Quote from: Aidy on May 19, 2024, 16:55

So the question I was once asked by a farmer who is one of our patients.... why are you planting main's so early when you are going to store them?
I was like you sowing in March.
I now follow our local farmers. Mains go in first weekend of May, my earlys 2nd weekend of April.
Done this about 4 years now and always get very good crops, others on site are moaning coz they have lost a good few due to more than average raInfall. They will not learn!

That's interesting Aidy.  I have always followed the advice given by the late Joe Maiden, who used to have a radio show on Radio Leeds, and whose book Grow with Joe is an excellent one.   He recommended planting all types of potatoes at the same time, 1st earlies, 2nd earlies, early maincrop, maincrop and salad.  His rationale was that early potatoes take approximately 12 weeks, second earlies 16 weeks, early maincrop take until August and maincrop until September. 
I follow this method, usually planting mid April here in Yorkshire and it works well for me.

We have a chap from Ireland on site, his way is...  "in with Paddy, out with Billy"
So 17th March he was on sowing them, not long after he was F ing and Jeffing coz they were sat in water for days, he has lost at least half his crop!
Our last frost date is around end of April now so this why I always hang on.
You find the best way that works for you in your area.
Good luck hope you get a good crop.

Part of my garden, a strip beside the greenhouse, is clay overlaid with a layer of pebbles, like a beach 
I'd like to build a raised bed on top, to grow mostly salad, and wonder what depth of extra soil/compost I could get away with adding? Obviously I'd have to buy in the soil/compost!
I don't know if the pebbles are an advantage with drainage, or if they'll stop any roots from penetrating 
Has anybody had similar experience?

Mince & onions in gravy with peas and mash 

Sorry if this has been touched on, but an article I read recently commented on Highgrove`s gardener suggesting similar to the `beer` method, alternatively using a mixture of small amounts of sugar and dried yeast with water in pots with the rim at ground level.
 Anyone tried this?

Just made so up today so I will keep you posted.

And so after me swearing never to have a painted finish kitchen again, I am now re-considering that stance

Only looking at flat fronted door ones though     

Are non-painted kitchens in the same price bracket as a painted one decent doors then. I am assuming hoping it is the cheapest ranges that are dodgy 

I don't discriminate - everything  makes me grumpy.

Look on the bright side. At least no-one can accuse you of being inconsistent.