 3 Piccasso at random out of the bag. There are some bigger in there!!
For reference, the pot is 2.75" sqare to that gives some idea of scale

On Saturday I was mostly....

2006-09-27T16:59:00.000Z

At our local Chrysanth & Dahlia society club early show. As a grower of these two Autumnal beauties one tries to strive for perfection .....unfotunately I'm crap so didn't bother this year ! Not strictly true, various things conspired against me so I've (hopefully) kept the stock going for next year when we will have an all out assault ...I live in hope.
Anyway enough of me & time for some flowers.

You can't have a show without Judges & here's ours.

Left to Right :
Dave Bates (Dahlia's),
Peter White (Chrysanths) &
Peter Coles (Chrysanths).

I think they were discussing how long it would take before they needed Tea

Now some more general photo's of the show.

These are views of the Chrysanth's. As you can see they can be had in a range of colours including Yellow & White !!

And These are the Dahlia's.

As the show was late in the year we struggled to find entries but two stalwarts Mr Tom Upton & Mr Neil Gadsby did us proud & managed 30 vases of flowers between
them.

All in all a good day & we'll do it all again in November with the late Show.....

First of Many

2006-09-16T21:46:00.000Z

Well I suppose it had to happen sooner or later. This, hopefully will be a memory jogger for me but maybe of interst to some of you as well

Off to plan how it will look now.

Mancetter 2nd Annual show part 2

2006-09-04T19:29:00.001Z

Well having covered the flowers here are a few pictures of the Vegetables .......

........ & a stunning peice of Sugar craft.

Mancetter 2nd Annual show

2006-09-03T18:48:00.000Z

Right then, bang up to date now. 3rd September was the 2nd Annual flower, veg & produce show at Mancetter. This year carried on with the same high standard as last year. The only down side to this years show was the absence of Mr George Freestone who was in Hospital & so couldn't judge the flowers section. His place was ably taken by Mr Dave Bates who is not only a national dahlia judge but also writes the column on Dahlia's for garden news. This didn't hinder him though as the best vase of flowers in the show was a vase of Peter Rowe, a beautiful yellow incurve & this one couldn't have been better!

The standard of the dahlia's was quite high although it had been a tough year with the extreme heat here are a few.

The last Vase is quite poignant as the man who bred the parent, Mr Eddie Durrant of Coventry, died earlier this year.

He has a Fitting memorial in Kiwi gloria & it's sports (this one is Trelyn Kiwi)

Earlier stuff 3

2006-07-30T18:37:00.000Z

Right then, bit more up to date then.

This was the last area of my plot to get done. I've had it covered over for the last 3 years to keep the weeds down, so Potatoes I think will be the best plan, so on a sunny day at the end of April/begining of May I duly planted the tatties.

Then in July this year these mounds of earth turned into a mass of foiliage!

Earlier stuff 2

2006-03-30T18:26:00.000Z

Following on from the last post. Here is what our lottie site looks like in the depths of March.

Nice sunny day, I'll go up the plot Thinks I, get there park up & bang sky turns as blabck as your hat (strange saying that as my hat is red & white!!) & it starts to snow. So I sat there for a few moments & then gave up as it turned into a blizzard!!

Earlier stuff 1

2005-09-30T17:58:00.000Z

As I've started this at the back end of the growing season, I thought I'd try and do some Archives from memory to sort of give a more complete picture.

So firtsly here are a few foto's from last year which show some of the Dahlia's that I grew. in no particular order.

These four were all bred by Mr Tom McLelland who live the other side of Nuneaton to me. Tom's major love is minature cactus/semi cactus dahlia's and these are his best 4 so far in my opinion 9not that that is worth much) & if you intend to show these under NDS rules, they shouldn't exceed 4" in diameter so they are truly little gems.

Weston Spanish Dancer.

Weston Miss

Weston Pirate (this doesn't do it justice)

Finally, Weston Nugget

And whilst they don't last in water like Chrysanths, you can cut a vase of flowers about ever 3 -4 days of 1 or 2 each of these. They are wellsuited to the garden border as well being small, they don't suffer with the weather like th bigger ones.

Archive info

2005-08-31T18:53:00.000Z

Armillatox

STERILISING – Pots & Greenhouses
Dilution 100:1
Treat greenhouses, polythene pots, seed trays, benches, capillary matting, garden ornaments, patios, paths, walls etc. Sterilise every nook and corner to eliminate all green areas of germinating algae spores caused by condensation and any over-wintering eggs Thoroughly wet the areas with the dilution and leave to dry.

STERILISING - WATER IN WATER BUTTS
Dilution 1ml per 5 Litres – 50ml in a 250 litre water butt (500:1)
To sterilise rainwater washed down from the roof into water butts, apply the dilution when the water butt has refilled with fresh water

STERILISING - SOILS / PEAT-BASED COMPOSTS
Dilution 200:1
Sterilise unplanted soils and peat based composts by thoroughly wetting 3 days before sowing seeds and 7-10 days before planting seedlings. Hanging baskets, pots and containers will improve their water holding properties after treatment

Clubroot
Dilution Application
Dibber hole - 100:1 ½ litre
Planting area - 100:1 20 litres per metre 3 weeks before planting/sowing

Clubroot is a soil-borne fungus, which attacks Brassica’s, including Wallflowers, Swedes and Turnips. Spores from the fungus can lie dormant for many years whatever the ground has been used for during that time.
Drench the planting area or dibber hole during a dry spell No need to lime the area, as Armillatox will correct the pH levels.
No need to use any herbicides as Armillatox will sterilise the weed seeds.
No need to fertilize the area, as Armillatox will make up the deficiencies.

White rot in Onions Dilution 100:1
Drench the ground at the dilution rate using 5 litres per square metre. Apply prior to and after digging. Plant after 3 weeks.

Vine Weevil Dilution 500:1
We are pleased to announce that Armillatox has now been approved by the Pesticides Safety Directorate to protect against vine weevil.
The trials were carried out by University Horticultural Services, Bangor and the recommended application rate is a fraction of the price of other approved controls on vine weevil.
To control vine weevil, we target the egg, which unlike the larvae and the weevil does not move.
Armillatox is made from an extract of British Coal (originally plant material) emulsified in the finest castor oil soap - it contains no organochlorine or organophosphates and is therefore totally biodegradable.
The eggs are very small, less that 1mm in diameter; the weevil has a short ovipositor laying her eggs on the compost or soil surface very close to the stem of the plant.
To sterilise the egg it is recommended that a 500 to 1 solution should be applied as a compost surface spray - this should be undertaken fortnightly mid March to October and monthly from November to mid March (10mls in 5 Litres water).Armillatox