THE IRON GRIP OF WINTER Ground is like iron out on the plot. We’ll not be lifting roots for a while yet, save pot-grown carrots which are in the greenhouse to keep off the worst of the frost. I walked down the allotment field to the tinker-chime of feeding goldfinches in charming flocks. They love [...]
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Posts Tagged ‘globe artichoke’
21 December 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman THE IRON GRIP OF WINTER
Monday, December 21st, 20098 August 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman ON BRUSSELS SPROUTS BUTTERFLIES & WASPS, SATURDAY AFTERNOON 2.13
Saturday, August 8th, 20098 August 2009 ON BRUSSELS SPROUTS BUTTERFLIES & WASPS I frequently write about why wasps should be tolerated. The good they do in a veg patch controlling caterpillars is often overlooked or not fully appreciated. I’ve also written about how, around now, breeding nests disperse and once flesh-hungry jaspers become excited by sugary things like [...]
Read More »4 July 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman FINDING A TOAD IN A PILE OF OLD BROCCOLI
Saturday, July 4th, 20094 July 2009 FINDING A TOAD IN A PILE OF OLD BROCCOLI The first big burn up of this season. Woody broccoli stems laid waste to ash. Doing other jobs but keep returning. Feeding, tending. Revive the smoking bit to crackling life. Discovered caterpillar tents and tenants in the nettle bed. Tipped the wink and [...]
Read More »28 June 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman A WIND UP
Sunday, June 28th, 200928 June 2009 A WIND UP Q: How frustrating is it to pop down to your allotment and find a boisterous black Labrador rummaging around all over? A: Very! This was my surprise when nipping down to nosh some soft fruit and cut a globe artichoke for a neighbour. I called out with a friendly [...]
Read More »1 June 2009: DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman USEFUL WEEDS
Monday, June 1st, 20091 June 2009 USEFUL WEEDS A weed is just a plant growing in the wrong place. Thus, the volunteer potatoes which punctuate my onion bed and irritate the view are weeds this year when last they were a crop. They have to go. Pulling is as good a method as any, so as not to [...]
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