solitaire gardener
@solitairegardener.bsky.social
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
Find me at www.solitairegardener.co.uk
A small handful of seeds now can mean reliable kitchen staples later. This latest blog looks at beetroot, carrots, cabbage, lettuce and spinach, all ideal for beginner gardeners.
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/02/03/what-seed-to-start-in-february/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/02/03/what-seed-to-start-in-february/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
February 3, 2026 at 7:36 PM
A small handful of seeds now can mean reliable kitchen staples later. This latest blog looks at beetroot, carrots, cabbage, lettuce and spinach, all ideal for beginner gardeners.
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/02/03/what-seed-to-start-in-february/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/02/03/what-seed-to-start-in-february/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
This little chap decided the freezer door was prime real estate this morning 🐞
I think it’s a Harlequin ladybird, but if anyone knows differently, please let me know
I think it’s a Harlequin ladybird, but if anyone knows differently, please let me know
February 1, 2026 at 11:44 AM
This little chap decided the freezer door was prime real estate this morning 🐞
I think it’s a Harlequin ladybird, but if anyone knows differently, please let me know
I think it’s a Harlequin ladybird, but if anyone knows differently, please let me know
New blog post: starting herb seeds indoors in late winter, with practical tips for beginners who want to grow their own herbs.
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/01/27/herb-seeds-to-sow-indoors-in-late-winter/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/01/27/herb-seeds-to-sow-indoors-in-late-winter/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
January 27, 2026 at 8:51 PM
New blog post: starting herb seeds indoors in late winter, with practical tips for beginners who want to grow their own herbs.
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/01/27/herb-seeds-to-sow-indoors-in-late-winter/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/01/27/herb-seeds-to-sow-indoors-in-late-winter/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
Down to my last little bag of banana shallots - note to self, get some more planted asap!
January 22, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Down to my last little bag of banana shallots - note to self, get some more planted asap!
Calling all succulent and houseplant folks 🌿
My money tree has started flowering with tiny white blooms. I’m unsure whether to celebrate or panic.
Is this normal, or the plants cry for help? Would love any help or advice.
My money tree has started flowering with tiny white blooms. I’m unsure whether to celebrate or panic.
Is this normal, or the plants cry for help? Would love any help or advice.
January 17, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Calling all succulent and houseplant folks 🌿
My money tree has started flowering with tiny white blooms. I’m unsure whether to celebrate or panic.
Is this normal, or the plants cry for help? Would love any help or advice.
My money tree has started flowering with tiny white blooms. I’m unsure whether to celebrate or panic.
Is this normal, or the plants cry for help? Would love any help or advice.
Just shared a short blog on drying garlic 🧄 I do this twice a year, at harvest and again in January when some of the stored cloves start to soften.…
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/01/10/dehydrate-garlic-this-january-save-flavour-and-prevent-waste/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/01/10/dehydrate-garlic-this-january-save-flavour-and-prevent-waste/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
January 12, 2026 at 10:48 PM
Just shared a short blog on drying garlic 🧄 I do this twice a year, at harvest and again in January when some of the stored cloves start to soften.…
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/01/10/dehydrate-garlic-this-january-save-flavour-and-prevent-waste/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/01/10/dehydrate-garlic-this-january-save-flavour-and-prevent-waste/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
Cold winds, salty air, and a cracking weekend in Ramsgate with good friends.
As gardeners, are you more countryside or seaside at heart?
As gardeners, are you more countryside or seaside at heart?
January 12, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Cold winds, salty air, and a cracking weekend in Ramsgate with good friends.
As gardeners, are you more countryside or seaside at heart?
As gardeners, are you more countryside or seaside at heart?
A post about seeds for late January planting. Hopefully there will be something in there for all beginner gardeners. Enjoy
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/01/06/what-vegetable-seeds-to-sow-in-late-january-a-planting-guide-for-beginners/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/01/06/what-vegetable-seeds-to-sow-in-late-january-a-planting-guide-for-beginners/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
January 6, 2026 at 10:20 PM
A post about seeds for late January planting. Hopefully there will be something in there for all beginner gardeners. Enjoy
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/01/06/what-vegetable-seeds-to-sow-in-late-january-a-planting-guide-for-beginners/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2026/01/06/what-vegetable-seeds-to-sow-in-late-january-a-planting-guide-for-beginners/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
ikkle 'Real Seeds' haul. So much joy getting seeds in the post.
#https://www.realseeds.co.uk
#https://www.realseeds.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 4:49 PM
ikkle 'Real Seeds' haul. So much joy getting seeds in the post.
#https://www.realseeds.co.uk
#https://www.realseeds.co.uk
Beautiful… but absolutely BITTER ❄️
Frosted sage and dwarf kale don’t seem to mind though.
I very much do! 🥶
At minus 1 celcius this morning am I being dramatic, or is this proper cold?❄️🧊
#frosty
#solitairegardener.co.uk
#wintergarden
Frosted sage and dwarf kale don’t seem to mind though.
I very much do! 🥶
At minus 1 celcius this morning am I being dramatic, or is this proper cold?❄️🧊
#frosty
#solitairegardener.co.uk
#wintergarden
January 4, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Beautiful… but absolutely BITTER ❄️
Frosted sage and dwarf kale don’t seem to mind though.
I very much do! 🥶
At minus 1 celcius this morning am I being dramatic, or is this proper cold?❄️🧊
#frosty
#solitairegardener.co.uk
#wintergarden
Frosted sage and dwarf kale don’t seem to mind though.
I very much do! 🥶
At minus 1 celcius this morning am I being dramatic, or is this proper cold?❄️🧊
#frosty
#solitairegardener.co.uk
#wintergarden
Seed sorting day has arrived. Now to cull this little lot! Bet I'll end up with just as many as I started with & probably buy more 🫣😂🤦🏼♀️
Any suggestions for your best seeds gratefully received.
Any suggestions for your best seeds gratefully received.
January 1, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Seed sorting day has arrived. Now to cull this little lot! Bet I'll end up with just as many as I started with & probably buy more 🫣😂🤦🏼♀️
Any suggestions for your best seeds gratefully received.
Any suggestions for your best seeds gratefully received.
A wee blog for beginners on building a dead hedge. I love these structures. Bug & little critter friendly & all natural. Hope you like it. Any suggestions for future…
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/12/30/build-your-own-dead-hedge-a-beginners-guide/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/12/30/build-your-own-dead-hedge-a-beginners-guide/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
December 30, 2025 at 8:10 PM
A wee blog for beginners on building a dead hedge. I love these structures. Bug & little critter friendly & all natural. Hope you like it. Any suggestions for future…
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/12/30/build-your-own-dead-hedge-a-beginners-guide/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/12/30/build-your-own-dead-hedge-a-beginners-guide/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
Gerti the greenhouse on a cold and frosty morning.
December 30, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Gerti the greenhouse on a cold and frosty morning.
Love it when a random comfrey plant pops up in the veg patch. More free natural plant & soil food is always good. Nature is amazing!
December 29, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Love it when a random comfrey plant pops up in the veg patch. More free natural plant & soil food is always good. Nature is amazing!
A little blog about planning for the coming growing season. I always do my planning in one of the lull days between xmas & the new year. Happy planning.
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/12/07/vegetable-garden-planning-for-the-coming-year/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/12/07/vegetable-garden-planning-for-the-coming-year/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
December 7, 2025 at 10:12 PM
A little blog about planning for the coming growing season. I always do my planning in one of the lull days between xmas & the new year. Happy planning.
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/12/07/vegetable-garden-planning-for-the-coming-year/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/12/07/vegetable-garden-planning-for-the-coming-year/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
Looks like Santa's got a runaway 😊
December 5, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Looks like Santa's got a runaway 😊
The rabbits, or squirrels are on a roll. This bed has wire around it too. Love them but, they are little b####ds 🥴🫣
December 3, 2025 at 10:05 PM
The rabbits, or squirrels are on a roll. This bed has wire around it too. Love them but, they are little b####ds 🥴🫣
Always been interested in Luna gardening so thought it would be worth writing about for a winter bog post. hope you enjoy
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/12/01/planting-by-the-phases-of-the-moon/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/12/01/planting-by-the-phases-of-the-moon/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
December 1, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Always been interested in Luna gardening so thought it would be worth writing about for a winter bog post. hope you enjoy
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/12/01/planting-by-the-phases-of-the-moon/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/12/01/planting-by-the-phases-of-the-moon/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
This one is a bit of a monster. It dominates our front paddock - but she is beautiful!
December 1, 2025 at 10:40 AM
This one is a bit of a monster. It dominates our front paddock - but she is beautiful!
Me kayletts have liked the colder weather.
November 27, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Me kayletts have liked the colder weather.
This blog is a bit late - sometimes life gets in the way. But hope you like this beginners guide to creating leaf mould.
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/11/25/a-beginners-guide-to-leaf-mould/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/11/25/a-beginners-guide-to-leaf-mould/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
November 25, 2025 at 9:25 PM
This blog is a bit late - sometimes life gets in the way. But hope you like this beginners guide to creating leaf mould.
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/11/25/a-beginners-guide-to-leaf-mould/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/11/25/a-beginners-guide-to-leaf-mould/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
A free raised bed, topped up with lovely mushroom compost. A beautiful sight 😊
November 24, 2025 at 10:05 PM
A free raised bed, topped up with lovely mushroom compost. A beautiful sight 😊
We got away quite lightly in storm Claudia. Only a few branches & some of a fence down. Really do feel for those who were so badly flooded. 😢
November 16, 2025 at 1:28 AM
We got away quite lightly in storm Claudia. Only a few branches & some of a fence down. Really do feel for those who were so badly flooded. 😢
Blog about some gardening jobs for winter. This is a short one (well a short one for me). A bit of a basic one, but I hope there's something in there to like.
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/11/09/10-winter-garden-tasks-for-a-thriving-spring/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/11/09/10-winter-garden-tasks-for-a-thriving-spring/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
November 9, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Blog about some gardening jobs for winter. This is a short one (well a short one for me). A bit of a basic one, but I hope there's something in there to like.
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/11/09/10-winter-garden-tasks-for-a-thriving-spring/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://solitairegardener.co.uk/2025/11/09/10-winter-garden-tasks-for-a-thriving-spring/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
This afternoon's visitor to the garden.
November 9, 2025 at 7:13 PM
This afternoon's visitor to the garden.