Self-Watering Terracotta Stakes

 

Purchased off ebay 

Package Includes: 4 Pieces Self-Watering Terracotta Stakes

Name: Self-Watering Terracotta Stakes

Size: 17.8 x 6 cm (7.01 x 2.36 in)

Colour: As shown

Capacity: 120 ml (can add extended water bottle)

Material: terracotta

After nearly loosing the strawberries whilst being in hospital for four days recently, I decided to buy some Self-Watering Terracotta Stakes, I have these already in my home and down the allotment using with wine bottles. 

For the hanging baskets, I'm going with 500ml plastic bottles of diet and full sugar coke as they fit just right under the chains. 

A quick trim of the dead areas of the strawberries, and Terracotta Stake inserted in the middle of the hanging basket.  

Terracotta Stake filled with water then 500ml plastic bottle from diet or full fat coke inserted they fit just right under the chains. 

Traditional Hanging Baskets re-hung.

I really should have got the Oakland Gardens plastic hanging basket with the water reservoir built into the bottom. There again I didn't know that I was going to be taken into the hospital during our third heatwave. 

Storage Within Storage

 A google and AI search found the internal dimensions to be The internal dimensions of the Keter Store It Out Max 1200L (Grey) are 132cm (W) x 76cm (D) x 110cm (H). This provides an overall internal capacity of 1,200 litres, which is designed to comfortably hold up to two 240L wheelie bins or large garden furniture.

With an internal depth of 760mm I'm looking for 1 box less that 760mm or two boxes less than 760mm so about 380mm with a little wiggle room say 360mm

Link to Web Site   SpaceMaster Clear Plastic Storage Boxes

I don't understand why the 38cm Mini has a length of 400 when all the others have names that reflect the Length I will check with Elixir once they are open for business. 

I rang and a nice lady called Shelly, looked into it and it would appear it's a typing error and the length of the 38cm Mini should be 38cm and not 40cm. 

Shelly got the typo corrected straight away 

Shelly thanked me for pointing it out and also informed me that if you use the code ELIXIR10 when completing your purchase you will get a 10% Discount on your purchase.  

I have way too many different weed killers. that I tend to buy at the end of the season when they are being sold off cheap and would like to have a storage container for them to go, it looks like I will need a storage box with a minimum internal height of 300mm.

As I'm having to give up plot 1A and Mill Green Allotment, I have a shed load of stuff to evenly distribute between my plot 1 shed and my store at home now that I am making my Back Garden Allotment (BGA) 

I'm looking to purchase a 75cm Max (96L) from Elixir and then use the same size storage boxes that I purchased form £1 or 99p Shop previously as I will get two on top of the 75cm Max (96L) 

Currently in the brick storage shed above the below the counter Freezer 

£1 shop or 99p Storage boxes 

 

The internal height is stated as being 1100mm but its not known if that is at the front or the back as there is a slope to the lid back to front.

1100mm - 410mm = 690mm

690mm / 190mm = 3.6 say 3 levels or 6 number of the 320mm x 320mm x190mm storage boxes.

Digging The Dirt

Digging the Dirt - the Allotment Show is back for Season 8. Have a listen to the new episode - It's Hot on the Plot!

Spotify: [https://open.spotify.com/show/0w0mfoqZjhlU13OSyGC4fh](https://open.spotify.com/show/0w0mfoqZjhlU13OSyGC4fh)

ITunes: [https://podcasts.apple.com/.../digging-the.../id1487062460](https://podcasts.apple.com/.../digging-the.../id1487062460)

Raised Bed Size Weed Membrane Blanks

Well the weather Forecast is all change from a couple of days ago, the 3 days of thunder and lightning have gone !   It was in fact very overcast this morning. 

Last three blanks cut out of the 10m long sheet so that is eight sheets in total, and now a hole in the middle of the sheet to accommodate the top of the worm tower. 

Two blank sheets now cut and ready for additional planting holes to be created. Sun and aching feet stopped play.  

Hosepipe Ban Loopholes

 

Raised Bed Weed Membrane Blanks

 

The Tomatoes are really taking off, I just hope there is enough time to grow them on and get a crop. 

The Strawberries in the hanging Baskets are getting 500ml of water a day and dripping from the bottom and the ones nearest the kitchen door appear to be recovering. 

I really should have got the Oakland Gardens plastic hanging basket with the water reservoir built into the bottom. There again I didn't know that I was going to be taken into the hospital during our third heatwave. 

I rolled up the three weed membrane blanks I cut off the roll yesterday.  

𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗮 𝗣𝗼𝗼 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿

Hi all,

I have 10 alpacas near Hook (RG29) and plenty of their manure bagged up in strong, reusable bags.

The alpaca are always producing so I’d like to give back to the community instead of letting it waste!

£5 per bag - collection welcome, or I can deliver locally.

Why alpaca poo is great fertiliser for your garden or allotment:

No composting, ageing, or treating needed - apply it straight to your soil

Won’t burn plants - low in ammonia, so it’s safe to use fresh

Nutrient-rich - naturally high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium

Low odour and easy to handle - no strong smells or mess

Low risk of weeds - alpacas digest seeds thoroughly, so it rarely spreads unwanted plants

Message me if you’re interested or have any questions.

Potting On A Tomato Plant

 

Pot with a water reservoir topped up with clover compost around a pot the same size as used for the small tomato plants that appeared to do well whist I was in hospital 

I watered the compost so if would hold the form when the pot was removed 

Crushed eggshells are a great natural source of calcium for your tomato plants, which is vital for preventing blossom-end rot. To make the nutrients bioavailable, wash, dry, and crush the shells into a fine powder, then mix it directly into your potting soil or planting holes.

There was a nice root structure as I decanted the plant from the pot it was grown in, into the hole formed in the compost in the larger pot  

The compost was topped up and the transplant watered, 5 bamboo canes added more to prevent the cats digging and pooping in the compost

Bamboo's cable tied at the top. Originally my tomatoes were going in the new raised bed on allotment 1 and in the quadgrow's in the greenhouse on plot 1. Now I need to improvise some room here at home, in my new back garden.

UK Weather Forecast 200-Mile Rain Bomb

UK weather forecast as 200-mile rain bomb set to soak 25 counties - full list

Story by Rebecca Robinson & Kelly Williams of the Daily Star 

Britain is enjoying its third heatwave of the year as temperatures rocket beyond 30C. But this scorching spell could come to a sudden halt as a 200-mile deluge prepares to strike.

Fresh weather maps from WXCharts, using MetDesk data, show that changeable conditions may return next weekend, delivering rainfall across 25 counties. One massive band of rain on July 19 (next Sunday) is predicted to stretch from Cumbria in North West England all the way to Northamptonshire in the East Midlands - an enormous 220 miles.

Meanwhile, the East of England is also set for heavy showers, with Suffolk expected to receive up to 7.5mm/hr next Sunday. The Met Office has issued warnings about potential thunderstorms from mid-July, with increasingly volatile weather possibly ahead.

Its outlook for July 15 to 24 states: "High pressure to the northeast of the UK with low pressure over the Bay of Biscay starts the period with broadly settled weather for the north of the UK with a risk of thunderstorms into the south of the UK from France at times".

"Through the weekend potentially turning more unsettled from the south before more settled conditions arrive from the west. Uncertain into the next week as cloud and longer spells of rain threaten the NW and possibly running through the UK at times.", reports the Express.

"Temperatures will be warm or very warm initially, perhaps hot at times in the southwest, likely easing to warm or near average over the weekend, though further hot spells possible especially in the south."

Counties anticipating rainfall:

1. Devon
2. Dorset
3. London
4. Surrey
5. Suffolk
6. Norfolk
7. Essex
8. Lincolnshire
9. Cambridgeshire
10. Northamptonshire
11. Warwickshire
12. Worcestershire
13. Herefordshire
14. Shropshire
15. Cheshire
16. Merseyside
17. Lancashire
18. Cumbria
19. Nottinghamshire
20. Derbyshire
21. Rutland
22. Leicestershire
23. Durham
24. Hertfordshire
25. Buckinghamshire

Weather Forecast for Sutton Surrey 

What Vegetables to Plant In July

Gardening With Ben Gardening and Allotment Tips

What vegetables can you plant in July?

July is far from the end of the growing season! There are still plenty of vegetables you can sow now for delicious harvests later this summer, through autumn, and even into winter.

Whether you’ve got an allotment, a vegetable patch, raised beds or just a few pots, it’s not too late to keep your garden productive. Every seed you sow now is another step towards homegrown harvests in the months ahead.

Keep smiling, keep shining, keep gardening with Ben.

#JulyGardening #VegetableGardening #GrowYourOwn #KitchenGarden #allotmentlife

Simply Seeds What To Grow In July

 

She Grows Veg - Seeds To Grow In July

 

Not sure what's still worth sowing? July is made for quick-growing crops

Autumn radishes, rocket and spinach thrive in the summer heat and don't need much space, a pot near a tap is all it takes. Get the seeds in now and thank yourself in September

She Grows Veg - Seeds To Grow In July 

Fixed the Latch To The Gate

 

Hosepipe Ban affecting 350,000