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Mudketeers diary-18th Dec 2017

18th December 2017 Steve Ott Blog

Covering the beds I’ve been adding a layer of well rotted horse manure to my raised beds and covering with polythene to prevent winter rain washing through the nutrients. I am fortunate in that I have a couple of ponies (one pictured below) who are good enough to provide the manure. I take home a bag of well rotted stuff…

Mudketeers diary -15th Dec 2017

15th December 2017 Steve Ott Blog

Long lived kale In autumn 2016 I sowed a new kale called ‘Emerald Ice’. I put three in a large pot but only one survived. I ignored the plant and did nothing with it and it got hidden by other crops. Now over a year later, it is still growing and producing some very attractive growth. I ought to harvest…

Making and using biochar

15th November 2017 Steve Ott Blog

Biochar is said to be highly beneficial to the soil. KG reader Alan Free has spent many years perfecting a simple way to make it at home Biochar is basically a form of charcoal that is made from anything that was once living, either animal or vegetable. Many things from wood chip to chicken manure have been used, even household…

Fun, frogs and slow worms!

8th November 2017 Steve Ott Blog

Nicky & Sarah & The Jet Guerillas are a gardening group based in West Sussex, formed to improve their local community through gardening We have a small allotment not far from where we live in Shoreham By Sea. We were given the keys by a lovely lady called Pat who runs the allotment site. Our plot sits to the side…

From the forum: Are black flies anything to worry about?

24th August 2017 Steve Ott Blog

The Kitchen Garden Forum is a fun, thriving community of people like you. Each week we highlight a thread for further discussion. Forum user Colin2016 asks: Planted cabbage, broccoli cauliflower & kale in raised bed covered in white ground cover to keep the butterflies away. I notice there are some black flies under the cover, is this anything to worry…

Mr Fothergill’s big marrow update

22nd August 2017 Steve Ott Blog

Our friends at Mr Fothergill’s have joined in the fun and are growing their own giant marrows. have you entered our competition yet? Just in are these pictures of some rather nice marrows being grown at Mr Fothergill’s trials grounds in Kentford, Suffolk. The folks there have been growing along with us and putting our efforts to shame! Don’t forget…

Easton Walled Gardens joins race for giant marrow

13th July 2017 Steve Ott Blog

Gorgeous Grantham garden competes for the prize I thought I’d send you an update on the marrows in the gardens. Our outdoor sown courgette took a week longer to germinate than our indoor sown, but didn’t have to cope with becoming re-established in the veg bed. It has grown larger and fruited before the indoor sown plants, all plants are…

Third time lucky?

11th July 2017 Steve Ott Blog

It’s July 11 and Marvin’s rival (no 3) is growing well ….Just a case of whether the mildew brings an end to his growth spurt!…

6th July 2017

6th July 2017 Steve Ott Blog

Snail supper I am getting visitors in the night. Slugs and snails leaving slimy trails. They have eaten one or two of my leaves despite them being a bit prickly. Of all the lovely stuff to eat in this veg patch they pick me. My skin seems to be hardening a bit so at least my butt is still intact.…

Potential heavyweight champion marrow, Mervin, in a pickle

21st June 2017 Steve Ott Blog

Hopeful for the title of biggest marrow in harvesting tragedy Sad to report that Mervin the marrow, challenger to Marvin in KG’s massive marrow competition mysteriously disappeared last night. Said KG’s editor Steve Ott: “I had just finished my tea which consisted of some freshly harvested roast veggies accompanied by a tasty courgette, lime and coriander side dish and was…

21st June 2017

21st June 2017 Steve Ott Blog

Marvin basking It’s so hot. Longest day and the hottest. What idiot decided to put me in a mini greenhouse? Thankfully I am getting plenty of water. I heard on the marrow vine that Mervin has disappeared. That must mean I am on course to being the biggest marrow in the world.…

7th June 2017

7th June 2017 Steve Ott Blog

Marvin update-the good news and the bad Well the good news is I am starting to become the biggest marrow in the world. The bad news is I have a deformed bottom! The question is should I be removed and let another marrow form or do I continue and risk a rotting bottom? Big dilemma!…

Veg at Chelsea Flower Show 2017

6th June 2017 Steve Ott Blog

By KG contributor, Steve Neal At the Chelsea Flower Show this year there was a small yet significant presence of vegetables among the blooms. But they punched well above their weight and visitors craned their necks to catch a glimpse of what was on offer. Just off the main drag it was Radio 2’s Chris Evans Taste Garden that pulled…

Marvin’s rival looking strong

31st May 2017 Steve Ott Blog

Challenger for Marvin the marrow’s crown, flexes his foliage Recent sunny weather has seen a flush of new, healthy growth for Mervin, Marvin the marrow’s rival for heaviest marrow in our competition. His secret weapon of a dual seephose water supply seems to be paying dividends. Watch out Marvin!…