Monday, 20 July 2026

Timber Decking Tiles Splitting

 
It wood appear that the timber decking tiles are drying out splitting in the sun  

I will try and relocate these tiles under the storage unit, these were the best of what was available and the splits were not there on purchase 


I found all but one leg of the tower 


The tomatoes are growing really well, but as I have not been able to get to the allotment to rescue the Quadgrows or to take these and plant them out, I have offered a few to my neighbour 

Black 10L buckets with lids arrived and compost & small tools and sieves stored in them. 

The Simple Amish Spray That Keeps Bugs Off Your Plants

The Nutrient Density Leader Board


 

Sunday, 19 July 2026

Monitoring The Transplanted Tomatoes

The weather forecast today for the next two weeks 


A weather map showing precipitation forecast on July 26 at midnight
© WXCHARTS

Separately, in its long-range weather forecast looking at July 23 to August 1, the Met Office said: "For much of the UK, dry at first with sunny spells. Northern and northwestern areas will be cloudier with occasional patchy rain or drizzle.

"Towards the weekend and perhaps into the start of next week, perhaps a more unsettled period with rain at times, especially across northern parts of the UK. This rain may very well reach southern areas too, but could be light and patchy here.

"Confidence becomes lower as we head into next week, but there are signs that high pressure will return, which means dry conditions would resume, especially in the south. Winds will be mostly light or moderate, occasionally fresh around northern coasts. Temperatures are expected to be near or above normal, warmest in the south, perhaps becoming very warm again by the start of August."




The BMF (Big Mother Fucker) and Tennis Ball tomatoes appear to have settled in their new Bio Green City Jungle. 

The Crimson Crush and Crimson Plum also looking happy, I will add some grass mulch tomorrow


The water in the 500ml pop bottle is going down slowly, I will also water every two or 3 days, I do have more strawberries coming and I will be using the Oakland Gardens hanging basket with the water reservoir.

Due to having my leg and foot cleaned and dressed by the District Nurse and the pain despite heavy pain killers I was not out and about on the patio today, so no progress of completing my raised beds and getting some seeds in them.  

It's So Hot Outside

 

Oakland Gardens

 

Saturday, 18 July 2026

Potting On Tomatoes


With my foot padded up and bandaged so much, the medical boot I have is not big enough to get on over the dressings, but I still need to go out onto the timber desking to get the washing in.

Whilst doing that, I also potted up a Crimson Plum tomato into one of the self watering pots I have   

The Crimson Crush tomato I potted up a few days ago appears to be happy. 

The Bio Green City Jungle is looking a little weather bleached it has taken six years of exposure to daylight for the green climbing frame to turn white.

The additional Bamboo is a deterrent to keep the cats and squirrels from digging out the compost or pooping in it 

To be honest the tomatoes are around two months late, because of my couple of stints in hospital and my inability to get down to the allotment which is where the BMF (Big Mother Fucker) and Tennis Ball tomatoes were going to be grown.

With the crazy weather we are having, I may get a tomato harvest, but there again I might not, it's all In The Lap Of The Gods

Friday, 17 July 2026

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. 






Thursday, 16 July 2026

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





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.

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

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

 

Monday, 13 July 2026

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.