Sign in

solitaire gardener

@solitairegardener.bsky.social
157 followers 173 following 302 posts

I am a no-dig mostly raised bed veg grower who is trying to be as self-sufficient as possible. I'm here to both share and learn in a supportive and positive community. Find me at www.solitairegardener.co.uk

PostsRepliesMedia
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
I snipped mine & cut everything back once I had a few good fruits on each plant. Fewer fruit, but the remaining ones seem to be maturing nicely. Hand watering a wee bit about once a week. Pretty much everything else is fried though 😂🫣 xx
110
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Totally agree - no need to be embarrassed. It is what it is. We're all doing our best and whatever that looks like is good enough. A national collective rain dance may be in order 😂
010
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
This is all really helpful - thanks Tony.
020
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Yes, yes, yes, it's actually ###### raining!! 🌧️🌧️
1100
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Despite my best effort the outdoor squash are tiny. But this bad boy in the polytunnel looks like he might do just fine.
060
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
That's a proper moody sky. Guessing it's really humid?
100
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Oh Joe, so sorry to see your flooding. Here in the UK most of us have fried gardens due to the heat. Just hope some of your plants will make it. Feel for you!
030
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Not written a blog for a while so thought I'd start back with trying to remind myself of the best advice I was ever given - taking the time to notice how things grown. Simple, but effective.
Post Image
052
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Little visitor this morning - seemed fascinated watching me pack boxes in preparation for our move. Never seen a bird that still for so long. Sure he would have offered advice if he could 😊
020
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
These look fab. I didn't grow sweetcorn this year. But so please your critter barriers were effective. I bet they tasted amazing (the corn, not the critters 😊). Nothing like plot to plate food, it's the best.
010
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Thanks for sharing your growing tips. Really helpful. Will try that next year. Thanks again.
100
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Sorry forgot the gift
static.klipy.com
Alan Rickman: You're Amazing
ALT: Alan Rickman: You're Amazing
000
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Die Hard
110
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Wow great work!
010
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Early sweet peppers looking good. They'll be on tonight's pasta supper - yum!
0110
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Thanks for asking and sorry no one came when you screamed. It's sensible to have some way of getting hold of someone. Late in the evening on the lotty I used to keep my phone on me all the time. The wee walkie talkies seem to work well for us. You're right we don't pay enough attention to safety.
000
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Hopefully my partner will notice I'm gone - but probably not after I've been consumed by the ghekin and cuce jungle 😂 Seriously though we have small walkie talkies - sounds dramatic for only 2 acres, but I need some way of telling him to put the kettle on ☕
010
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
My parents bought a car years ago and were sent a big bunch of flowers from the dealers. Thought it strange back then🤔 Enjoy your new car - Raymond looks proper chuffed 🚘
110
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Wow she's a stunner!
020
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
I've tried 3 years running to grow paprika peppers. Failed each time. Other peppers grow fine, just not the Balalaika ones. What's your best tip for successful paprika pepper growing?
200
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Basil seems to like the 38 degree heat of the polytunnel. It's got more staying power than me in that temp - I'm wilting 🥵
A green busy basil plant in a raised garden bed.
190
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
That's really helpful - thanks so much.
010
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
I've been a little quiet here while we prepare for a big house move! 🤞 we're moving to the beautiful west Wales coast. Packing's almost done 🫣 One question for all you experienced movers... any top tips for relocating established plants, garden infrastructure? I'd appreciate any advice.
121
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
This little chap paid us a visit today.
010
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Thanks @cyrinne.dev most are really dark in colour now - almost black. But some are still a bit firm. Good advice to wait until fully ripe. And thanks for the jam tip, hopefully I'll get at least one jar out of them.
110
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Jostaberries & Raspberries doing ok. Never done jostaberry jam, but might give it a go. Any special tips for Josta jam gratefully received.
191
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Mine too. Glad you mentioned it - thought it was just me. Lovely flavour but all on the bottom half of the plant.
110
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Grass mowed, now for a well deserved cuppa
190
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
This looks stunning!
010
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
That's the correct order of consumption. You definitely need the chocolate to complete the wine 😂🍫🍷
110
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Courgettes/zucchini or Marrows One day you have a lovely courgette - next you have a whopping marrow. A beginner's guide to avoiding or embracing this perennial problem. wp.me/p9vECS-1Tw
Post Image
041
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Wow Tony - 2 plots is a real commitment & clearly your hard work is paying off. They look amazing!
010
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Something strange about it raining all day & still needing to water the polytunnel. My £100,000 idea 💡a polytunnel with a remote control retractable roof 🤔😂
030
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Trying to clear the freezer's of last year's fruit ready for this year's bountiful onslaught (she says confidently 🤞🏼). So apple & plum crumble it will be.
A white fluted pie dish filled with cooked apples and plums
071
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Somethings been taking chunks out of one of my lettuces - little critters
060
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Short blog on what beginner veg growers might like to sow in June. You haven't missed the boat - still plenty to sow.
Post Image
030
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
You have such a beautiful allotment. So organised - I'm quite envious. All my growing spaces look like a truck has driven through them 🥴
100
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
I've used sylvagrow & it's quite good. I find the 'Petersfield' peat free is better - less woody. Their seed compost is also good. Not cheap though, so mix with homemade to eek it out. Totally agree about Westland! It's pants.
020
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Exciting!
000
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
This little chap in the garden today munching on the roses 😊
041
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Oh now they all look really healthy. Nice growing that human!
110
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
This weeks blog - some simple herb preserving methods. I forget that the simple ways are often the best! solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/05/13/…
Post Image
000
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Love watching the Christmas Cactus bloom. Simple pleasures 😊
Pink Xmas cactus in a white pot on a dark wood sideboard. Top pic in bud. Bottom pic in bloom.
060
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Herb bed no. 1 has gone a bit bonkers. Not complaining though 😊. Next step, a mammoth herb drying session.
030
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
This weeks blog - May overwhelm or lagging behind? Really keen to know where others are in this frenetic planting month. Needless to say I'm in camp… solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/05/10/…
Post Image
070
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
This one finally got the memo that said 'reach for the support' 😊🫛
Pea plant climbing a green metal grid support
070
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
Completely agree. Smaller grip doesn’t mean we want weaker tools! Someone could make a fortune producing proper heavy-duty garden kit for smaller hands.
010
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Wow that looks very smart. You've clearly worked hard & taken care with the design. Looks amazing.
100
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Always heartening to know it's not just me! Thanks bluesky growers for making me feel less of a prize plumb 😊
020
solitaire gardener @solitairegardener.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Been gardening for years, and yet still...... Cucumber, squash, courgette/zucchini - answers on a postcard 😊
790