I’m a no dig allotment gardener in the UK (9a). Compost maker, dog walker, vegetarian, anxiety sufferer. Climate issues and UK Green Party will be boosted. No Alt Text no boost. My avatar is a brindle boxer dog with a stick in his mouth and the header is a bed of pink hylotelephium spectabile in early autumn.
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npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Profile Code
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2026-05-31T20:30:57Z Event JSON
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Last Notes npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Some Summer shower excitement. #Gardening #DogsOfMastodon https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/676/118/664/498/787/original/19c6cff197b0b3e3.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/676/118/937/788/592/original/4e10d923025c6adb.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Wow, good luck with this. #SolarPunk npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork It’s no bad thing to have things go to seed. One parsnip plant will give you all the seed you could wish for next year. The pollinators love the yellow flowers too. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork It’s grim. You are fighting against the fluctuations and vagaries of the weather this year. Either side of the full moon often sees noticeable changes to weather or a storm in its wake. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork The saying goes some things happen once in a blue moon. The blue moon rises tonight. 🌕 #FullMoon npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork This is great. TIL Ash keys can be pickled. There’s a large ash behind my plot. Of the other foraged plants featured I already make an elderflower cordial, and use wild chamomile, honeysuckle, dog rose petals and lime leaves and flowers. #SolarPunkSunday npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Shop bought spring onions regrowing from the replanted tip and roots. #GrowYourOwn #Gardening https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/659/340/477/283/930/original/7283fd1496648141.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Trialling sheep wool for the first time as a mulch for french beans and climbing beans. #Gardening #NoDig #Mulch #Allotment https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/659/317/697/269/428/original/bb3fa4bdc36267df.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/659/318/115/191/576/original/a96bd380c44f7b3b.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/659/318/438/235/643/original/a9c9a4564b3bd2b7.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork I had a trip to Norfolk on Wednesday and it was surprisingly much greener than the landscape is around here. It is normally the other way round. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Cooling down at last. #DogsOfMastodon https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/642/851/707/869/960/original/0a40507be39cfeb3.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork It is worth aiming for. I can eat some home grown produce every week of the year now. I grow leaf amaranths as a spinach substitute for much the same reason. They give loads of leaves per plant and it doesn’t bolt in the heat. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork You’ll need a month to make all that passata. It could have been me or @npub1j6j…n4yp . She put the link to NR Tomato Seeds on here. I wanted some tomatoes to do well outdoors on the plot so I bought 7 varieties from them to try out. They all germinated ok. 👍 You can never have too many tomatoes and they are gratefully received if there’s a glut. I like the surprised look on peoples faces when they taste what a home grown tomato is like over the bland supermarket rubbish. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Where there’s a will there’s a way. It’s always a job to fit them all in. I have 12 varieties (10 new to me) this year. Mostly singles, some doubles. Mice eating their way through some of the seedlings in the raised bed have done me a favour. Plan B is growing some tomatoes in there instead. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Crimson clover and phacelia green manures being left to flower. Their beautiful flowers, phacelia in particular are much loved by bees. #Gardening #NoMowMay #LetItBloomJune https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/634/616/014/110/583/original/0569d72ba9a55f4e.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/634/616/419/355/305/original/1c1e426fc9b46594.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Small tomato and cucumber plants in the greenhouse. Grow mighty, little ones! #GrowYourOwn #HomeGrown https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/634/558/260/708/890/original/14b8bd89b6815231.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Beautiful 💚 That looks like prime dog walking country. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Using meteorological terminology: the climate is fucked. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Most tomato varieties do not cross pollinate. If you want to be sure you only need a few metres between varieties. The heirlooms and beefsteaks may have stigma protruding beyond the anthers making cross pollination more likely. The photos are from Back Garden Seed Saving by Sue Stickland, it’s a really useful book! #SeedSaving #SolarPunkSunday https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/627/681/803/071/151/original/70e86510f86fcdd1.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/627/682/072/208/106/original/e716047c697f907a.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Good to see your community garden journey is well under way. And TIL about Japanese hand saws. #SolarPunkSunday #DIY #Woodworking https://thehomewoodworker.com/best-japanese-saws-for-woodworking/ npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Heat in the UK hits differently.Made worse by our infrastructure not being set up to deal with it. I’m loving the extra heat but the average daily high for this time of year is 16°C. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Field beans are romping away. The potatoes got frosted but will get over it when the sunshine arrives this week. #GrowYourOwn #Gardening #NoDig #Allotment https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/608/929/120/428/712/original/5120fd0ef99f1606.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/608/929/423/924/854/original/a21b1bd918bb39aa.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Nice to see some flowers in bloom on the plot. #Gardening #Flowers #Pollinators https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/608/870/138/044/789/original/a39c2d1910c7f785.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/608/870/441/393/769/original/772b6d75dee3995a.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/608/870/688/962/201/original/bc7b89cc5360f7d0.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork It’s good to see the bees have been and are busy. The main bee hotel is almost full. Various bumblebees and solitary bees have been pollinating the available flowers on the plot this afternoon. From field and broad beans, comfrey, alliums, soft fruit and flowers. #Gardening #Pollinators #Bees #Allotment https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/608/821/373/487/156/original/ef6148efe5d7577e.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/608/821/619/168/243/original/4d14cf6f9f623ade.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/608/821/917/294/337/original/ab8b68f203b6c368.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Some varieties just do that more than others. It makes no difference to the crop. My rhubarb does the same and I’m picking from it every week. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Autumn’s conkers in the making.#Nature #Trees https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/556/172/978/739/688/original/9952b0fe25be2791.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/556/173/274/079/390/original/4f804cdd095443f8.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork I was too distracted to concentrate yesterday but over the week I’ll enjoy reading up on much of the great information that’s been shared. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Hot compost Day 6. Turned the hot compost for a second time into a taller, narrower pile. It was just over 40°C/104F when I left it. It will be left to continue to heat up and then to gradually cool down. When it drops below 27°C/80F the worms will move in and start to do their magic. This pile will be weed free potting compost for use next spring.#Compost #Composting #SolarPunkSunday https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/540/609/314/292/854/original/12db6cfca288ceb4.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Sitting here for ten minutes and seeing the bumble bees on the woad and hearing the birdsong in the trees was by far the best bit of my day. #Gardening #Allotment https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/540/523/009/991/076/original/c47fd4e29e972c3d.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork My plot helper with no intention of helping. #Allotment #NoMowMay #GreenManures #Gardening #DogsOfMastodon https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/534/936/301/886/458/original/f8962b4a39c4211f.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Hotter today 71°C/159F. I’ll turn it outside to in tomorrow and let it heat up as much as it can a third time. Ambient temperature today was 16°C/60F. The compost heat is all down to the microbial activity. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Day 5 and the hot compost pile is at 71°/159F. I’ll give it a second turn tomorrow and move it back into the original compost bay. I’ll build the pile narrower and taller and add air holes to the pile. I’ll let it heat up as much as it can a third time. This pile will be used for next spring’s weed free potting compost. #Compost #Composting #SolarPunkSunday https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/534/825/611/540/367/original/fad3a9aa11fbdf7c.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork May all your beans be magic. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork No elections here today but posting this from our UK local election last year because this hashtag is glorious. #DogsAtPollingStations https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/533/045/078/129/425/original/5c53f657e7388cf6.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork English midland hawthorn in flower on a dog walk. My favourite hawthorn for the mass of spring colour it provides. #Bloomscrolling #Trees https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/529/779/439/678/819/original/c90f20948a5a2864.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/529/779/843/999/873/original/2323dbd8615c3dbb.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork I don’t watch much of UK tv news media’s political fuckwittery anymore. But the lead up to this local election has been something else. I am utterly disillusioned with corporate Britain and its media lackeys. The rise in popularity of the Green Party EW is in spite of (or because of?) the media narrative. I like to think people are turning away from that narrative at speed. If you have a vote tomorrow, please vote for hope not hate. Vote Green. 💚 #VoteGreen #UKPolitics npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork You can mix the ingredients together first if you wanted to and build the pile that way. I prefer to add layers of each. It’s a bit less work. Chopping the materials smaller helps them break down quicker. Good luck, see how it goes. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Ceanothus, clematis and sambucus nigra elderberry in flower. #BloomScrolling #Flowers https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/523/346/660/774/658/original/e5e0383055931d15.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/523/347/006/867/207/original/fb96b0d4af228f74.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/523/347/263/125/244/original/3878aa5d0ca48258.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork The hot compost pile was at 66°C/151F today so it’s had three days over 65°C. Two days at that temperature is sufficient to kill weed seeds and pathogens. 10 litres of rainwater and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) diluted 1:1000 was added to the pile. The pile had its first turn, outside to in. Within an hour of turning it had heated up from 53°C/137F to 59°C/138F. The pile should remain above 55°C/131F for the next three days when it will be turned again. #Compost #Composting #SolarPunkSunday https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/523/268/400/686/585/original/7e6e808440f130e2.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/523/268/686/531/639/original/9f227eb3bc78b5a3.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork The grass was well watered with sprinklers before they cut it so it was already heating up when I was building the pile. I was going to dry some of it out for mulch but the better option was to put it all in for making hot compost instead. The guess work was not adding any more water to the pile and hoping enough rain fell that evening. I’ll turn the pile tomorrow. It’ll have had over 2 days at 65°C/149F plus, so just need to turn it from inside to out and heat it up again. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Carlin peas and Latvian peas still haven’t been eaten by anything. Grow fast and strong, little things. #Gardening #Allotment #NoDig https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/517/236/275/257/013/original/d9886d6d12318fab.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork My little bit of guerilla hedgelaying has already put on a lot of new growth since February. #Hedgelaying #SolarPunkSunday https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/517/179/373/086/149/original/71b07fbc9946af5b.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/517/179/685/446/254/original/4868fac3a5fc537a.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork The bee hotel has some new occupants. #Biodiversity #Bees #Pollinators #BeeHotel https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/517/011/215/592/558/original/61acb7eb0d041aa7.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Your eggplants aren’t having their best of times this year. Here’s hoping they grow from strength to strength here on in. My second batch of tomatoes are only just germinating. The first seedlings suffered damping off issues (overwatered, not by me). npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork The compost pile I built from successive layers of grass clippings, wood chip and horse manure less than 48 hours ago is cooking nicely. Currently reading 67°C (152F). #Compost #Composting #SolarPunkSunday #Allotment #Gardening https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/516/729/591/458/269/original/d4d461addd9e7132.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/516/729/926/914/187/original/3dccca4c819c75a5.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork No, I haven’t are they that different? I find European robins are quite melodic. See what you think, the European Robin is the first bird singing in this clip of 20 common UK birds and their birdsong. #UKBirds #BirdSong #Birds https://youtu.be/CXcAx16yl6E?si=AknqckNvNfi6qtMb npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork A bouquet of flowers picked from the garden on this day three years apart. The pink bouquet is from today, the yellow bouquet is from 2023. Only the forget-me-nots and yellow wallflowers are present at the same time of year as they were three years ago. #Remembrance #ClimateDiary #Gardening https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/515/447/355/690/383/original/0bd6a58cec723e67.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/515/447/605/998/696/original/9e1dbfc72b070f1c.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Robins and blackbirds make the best alarm clocks around here. I love hearing their birdsong. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork RE: https://aus.social/@loccal/116512665366370434 Tagging this for #SolarPunkSunday #note1rau…cvrk npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Hot compost pile built. I’ll monitor the temperature of the pile over the coming days. It should heat up quickly. I am looking for it to stay between 55°C-65°C/131-149F for three days before turning the pile inside to out and seeing the heating process repeat itself. #Compost #SolarPunkSunday https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/506/572/595/154/210/original/fc0c40b25050a418.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork The last couple of days some contractors have been busy getting their grass cutting done before No Mow May starts. I can’t fathom the stupidity of all this anymore. At least they were happy for me to take the grass clippings off their hands. I’ll dry the grass before mulching the growing beds with it and/or use as greens for mixing with sawdust, wood chips and horse manure for making hot compost. #NoMowMay #Compost #Mulch #NoDig https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/500/944/055/857/148/original/e2b2d68d0aa25ea8.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork The saying here is don’t cast a clout until may is out. Don’t plant anything tender until the hawthorn’s in bloom. Dare we trust it but the hawthorn’s in bloom. Every night is forecast above 5°C/41F but below 10°C/50F here. My tomatoes won’t be going out until June. I’m direct sowing some of the same crops every week to try and cover a few eventualities and vagaries with the weather but the lack of rainfall is a concern now. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork The quick dib a couple of rows of potatoes in job turned into an ordeal of digging up and pulling out some unexpected old wire mesh and carpet first. The robins are an ever present joy on the plot and a pair of blackbirds joined me today too. There was lots of bee activity around the bee hotels as well. #Allotment https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/484/506/231/893/290/original/eacc0c9f18335463.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/484/506/645/237/272/original/774870cc8af0ed61.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork It’s looking like a bean frame construction site. The woad’s in flower. #Gardening #Allotment #NoDig #GrowYourOwn https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/473/314/621/866/822/original/753aa708f3b521ee.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Seeing as I had to dig a hole I turned it into a visual soil assessment and a worm counting opportunity. This is in a raspberry bed. In the last nearly 18 months it has been broadforked twice and regularly hoed and weeded. It has had thin mulch layers applied to the surface of manured compost, home made compost, leaf litter and wood chip. 40 worms were counted from 30 cubic cms of soil. A very nice result. #Gardening #Allotment #SoilHealth https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/473/268/849/076/891/original/768b28504bf8ba57.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/473/269/284/103/678/original/c19efc81008ff786.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/473/269/768/479/101/original/b76ac4f32a149e7c.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork One thing I do before I save any seed is to try some of the produce - if it tastes good, it’s worth saving. If it’s nasty, it’s not. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork If I want french bean varieties to stay true to type I only need keep different varieties 3 metres apart. They self-pollinate so could be next to each other and not cross (it happened last year when I wanted two to cross) but a 3 metre rule is sure. If I want to save true seed from other bean types I’ll only grow one variety of them on the plot. However, sometimes I do want them to cross so I can save landrace seed specific for my plot and conditions. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork I guess I’ll find out but some bean seeds are supposed to keep for up to five years. I found a jar of Greek butter beans in a cupboard that were from 2021. I sowed a few so I’ll soon see if they are viable or not. Most of my saved beans here are 1-3 years old. The link here has a viability list for various seeds. https://www.readingfoodgrowingnetwork.org.uk/SeedViability.cfm npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork My collection of saved bean seeds. Some for culinary use, others for sowing. All are heirloom or open pollinated varieties. One jar contains a cross of two beans as the start of landrace gardening. All the others look true to type. The bean seeds are all distinct from each other in shape, size or colour. I’ll be growing 5 more varieties (climbing, dwarf french and broad beans) for seed saving this year. #SeedSaving #GrowYourOwn #SolarPunkSunday https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/468/069/661/873/289/original/b5aa6aa7e3920886.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork You won’t be able to get that pile up to temperature now. Good effort though. It was nearly there. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork That’s great. Happy growing! npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Turns out the three year old saved carrot seed is still viable. The variety is autumn king. #GrowYourOwn #Allotment #Compost https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/457/754/068/215/682/original/db7895bc079a511b.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Lovely. That’s going to give so much colour and scent and a great view of it and through it. I’ve made some progress with my hazel arch. It’ll give some support to the plum branches above while also keeping the pathway underneath it accessible. I was ducking my way through there all last summer. Lots of plums are forming. #Allotment #GrowYourOwn #Gardening https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/457/307/913/365/587/original/42b64851f12f6095.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork This has restored a little bit of my hope for the type of world we could be living in. “A flourishing human society doesn't have to cost the earth. In fact, our wellbeing and Earth's wellbeing hinge on the same thing: reducing inequality.” The Truly Sustainable Alternative. Julia Steinberger. Degrowth scholar at the University of Lausanne. https://youtu.be/1SiTIqXHvdY?si=BJtoWaV1VEBzlZLm Living well within limits. https://lili.leeds.ac.uk/ #ClimateAction #degrowth #NoBillionaires #WealthInequality #SolarPunk npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork The jute netting is really worthwhile. Much better and easier to use than the horrible plastic pea and bean netting that’s sold here too. The jute is far easier to remove tidy up at the end of the growing season too. The netting I bought and used last year is good for this year too. Eventually it will weaken and biodegrade but by drying it out before storing helps prolong its useful life. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork It can although I find white rice gives a clearer layer separation. Brown rice vinegar (BRV) is an ingredient in a lot of Korean natural farming amendments. It’s an easy but lengthy process taking a few months. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Batch#2 is looking the better bet. Are you going to compare them all through the growing season? npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Hopefully the temperature will keep climbing to above 130F/55°C. If it does, don’t stir again until it drops below 130F/55°C. If it doesn’t make it to 130F/55°C you can try stirring again but it probably won’t go any higher than it has. You could add some fresh animal manure and nitrogenous greens to the middle of the pile or some LAB to try and kick start it up again but sometimes if the C/N/O/H2O mix isn’t right the thermophillic stage just plays out without reaching the highs. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Now just let the temperature keep building. Don’t stir it again unless the temperature has started to drop. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork I just let ours self seed wherever in the garden. It’s easier to weed them out from where we don’t want them (which is almost nowhere) than to sow them, prick them out and plant them. You have a few thousand to give away by the look of it. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Great video from Growing with the Griffins explaining how to make 5 DIY Korean natural farming amendments and their uses. LAB lactic acid bacteria FPJ fermented plant juice FAA fish amino acids WCA water soluble calcium WCP water calcium phosphate #KNF #Gardening https://youtu.be/ENoo4o3n3-g?si=obwH_LWSh9o6qlVZ npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Just like that, spring has arrived. Your weather doesn’t mess around does it? It’s all or nothing. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork I’m going to upcycle the old rotary washing line into a bean frame. #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle #Gardening #Allotment https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/403/613/597/111/867/original/e9e01e0ade67057e.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork How to save seed from curcurbits. Transcription of the text in the second image is as follows: seed saving techniques Isolation and hand-pollination of cucurbit flowers Cucumber, marrow and squash plants usually have separate male and female flowers, easily distinguished because each female flower has a tiny immature fruit behind it, whereas male flowers sit on straight stalks. 1/5 #SeedSaving #HomeGrown #GrowYourOwn #Allotment #Gardening #SolarPunk https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/401/952/648/345/446/original/deb95778cc7981c2.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/402/026/594/272/151/original/b56e2c3bd8cbe12e.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Job done. Those onions are already much heftier than the Japanese ones I’ve overwintered. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork A gardening first today. Someone has helped themselves to the seed potatoes from my shed. A plot neighbour shared some of their spares with me so there are good people about. Sad it has come to this but cameras are going up on site to try and catch the culprit(s) in the act. We have had a few similar thefts on site of late, of plants, and equipment. #Allotment npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Jadam microbial solution (JMS) started off. With some leaf mould, forest soil, imo4 compost and boiled, mashed potato in a perforated cotton bag and mushed. I’ll see how it looks over the next couple of days. When it has a load of foam on top I’ll dilute it and water it on areas of the plot. The general idea behind it is this adds a lot more biology than a compost extract alone. I’ll dilute this 1:10 to 1:20 and soil drench the potato beds. #KoreanNaturalFarming #Gardening #Allotment https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/393/636/307/613/998/original/ada04d530d33cc9f.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Good video on soil blocking from Bloom and Gray Flower Farm. A great way to cut some plastic use out of gardening. #Gardening #Allotment #SolarPunkSunday #GrowYourOwn #HomeGrown https://youtu.be/BimeiZUg4G4?si=HSV9wUBfXi5WmCKZ npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork They look fabulous! Good luck with these. I hope you have hoverflies galore. Mine are starting to get a little more funky about a month in. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Nicely long earthworm. Imagine the tunnels this makes deep down in the soil. #Wildlife #SoilLife https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/372/791/602/031/234/original/a596d60fd08418be.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Three species interact. #DogsOfMastodon https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/371/117/846/347/215/original/9eab78cb7f29989a.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork I turned a pile and emptied the compost daleks to make a fourth compost heap. That’s the composting work done for a little bit now. #Compost #Composting #Mulch #NoDig #Allotment #Gardening https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/371/074/992/767/917/original/61f0d8f6b47e2e5d.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/371/075/254/323/574/original/be0c6a18026fffe7.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork All the shed needs now is some plants growing along the windows. And some window glass but the solitary bees and bumblebees wander in and out as they please which is lovely. #Allotment https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/367/390/895/767/081/original/cedd5bcb2b509063.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork The bought primroses have already gone over. The common primroses on the edge of the plot are still looking wonderful. #Wildflowers #Allotment https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/367/257/418/690/145/original/b3271bf8cedeb861.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork I don’t find them very versatile to cook with and I don’t have the greenhouse space now anyway but I was never very successful with growing them. It’s a good little comparison to do though. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork My (imaginary) money is on the second batch of seedlings becoming the better plants. Do you think it was an unintentional over watering issue then? npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork The soil is warming up quickly. 11°C-12°C up from 8°C a week ago. Water infiltration tests carried out on the growing beds have shown a couple of beds have issues. I wouldn’t have guessed the differences. Water infiltration results ranged from 3 mins 28 seconds (rye grass green manures) to 14 minutes 41 seconds (mulching compost) on a colder, shaded bed. The faster infiltration rates occurred on the green manured beds over the mulched beds.#Allotment #SoilHealth #Soil https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/365/443/999/164/247/original/365be0784798af08.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/365/444/267/543/206/original/93648e0ba3b2ffc7.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork It’s not my thing but have you thought about getting some things in the ground and covering with fleece? npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Before I get accused of being a snake oil salesman again by anybody, the information on John Kempf’s podcast and website is all freely accessible. Access to the Kind Harvest community, which I have had in the past but not at present, requires membership. #RegenerativeAgriculture #SolarPunkSunday #GrowYourOwn #Agriculture #ClimateAction npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork John Kempf interviewed by Nakala Maddock on The Biological Farming podcast. It gives a good introduction to his work. If I was in the US I would be asking Advanced Eco Ag about their products. Sadly they are not available outside the US. https://youtu.be/pAtBrTJVagw?si=m4g89JDE6h28WMVv There’s loads of information on growing know how on his Regenerative Agriculture podcast and an encyclopaedic amount of information in the blog on his website. https://johnkempf.com/ #RegenerativeAgriculture #SolarPunkSunday npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Gleaning Cornwall needs volunteers. #SolarPunkSunday #ClimateAction #FoodWaste #Cornwall #Community https://cornwallclimateactionnetwork.earth/members/gleaning-cornwall/ npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Wandering down memory lane is good to do every once in a while. Summer of ‘22. It’s a dogs life. People who laughed with me at how pampered he looks are sadly no longer with us. It’s a happy memory. #DogsOfMastodon https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/349/481/689/809/731/original/4ab4204edb5f03c7.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork This is what I’m trying to emulate with my gardening. This was three years ago. I have not grown the like before or since, but once you’ve seen it you know it can be done. Six bean pods formed from the same node. No pesticides, insecticides, artificial fertilisers, no dig, in soil with a large worm count, seeds initially soaked and then fed with LAB, nettle FPJ, comfrey feed and worm cast extract. #Gardening #GrowYourOwn #HomeGrown #Allotment #SoilHealth #SolarPunkSunday #NoDig https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/349/383/602/920/675/original/ab9dde8d887e1133.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork I just know we’ve had the worm full moon. And I won’t plant or sow anything until Sunday. Religions converge on similar times of the lunar year. It’s in our (agri)cultural dna. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Current status of the New Year’s Day planted potato experiment. As feared, we barely had a frost last winter. These are Casablanca first earlies and will be either harvested or moved out before the tomatoes and cucumbers are planted in this greenhouse bed in a month or so’s time. #Gardening #GrowYourOwn #HomeGrown https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/348/530/229/425/795/original/c2c8d22f95131da6.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Genista in full bloom. Next door has two new black kittens and both were huddled in the shadows under the genista this morning with wide eyes. I couldn’t get a photo as I was diverting my dog’s attention away from seeing them at the time. #Gardening #Flowers #Spring https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/342/059/525/610/173/original/33f5c73020fa1856.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Spring flowers in the garden. #Gardening #Flowers #Spring https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/340/000/534/758/178/original/6f7e869bcca542b0.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Ok. So maybe burnt/heat wilted. I have no grow light experience whatsoever but you normally run a fan to circulate the air around, don’t you? Or am I thinking of someone else’s set up? npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork I have no idea what would have caused that. Did the growing tips get frosted? Eggplant/aubergine are my nemesis at the best of times. Better luck with the next batch. npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork Results of a couple of hours of compost turning. #Compost #Gardening #Allotment #NoDig #Mulch https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/331/268/030/704/407/original/194411613967d6c2.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/331/268/289/514/453/original/66c1aeba8417b517.jpeg https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/331/268/555/935/782/original/ff8ebe655b9aef3b.jpeg npub1rgfdww7mc64yvrfsqvgg75fsl333degafcclj5fdthhps2mgec7qya7ecj Broadfork The second phase of making the lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Adding the pure stock 1:10 to whole milk. After a few days to a week three layers will form. A cheese layer on top, a sediment layer on the bottom and a layer of LAB in the middle. The top and bottom layers are added to the compost. The middle layer will be mixed 1:1 with unrefined brown sugar to make a shelf stable LAB for use as a multi purpose garden amendment. #GrowYourOwn #Gardening #Allotment #ClimateAction #SolarPunk https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/331/200/090/786/192/original/3f87f99cdbba6f3d.jpeg