Where Did I Go?

The answer is nowhere! 

Some muppet took out the control box with their car and the area where I live lost our internet on the 27th November and I have not been able to update. With the compensation BT is supposed to pay for lost service the insurance claim for the drivers miss hap is going to attract a lot of compensation I would imagine. 

This post was uploaded on the 7th December as it appears we have a little bit of on and off connection and at the moment the final fix is supposed to be by the 10th December. 

I will be uploading updates as internet connection allows to get myself up to date again.   

Mr Fothergill's No More !

Mr Fothergill's has dropped the Mr and updated its logo on its website, and Facebook group. It has not stated if it still identified as (he/him) however.

The company says "The new look is part of its evolution to meet changing customer and community preferences" I do hope its not just buckling to the woke madness. 

Fothergills UK as they are now trading as have stated that "The transition to the new branding will be gradual, so some seed packets may still have the previous design." Of course they will they were packed before they decided to change the name. 

The company has gone through a lot of changes recently. Fothergill’s, based in Kentford, near Newmarket, appointed a new chief executive Michael Yates, in January. He was joined by executive chairman Steve Parkin, chief marketing officer Sonila Troka and chief commercial officer David Harker. Former commercial boss Mark Wootton left on October 16.

The new leadership team at Fothergill’s has more than 100 years of combined consumer experience in creating and growing brands. Steve Parkin was chief executive of Tommee Tippee brand owners Mayborn Group for 17 years. Sonila Troka led brand and marketing at Loreal, Johnsons & Johnson (J&J) and Procter and Gamble (P&G). David Harker worked at Salesforce Inc., as a senior account director, and started his career in sales at P&G.

In February 2022, the £50million turnover seed firm, which employs 250 people, was bought in a £100million-plus deal in a management buyout. This was backed by Harwood Private Capital, which took a material minority shareholding and OakNorth Bank. Last summer, Harwood Private Capital increased its shareholding of the company to take full control of the group.

The Fothergill’s group also includes the core brands of DT Brown, Johnsons and Darlac. More brand relaunches are promised in the new year along with new products in both the UK and other markets.

Which Logo do you like best? Personally I think they should have just removed the Mr from the old logo and centralised it over his head.

Allotment after Storm Bert

A trip to the allotment this morning to see what storm Bert had or hadn't done to my allotment.

Square Foot Garden Beds from the Potting Shed door. Storm Bert had pulled the Debris netting off and taken a hoop with it

High cross hoops replaced with shallow hoops around the outside and one in the middle.

Covered with debris netting and clipped to the blue water pipes 

First two Winter Beds of raspberries trimmed back. They will be cut up ready to go in the bottom of new raised beds.

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I have to admit I had never heard of this company before but their web sites and prices look interesting and I will be adding them to my link of suppliers in the left margin of this blog. As I'm converting my framed beds to raised beds following my cancer treatment and subsequent arthritis in all my joints I will be looking for topsoil and compost for my raised beds that I'm currently installing over the Winter of 2024 and Spring of 2025.

Walking, Egyptian, Air, Tree Onions

During 2016 I purchased my first Tree Onions, Top Onions, Topset Onions, Top Setting Onions, Walking Onions, Egyptian Walking Onions, Air Onions. and each year after I was on top of growing the Catawissa onions I had invested in and had 100's of them growing in the space saver greenhouse at home, some got replanted and others were for consumption. 

In 2022 I purchased five bulbils of Moritz Egyptian, Catawissa' 'Catawissa Onion', McCullar's White Topset Onion and Amish Walking Onions for my new allotment plot because I knew from experience, just how fast these little beauties grow and how many bulbils you end up getting from each plant. 

Due to getting diagnosed with cancer and having radiotherapy and then dealing with recovery and arthritis in all my joints following the treatment the allotment got away from me late 2023 and during 2024, and in Autumn I'm now altering the infrastructure of the plot and taking areas back that have been overrun with bindweed.

My plan is to dedicate one of the new raised beds to Walking Onions and I have just purchased another five of the following bulbs because I don't know what's under the bindweed yet and how many onions I may recover when pulling the bindweed up from the existing Walking Onion bed.    

A = Moritz Egyptian

Similar to the typical tree onion, but the bulbs are a deeper colour (red-purple) and the topsets are slightly larger than most strains. An unusual strain that will sometimes produce sets in the middle of the stalk.

B = Catawissa' 'Catawissa Onion'

A very hardy cultivar of Canadian origin, distinguished by its vigorous growth and the rapidity with which the bulbils that commence to grow without being detached from the top of the stem. The bulbils divide into tiers, the second set of bulbils producing green shoots, leaves or barren stems to bring the height of the plant to over 75cm.

C = McCullar's White Topset

This form produces a number of white bulbs below the ground about 2.5cm or more in diameter, plus pea-sized bulbils at the top of the flower stalk. The larger bulbs are used for eating; the bulbils are used for replanting. It is used primarily as a source of greens when other onions are dormant.

D = Amish walking onions

Similar to the Catawissa tree onion, but the bulbs are smaller in size and darker red/purple colour and the topsets are smaller than most strains.

Botanical Name: Allium cepa proliferum

Common Names: Tree Onions, Top Onions, Topset Onions, Top Setting Onions, Walking Onions, Egyptian Walking Onions, Air Onions

Description:

The tree onion is a biennial plant meaning it should usually flower in its second year. However, you will find it produces small onion bulbs at the base of the plants and a multitude of small top sets where a flower should be. The number and size of bulbils can vary significantly between about 3 large top set onions and 15 smaller sets.

The parent onion behaves as a multiplier or shallot and can split to produce several small tender onions that can be eaten or regrown.

Edible Uses:

The top sets or bulbils are an ideal size for pickling or chopping into salads. The onion greens can be used just like spring onions The mature onions are tender and can be used raw or cooked like normal onions.

Planting in the UK:

Planting Period: May to December. The tree onion is quite hardy but can certainly benefit from a top mulch or growing in an unheated greenhouse to protect from frosts until it becomes established

Depth: Plant about 25mm (1 inch) deep

Spacing: Allow about 15 to 20cm between plants (6 to 8 inches)

Soil – Growing Medium: If growing in the ground, try and prepare the area in advance to produce a rich, free draining loam with a slow release, low nitrogen fertiliser. Tree onions can be grown in most composts but ensure they don't remain waterlogged or rotting of the bulb can occur. Pot grown plants can benefit from a full spectrum fertiliser that contains calcium, magnesium and sulphur.

Harvesting:

Onions have a natural cycle and the onion stems will tend to dry and die back as the goodness is transferred to the onion bulb. Collect the bulbils and replant those you are using for propagation. Collect the base bulbs and allow to air dry, preferably on a mesh to avoid damp areas that may encourage mould growth. Store in a cool, dry area.

Dropping Off Strulch To The Allotment

After a couple of days of rain & ice cold weather and in some places snow in the UK, I made a visit to the allotment Friday morning, despite the ice cold wind to take down a couple of sacks of 100L Strulch (Straw) Mulch in 9kg Bags that have been in the back of my car since delivery.

I've bought the Strulch for my asparagus bed once I have weeded all the bindweed out of it.

These sacks are nearly impossible for me to lift and handle when delivered in their cardboard box but much easier to handle once out of the box. 

All tape and labels removed and the box made flat and stored in the potting shed to go into the bottom of the new raised beds as they are constructed.

Getting a Generative AI look at Reviews for Strulch mulch are generally positive, with customers praising its effectives, ease of use, and quality:

• Weed suppression: Reviewers say Strulch is an effective weed suppressant that can reduce weed growth by up to 95% 
• Moisture retention: Reviewers say Strulch retains moisture well 
• Ease of use: Reviewers say Strulch is easy to apply and handle 
• Durability: Reviewers say Strulch is durable and long-lasting 
• Appearance: Reviewers say Strulch looks attractive
• Soil improvement: Reviewers say Strulch improves soil structure and enriches the soil
• Slug and snail deterrent: Reviewers say Strulch deters slugs and snails
• Resilience to rainfall: Reviewers say Strulch helps the soil resist heavy winter rains and moderate water percolation

Here are some more insights from reviews:

• Some say Strulch is a good investment
• Others say Strulch is better used in large areas
• Some say the layer should be thick so that no soil is visible underneath
• Some say Strulch is a good choice for vegetable gardens 

The red sack of mulch to the right was used on Square Foot Garden Bed 1 and the two sacks of Strulch were stacked there and the breadbasket bottoms placed in front to stop the foxes getting at them which is what happened a few years ago when I first trialed Strulch.

The foxes have been digging and doing the Watusi in Square Foot Gardening Bed 1, and when I went to rake it, the soil was frozen solid. I did manage to break the surface up a little with a rake and added a sack of mulch I had in my compost & mulch store on top.

View of Square Foot Garden (SFG) beds 1 & 2 from the potting shed door, now both covered with debris netting to keep the foxes off them.

How To Fill A Deep Raised Bed

1. Start with the Base Line the bottom of the bed with cardboard, then use free or cheap materials like logs, branches, dead leaves, straw, to fill the bottom ⅓ to ½ of the bed.

2. Add Organic Matter

Layer compostable kitchen scraps, unfinished compost, or manure to enrich the soil over time.

3. Add a Middle Layer

Use garden soil, compost, and aged mulch or wood chips for good drainage and nutrients.

4. Top Layer: High-Quality Soil

Fill the top 6–12 inches with nutrient-rich compost, potting soil, or a mix of garden soil and compost.

5. Water and Settle

Water each layer as you build to settle the materials and promote decomposition.

6. Mulch the Surface

Add mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Why Farmers Protests Have Now Reached the UK

 

I have to say I fully support the outrage the farmers feel, the government should be helping farmers in the UK not looking for a way to let their pals buy up farmland for development, with the current invasion of migrants there are even more mouths to feed in the UK. 

God Bless Jeremy Clarkson who is there in London today despite the advice from his doctors to keep his stress levels down. 

Jeremy Clarkson slams the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire for 'trotting out' Rachel Reeves' lines on how inheritance tax wont affect the majority of farmers. #jeremyclarkson #farmersprotest #farmers #agriculture #bbc #labourparty

The Vision We Have In Our Minds Eye

 

'October’ (From a 1958 calendar by the always fabulous Ronald Lampitt)

Such an ideal vision of allotmenteering in the late 50's 

Harvesting Java Main Crop Potatoes

Sunday morning on the Allotment tidying up the sections of Greenhouse into a Pallet against the wall behind the Potting Shed. Then harvesting two buckets of Java Main Crop Potatoes.

Not as many spuds in the second bucket but a good harvest for the day. I just brushed off the potatoes with a paint brush. I would defiantly grow this variety of potato again they are very nice tasting and road and mash well. 

The spoil from the two buckets cleared today and two from previous potato harvests were dumped on Square Foot Garden Bed 1 and levelled, topping it back up as the level had dropped as the woodchip had decayed in the bottom of the bed.

I have a bag of mulch that has a split in it, to add next visit. I need to weed the woodchip around the bed and relay it with fresh woodchips. I'm gradually working my way up the plot weeding and replacing woodchip paths over the Winter months. 

Greenhouse components moved off the tray and raised bed this morning have been stacked in a pallet against the wall behind the potting shed. 

Those not yet in the pallet are covered in soil and need brushing off. 

Last four buckets of Java maincrop spuds covered to keep the rain out and offer some frost protection until I can harvest them, as they are needed.

My Robin was in and out looking for critters to eat as I was emptying the buckets into the tray on top of a raised bed, and sorting out the potatoes. I love the fact he has absolutely no fear of me and I just chat to him.

Hoop Storage & Overflow Leaf Cage

After having my PET Scan yesterday afternoon I was ready for a few hours on the allotment and in Wally's shed having a chat and coffee to warm us up.

Firstly I drilled the timber gravel board and the two square flower buckets to attach the flower buckets to form the water pipe hoop store, which will keep the hoops strung to the 1.2m width of the beds.

Much neater storage solution behind the potting shed. holes drilled in the bas of the square flower buckets so they will not hold water.  After a coffee break and a natter with Wally I gathered up the panels from the original Leaf Cage made in 2012 

Half of the old leaf bin made 13 years ago from the fence from my Mums front garden that used to stop the wind blowing the leaves into the garden.

I collected the leaves and dropped them off last Thursday from outside my daughters property, after going to see my grandson.

I should have watered them in as I filled it, but time was getting on and I really felt the need to get home and have a late lunch.

I used a panel from the other original leaf bin to go on top and stop any leaves from escaping. If Veolia have not already bagged the remaining leaves up from outside my daughters house I will getting another lot of leaves, next visit.

PET Scan At The Royal Marsden This Afternoon

  

This afternoon I went for my fifth PET scan. I had one at St Georges when I was more mobile and before having the Radiation treatment last year and this was be my forth at the Royal Marsden in Sutton they have been spaced every 3 months.

The last Scan showed that the hot spot showing where "George" the tumour AKA a Solitary bony plasmacytoma of the left mandible had been busy eating bone and teeth roots away, was no longer hot and I was informed I was stable.

It appears that terms of various stages of Remission which is the term for the decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer, of Partial Remission & Complete Remission are not being used these days. 

But I'm happy with stable, and dormant, I'm on the greenside of the grass and I now have a grandson to love and care for, and a great reason to want to be alive, and enjoy every day. 

I have multiple sites of polyarthropathy which literally means "disease in many joints" for which I have been referred to the Rheumatology department and have had additional X-Rays of all my joints, specialist blood tests and specialist CT scans of my hands and wrist. It's not gout its an autoimmune disease of some kind but as with George the tumour they are having difficulty giving it a name.  

The latest PET Scan Report will be available in 3 working days. However because I'm not currently receiving Radiotherapy Treatment from the Royal Marsden and effectively my consultant at the Haematology Department at St Georges has requested the test, they will not upload the report to the My Marsden app which holds my medical information.

I find this completely insane, I have to request a copy of the report about me from my haematology consultant or request it under some kind of freedom of information protocol from the Subject Access Request (SAR) Team at the Royal Marsden. 

My appointment with the Haematology consultant is in another month, and for my mental well being I want to know what the report says as soon as possible. If George (my Tumour)

I know the cancer will still be in my body and having had the Solitary Bony Plasmacytoma that if and when the cancer next presents itself it's likely to be in a form of Myeloma.  

From my point of view I just want to know which way my path is going. I would like sight of the report so I can inspect it and have logical sensible questions to ask when I see all three of my consultants.

Stacking Scaffold Boards

Three hours on the plot this morning shifting the scaffold boards off Square Foot Garden raised bed 1 and stacking with spacers in a full bed so I can top up SFG bed 1 and cover with debris netting.

I also found a worn out 1.2m length of decking that I'm going to fix to two square flower buckets to stack my blue water pipe in so that they keep their profile when not installed on a bed, and stacked behind the potting shed.

My robin was once again all round me and darting in and out as I exposed critters that had taken up residence between the boards.

All scaffold boards now removed from SFG Bed 1

Some thing had been living under the boards and appears to have been feasting on the snails that had decided it was a good place to live.

Onion Sets and Garlic Cloves in SFG Bed 2 looking good and growing. Must sprinkle some eggs shells and some onion fertiliser around them at a future visit

Hot Bin contents dropped again and happy worms spotted

Kitchen waste and some butternut squash foliage added to the bin before I left to go home for lunch.