Tom
@pheasant.bsky.social
Blogging the slow rehabilitation of the abandoned allotment we just took on. Also, random likes and rebleets of politics, science, climate, computing, and history. Trying to be pleasant.
Worthing Station, 2004
November 19, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Worthing Station, 2004
Today's LiveScience update reads like a transmission from Weird Spy Satellite.
November 16, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Today's LiveScience update reads like a transmission from Weird Spy Satellite.
In other news today, I decided to take some of the larger bramble stems and stick them in the green bin for the council to collect. They'll take too long to rot in situ, and we need to clear some space.
November 15, 2025 at 3:30 PM
In other news today, I decided to take some of the larger bramble stems and stick them in the green bin for the council to collect. They'll take too long to rot in situ, and we need to clear some space.
While clearing, I discovered this wire bin at the end of the neighbouring allotment. As an experiment I'm filling it with leaves (with the holder's permission) to make mulch.
November 15, 2025 at 3:30 PM
While clearing, I discovered this wire bin at the end of the neighbouring allotment. As an experiment I'm filling it with leaves (with the holder's permission) to make mulch.
Look at all those chickens. #RHS Wisley today. #photography
November 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Look at all those chickens. #RHS Wisley today. #photography
One fun task this year was building these compost bins from pallet wood. I was hoping to be able to fill one but our hedge did not produce as much as usual. You need a lot of vegetation to fill a 700L bin! So we'll need to buy compost next year.
November 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
One fun task this year was building these compost bins from pallet wood. I was hoping to be able to fill one but our hedge did not produce as much as usual. You need a lot of vegetation to fill a 700L bin! So we'll need to buy compost next year.
Where the tomato was, I planted some garlic. Apparently this needs well drained soil. I've dug it and banked it up, so hopefully it will be enough. I'll cover it with mulch when I can get my hands on something suitable. Behind it, I'm going to sow broad beans (just planted in the greenhouse today)
November 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Where the tomato was, I planted some garlic. Apparently this needs well drained soil. I've dug it and banked it up, so hopefully it will be enough. I'll cover it with mulch when I can get my hands on something suitable. Behind it, I'm going to sow broad beans (just planted in the greenhouse today)
Another small bed has been cleared (it had a synthetic weed membrane buried, which was a nightmare to excavate). I've thrown down some 'green manure' in the hope of protecting the soil, though a little late in the season. The rest of the plot remains to be cleared.
November 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Another small bed has been cleared (it had a synthetic weed membrane buried, which was a nightmare to excavate). I've thrown down some 'green manure' in the hope of protecting the soil, though a little late in the season. The rest of the plot remains to be cleared.
Planted up some winter cabbage and kale. The cabbage is also full of tiny butterflies (Cabbage whites? They are miniscule though), but the kale seems pest free. I think the cabbages are supposed to grow a pointed centre, maybe in the new year. No idea how big the kale will get!
November 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Planted up some winter cabbage and kale. The cabbage is also full of tiny butterflies (Cabbage whites? They are miniscule though), but the kale seems pest free. I think the cabbages are supposed to grow a pointed centre, maybe in the new year. No idea how big the kale will get!
We were also donated this tomato, which grew into a beast although we did occasionally pinch out the tips. Still it gave us a load of tomatoes - also shown are the last of them, after i'd cut it down.
November 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
We were also donated this tomato, which grew into a beast although we did occasionally pinch out the tips. Still it gave us a load of tomatoes - also shown are the last of them, after i'd cut it down.
A fellow allotmenteer gave use these brussels early on. I stuck them in a bit of space we had cleared. They're full of tiny white butterflies (I like to think that we're helping the local wildlife!). There's little sprouts on them, so who knows we may have some for Christmas!
November 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
A fellow allotmenteer gave use these brussels early on. I stuck them in a bit of space we had cleared. They're full of tiny white butterflies (I like to think that we're helping the local wildlife!). There's little sprouts on them, so who knows we may have some for Christmas!
There's a lot of cut down vegetation that we need to dispose of. I'm hoping the heaps of dead brambles will take care of themselves, but who knows how long that will take. These woody bits we are hoping to give away (or burn)
November 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
There's a lot of cut down vegetation that we need to dispose of. I'm hoping the heaps of dead brambles will take care of themselves, but who knows how long that will take. These woody bits we are hoping to give away (or burn)
#allotment update. Back in April we took on a half allotment that had been adandoned for 8 years - brambles to head height, etc. I think we've made excellent progress, especially given that we are complete newbies when it comes to growing allotmenteering. Here's some recent pics (from last weekend)
November 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
#allotment update. Back in April we took on a half allotment that had been adandoned for 8 years - brambles to head height, etc. I think we've made excellent progress, especially given that we are complete newbies when it comes to growing allotmenteering. Here's some recent pics (from last weekend)
All day breakfast (eaten for lunch) at Cafe 1 Bistro in #Epsom, #England. This one (the 'Cafe 1 breakfast') swaps out sausage and bacon for grilled halloumi and avocado. 12 quid including a cuppa and a generous slice of toast with butter. Highly recommended if you're in the area #GoodLunch
October 26, 2025 at 12:18 PM
All day breakfast (eaten for lunch) at Cafe 1 Bistro in #Epsom, #England. This one (the 'Cafe 1 breakfast') swaps out sausage and bacon for grilled halloumi and avocado. 12 quid including a cuppa and a generous slice of toast with butter. Highly recommended if you're in the area #GoodLunch
October 21, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Max standing guard over our #allotment in the early morning hours
October 21, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Max standing guard over our #allotment in the early morning hours
Spanish sugar hitting us with some timely truths. "When a clown moves into the palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace becomes a circus."
October 19, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Spanish sugar hitting us with some timely truths. "When a clown moves into the palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace becomes a circus."
Just finished delivering my leaflets for #WeekendofHope @hopenothate.org.uk
October 19, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Just finished delivering my leaflets for #WeekendofHope @hopenothate.org.uk
Describe your Bluesky account in a single image (well, gif)
October 6, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Describe your Bluesky account in a single image (well, gif)
We let our last set of runner beans grow out and podded them this weekend. They have great flavour.
September 28, 2025 at 10:39 PM
We let our last set of runner beans grow out and podded them this weekend. They have great flavour.
I hope not... I have a lot of kale planted up in the veggie plot!
September 23, 2025 at 12:45 PM
I hope not... I have a lot of kale planted up in the veggie plot!
Another job done on the #allotment this weekend. Finally cleared the last of the brambles (before and after photos). It's been untended for 6 years, so they were thick. Now, I have to dig up the roots!
September 22, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Another job done on the #allotment this weekend. Finally cleared the last of the brambles (before and after photos). It's been untended for 6 years, so they were thick. Now, I have to dig up the roots!
The previous #allotment holder decided to bury a synthetic weed suppressing membrane 20cm down. So as well as clearing brambles I have to dig that up. Hard work!
September 20, 2025 at 11:22 AM
The previous #allotment holder decided to bury a synthetic weed suppressing membrane 20cm down. So as well as clearing brambles I have to dig that up. Hard work!
I don't use Google maps, but in Here WeGo navigation map is still just the Gulf of Mexico. Here is a European company, which is perhaps why.
September 20, 2025 at 9:13 AM
I don't use Google maps, but in Here WeGo navigation map is still just the Gulf of Mexico. Here is a European company, which is perhaps why.