[PerryParticipant]

Thanks Charles, I cooked a few kernels last night using the popcorn method, ended up with popcorn flavoured sugar puffs, lovely!

[PerryParticipant]

Thank you Jeanette, I’ll keep an eye on them for the signs you have mentioned. They have been growing well and are still giving new ones too…

[PerryParticipant]

Oh no, that was my worst fear! I forgot to mention my garlic is in a raised bed. I have filled the hole & compacted the tunnels that I could see by following the cracked surface lines, any ideas on the best ways to get them to leave, other than those posted above? I don’t want to put poison down, maybe I should encourage the neighbour’s cat in the garden?

[PerryParticipant]

Thank you for the replies, I do like experimenting and am happy with surprising results 🙂

I’m interested in the anti-germination treatment too, I live in France and find it impossible to find potatoes that haven’t been treated this way (although it doesn’t always stop them!). Does anyone know what product/ method is used to accomplish this? I’ll give the soaking method a go, but I’d like to know what has been done to them before buying them…

[PerryParticipant]

Is there an easy way I can I tell if my old carpet is made from wool? It appears to have a hessian base, not the foam rubber I’ve seen on other carpets. It came with the house so IO don’t know how old it is, but my guess is over 20 years…

[PerryParticipant]

Thanks Stringfellow, I do save seed and have been pleasantly surprised to see how well it does compared to purchased seed, but there’s always something new to try!

I’m on my 2nd year in plot I only started last year, I hadn’t heard about no-dig until recently and being new to ‘serious’ gardening I’m so pleased I have come across this method of growing. There is much to learn, but nice not to have a lot to un-learn too.

Can anyone suggest what to do with this onion that has sprouted? Should it be planted out like garlic?

[PerryParticipant]

Good point Charles, I’m very happy to support organic farmers and pay extra for their produce so that should apply to seeds too. In fairness I do opt for organic seeds where possible, and this year I also have a rich selection of swapped and saved seeds which are (so far!) performing outstandingly. I was thinking more about whether it makes any difference to the plants, and you have provided a compelling argument for saying it does. Upon reflection, it makes even more sense to buy organic seeds that may be slightly better adapted to the growing conditions of organically raised plants.

[PerryParticipant]

I put my plastic bins on wooden boards with slight gaps so worms can get in and excess moisture can get out, if the boards are placed in a front-to-back direction it makes removing compost with a shovel easy. To start a new compost I usually put a sheet of cardboard under the boards, and another sheet in the base of the bin to catch the small food scraps & coffee grinds before composting itself soon after.

[PerryParticipant]

Thank you Rhys,

That is helpful – it may be I can create enough compost for next year, time will tell – I moved last year and so don’t know how much compost I can reasonably make throughout the season, but it is good to know there is a possibility of creating another bed – 4 is a nice round gardening number!

[PerryParticipant]

Thank you Charles, that is helpful – maybe it also means the smallest one I thought had completely died is just waiting until it warms up a bit before bursting back into action – I’ll keep my fingers crossed!

On the subject of artichokes, as I didn’t get any flower buds last year, will I need cut them off this year and wait a further year before letting them develop into edible globes?

BTW, I find the videos on your youtube channel the most helpful gardening advice I have ever seen, clear and to the point, well filmed/ edited too, and amongst a very select group of videos (on any subject) I enjoy watching all the way through to the end. They have also prompted me to buy a couple of your books (so they do work!) and get planting in modules, no doubt I’ll buy some more as my gardening/ potager develops, thank you!

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