Monday, April 23, 2007

Make your own hormone rooting gel

(Not My article but very interesting)

Down on the Allotment: Make your own hormone rooting gel: "Make your own hormone rooting gel

Did you know you can save money and do your bit for the environment by making your own hormone rooting gel? All you have to do is pick a bunch of willow stems, put them in a glass or vase of water for about 24 hours.... that's it ! The active ingredient found in willow stems is rhizocaline, a substance which is the active ingredient in many proprietary ready-made hormone rooting powders and solutions. All you have to do is to dip your cuttings into this solution. I'm not sure how long you can keep it once made, but it is not difficult to make some more - and it's free!

Anyway, it's the start of the Easter bank holiday weekend. It is a long held garden tradition that potatoes are planted on Good Friday. I went out today in glorious sunshine and planted a row of Red Duke of York. Others already in the ground are Rocket and Epicure, and I have some early Rocket potatoes in a sack in the greenhouse which, just today are poking their first shoots above the surface. Today it was up to 70 degrees outside and looks set for the whole of the weekend. Yippeeee"

Sunday, April 22, 2007

My allotment Spring / summer 2006


My allotment Spring / summer 2006 beds were laid out a little different with slightly raised beds and soil paths. U can See My makeshift Polly Tummel at the bottom of the garden. It Was A disaster and only just made it through the season. It Has bin completely rebuilt using better materials more on that later.

My sunflowers 2005


My sunflowers 2005 planted out in late May 2005













My sunflowers Later on in the year



Getting very tall. Last year's 2006 didn't dop as well. But this year 2007 iv platerd more hoping for bigger than ever.























My allotment back in April 2005


My allotment back in April 2005 when I first got it all over groan with weeds.












May 2005 Top End planted up with potatoes. rest sprayed of with Roundup weedkiller













15 May 2005
Borrowed A rotavator and rotavated it all