Twisted firestarter

Well I finally got round to a bonfire last Sunday. I finally caught up with Bramble Man (first time this year!) and we inspected both our plots. I casually mentioned my plans to have a bonfire one day and he said there was no time like the present. He carefully built up the foundations on the bottom of Plot 35, me watching as his apprentice (I clearly remember being taught to make a bed and lay a table in the Brownies but have no recollection of learning anything to do with setting fire to things). Then we both forked loads of bramble cuttings and other plant debris onto the medium-size bonfire over the course of an hour and the way was soon cleared. Now I have little excuse not to start digging up the bramble roots.

I've not done much gardening at all this Bank Holiday weekend. Have been focusing on indoor stuff. I am pleased to report that the germination of the seeds sown last weekend has been very good. All but two of the crops (sunflowers and nasturtiums I think) have sprouted and when sprouting has taken place, it has moreorless been 100%. I used Sainsburys peat-free compost for the first time. It seems good. I'll wait to see if thrips start to appear though (a problem I have had with peat-free in the past).