GARDENER'S WORD

I was watering my garden this evening after so much dry weather had begun to impact on my garden borders when I spotted some kerfuffle up in the neighbour's ash trees. A magpie was attacking a small squirrel and as fast as the squirrel tried to get away, the magpie followed. I have seen this kind of behaviour before from magpies and, I have to say, I don't like it. While I tend to say that I like all animals, I am not fond of those black and white birds at all. I have even seen them attacking neighbourhood cats. If one attacks my cat, Alfie, it could be magpie stew for supper. Magpie trying to steal from squirrel November 2019 Magpies attack squirrels and other birds.  They are omnivores and will kill and eat small mammals and birds. Unfortunately for the magpie, and fortunately for the squirrel, I had my garden hose in my hand with the water full on. I shot a blast up into the trees, targeting the bird and preventing it from continuing its chase of the squirrel. Then, ...

Seed suppliers are always reminding us that it is best to use their seeds because of the possibility of seed taken directly from shop bought vegetables and fruit having diseases etc etc etc. Hmm.  I bought several packets from a well known supplier and they aren't doing any better than the ones I took from supermarket fruit and veg. Talking about price now, how come seed supplier can justify the prices they charge when you consider just how much seed a single vegetable or fruit can provide? Seeds from one small Cantaloupe melon Hundred or more cantaloupe melon seed, above image, from one small melon and yet seed companies charge c. £2 for a packet with about 10 seeds. Robbery! Seeds from one small red sweet pepper One company is selling packets of sweet pepper seeds at nearly £4 for 40 seeds. The pepper I bought with my groceries cost about £0.50p Butternut squash seedlings, taken directly from a butternut squash.They look healthy enough to me. Cost of the vegeta...