Nostr notes by Hesperalis

I was to learn that she was Syrian, and that her boys and husband ...

2026-03-20T07:34:11Z

I was to learn that she was Syrian, and that her boys and husband had died during the wars there. We held hands and wept . She had fled with her two remaining daughters to Scotland. How do you cope with such losses? I could rant about the evil men who cause such pain, but I will,in time forget them, To my dying breath, I will remember the dignity and warmth of this woman and thank everyone who fights for the cause of asylum seekers in this country.

Nostr event nevent1qqspw5erl9a9fscqfff0axh3tv4cg9j9aker9txljgtw90r9zjer52gzyzt2fc3ahngnemg23a05x5zxjfgkghn9c0mkwz406yt2qxscdngry2zf00y

2026-02-22T20:04:59Z

#SilentSunday

Collected Mr Ms seed potatoes from the local Horticultural ...

2026-01-25T14:55:26Z

Collected Mr Ms seed potatoes from the local Horticultural society shop. If you have one of these societies, please use it. They normally have all your garden needs at great prices. Also, I found out today that our local shop and hall have had an increase in business rates from £4k to £12k! Madness.
#allotments #gardening #GrowYourOwn

First visit to the allotment of 2026 to do some proper work. But ...

2026-01-18T16:16:46Z

First visit to the allotment of 2026 to do some proper work. But the birds were singing as if it was the first day of spring, and then I spotted some nuthatch zooming up and down a tree trunk. Then distracted by a flock of 20 to 30 redwing demolishing the remaining holly berries and best of all, but no one will believe me, a goshawk hunting along the next door railway line. Not many jobs done, and no photos taken, and I'm hoarding these little pockets of joy for myself, cause, well, the world.

Where did November go? Not much gardening done due to visiting ...

2025-11-29T08:49:12Z

Where did November go? Not much gardening done due to visiting relatives, but I did manage to clear most of the allotment beds and get them covered with a layer of chop and drop and finished off with a layer of leaves. Other beds have been planted with hardy annual plug plants for next years flower extravaganza. Incidentally, HuwRichards has recently done two YouTube videos using this method to protect the soil overwinter. So much cheaper than using compost too.
#allotments #gardening

Taking a risk planting wallflowers out on the allotment, what ...

2025-11-01T11:12:10Z

Taking a risk planting wallflowers out on the allotment, what with pigeons and fleabeetle. But for the price of a packet of seeds worth it if they perform and I get loads of scented flowers in early May. The bed was chopped and dropped a month ago and covered with cardboard. Lifted today and cardboard with accompanying slugs went on the compost. All my beds get this treatment and it does help with slug control. The soil is full of worms and invertebrates.
#allotments
#gardening
#CutFlowers

Spent the morning planting out Ranunculus corms. Prior to ...

2025-10-21T13:22:24Z

Spent the morning planting out Ranunculus corms. Prior to lockdown in 2020, most of my plot was given over to cut flower growing. Not knowing where the epidemic would lead, and when I saw supermarket shelves being stripped, I swapped to veg growing. Next year I will be growing flowers to raise money for charity. I've missed all these beauties, so looking forward to lots of flower faffing. This was the last arrangement of 2020.
#flowers
#floristry

https://nrtomatoseed.com/ For UK growers, I got some of my tomato ...

2025-08-25T05:42:33Z

https://nrtomatoseed.com/

For UK growers, I got some of my tomato seed from this supplier. Grown in Leicestershire, so should do well in many areas of the UK.
#allotments
#gardening
#tomatoes

Best tomato year in a long time. All grown outdoors. Gardeners ...

2025-08-24T15:35:25Z

Best tomato year in a long time. All grown outdoors. Gardeners delight, sungold, patio cherry red and gold.the large dark one is kaleidoscope and the green pear shaped is Michael Pollan. Jewels of the veg garden.
#allotments
#gardening
#GrowYourOwn

The allotment is beginning to look a bit tired, unsurprising ...

2025-08-14T12:38:01Z

The allotment is beginning to look a bit tired, unsurprising considering what a great season it's been. 47 different varieties of fruit, veg and herbs on a half sized plot, plus flowers. I am beginning to clear beds how as I want to plant a lot of hardy annuals for next year. There will still be tomatoes, cucumbers, kales, apples, parsnips, beans and raspberries to enjoy.
#allotments #gardening

I couple of weeks ago I visited West Dean Gardens in Sussex and ...

2025-08-10T06:48:16Z

I couple of weeks ago I visited West Dean Gardens in Sussex and was astonished by the new areas that head gardener Tom Brown had established. The first was the sand garden and the second was the concrete garden. This video is an interview with Tom explaining the thought process and techniques used. The filming gives excellent insight into the planting scheme.

https://youtu.be/dBJgqdq8rDI?si=1Vg-l-ulgo-H3j8E
#gardening
#GardenDesign
#resilience

A mid week visit to Nymans gardens in West Sussex. They have ...

2025-08-09T15:15:52Z

A mid week visit to Nymans gardens in West Sussex. They have taken out all the Rose's in the rose garden and planted it with annual flowers. Looks stunning.
#gardening
#daysOut

Late July and early August has been very busy on the allotment. ...

2025-08-08T11:21:38Z

Late July and early August has been very busy on the allotment. Yesterday I picked my first ever grapes. They are sweet but unfortunately small. Note for next time, sacrifice 50% of the bunches in the hope that the remainder reaching a decent size. I've made grape, plum and cardamom jelly with half, and I think I will juice the rest and add to elderflower cordial and sparkling water.
#allotments
#gardening

A lovely day out at West Dean gardens in East Sussex. Stunning ...

2025-07-29T21:35:07Z

A lovely day out at West Dean gardens in East Sussex. Stunning planting by a master, head gardener, Tom Brown. Well worth a visit.
#gardens
#gardening

Given the state of the world I feel as if I should be growing ...

2025-06-19T10:43:02Z

Given the state of the world I feel as if I should be growing food on every available piece of the plot, but I couldn't bring myself to pull up these opium poppies just yet. I'm rewarded by watching the antics of bees and hoverflies squabbling over access to the pollen.
#allotments
#gardening
#SpaceForNature

A creche of Canadian goslings at my local park. ...

2025-05-18T12:33:27Z

A creche of Canadian goslings at my local park.

Collecting horsetail to make a "tea" to use as a natural ...

2025-05-03T13:01:38Z

Collecting horsetail to make a "tea" to use as a natural antifungal that I will spray onto plants to protect from rust and mildew. It also can be used as a soil soak, containing lots of useful minerals. I also use the fronds around emerging dahlias to keep the slugs off. The high silica content is like crawling over shards of glass.
#allotments
#gardening
#naturally

what a shame about the Latvian seed. At least it wasn't ...

2025-04-14T19:58:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…9hds
_________________________

what a shame about the Latvian seed. At least it wasn't anything you did. I would be terrified of doing one of these trials, I find that I often overwater peas and they rot in the compost. I planted mine out this week, surrounded by wire panels to keep the pigeons off. We are due some much needed rain tonight so fingers crossed they don't attract the slugs. Nice to hear from you.

Back from my trip to find that the Carlin peas are up. These ...

2025-04-05T07:48:26Z

Back from my trip to find that the Carlin peas are up. These seeds were sourced from Holland and Barrett, the growers are UK farmers Hodmedods. About 95% germination rate and cost less than buying from a seed merchant. Will let them grow on for a week or two before planting out.
#allotments
#gardening
#GrowYourOwn

I do this too. Bit fiddly planting out but usually get good ...

2025-03-29T15:14:08Z

In reply to nevent1q…lnv9
_________________________

I do this too. Bit fiddly planting out but usually get good results. Also start my sweet corn this way.

My wee sis sent me this. So true! #gardening #slowLife ...

2025-03-29T12:54:13Z

My wee sis sent me this. So true!
#gardening
#slowLife

You will spend hours watching the damselflies dancing! Enjoy!

2025-03-21T05:09:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…vsn6
_________________________

You will spend hours watching the damselflies dancing! Enjoy!

Those of you who live "up north" may recognise this type ...

2025-03-14T10:57:21Z

Those of you who live "up north" may recognise this type of pea, Carlin. I've been looking for an alternative to chickpeas and these Black badger types have a whopping 23g/100g of protein.
Going to have a go at growing this year, once I think of a way of keeping th rats and pigeons away.
#allotments
#growYourOwn

While Mr M was digging over his potato bed, I made us a cuppa ...

2025-03-14T07:06:46Z

While Mr M was digging over his potato bed, I made us a cuppa using the old Kelly kettle which hadn't seen use since camping days many years ago. I know a flask is easier but I enjoyed the challenge of getting it going and it was remarkably quick to come to the boil. It also pumped out enough heat to warm chilled hands.
#allotments
#allotmentlife

ah yes. I've had their calendars before. Not this year ...

2025-03-14T06:43:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…6csu
_________________________

ah yes. I've had their calendars before. Not this year though, too much going on. Mr Ms new improved and larger plot means I will be busy producing enough seedlings to fill both plots, so will have to just keep churning them out.

#beetbear will be annoyed 😆

2025-03-13T14:20:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…dfx5
_________________________

#beetbear will be annoyed 😆

I assume you're using a lunar calendar? I bought a gardening ...

2025-03-13T10:11:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…8k4r
_________________________

I assume you're using a lunar calendar? I bought a gardening magazine while I was away and the use of a calendar seemed to be fairly accepted in the country I was visiting.👍

That's a good list. Must get some snaps going. The trickle ...

2025-03-13T10:06:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…4j0j
_________________________

That's a good list.
Must get some snaps going. The trickle will soon turn Into a tsunami!

Thanks! Glad to hear I'm not too far behind. I should give ...

2025-03-13T10:03:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…8k4r
_________________________

Thanks! Glad to hear I'm not too far behind. I should give Welsh onions a go. To be honest, Im not missing the faff of keeping the chillies alive until they can be planted out😉

Morning all. Hope everyone is well. Thank goodness for more ...

2025-03-13T07:44:27Z

Morning all. Hope everyone is well. Thank goodness for more daylight hours. Time to catch up on the allotment. The potatoes have been chitting nicely while I was away. I will be sowing some greens and flowers this week. Tempted to plant the tatties next week. Missed the boat for chillies and aubergines so will be buying them from a nursery. What have you been sowing this week?
#allotments
#gardening

They look super! Network rail have commandeered our site and ...

2025-02-02T19:39:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…j560
_________________________

They look super! Network rail have commandeered our site and cutting back loads of hazel to get access for their heavy machinery. I'm going to have a look tomorrow to see if there are any salvagable rods and have a go. I know you need base blocks but I might be able to make something temporary.

Just Stop Oil protester, 78, released to home detention after ...

2025-01-31T20:51:45Z

Just Stop Oil protester, 78, released to home detention after fitting tag found | Prisons and probation | The Guardian https://search.app/cEsfA59SdcQAvyiD8
At last, a bit of good news. Well done the Good Law Project. If you have a few pounds to spare, please consider sending it their way. Mealy mouthed response by the department of justice though.
#ClimateProtest

If you have access to BBCiPlayer, tonight's Monty Don's ...

2025-01-24T21:25:26Z

If you have access to BBCiPlayer, tonight's Monty Don's British gardens is an absolute stonker. Visits to many wonderful gardens, Britains largest and oldest allotments and one of the UK's leading artisan cut flower growers.
#gardening

A lovely day for a walk around Knepp rewilding which has some ...

2025-01-09T15:20:01Z

A lovely day for a walk around Knepp rewilding which has some magnificent ancient oaks. Surprised to see several overwintering storks, and the largest collective of red kite I've seen in Sussex. Lots of redwing and field fare. Well worth a visit but take your own drinks and snacks as the cafe is eye wateringly expensive.(£7.50 for a cheese scone)
#walks
#walksInNature

Popped down to renew my membership of the local horticultural ...

2025-01-05T12:16:17Z

Popped down to renew my membership of the local horticultural society and picked up the show schedule for 2025. I'm not really competitive and know how difficult it is to grow multiples of anything that fit the show criteria, but with 5 mature rhubarb plants on our combined plots, all the same variety, surely an entry is worth a shot?
#allotments
#gardening
#GrowYourOwn

Sometimes it's hard to post something uplifting in the face ...

2024-10-25T07:16:49Z

Sometimes it's hard to post something uplifting in the face of all the world horrors. My little allotment mate never fails to lift my spirits.
#allotments
#foxes
#biodiversityCrisis
#Climate
#palestine

Your plot looks so vibrant. I've done chop and drop and have ...

2024-10-20T21:18:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…709d
_________________________

Your plot looks so vibrant. I've done chop and drop and have made enough compost to cover most of my beds. Wondering if the old vegetation will be enough protection, or if I should put the compost on now. Yesterday I found my big bag of field beans, so glad that I still have time to sow them this week.

Not my thing, but you've got to admire the sheer effort of ...

2024-10-18T09:00:30Z

Not my thing, but you've got to admire the sheer effort of growers who produce for show. While many of us struggle just to grow something to eat, can you imagine the work that goes into assuring that you have 3 giant onions, perfectly matched, or potatoes with skin a smooth as silk?
#allotments
#gardening

Now is a good time to sow sweetpeas. Sow undercover to protect ...

2024-10-10T07:05:22Z

Now is a good time to sow sweetpeas. Sow undercover to protect from mice and once germinated, move to a cool but protected space outside. Tough as old boots. No need to pinch autumn sown. Choose Spencer types for cutting, grandiflora and old fashioned for scent. I recommend Roger Parsons for quality seed and variety.
#gardening

If only my little mate realised what a star she is! I have plenty ...

2024-10-08T09:53:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…qvsy
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If only my little mate realised what a star she is! I have plenty of photos of her to keep us engaged. That is why my plot is a bit ropey, too much time watching her and not enough work done.

Just look at that magnificent brush! I can just imagine how cosy ...

2024-10-08T07:21:42Z

Just look at that magnificent brush! I can just imagine how cosy my little mate will be curled up in her den with her nose tucked in.
As the growing season comes to a close I will be posting random photos of scenes from the allotment site, insects plants and stuff. #AllotmentLife
I'd love to see pics from your allotment or garden to see me through winter.

looks surreal. Enjoy your hike.

2024-10-03T09:05:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…uc8l
_________________________

looks surreal. Enjoy your hike.

What is that?

2024-10-03T09:03:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…gklj
_________________________

What is that?

My little allotment mate is very curious about my winter onion ...

2024-10-01T16:08:36Z

My little allotment mate is very curious about my winter onion planting, hence the plastic frame to stop her rummaging around once I've gone home. She is starting to cache food so I leave the corners of the beds unplanted as these spots seem to be her favourite place to hide stuff. By watching each others habits we manage to live in harmony.
#allotments
#foxes
#UrbanFoxes

That's quite a range. I've used rye grass and field ...

2024-09-27T13:16:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…eehh
_________________________

That's quite a range. I've used rye grass and field beans, as well as mustard and clover in the past, but not all together. If I get my act together I might have time for field beans.

Thanks for the link. What a fabulous farm, and Ian is so ...

2024-09-27T07:41:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…dk3e
_________________________

Thanks for the link. What a fabulous farm, and Ian is so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. So much of what he is doing coincides with my own domestic growing practices, it's heartening to know how ecologically positive these methods are. I still get urges to weed and tidy and sometimes its needed, but overall I can cope with plants such as nettles around the margins. My goal for next year is not to buy in any compost for beds. What cover crops have you got?

Looking good. I've got so much else going on I haven't ...

2024-09-26T20:48:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…axrx
_________________________

Looking good. I've got so much else going on I haven't had much time to sow cover crops. So I'm just chopping and dropping. It worked well on my trial beds last year. Anything better than bare soil while we are having all this rain.

Manic week after the calm of our holiday. Straight into a ...

2024-09-22T05:55:07Z

Manic week after the calm of our holiday. Straight into a decorator arriving on Monday, who is a young woman who can survive on one cup of tea and a biscuit and just gets on with the job. Picked the last of the courgettes and brought home the not so large squash. Started to shell the beans and collected some apples from the step over tree. Begun clearing beds as I dont have much luck with growing stuff over winter. The fox came to watch and we both sat enjoying the last of the sun.
#autumn

Tradition says they get better after a frost but I'm not ...

2024-09-17T16:15:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…y8cr
_________________________

Tradition says they get better after a frost but I'm not inclined to go to the allotment on a winter day. We don't have root cellars in the UK but they can be stored somewhere cool in layers of sand. Too much of a faff for me so I peel them, quarter and blanch, then open freeze and bag. Useful for soups and stews. Parsnips are very common and cheap here especially at Christmas where they are served with a roast on the day.

Happy belated birthday. I've been away so missed a lot of ...

2024-09-17T14:18:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…j33k
_________________________

Happy belated birthday. I've been away so missed a lot of posts.

I pulled the short row of parsnips today. Although that ...

2024-09-17T14:06:26Z

I pulled the short row of parsnips today. Although that doesn't describe the exertion involved. Lost about a third to slugs early on, so fortunate to have even a small harvest. To be honest the family are not that keen but I feel obligated to grow them because once you overcome germination issues you can forget about them. I lift them now because they will be too big for me to dig them out over the winter.
#allotments
#GrowYourOwn
#gardening

Nostr event nevent1qqsvm79hv59stgraezdd62cw4y54qq064mpc8wt2xv63d4gzag8mfwczyzt2fc3ahngnemg23a05x5zxjfgkghn9c0mkwz406yt2qxscdngryq7dyhx

2024-09-08T21:02:38Z

#SilentSunday

Wait for it ... #allotments ...

2024-09-04T09:51:46Z

Wait for it
...
#allotments

Watching Gardeners world tonight and delighted to see them ...

2024-08-30T21:30:46Z

Watching Gardeners world tonight and delighted to see them showcasing the alternative polyculture garden in Devon, experimenting with ways of growing food in an environmentally sustainable way. And introducing Korean natural farming amendments like LAB to the public. Mr M will have to stop making fun of my "potion " making now.

A little sunburst. The first of the cape gooseberries. I ...

2024-08-30T13:54:13Z

A little sunburst. The first of the cape gooseberries. I overwintered the original plant in an open porch then potted it into a 14 inch patio pot. Wasnt expecting much in the way of fruit but I like the subtle flowers and it makes an interesting pot plant. There are about 50+ fruits forming.
#gardening

Hope you get to enjoy them after your efforts. What is homemade ...

2024-08-29T17:31:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…wrz6
_________________________

Hope you get to enjoy them after your efforts. What is homemade curd please?

I do grow some dahlias but I didn't know they were edible. ...

2024-08-28T10:56:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…syuf
_________________________

I do grow some dahlias but I didn't know they were edible. Bishops children has lovely colours and great for pollinators where the fancy ones are no use other than decorative.

Yes. After I've lifted the tubers I store the crowns in damp ...

2024-08-27T19:38:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…pw38
_________________________

Yes. After I've lifted the tubers I store the crowns in damp compost then pot them up like dahlias around February. Real Seeds website has the instructions. Like dahlias, they can produce a good crop of tubers given the right treatment.

They look marvellous. Mine took so much effort this year. Perhaps ...

2024-08-27T19:18:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…d627
_________________________

They look marvellous. Mine took so much effort this year. Perhaps it was just too wet and dull. It's good to give yourself a challenge, but after 3 years I think they have had their chance. On the other hand, the yacon are looking marvellous and hopefully produce a good crop.

I gave it my best shot. My most perfectly situated bed full of ...

2024-08-27T10:55:22Z

I gave it my best shot. My most perfectly situated bed full of gorgeous fluffy enriched soil, but the sweet potatoes were the worst yet. After 3 goes time to move on. But I like a challenge so it will be aubergines next year.
#allotments
#fails

The fox seems to be back to her old self. Not so skittish. ...

2024-08-27T10:48:20Z

The fox seems to be back to her old self. Not so skittish. Doesn't she look marvellous in her new coat. Maybe she didn't like being seen in public during the moult. My feel good moment of the day.
#UrbanFoxes

Good morning from my little allotment mate. I should be doing ...

2024-08-27T10:03:58Z

Good morning from my little allotment mate. I should be doing some weeding, but we're both enjoying soaking up the sun.
#allotments
#UrbanFoxes

This is, without a doubt, the finest looking cob of corn I have ...

2024-08-23T15:06:59Z

This is, without a doubt, the finest looking cob of corn I have ever grown. I hope it tastes as good as it looks. Pity I only had space for 12 plants. Variety Earliking.
#allotments
#GrowYourOwn
#gardening

we did not see any swallows this year. But it was a good year for ...

2024-08-21T20:51:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…s2nn
_________________________

we did not see any swallows this year. But it was a good year for swifts. It's hard not to notice that they are gone. You just wake up one morning and realise you can't hear their screaming any more. After that day it seems we are rushing towards autumn.

Been very busy the last few days. Started to take out the box ...

2024-08-21T14:51:53Z

Been very busy the last few days. Started to take out the box hedge that was decimated by box moth. No idea how we are going to get the roots out. A bit sad as I grew all the plants from cuttings. On a brighter note , hedge trimming is one less job to do. And the rose hedge Wild
Edric will appreciate a bit of air around his feet.
#gardening

A very damp bumblebee who stopped out all night on a cardoon ...

2024-08-16T15:41:34Z

A very damp bumblebee who stopped out all night on a cardoon flower. No idea what species this is, it's very black. The cardoon plant is way too big for my garden, reaching over 7 feet tall. At the first storm it toppled over and there is masses of material to chop for composting, but it is a magnet for bumbles.
#bees
#gardening
#RestoreNatureNow

After an absence of nearly a month, my little friend turned up ...

2024-08-16T10:26:15Z

After an absence of nearly a month, my little friend turned up today. Looking fit and healthy. No scars or injuries seen. I'm ecstatic she is well and safe.
For new followers, this fox was born last April in a den just behind my plot and has shown very little fear even as a youngster. Her company and rat/vole catching skills are rewarded with the odd dog biscuit.
#allotments
#UrbanFoxes

She's cute but I worry for your veggies!

2024-08-16T04:32:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…34rq
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She's cute but I worry for your veggies!

This is what I love about growing. 18 different varieties of veg ...

2024-08-14T14:35:48Z

This is what I love about growing. 18 different varieties of veg from my little plot. A vegetarian dream and lots to share with friends.
#allotments
#gardening