Awful weather - typical Brits talk

YoungBlueEyes

Handsome perambulation yesterday - 

And a bit of life imitating art (kinda) - 



That’s not a great pic, but it’s Chinese Lanterns like wot we were talking about  

Edit to swop in a close up pic of the lanterns. 

Dustyevsky

Pity about the potato experiment results, Less. I get it that folks like to have unusual varieties of really fresh spuds, and if they can be achieved with reasonable amounts of effort, fine, but they always slip down my 'possibles' agenda. I suppose that's similar for some people with tomatoes (still harvesting! ) and we all have different priorities.

So....I understand if Bluey and others don't want to bother with my weirdo seed choices! In the old days, I'd have sourced 20 packets of unusual plant seeds. Only 3 is me being sensible! As I've mentioned many times, I'm still struggling with the latest composts, so a greater investment wouldn't be sensible.

It's good to learn you're getting out and about now, pp. I guess there's maybe no fast track route out of your inner ear lurgy, but the body learns to compensate. Those of us with specs know this when we've had a sudden change of prescription, or gone to bi/varifocals. You think "Arrggh! I can't do this!" but within a week, you're OK with it. I see the heron is still there for you, and the fungi are also waving from the grass as you pass.....more about those in a moment!

Those American Oaks look special at this time, Bluey. One day, the trees themselves will have real impact all year, though maybe not in my time.   By the way, I asked my DD and her OH about smash burgers, and they knew. 

Yesterday, we finished digging out the entrance splay to the barn gate, ready for renovating it with new gravel etc. The neighbours' representative said nothing, but was very po-faced. They've claimed we can't 'change' their grass, but that's because they refuse to acknowledge the laws pertaining to rights of way. It's the latest way of dealing with reality; just deny its existence.

Anyway, with the offending tree gone, and our route established for all to see, the other two trees aren't much of an issue, although they'll prevent the tractor cutting of our hedge for 10m or so. But there's another reason why they may never survive to become a nuisance, and it's this:

I expect Farway will know what these are.

LessImpecunious

Dustyevsky said:

Pity about the potato experiment results, Less. I get it that folks like to have unusual varieties of really fresh spuds, and if they can be achieved with reasonable amounts of effort, fine, but they always slip down my 'possibles' agenda. I suppose that's similar for some people with tomatoes (still harvesting! ) and we all have different priorities.

pink_poppy said:

Well done on the tatties, Less, they look pretty decent to me. Let us know what you think of the taste of each variety.

Forecast for today is sunny spells with a gentle breeze. I'm going to attempt hanging some washing outside...

Actually the experiment was a success, just not in terms of yield, as I was checking that what apparently knowledgeable folks said about indeterminate potatoes not producing layer upon layer of potatoes when earthed up was actually correct (as I had quoted this here and in other places, without checking myself!). I'd intended to harvest both when the Sante (maincrop) died down, knowing that the Foremost would be past their "new potato" stage, just been otherwise engaged until now....

On taste, I've grown both these vars before (in fact they're from self-saved seed this year), and are two that I've arrived at as gooduns over several years of trying different ones - the Foremost are a good and early new potato (not sure what these ones will be like, but will try to report back - pity there's not really enough for a boilin', which means they'd normally just get thrown in a stew or similar); the Sante also taste good to me, roasted, boiled, etc, seem fairly blight and slug resistant. However, I've also discovered that what tastes good to me may not be the same for others, as I have tried ones claimed to be tasty and found them meh! (Winston, for example, which was tasteless grown here, but presumably is good for some people, or some people's tastes....)

pink_poppy

I've deleted my post so that YBE's lovely pics are top of the page

Dusty, they're very interesting looking fungi. I have no idea what they are, but I'm guessing from your comment that they're not good Our lawn is full of fungi at the moment, with at least one other fairy ring. The fungi photo I took yesterday was from one of my walks - I thought it looked a bit like a flower. I've just noticed that a neighbour has cut his lawn - ours is just too damp to do anything with now, it'll have to wait until Spring...

Dustyevsky

pink_poppy said:

I've deleted my post so that YBE's lovely pics are top of the page

That's good of you. I missed them. I often cobble my posts together while doing other things and don't refresh enough.

I shall be deleting my barn entrance photos shortly, in case they're seen and recognised. No point in winding the NIMBYS up!

Bluey, I expect you know those are fuchsia berries above the Chinese lanterns. They're edible, but I wouldn't bother! Good dug walking territory, that. I shan't be walking this weekend, after all. We're having the road and inner field hedges cut, and it's anyone's guess when Mr Tractor will arrive. Here, things happen when they happen.

Less, I understand about the potatoes now. It's the opposite of indeterminate tomatoes, which just go on and on until the weather, lack of light and bugs finish them off from a practical standpoint. At this rate, we could have toms at Christmas, but I don't think they'd taste great.

Here's another view of the fungi. As you suspect, pp, they aren't good news. The young trees have been planted close to the rotting stumps of mature ones, cut down five years ago, feeding the fungi. The Birch are highly susceptible to attack from this fungus, so they'll be lucky to see 2 or 3 years of growth.

(Photo Removed)

Farway

Late again, been collecting my prescription, it was not Streeting's Slippery Salve though. Then up to Morries for “bits”, naff all in the garden section except some limp pansies

Grey & colder today, a true November day

Dustyevsky said:

I expect Farway will know what these are.

Honey fungus? Apparently edible, with extreme caution, another fungus that is OK unless you are the rare person who keels over after eating them.

Just in case you need something for Christmas green fingering, Mr F & D T Brown have free P & P this weekend

Discount is automatically applied at the checkout. Ends midnight Sunday 10th November. Online Only.

Smash Burger, seems like it's a Young 'Uns item then Dusty, I'll ask the DGC when I see them. I won't be trying one,  unless it's free, of course.

Talking of tatties, the four I put to one side, “thinking about” growing some as trial for Christmas, not sprouting yet so unless they are rocket powered my Christmas tatties will be from Asda

Dustyevsky said:

Bluey, I expect you know those are fuchsia berries above the Chinese lanterns. They're edible, but I wouldn't bother!

Just to confirm, Fuchsia berries, I did try tasting mine this year, OK but insipid, stick to blackberries

Don't some Chinese lanterns have edible innards? I seem to remember trying to grow them for fruit, failed, of course. 

This was decades back, when the likes of T & M kept pushing unusual crops, like tomato trees, walking stick cabbages etc

Today it's the turn of my nasturtiums, scrambling up a buddleia

LessImpecunious

Farway said:

Don't some Chinese lanterns have edible innards? I seem to remember trying to grow them for fruit, failed, of course.

Tomatillo is one of those - grew them last year quite successfully, but this year produced only enough for one very small bowl of salsa...

Working_Mum

I'm on tenterhooks this morning (got a bit of nasty sitch where someone I know is being arrested for dastardly deeds)  so have been trying to keep myself busy and occupied so I don't mither about it all  - walked the dog for 5 miles and got home at 8am. I decided to plant up the raspberry canes I'd received from Su77ons (mystery solved) and some canes a friend had dug up out of her garden. I then noticed the time ....8:28 and I hadn't cleaned my teeth or switched my laptop on and I start work at 8.30! Mad rush round to open on time but felt good to actually do something in my garden this morning.


These are just in a holding pattern until I buy more substantial pots for them in my growing area.

I cut the final few sweet peas and brought them into my kitchen. They smell divine still.



I'm glad that the poorlies are starting to feel perkier. Tiger Balm is a staple in our house for whatever ails me   The spud experiment looks interesting Less - I've not got one of those remembering type brains so am useless with anything like that. My spuds were very tasty (roasted in smoked Maldon sea salt and eaten at recent Book Club). I'll try growing them again next year but in bigger pots (or bags).

I have fungi in my garden - lots of little ones abound at the bottom of my garden. Not considered they may be a danger to my trees so will have to investigate, thanks Dusty - the links to your more unusual seeds are fascinating. I think I've going to have a consolidate-ative approach next year in the borders etc and focus in on my growing area.

I love nasturtiums so really appreciate the pic Farway - they're on my list to grow next year but recent pics on here have made me consider growing them in the ground rather than in pots - will have a think. All this talk of Chinese Lanterns got me thinking that I planted one in my garden but it doesn't seem to have done much this year. Will have a rootle about and see if I can find it at the weekend.

Random question time.....does anyone know if having magpies in your garden drives out other smaller birds? I've got 3 and they are marauders.

Wishing everyone a smashing weekend when it gets here

WM 

Farway

Working_Mum said:

I love nasturtiums so really appreciate the pic Farway - they're on my list to grow next year but recent pics on here have made me consider growing them in the ground rather than in pots - will have a think.

Random question time.....does anyone know if having magpies in your garden drives out other smaller birds? I've got 3 and they are marauders.

Yep, nasturtiums much easier in the ground, very look after themselves types

Magpies, I've seen "my" ones picking fights with other birds, no doubt very territorial, and supposedly very intelligent

Dustyevsky

Farway said:

Late again, been collecting my prescription, it was not Streeting's Slippery Salve though. Then up to Morries for “bits”, naff all in the garden section except some limp pansies

Grey & colder today, a true November day

Dustyevsky said:

I expect Farway will know what these are.

Honey fungus? Apparently edible, with extreme caution, another fungus that is OK unless you are the rare person who keels over after eating them.

I think it's Honey Fungus. Fungi are somewhat variable in appearance, according to age. When digging out that entrance, we found lots of mycelia in the soil. I won't be tasting them to get a positive ID, though.

We have Tractor Man here, doing his thing, making our hedges tidy again. Good hedge-cutting doesn't leave a mangled mess in its wake, but having missed last year, thanks to the weather, TM has a lot to trim. He won't finish today.

Yes, it's noticeably colder here today. Wind's going to be from the north next week, so even colder, but we might see some sunshine.

Are your conkers keeping the spiders away, WM? We have magpies here, but usually not for long. A man at the other end of our field has something with the name 'Larsen.'