Positive Thinking

 

Clearing Raspberry Bed & Harvesting Carrots

 

Afternoon visit 10C and a little overcast, the next Raspberry Bed Before and after cutting the canes.

Carrots of Bed 15 Harvested as I want to get the rest of the Japanese Onions transplanted 

Foliage Cut off and added to the Hotbin and the active composting Dalek 

Harvest brought home in the mini pop out colander and plastic basket.

Timber Entrance Gates

I have been chasing idverde to come and ease the timber gates, they have decided the hinges as wrongly fixed and have ordered new hinges and will be fitting them next week in the mean while the recommend we don't force the timber gates together and just put the chain around them.

 
After the rain yesterday, it was a nice dry day today and about 9C but everything was wet when I arrived on the allotment so I continued to working on cutting back the All Gold Raspberries on the boundary beds and the late raspberries in the bed behind.

I managed to fill a square 30Litre Flower bucket with cuttings. Standing for a long time is not good for my legs and the seats out in the open were all wet. I sat for a short while in the potting shed. 

View of Avalon from the main path and as can be seen it was a nice clear sky for a change, all the raspberries now cut at the base, I just need to gather the canes and cut them up 

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View from the main path, from the water butt and tap, Temperatures in the potting shed got to 17C and when I returned from having Wally's shed after a chat and coffee the temperature had risen in the potting shed to 24C .

GT3 Drone Footage

 

This is my second attempt to get footage of my plot from above with the GT3 Drone, and I have to say I'm totally underwhelmed. My first flight went well enough as a flying exercise but the wi-fi link to the drone was so fragmented and was not constant at all and before I knew it I had used up the flight time, which was incredibly short, even with turning off the lights on the drone. 

This time I synced the phone to the drone and took off and once again it was a stop start feed from the camera, if you watch the full two and a half minutes of flight time you will see how hit and miss (mainly miss) the camera feed back was to the phone 

In my humble opinion, so far the GT3 Drone and all the other names this drone is sold under is a complete waste of time if you want to achieve any kind of results from the camera, I will try flying the drone at head height up the allotment whilst walking behind it to see if the camera stays synced with the phone and produces anything useable.     

Cutting Back The Raspberries

 
It was a nice dry day yesterday and about 8C, I arrived on the allotment about 1:30pm and stayed until 3:45pm working on cutting back the All Gold Raspberries on the boundary beds and ended up with two 30 litre pots with handles of cuttings. 

View just before leaving from the main path, a few stragglers to go back for  

View just before leaving from the main path by the tap and dip tank 

Camillas Countryliving Seeds Arrive

My order of three Micro Bush varieties of seeds came from Camillas Countryliving and included were a couple of Bush varieties Orange Pixie and Pukovica

Orange Pixie Mini Dwarf is a compact dwarf variety growing up to 40-60cm in height. Produces round, bright orange, mid-sized tomatoes. Juicy fruits with a full and sweet taste. Very few seeds in each fruit. Determinate. 75D.

Pugovka is a small bush variety growing to about 50cm in height and spreads about 40-50cm width-wise. Produces round, red cherry tomatoes with an aromatic tomato flavour. Crack-resistant fruits. 50-60D. 

Dwarf tomatoes usually grow to 70-120cm in height. Not to be confused with micro dwarfs that are considerably lower. Dwarf tomatoes grow with thicker, stronger stems compared to the bush varieties, that grow with more slender stems. Many of the dwarf varieties are determinate. 

Determinate means that the plant will grow to a certain size and shape and then set fruit, the harvest period normally is around 10-20 days. After this, the plant is "done" and dies. Some of the dwarf varieties are semi-determinate or indeterminate, meaning that they will continue to grow and produce until the fall/winter. 

Dwarfs normally don't need much staking or support height-wise. But they will need staking or support on the width. The branches get heavy when the plant sets fruit and will fall over without staking. In general, dwarf varieties need no pruning. If the plant would get too large, it can of course be cut a bit. 

If you have the space though, the advice is to just let them grow! Many of the dwarf varieties are also suitable to grow in larger pots, due to their compact growth.

Seed Potatoes for 2026

 
As it was raining yesterday and not the kind of weather to be working on the allotment I went to my local Blue Dimond Garden Centre and picked up my potatoes for the year:- 

Two 2kg sacks of First Early potatoes Pentland Javelin which is one of the most disease resistant potatoes, that give, good crops of smooth skinned, white fleshed round potatoes & Sharp's Express - Heirloom early that has a distinctive flavour boiled or steamed. They are good for salads, roasted or chipped. 

One 2kg sack of Second Early potatoes Charlotte - A highly popular French-bred seed potato, Charlotte is renowned as the salad seed potato of choice for many discerning chefs. This potato produces smooth, tender-skinned tubers with pale yellow flesh and a delightfully waxy texture.

Tasty and versatile, Charlotte potatoes excel in salads, where their wonderful new potato flavour really shines. They're also delicious when boiled, roasted, or sliced into gratins, holding their shape well when served cold or warm. Their small to medium size and consistent shape adds an elegant touch to any plate.

What sets the second early seed potato Charlotte apart is its outstanding resistance to scab and blight, ensuring a reliable harvest season after season. This disease-resistant potato has a great taste and texture and has earned it the prestigious RHS Award for Garden Merit.

To maximise your Charlotte potato harvest, it's recommend chitting prior to planting out. This process encourages seed potatoes to sprout, allowing them to establish more readily and leading to bigger crops. Simply place them in an old egg box, blunt end up, until the shoots are approximately 1 ½ to 2½ cm (½ to 1in) long.

One 2kg bag of Main Crop Desiree - This is the most popular red main crop variety, it is a proven all-rounder and can be Boiled, Baked, Mashed, Chipped & Roasted, and has drought-resistance 

This will be the first year in a very long time when I have not tried to grow a new variety of potato. and gone back to basics.

With the Blue Diamond card they are reduced to 2 bags for £10 and I get to choose which bags I want where they are seed potato size and don't have a few heavy weight spuds in the nets that reduces the number of spuds in a bag. I'm also not paying for postage and packing. 

A 2kg bag of seed potatoes typically contains anything form 16 to 40 tubers depending heavily on the potato variety and tuber size, with common counts ranging from 20-25 for larger seed potatoes (like Anya or Lady Christl) to 35-40 for smaller ones (like Java). Smaller, second-cropping types might yield more, while larger maincrop varieties yield fewer in the same weight,  It will be interesting to find out how many are in each sack when I put them out for chitting 

Micro Dwarf Tomatoes for 2026

 

These are the Micro Dwarf tomatoes that I purchased from NRTOMATSEED.COM a little while ago and I have been make the labels up for them ready for next year. 

Blue Zimmer - NRTomatoseed - Packed 2026 Sow By 2029

Ink Spot - NRTomatoseed - Packed 2026 Sow By 2029

Micro Purple - NRTomatoseed - Packed 2026 Sow By 2029

Tartufo - NRTomatoseed - Packed 2026 Sow By 2029

Tiny Tiger - NRTomatoseed - Packed 2026 Sow By 2029

I used to grow a lot of mini and micro dwarf tomatoes, but never the purple ones as my late wife would not eat tomatoes unless they were red. I did manage to get her to try some yellow tomatoes. She was the same about carrots if not orange to her they weren't  carrots.

Micro Dwarf Tomatoes are tiny, compact plants ideal for UK gardeners with limited space. I have grown them to see if there is a difference between different tomato composts in the past. They are perfect for windowsills, balconies, or small pots, offering big flavour in small plants. 

There are now many more varieties than were available ten years ago. NRTOMATOESEED.COM have many more Mini and Micro Dwarf Tomatoes and I may purchase more to trial next year and add to my Tomato Seed Bank.

Blue Zimmer Micro Dwarf Tomato (10-15 seeds)

The 'Blue Zimmer' tomato, also known as 'Blaue Zimmertomate' (German for "Blue Room Tomato") or sometimes just "Blue Room," is a distinctive and highly sought-after micro-dwarf tomato variety.It's particularly popular for its unique appearance and suitability for small spaces.

• Micro-Dwarf Plant: As its name implies, 'Blue Zimmer' is a true micro-dwarf, typically growing to a compact height of only 25-45 cm. This makes it ideal for container gardening, windowsills, balconies, and even indoor cultivation under grow lights.

• Determinate Growth: It's a determinate variety, meaning the plant grows to a specific size, produces a concentrated flush of fruit, and then stops growing. This characteristic contributes to its low-maintenance nature, as it generally doesn't require extensive pruning or staking.

• Unique Anthocyanin Pigmentation: This is perhaps its most striking feature. 'Blue Zimmer' is one of the first micro-dwarf tomatoes to feature high levels of anthocyanins, the natural pigments responsible for blue, purple, and black hues in plants. The fruits develop striking blue-purple to almost black shoulders where they are exposed to sunlight, while the base of the fruit ripens to a deep red or orange-red. The deeper the sun exposure, the darker the blue/purple colour.

• Fruit Size and Shape: It produces small, cherry-sized fruits, typically weighing around 20-25 grams generally round in shape and 2.5cm across.

•  Flavour Profile: The taste sweet, tangy, and juicy, with a pleasing tartness and a good sugar/acidity balance.

• Early Maturity: 'Blue Zimmer' is an early-season variety, with first fruits typically ripening around 110 days from seed sowing.

• Productivity: Despite its small size, it's a prolific producer, yielding a good number of fruits in its concentrated flush.

• Foliage: It has regular, rugose-type leaves.




Growing 'Blue Zimmer' Tomatoes:

• Containers: It thrives in small pots, even as small as 1 litre, but a 2-3+ litre pot is recommended for better root development and potentially larger fruits/yields.

• Light: Full sun is crucial for optimal growth and, importantly, for the development of the vibrant blue/purple anthocyanin colour. If growing indoors, ensure ample light from a sunny window or grow lights.

• Watering: Like most tomatoes, it prefers consistently moist, well-draining soil. Avoid over watering, which can lead to problems like fruit splitting, but also don't let the soil dry out completely.

• Feeding: Regular weekly feeding with tomato feed is beneficial.

• Pruning: No extensive pruning of side shoots is necessary due to its determinate and compact growth habit.

• Support: Due to its micro-dwarf size, staking or support is often not required, use small stakes if the plant becomes heavily laden with fruit.

• Indoor Growing: It's an excellent choice for indoor cultivation, allowing for fresh tomatoes even during the colder months.

• Germination: Seeds typically germinate within 5 -14 days.

Inkspot Micro Dwarf Tomato (10-15 seeds)

The 'Inkspot' is a highly regarded micro dwarf tomato, celebrated for its unique colouration and exceptional flavour, making it a standout choice for small-space gardening.

• Breeder: This variety was created by Bunny Hop Seeds in the USA, resulting from a cross between 'Pinocchio Orange' and the anthocyanin rich variety 'Clackamas Blueberry'.

• Plant Size: It maintains a compact, bushy habit, typically growing to about 30 to 40 cm tall. While mostly determinate (bush type), some gardeners have advised that it can exhibit a slightly semi-determinate trait, potentially growing and producing a bit longer than a typical true micro dwarf.

• Foliage: It features regular leaf foliage that is often described as rugose (crinkled or wrinkly).

• Growth Habit: Being a determinate type, it is well-suited for containers and generally requires minimal to no staking or pruning. 2-3 litre pots are ideal and if supported, a couple of very small canes will suffice.

Fruit and Flavour Profile

• Colouration: The 'Inkspot' is named for its striking colour. The fruit features deep purple-black shoulders or speckled markings (the "inkspots"), which are the result of the anthocyanin pigment. These dark patches contrast beautifully against the body of the fruit, which ripens to a dark red colour. This dark colouration is most intense when the fruit receives strong sunlight.

• Size: It produces small, round cherry tomatoes, averaging about 15 to 20 grams each.

• Flavour: Its flavour is exceptional, often ranking among the best-tasting micro dwarfs. It offers a sweet-tangy, well-balanced taste combined with a satisfyingly crunchy texture.

• Maturity: It is an early producer, usually ready for harvest in 95 to 105 days after seed sowing.




The 'Inkspot' tomato is an ideal choice for windowsill, patio, or balcony gardening. It performs well in small containers (e.g., 2-3 litre pots) and is highly valued for those seeking a miniature plant that delivers both significant visual appeal and gourmet flavour.

Micro Purple Micro Dwarf Tomato (10-15 seeds)

The 'Micro Purple' tomato is an excellent variety for gardeners with limited space, known for its extremely compact size and unique, dark-coloured fruit.

Plant Characteristics (Micro Dwarf)

• Size: As a micro dwarf variety, it is very compact, typically growing to a height of 20–30 cm

• Growth Habit: It is a determinate variety, meaning it grows to a certain size, sets its fruit all at once, and then stops growing.

• Maintenance: Like most micro dwarfs, it requires no pruning of side shoots and generally needs no staking or support, making it very low-maintenance. When laden with fruit a couple of small canes can be beneficial.

• Ideal for: This variety is perfect for growing in small containers, on windowsills, balconies, patios, or in hydroponic setups, allowing for year-round indoor harvests. Ideal for growing in a 2 or 3 litre pot.

Fruit and Flavour

• Fruit Type: It produces cherry-sized tomatoes.

• Colour: The fruit is highly distinctive due to its anthocyanin content. It ripens from green/blue/purple to a final colour that is often described as dark-red-purple or dark red with almost black shoulders/necks (anthocyanin development is strongest where the fruit is exposed to direct sunlight).

• Flavour: The taste is best described as a sweet-tart flavour, which is common among "purple" or "black" tomato varieties.

• Time to Maturity: It is an early-maturing variety, often ready to harvest in around 90-100 days from seed sowing.

Related Varieties

• There is some suggestion among seed enthusiasts that 'Micro Purple' may be the same variety as 'Tartufo' (which is Italian for "truffle") or very closely related.

• It is part of a growing class of micro dwarfs that feature the attractive, dark anthocyanin pigments, alongside others like 'Blaue Zimmer tomate' (Blue Room Tomato), 'Purple Boy' and 'Inkspot'.

Tartufo Micro Dwarf Tomato (10-15 seeds)

The 'Tartufo' is an exciting and relatively new addition to the micro dwarf tomato family, highly valued for its striking colour and excellent production in a small package.

The name 'Tartufo' means "truffle" in Italian, likely referencing the fruit's dark, earthy colour when partially ripe.

• Size (Plant): It is a compact micro dwarf, generally staying between 25–35 cm tall. This makes it perfect for small pots, windowsills, or as an ornamental plant in small spaces.

• Fruit Colour: This is its most distinctive feature, placing it alongside the 'Crow's Eye' and 'Purple Boy' in the anthocyanin (dark-pigment) category. The fruit ripens from a dark green/black with deep purple/anthocyanin shoulders (blue-black) to a fully ripe dark red/mahogany-brown or deep red with a dark neck.

• Fruit Size & Shape: It produces a good yield of large cherry to small cocktail-sized tomatoes, round or slightly flattened, typically weighing around 15–30 grams. This fruit size is a bit larger than most micro dwarf cherries.

• Flavour: It has a rich, full, and well-balanced tomato flavor. The taste is best described as sweet with subtle acidity, sometimes having a slightly smoky or earthy complexity that is characteristic of dark-coloured tomatoes.

• Growth Habit: It is a determinate (bush) variety, meaning it grows to a set size and produces its crop over a short period. It requires minimal to no staking or pruning.If supporting, a couple of very small canes will suffice.

• Maturity: It is an early producer, with fruits typically ripening in 90 to 105 days after seed sowing.

Growing

• Container Star: Ideal for small 2 to 3 litre pots on balconies, patios, and kitchen windowsills.

• Aesthetic Appeal: The dark, contrasting colours of the fruit and the rugged, sometimes slightly rugose (crinkled) regular foliage give it high ornamental value.

• Sunlight: Like all anthocyanin tomatoes, placing 'Tartufo' in full sun will intensify the purple-black colouration on the shoulders of the fruit.

If you are looking for a micro dwarf that delivers gourmet flavour and the nutritional benefits of anthocyanins (antioxidants) in a highly decorative, compact plant, 'Tartufo' is an excellent choice!

Tiny Tiger Micro Dwarf Tomato (10-15 seeds)

The 'Tiny Tiger' tomato is a charming and popular micro dwarf variety, known for its small stature and attractive, striped fruit. It's an excellent choice for gardeners with limited space, or those looking to grow tomatoes indoors or on a patio.

• Type: It is primarily classified as a micro dwarf tomato. This means the plants are very compact, typically growing to a height of 20-50 cm. 

• Growth Habit: It is a determinate variety. This is a key feature for micro dwarfs, as it means the plant grows to a predetermined size, produces its fruit crop in a relatively concentrated period, and then stops growing significantly. This makes it very low-maintenance, as it generally does not require staking or the pruning of side shoots.

• Foliage: It has regular leaf foliage with a bluish-green tint, which adds to its decorative appeal.

• Fruit Appearance: This is one of its most appealing features. The fruits are small, round cherry-type tomatoes, typically weighing between 15-30 grams (or about the size of a ping-pong ball). They ripen to a striking golden-yellow or orange-yellow base colour with prominent red stripes.The flesh inside is typically red or bi-coloured.

• Flavour: The taste is sweet with a hint of acidity, offering a balanced tomato flavour. 

• Maturity: It's an early-season variety, usually maturing in 100 -120 days from seed sowing. This makes it a good option for a quick harvest.

• Productivity: Despite its small size, 'Tiny Tiger' is a good and often prolific producer, yielding a decent number of fruits throughout its cropping period. Some determinate micro dwarf varieties, like 'Tiny Tiger', can even produce a second, smaller crop if well-watered and fertilised after the initial flourish.

Ideal Uses and Growing Conditions:

• Container Gardening: 'Tiny Tiger' is perfectly suited for containers, whether on a windowsill, balcony, patio, or as a decorative front-row plant in a larger garden bed.

• Indoor Growing: Its compact size and determinate habit make it an excellent candidate for growing indoors under grow lights, allowing for fresh tomatoes even in colder climates or during winter.

• Small Spaces: Ideal for urban gardeners or anyone with limited growing area.

• Snacking and Salads: The small, attractive fruits are perfect for fresh eating, snacking, and adding a splash of colour to salads.

• Decorative: Its compact bushy form and striped fruits make it a highly ornamental plant.

• Sunlight: Like all tomatoes, it needs plenty of sunlight (at least 6-8 hours direct sun daily) to thrive and develop its vibrant colours.

• Watering: Consistent watering is important, especially when grown in containers, as pots can dry out more quickly than garden beds.

'Tiny Tiger' is a delightful micro dwarf tomato that offers both visual appeal with its striped fruits and a pleasant, balanced flavour. Its ease of cultivation due to its compact, determinate nature makes it a popular choice for a wide range of growing situations.