Tag Archives: Thompson & Morgan.

Make your own luck (and muck)

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The other day we used the tip that Alan mentioned a few posts ago about adding some home-made garden compost into peat-free seed compost to give it a bit of added goodness. We looked at our compost heap thinking we’d have to clear the many layers of rotting vegetables, cardboard and egg boxes to get to the bottom and then remembered last year we found a way to the bottom from the side of the heap (above). All we did was move an old floor tile and voila we were rewarded with some fresh “Black Gold” (below), wonderful stuff!

We only put a few handfuls of it with the remaining peat-free seed compost we had left as we didn’t want it too nutrient heavy and kill the seedlings but just enough to make a difference. Once we mixed it up we filled one of the seed tray, tray lid and bottom set we got from a large DIY supplier (their name rhymes with T&Q) for the bargain price of £4. You can’t even get a pint for that sort of money these days.

In the tray went some self-saved seeds of sweet pea we grew last year, some jalapenos, the black moon tomato we got from Thompson & Morgan and also from T&M, “great stuff” peppers that grow to the size of a human hand! We’ll keep you posted when the seeds germinate and we’d love to hear what you’re starting off at the moment. Remember it’s only February.

Red beans and Eisenia fetida in the (compost) area

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We sowed some mixed climbing beans quite late on in the season as seeds were really hard to get as you can remember. We honestly thought we’d missed the boat with any form of beans as we didn’t have much success with any we planted prior to these.

The other week we noticed some lovely purple flowers on the plant which is not in the best place in the garden, up near the house. The seeds were from a “Climbing Bean Mixed Colours” pack we got mail order from Thompson & Morgan (have a butchers at their great gardening blog here) which contained: “‘Carminat’ – Fleshy purple pods with beige seeds, ‘Monte Cristo’ – Tender, bright green pods with white seeds and ‘Monte Gusto’ – Waxy, pale yellow pods with brown seeds.” It must be the Carminat and they are looking great. As long as we keep up the watering over the next few days and snip off any leaves from the Hydrangea which tend to hide any plants beside it we should be okay. We’ll keep you updated!

We’re on furlough again as from Monday for two weeks (at home) then a week’s holiday (at home) so expect more regular posts including (possibly): an hour by hour compost heap commentary and a live webcam on bin night plus other fascinating items. And talking of bins here’s a few brandling worms (aka Eisenia fetida) from a day or so ago in that alternative universe at the bottom of our garden. We looked in again today and there were loads more. The daily turning with a garden fork regime (and the daily scraping of the knuckles on the inside of the bin) plus the regular trips with the used teabags are working!

And as the weather is going to be very extreme tomorrow (There’s a load of Lidl’s finest economy ice lollies in the fridge as essential backup) here’s a very nice chilled tune from sir Was & Casper Clausen called Flyder on the No Label. Let’s say it’s “infectious, very infectious”! #lockdowngardening  #gardeningasahelptosanityinlockdown

This post was written while listening to the excellent Rupie Edwards selection here:

What a good year for the roses

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How mad has this year been? If someone would have told us in January that we’d be spending 3 months indoors and that in July we’d be turning the compost heap once a day with a garden fork, we’d tell them that they were raving bonkers.

It’s nearly August and we’re still in lockdown, our mental health may be suffering but at least the garden is coming on well! We didn’t have much luck with the broad beans and peas this year sadly and with peas you really have to grow rather a lot of them to get a decent amount to have with your dinner. As Robert Wyatt once sang “Is it worth it?” Perhaps it is. At least one of our favourite flowers, the humble dahlias are starting to come out, well sort of (above). Give them time.

The broken up paving slabs we took up at the back of the house which were laid out at the bottom of the garden by the pond during a bit of furlough are starting to settle in a bit. We used the box of Beneficial Flower seeds from Thompson & Morgan we got back in March and sowed them around the slabs and apart from some confusion when they first started germinating (“Are they weeds or are they the beneficial flower seeds?” “That’s bindweed that is..”) we’re now seeing some results (above).

And the vegetable bed we were supposed to be resting (and originally where the beneficial flower seeds were going to go) and then due to the lockdown and the local shops having a 3 potato per person rule we put in a couple of rows of spuds, then onions, then broad beans and now it’s mainly nasturtiums swamping said spud plants near those tall cardoons. Next year, we swear we’ll rest the bed!

Oh dear, we’ve just looked at the weather for tomorrow. Looks like rain, that barbeque will have to wait until Monday night then! #gardeninginlockdown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=170&v=IKWKZOzzsjU&feature=emb_title

And lay the seed tape on the ground

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We received a part of a seed order we forgotten about from Thompson & Morgan this morning. It was a favourite vegetable of ours beetroot and what was good about it was they’re of the seed tape variety. There’s no fiddling about with trying to sow the seeds thinly, spacing them out evenly or trying to keep them in a straight line, the tape does all that for you. We are getting used to this seed tape idea even though it’s been around for a while!

And the seed potatoes we planted straight outside rather than under the cold frames are starting to show through the black membrane that was used for putting under the decking. All we done is cut an X in it and plonked in the seed potato. The membrane will keep the weeds off and hopefully keep warmth in the ground. We covered the tips of the buds this evening with a bit of soil just in case a frost comes out of nowhere!

Talking of potatoes we’re in the process of tidying up the front garden that isn’t really doing that much. We may copy an idea of a neighbour of ours who the other year sowed some potatoes in his newly designed front garden as they are supposedly good for breaking up compacted soil we were once told at the council. It may be a while before Shannon’s is open again where we can pick up some shrubs so we might as well make use of the ground and grab some potatoes into the bargain!

Do we still have to put our bins out during lockdown?

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The last couple of days have been cold but a few quick trips down the garden have been in order for a nice bit of sanity from a self-isolating worldview. A big shout to our good friend Nancy B who a short while back, suggested we get a Clematis Montana for the back fence. It’s now woken up and is starting to show a few flowers. The plant will be getting some of that comfrey feed when it’s ready!

Thanks to Thompson & Morgan (and Shannon’s and all the other plant and seed sellers of the world who are working flat out keeping gardeners supplied!) for sending us an order which included some Peas (Jumbo) and Lettuce (Little Gem) that have gone in one of our “Blue Peter” style, cut-price budget cold frames.

Earlier this year we mentioned we were going the “rest” the back bed and fill it with some wild flower mix. That idea’s gone out of the window now as we stuck in a row of peas behind the spuds we put in the other week. Best laid plans and all that!

But the question on everyone’s lips here is something we heard a passer-by the other day say into his mobile whilst on his daily exercise regime “Do we still have to put our bins out during lockdown?”

Spaghetti squash in the (kitchen) area

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It’s still been a bit wet and windy here so there hasn’t be that much garden-related to write about. Apart from yesterday, when we finally put the spaghetti squash we grew on the Thompson & Morgan seed trials last year in the oven with a bit of olive oil and salt.

The squash has been sitting on the kitchen windowsill since harvesting last autumn so perhaps we should have had it when it was a bit fresher. After the 40 minutes on about 200 degrees centigrade and a ruffle with a fork this is what it looked like. As for taste, it put us in mind of sauerkraut which ain’t a bad thing in our book. Next time when we grow them we’ll eat them straight away! Well worth trying though.

And there was a massive blow to music in general last week when we heard of the passing of the great Andrew Weatherall. We’re still in shock here, but the story in Time Out here about him still being on google street view brought a smile to our sad faces. R.I.P. Andrew Weatherall.

Another page in your (gardening) diary

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This afternoon we put in another couple of rows of onions and garlic which we got from Shannon’s the other week so they can happily overwinter (or they’ll only sit in our seed tin until next spring). In the bed (above) where once stood a greenhouse many moons ago and where now the Thompson & Morgan trial sunflower and tomatoes are still hanging on, we put in one row each of Autumn Champion (white) and Electric Red onions.

And near to the house we put in an extra row of Marco garlic that’ll get a good bit of the sun because of the position of the bed. To the left of the picture can just be seen the newly bit of lawn we sowed around the August Bank Holiday. A few weeks previously we took up all of the 1970’s crazy paving that was doing nothing but attracting weeds in between its cracks. With all this late gardening action we can’t wait to see the results next year. Roll on next spring!

And the final result just in…

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Okay, so something got to it before we did (pesky squirrels!) and it is looking a bit bruised but the excellent beefsteak Thompson & Morgan trial tomato is a winner. This specimen is next to a 50 pence piece and weighs 500 grams, that’s half a kilogram! You would be mad not to try these next year. The plant required minimum fuss, some support, regular water and a weekly comfrey feed. What a tom!

More trials

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Here’s a quick visual update on the Thompson & Morgan seed trials. The tomatoes are looking more like beefsteak ones every day and look at the size of them!

The sunflowers are also doing well too! We love the surprises we’ve had with the trials and it shouldn’t be too long now before we’re informed about the actuals names/varieties of the plants. We’re still waiting on the spaghetti squash to ripen and we’ve a couple of lettuces on the way too. We love the trails we do!

What a difference a few days make

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We know it’s only been a few days since the last pics of the Thompson & Morgan seed trials have been posted, but look what’s happened in that short time. The tomatoes have moved on a bit and all of the plants are doing well. We keep them regularly watered and feed comfrey liquid to them on a weekly basis and those fruits are now starting to swell!

And yes we’ve had problems with cheeky daytime slugs and the spaghetti squash (see post here) but for some reason they’ve missed this one!

And as for the sunflower, there’s more buds forming! It’s a value for money plant if you’re going to be buying some when they are released next year. Our specimens may be a bit on the small side but we’re not complaining! More power to the (vertically challenged) sunflower!

And thanks to whosampled: