Saturday, 12 September 2026
In My Seed Box For 2027 - Water Melon
In 2019 two plot holders on our allotment site Wally and John grew water melons out on the allotment and not under glass. Looking at the RHS Web site re Melons it states that there are three groups of sweet melons. Canteloupe melons, with their orange flesh are the best ones for us to grow in the UK. You can also grow honeydew types, which have firm yellow flesh, and musk melons, which must be grown in a greenhouse.
For best results in our cooler climate grow your melons in a greenhouse or coldframe, or against a sunny sheltered wall with a cloche covering them.
Now I’m not sure how a wall can be sunny and sheltered at the same time.
in 2022 I grew these three Amarillo Oro from one plant under a glass panel up against the boundary wall. in 2026 I'm going to have a bash at growing them again up against the wall and in one of the greenhouses. I saved the seeds from these melons and will be using them.
Sow By 2021
Sugar Baby - 40 Seeds - 99p - Happy Green Shop
Sow By 2022
Amarillo Oro - I have a few seed left from the pack I bought some time ago, however they are longer available from the original supplier. A google search found 25 Seeds for £5.51 from bonanza, but I saved my own seeds from the melons I grew in 2023, so I'm good to go for 2026, and will save seeds again.
Sow By 2024
Little Darling F1 - 7 Seeds - RRP £2.99 - Dobies - Packed for year end 2023 - Sow by 12/2024
Mangomel F1 - 4 Seeds - £3.99 - Suttons - Packed for year end 2022 - Sow by 7/2024
Mangomel F1 - 4 Seeds - £3.99 - Suttons - Packed for year end 2022 - Sow by 7/2024
Sow By 2026
Mangomel F1 - 10 Seeds - £3.75 - Mr Fothergill's - Packed for year end Jul 2023 - Sow by 12/2026
Magia Negra F1 - 10 Seeds - £4.15 - Mr Fothergill's - Packed for year end 2023 - Sow by 12/2026
Magia Negra F1 - 10 Seeds - £4.15 - Mr Fothergill's - Packed for year end 2023 - Sow by 12/2026
MANGOMEL F1
Developed in the UK specifically for home gardeners, this is perhaps the first melon ever to be bred for this market. It will reliably produce 5 fruits per plant in an unheated greenhouse, 2-3 fruits in a sunny spot outdoors. If planted outdoors, the spread will be about 1.5 metres so will appreciate some trimming to encourage it. Fruit weight average 1kg.
Sow in a propagator on a windowsill or in pots or trays using a good quality, moist compost in a greenhouse at approximately 15°C (60°F). Cover seed with 1cm (½") compost.
Germination 7-14 days.
Transfer to 7.5cm (3") pots, grow on and plant on into grow bags or large pots. Train up strings and support fruits with nets. Water and feed regularly. If growing outside it is best to cover the soil with black membrane to keep the soil warm and use a cloche to cover the plant. Pollinate by inserting a male flower into female flower which has tiny fruit at the base.
WATER MELON AMARILLO ORO
Melon Amarillo Oro produces a yellow skinned cantaloupe melon with superb sweet juicy refreshing flesh. Each of these delicious fruits weighs up to 5- 6 Ib (2 - 3 kg). Open pollinated. A pre-1870 heirloom variety from Spain.
Melons require high temperatures and humidity. In all but the very warmest areas cultivation is most successful in a greenhouse, or under cover of a cold frame.
SOWING
Direct sow: February - April
Harvest: 100 days
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Temperature: 23 - 30 C
Depth: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Plant spacing: 36 inches (90cm)
WATER MELON SUGAR BABY
Sweet tasting and smaller fruited "Ice Box" type watermelon. Early and very productive with sweet, juicy, fine-textured, medium-red flesh and thin hard rind.
The round, 8 to 12 lb, dark green skinned melons grow 8 inches across. Ideal variety if space is limited, as this can be trailed on trellises and faster to ripen in short summers.
Drought Resistant
Ready to harvest about 75 days after seeding in favourable conditions. Can be grown outside in a warm, sheltered and sunny location, but for the most reliable crops under glass is best.
Days to Germination: 5-7
Days To Harvest: 75 in warm conditions
Planting Depth:12 – 25mm 1/2 to 1 inch
Spacing: 600mm 2 feet
Light: Sunny, Warm, Sheltered Location
Prepare soil by digging and incorporating liberal amounts of well-rotted compost or farmyard manure over-winter. Watermelons thrive in a sunny, warm location
Sow April to May 1cm (½in) deep, in 7cm (3.5in) pots of free-draining seed sowing mix. Place in a (propagator, airing cupboard) and keep at a temperature of around 20-25C (68-77F) until after germination, usually 5-7 days.
When first true leaves develop, transplant into 13cm (5in) pots for a few weeks.
Plant out 24 inches apart after carefully hardening off after all risk of frost in a warm sheltered position in full sun or for a more reliable crop under glass.
Water regularly and feed with liquid fertilizer every 14 days.
Pinch out growing point at the 4 leaf stage and train the laterals (side-shoots) along the row. Hand pollinate if required.
At harvest time, tap the watermelon with your knuckles, and if it sounds hollow, it's ripe.
MAGIA NEGRA F1
Magia Negra F1 - Mr Fothergills - 10 Seeds - No longer stocked
Outstanding in Mr Fothergills UK polytunnel trials, this 'Sugar Baby' type watermelon is quick to mature, producing 7-9kg fruit with deliciously juicy, deep red flesh.
LITTLE DARLING F1
A strong performer in the UK, Watermelon 'Little Darling' is a compact variety that matures and ripens quickly to yield delicious small oval fruits with irresistibly sweet and juicy flesh.
This space-saving variety is best grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel, producing up to 4 fruits per plant. Once you've tasted fresh homegrown watermelons, you'll never look back! Height: 45cm (18in). Spread: 120cm (4ft).
Sowing Time - February to April Indoors. Plant outside June
Sowing Instructions. Sow seed 20mm (3/4"( deep in 75mm (3in) pots of good seed compost at 21-25C (70-77F) PLace in a propagator or seal container in a polythene bag until after germination (7-10 days). After germination maintain temperature 15C (60F) and keep the compost moist but not wet.
Aftercare Instructions. When melon plants are well grown. transplant them at a spacing of 2 plants per growbag or 1m (3ft) apart under frost free glass.
harvest August to October
Addition added 11th February 2024
Budgie F1
Packed year ending July/23 and Sow By date recommend on the pack of Dec/26 Melon seeds actually last between 5 - 8 years if stored correctly.
Again another very short description for these seeds on the D.T.Browns web site that says:-
"An unusual Asian variety with a fresh tangy-sweet flavour. The bushy plants show good resistance to downy and powdery mildew."
If you click on the Growing Tips field you get this information
"SOW INDOORS January-April, singly into pots, 0.5cm/quarter inch deep. Keep at 20-25C/68-75F. Harden off late May. Plant out at 4-5 leaf stage to growing bags in the greenhouse, or a warm, sheltered area in the garden, spaced 45cm/18in. apart.
Train main stems up vertical wires and remove the growing points at approx. 7th leaf stage."
Information missing from the web page but on the pack below:-
"Feed regularly when fruit sets.
Harvest July - October. Outdoor crops from late August."
This year it appears that web authors for seed companies are being very lazy on not putting all the information on the pack on the web site pages.
Suttons and Dobies, web pages for their new vegetables have also been lacking with them also getting the graphics incorrect for sowing transplanting and harvesting. I do give feedback to all companies when I find errors and short comings on their web pages.
I'm really looking forward to trying these in the greenhouse and outside against my wall under a glass panel this year.
Friday, 11 September 2026
Looking At The Weather for This Weekend
It's been a couple of days since I have been able to do anything on the back garden allotment as we have had some real rain and I'm currently restricted in footwear to a medical Velcro sandal.
My plan for Saturday is to get as much done in terms of removing grass from withing the footprint of beds 7 to 9 and collect the leaves on the front drive and put them in bed 6 with the aim of filling bed 6 to a level that Farmyard compost, compost, vermiculite and mulch can fill bed 6.
The weather for Sunday is not looking favourable for any progress in the back garden.
In My Seed Box for 2027 - Cucumbers
In the past I have grown a number of different cucumbers but the ones I keep coming back to and grow each year are Burpless Tasty Green and Marketmore. In 2018 I was introduced to Esmarald from Mr Fothergills as John had started off a load of cucumbers and was looking to distribute the love, by giving his babies to anyone on the plot that was happy to give them room rather than compost them.
I have to say Esmarald out grew Burpless Tasty Greens but I was not able to get hold of the seeds again from Mr Fothergills, so I was very happy that I saved seeds and have continued to do sow annually.
Cucumber seeds if kept in ideal conditions should last between 10 - 15 years, so there is no rush to plant too many varieties, however now having the Climbing Frame Greenhouse on the plot (shown above) I have been looking to maximise its use and grow more varieties of cucumbers, hopefully 2027 will see this happen.
I have to say Esmarald out grew Burpless Tasty Greens but I was not able to get hold of the seeds again from Mr Fothergills, so I was very happy that I saved seeds and have continued to do sow annually.
Burpless Tasty Green were grown in 2021 along with Swing F1 which was a cucumber with a nice girth only four slices needed per sandwich one in each quadrant of the bread, and quite a nice taste and texture .
Lots of Cucumber varieties grown in 2024 Party Time F1, Party Time F1, Burpless Tasty Green, Esmarald, Emilie F1 & Suprina F1 The plan was to fill the climbing frame greenhouse with cucumbers only for the slugs and snails to wipe them all out, bar one plant.
In 2025, Esmarald and Burpless Tasty Green grown but again only two plants survived, and four cucumbers harvested. 2026 No Cucumbers grown due to being in hospital with DVT and then leg ulcers
Cucumbers were originally found in India around 4000 years ago, and they have since become the fourth most widely cultivated vegetable in the world. Cucumbers found their way to England during the 14th century, but were not at all popular, they did become more widely eaten from the 17th century.
The species grown for food are Cucumis sativus (cucumber) and Cucumis anguria (West Indian gherkin). In the UK, cucumbers are generally grown to maturity in a greenhouse or polytunnel, although ridge cucumbers and some varieties of gherkin are a little hardier and can be planted outside when danger of frost has passed. All of my cucumbers have been grown out on the allotment plot, as space in the greenhouses is valuable.
Sow By 2024
Passandra F1 - 4 Seeds - £3.99 - Organic Gardening - Sow by 2024
These will be sown in 2027 in a Greenhouse
Sow By 2025
Hopeline F1 - 5 Seeds - £3.99 - Dobies - Sow by 7/2025
These will be sown in 2027
Peticue - 3 Seeds - Which Gardening ?
Sow By 2026
Burpless Tasty Green F1 - 10 Seeds - £1.50^ - wilko - Sow by 7/2026
Lunch Box F1 - 10 Seeds - £4.89 - Mr Fothergill's - Sow By 2026
Burpless Tasty Green F1 - Numerous - Free - Self Saved in 2023 - Sow By 2026
^ Bought in the 50% sale for 75p
Party Time F1 - 6 Seeds - £3.99 - Dobies - Packed Year Ending Sep/2024
Kyuri Japanese - 6 seeds - Givaway - Niwaki
Self Saved Seeds
Burpless Tasty Green - Saved 2023
Esmarald - Saved 2023
Cucumbers That I Have Grown Include:
Thursday, 10 September 2026
Gardening Press Gift Bag Arrives
I've not been out of the house for a couple of months other than going too or from hospitals and a couple of days ago I came home to a nice large cardboard box and inside was the above goodie bag
Inside the Goodie Bag, funnily enough I found a number of goodies, some I instantly recognised and others I had to do a little research to find out what the hell they were, i.e. The Dreamfarm Cleana's see below.
When I was more mobile and able to go to the Gardening Press Event in London I used to love picking up the goodie bags and freebies from the exhibitors. I'm assuming this one has arrived as I'm considered gardening press and Glee in on this week. The company Burton McCall PR that sent it knows I'm currently housebound, and I have to say it was a great surprise to find it there on my door step.
The ALPEN Rigi 300 snips are an essential tool for trimming your plants and harvesting fruit and vegetables. Its ultra sharp blades easily trimming shoots, herbs and flowers, and being made from stainless steel do not rust and are easy to maintain. The long 56mm, thin stainless steel blades with rounded tips make them an ideal tool for careful harvesting of fruit, vegetables and flowers.
Dreamfarm Cleana Self-Sharpening Cleaning Scraper with Hook - Pack of 2
Sharpener built into Cleana’s handle creates 1,000+ fresh scraping edges. Secondary hook scraper cleans hard-to-reach corners and crevices around stove tops and sink edges.
Non-scratch scraper edge is as gentle on non-stick surfaces as a fingernail, but gets the job done without ruining your nails.
Simple Modern the Voyager 16oz Tumbler
Double Wall Vacuum Insulated: Keeps beverages hot or cold for hours
1 Lid and 2 Straws Included: Tumbler comes with our twist-on, leak-proof clear flip lid and two reusable straws RRP £23
1 Lid and 2 Straws Included: Tumbler comes with our twist-on, leak-proof clear flip lid and two reusable straws RRP £23
Cupholder Friendly: The Voyager’s unique shape makes it the perfect reusable travel mug as it fits in most cars’ cup holders.
Mouth: 3.1 inches
Height: 6.1 inches
Base: 2.5 inches
Weight: 7.1 ounces
Height: 6.1 inches
Base: 2.5 inches
Weight: 7.1 ounces
- Tumbler is made of durable, double-walled stainless steel.
- Lid and straws are made of BPA-free plastic
- Tumbler, lid and straws are top rack dishwasher safe
- Lid should be washed in the open position
Limited Lifetime Warrenty
Simple Modern are proud to stand behind all their products. Every Simple Modern product is made in accordance with high quality and safety standards. And they take their product performance seriously, which is why they offer a limited lifetime warranty covering any manufacturer’s defects.
The Voyager Tumbler is going to get used once I'm able to get back down to my allotment. Their web site is worth checking out.
Simple Modern commits to donating at least 10 percent of annual profits each year, and the company has given more than $10 million to more than 1,000 nonprofit partners since its founding in 2015
Simple Modern has released its second-annual Community Impact Report, where you can read more about their philanthropic strategy
Doohickey Key Chain Knife
This RRP £13.99 high-quality knife offers a perfect everyday solution for convenient accessibility on your key chain.
Designed with the features and durability of larger folding pocket knives, the DoohicKey Key Chain Knife offers a two-inch locking stainless steel blade housed in a lightweight aluminium body.
This premium key chain knife uses high-quality, corrosion-resistant 420j2 stainless steel with a high-hardness level (51-54HRC), allowing this knife to retain a sharp edge.
The included S-Biner allows you to quickly attach, detach, and secure this folding knife to key chains, backpacks, and other anchor points.
- Features a two-inch locking stainless steel blade with sharp cutting edge
- Durable + lightweight aluminium body
- Blade constructed from corrosion-resistant 420j2 stainless steel
- High-hardness level (51-54HRC) of the blade results in superior edge-retention for sharpness that lasts
- Perfect for most common cutting tasks
- Lock-back design keeps the blade locked in place while in use
- S-Biner® MicroLock® features a twist-to-lock design making the knife easy to attach, detach, and secure
humangear GoBites Duo (The Civilised Spork)
- The Civilized Spork - A minimalist utensil with spoon and fork ends, the humangear GoBites Duo is perfect for travel, camping, work commute, kids, and more
- Evolved Design - Connect spoon and fork end-to-end to reach dehydrated food bags or extra deep containers, plus utensils nest together for ultra compact storage
- Proven Durability - Made with ultra-strong nylon and comes with a lifetime warranty
- Responsibly Made - Eat to your health! We use FDA food-safe material that is BPA-free, PC-free, and Phthalate-free
- Design Made to Last - Since 2007, humangear believes design comes from empathizing with those who seek what's reliable, multi-functional, and sustainable. We're passionate about creating evolved products to help humans and the planet, too
After Bite Classic, 14ml Handy Pen
Suitable for
For use on adults and children over three years old.
How to use
Shake well before use. For use on adults and children over three years old. Using a circular action, rub the affected area with the applicator as soon as possible. Prompt use gives the best results. Do not bandage or cover until dry. If discomfort persists or recurs repeat the application. Replace the cap after each use.
Hazards and Cautions
Do not use After Bite if you have a known sensitivity to ammonia. Avoid contact with the eyes and the mouth. If this should occur rinse well with water. If rash, redness, irritation, swelling or pain increases or worsens after application, discontinue use and seek medical advice. In case of accidental ingestion do not induce vomiting. Drink milk and citrus juices and consult a doctor. Contains ammonia. Harmful to aquatic life with lasting effects.
PALMA Gingerbread Hot Chocolate is a festive, thick italian chocolate drink flavoured with cinnamon, ginger , cloves and nutmeg
Product Details
- Flavor Profile: A rich blend of cocoa with warm winter spices.
- Ingredients: Contains 23% low-fat cocoa powder along with traditional gingerbread spices.
- Dietary Info: Generally gluten-free and GMO-free.
- Availability: Sold online in Palma Chocolate stores or packaged as single-serving sachets on platforms like Amazon UK.
It has to be said apart from the pen that didn't write it was a great little goodie bag including the candy cane was tied with a red ribbon to the Christmas themed bag it all came in
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