sime42

Yep, my money is still on pigeons. Though we get sparrows from time to time, I had no idea they'd eat green stuff. Rats or voles is also another interesting suggestion, a bit left field as well. We have had the former in the garden before, but I don't see why they be looking to eat greens either. Unless they're just teeth sharpening; like mice and electric cables. Other mammals we get are foxes and badgers, occasionally, and squirrels, all the bloody time. But again I can't see any of them having a taste for sweetcorn stems. I've noticed some big arsed snails have been felling big Hosta leaves recently, by munching straight through the stems. Whatever the culprit, the net should stop most of the sbove. If we get more damage I'll deploy some copper. That'll stop slugs at least.

Ok, fair enough, I don't think you'll ever get it. 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️ The original point that precipitated this, your latest series of whines, rants and edits about Covid, was principally about Boris Johnson. Not Covid. The bloke is an habitual liar, severely lacking in integrity and moral fibre. With a long history as such, his Covid fckups were but one example of his dishonesty and incompetence. Regardless of political viewpoints, most people now know that he's not fit for any position of authority. The Conservative Party, who made up the majority of the privileges committee, have realised that. He's got very few supporters now, other than all those 'worthy' people mentioned in his 'honourable' honours list. Like his hairdresser, really?! (Though his dad wasn't allowed apparently.) I know vinyl has made a come back in recent years, but seriously mate, it's time to change the record. 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️ There's far more important things going wrong in the world. Time to give the Covid zealotry a well earned rest. Try this, you might find yourself another cause to devote your time to; https://thelightpaper.co.uk/

That was my initial thought, but I then dismissed that as surely slugs would munchl on the leaves as well, not just leave them on the ground like that. I suspect wood pigeons, we get a lot of them, always eating anything they can get their beaks on. I've netted the sweet corn patch now we'll see if that stops the vandalism. My mate suggested rabbits, but that seems unlikely given that we live in a big city, albeit towards the edge

Culprit unknown. Any ideas?

Great photos.

And again. Mate, this is getting embarrassing.

This is quite accurate. Blitzortung.org - Live Lightning Map MAP.BLITZORTUNG.ORG See lightning strikes in realtime nearby your area. Get free online access to maps of former and current thunderstorms. A...

So last night's downpour quenched the parched ground somewhat, and went some way towards replenishing the water butts. With more on the way this evening as well hopefully. The next issue will be the rash of weeds that'll be sure to spring up over night!

Again.

Couple of good hours of decent rain here. Joyous.

It's only gonna get worse as well by all accounts. Don't think anyone was expecting climate change to happen this rapidly, and we've not quite got into the negative feedback loops yet either. Do you have to use bedding plants? I don't bother with them or annuals generally, (apart from vegetables), as I can't be bothered with the faff they entail, planting every year and then watering all the time. Perennials are much easier. Regarding grass - maybe it's time to swap to that grass that they seem to use in southern Europe, Barcelona etc. It's not as nice, very course, but must be more drought tolerant.

Yep, seen that. Fingers crossed we actually get some rain, water butts at the ready! I won't be surprised if nothing happens though, and it's just another nice hot sunny day.

A small one, obvious to most, but maybe not to a rookie. If arisings/brash ever has to be piled up for any reason; make sure it's all aligned, with butt end towards chipper/trailer/final destination. Makes a huge difference to further handling, minimising the velcro effect. Nothing worse than trying to clear up a tangled pile of crap on a hot day.

Yep. Playing on the mobile would be my guess.

You'd imagine. But apparently not, the limit is 10 (mcg/L blood). No idea what that equates to in terms of lines or size of night out.

Yes, mulching makes a huge difference to water loss. Not only evaporation but also run off; I find the water soaks straight into areas that have been mulched for a while, instead of running straight off very dry, unmulched soil. The mulch keeps the surface porous, maybe due to worm and creepy crawly activity. We use manure, but it amounts to the same thing. And still no rain. And non in the forecast either, here in the west midlands. The temperatures are all to cock as well. It's like summer in the afternoons, but winter at night and in the mornings. It's great, this climate change thing!

Well he was definitely "Speeding"!

Tractor driver seen crushing car on CCTV sentenced WWW.BBC.CO.UK A court hears the teenager "lost control" and veered across a road by an airbase, hitting a car. How the hell was that possible? The car driver escaping without serous injury I mean. A very lucky person indeed.

Regardless of where they get built, I'd say we need an urgent rethink on the standard of new built homes. Even before seeing this I'd never be persuaded to buy a modern house. This is worth a watch, for the comedy commentary alone.

A bit too late for Blackthorn I'd have thought, that's more like March/April. I'm guessing you don't get them down there, I've not seen many too far south of the Midlands, but Midland Hawthorn is even more stunning. They're a lovely pink to red flowered variety, (or cultivar, more accurately).

Lovely work. The Lichtenburg Fractals look quite tree like, very fitting.