Nostr notes by M.Paola

Good morning, goedemorgen, guten Morgen, buongiorno, bonjour, ...

2026-08-27T05:44:45Z

Good morning, goedemorgen, guten Morgen, buongiorno, bonjour, buenos dias, madainn mhath. Just a common drone fly, that is not covered in the sawdust in its surroundings. I recently learned that you can tell the sex of an hoverfly by their eyes: males have no space between the eyes while they eyes of females are apart, with a band in between. I found out that often that is not so clear to assess, unless you already know both sexes' face structure #biodiversity #inthegarden #latesummer

I do have a curious pic to post. If you grow brassicas, you may ...

2026-08-13T07:59:33Z

I do have a curious pic to post. If you grow brassicas, you may have noticed in a drought shotholes in the leaves (ie of rocket). They are the work of flea beetles, usually - if at all - only spotted as they are legging it. But yesterday one landed on my arm while watering, so I could observe it: a tiny beetle, with muscular rear legs, not unlike that of a cricket #biodiversity #ontheplot #midsummer #bugs

Major COVID study that fueled vaccine skepticism retracted over ...

2026-08-13T07:02:12Z

Major COVID study that fueled vaccine skepticism retracted over ‘misinformation’. 3 of the 4 authors were working at Dutch Princess Máxima Center pediatric hospital
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/major-covid-study-that-fueled-vaccine-skepticism-retracted-over-misinformation/ #covid

If your pear leaves develop orange-yellow to red spots on the ...

2026-08-05T21:01:39Z

If your pear leaves develop orange-yellow to red spots on the upper side that over time grow into monstruous protuberances on the underside, don't worry - it's just pear rust 😉 you can pull out the occasional leaf if it bothers you #ontheplot #pdd #fungi #midsummer

The dehydrated plums are not too bad even though they look rather ...

2026-07-30T17:08:18Z

The dehydrated plums are not too bad even though they look rather unappetising. And they leaked on the other trays in the dehydrator which has never happened with any other fruit I tried. I have tons of plums this year, they seem to have a biennial fruiting pattern, and they are all ripe NOW! Aside from jam, what do you do with yours? #inthekitchen #preserving #experiments #fruit #midsummer

or red wine colour 😉😂

2026-07-30T13:55:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…af5c
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or red wine colour 😉😂

My old food mill with the finest disc is doing a great job ...

2026-07-30T13:53:23Z

My old food mill with the finest disc is doing a great job extracting the juice from the Aronia mush. 2 loads done, 3 to go. The only inconvenience is that it does fit on top of the bowl perfectly so it's a bit wobbly. #inthekitchen #plottoplate #midsummer #fruit

If this is how your berries are looking this year, that's ...

2026-07-06T15:17:57Z

If this is how your berries are looking this year, that's sunburn. #ontheplot #earlysummer #fruit

Who can tell me what these are? They don't bite, so not ...

2026-06-24T18:30:03Z

Who can tell me what these are? They don't bite, so not no-see-ums, but they are very annoying as they tend to come in groups as soon as the sun goes from the patio, and they race around, which tickles on your skin. #entomology #bugs #summer #biodiversity #inthegarden

It's cooler in this part of the garden where there's some ...

2026-06-24T14:12:15Z

It's cooler in this part of the garden where there's some shade, still 36C. It's 30 C indoors, I'd better let some air run through. Hope you are taking it easy peeps #heatwave #summer

Given how difficult it has been for me to grow courgettes & ...

2026-06-20T17:18:58Z

Given how difficult it has been for me to grow courgettes & squashes in the last couple of years I'm impressed how this self-sown plant is thriving. Of course I had no heart to weed it out, even though it's right by my nectarine. 🤞it's edible (for those of you that don't know that, plants in the squash family hybridise readily, so you can save seed but will never know what you get. Add to that that the cucurbits can contain bitter, poisonous chemicals...) #ontheplot #latespring #weedlings

it's a strange feeling, isn't it? After May it gets ...

2026-06-19T20:26:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…6t2l
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it's a strange feeling, isn't it? After May it gets overwhelming every year on my plot, but at the same time I love the bugs, flowers, grass in the wind as you say...

I am now planting my courgettes on raised mounds like ...

2026-06-05T15:32:06Z

I am now planting my courgettes on raised mounds like Richard Rollinson (npub1fqf…ajkk) suggested (3 rather than 4 because I happen to have that number). So far so good! Today I made one on cardboard in the new area I cleared this spring, just because the soil was conveniently bare. On a good day I will clear another weedy bed on the other side of the plot. #ontheplot #gyo #latespring

Tomorrow is the plant market on the plot and I should prepare and ...

2026-05-08T11:21:03Z

Tomorrow is the plant market on the plot and I should prepare and label some plants to donate, but to use a fab expression coined last week by Yvan (npub13t8…2ksn) I feel like reanimated roadkill right now. All I managed to do this morning was taking pics of some bugs #inthegarden #plants #plants

masterfully expressed

2026-05-03T16:01:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…83ey
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masterfully expressed

I prefer this stage of growth (or better decay) for the tulips, ...

2026-04-29T16:15:22Z

I prefer this stage of growth (or better decay) for the tulips, am I alone in that?!? #inthegarden #plants #midspring

To poison the water you yourself drink is an act that I cannot ...

2026-04-16T08:51:12Z

To poison the water you yourself drink is an act that I cannot even describe: is it easy going optimisting stupidity, like when farmers believe glyphosate disappears in thin air on drying up (not joking, I conscentious objectioned out of the training, but my colleagues that took the PA1-PA6 pesticides training at RHS Wisley came out of it telling others that was definitely the case) exceptionalist arrogance, gross... something? I have no words.

He dug out half of my peony pot but is a lovely beast. A lot of ...

2026-04-15T13:48:10Z

He dug out half of my peony pot but is a lovely beast. A lot of blackbird activity in the last few days, I've seen 4 female/young in a row across ghe garden the other evening. If they are leaving the nest, it means the two large alders on my neighbour's plot are going to be felled soon #inthegarden #birds #midspring

I had forgotten I had a questions for you creative minds out ...

2026-04-10T15:13:28Z

I had forgotten I had a questions for you creative minds out there: this rather large bin on the plot is bottomless. Can you think of any uses for it? It would be easier for me to find a purpose than to get rid of it. There is a 5 cm round hole midway through one of the sides. Maybe I could keep the hoses in there in the winter... any ideas? #ontheplot #reducereuserecycle

My pears. Incidentally, do you know how to recognise pear flowers ...

2026-04-09T19:39:27Z

My pears. Incidentally, do you know how to recognise pear flowers from apple's once they are open? Pear flowers are whiter, less pinkish, but you can tell for sure it's a pear if the anthers are pink (fresh) or black (gone over). Apple flowers have yellow anthers (fresh) and brownish/beige (gone over) #ontheplot #earyspring #fruit #flowering

I have it on very good authority (Ben from Higgledy) that we are ...

2026-04-04T12:06:21Z

I have it on very good authority (Ben from Higgledy) that we are fast approaching the limit of sweetpeas' sowing season, so I'm making the effort. It is strange how the last two years put me off sowing. Anyway, the pots that were raided by mice in the GH have been brought home, partly reseeded and that seems to be turning out ok 🤞 #seeds #earlyspring #sowing #inthegarden

Another afternoon between chipping and working on the compost ...

2026-04-03T14:25:18Z

Another afternoon between chipping and working on the compost heap. All the bags with ripe compost have been spread on the plot, the ones that were nearly ripe have been emptied on one side of the heap. There's still a fair few fresh ones. The twings have been spread along the ditch side that needs reinforcing. Next time, my job will be digging out all the ripe compost, then putting back all the remaining bags as tidily as possible. Have a nice weekend, all! #ontheplot #earlyspring #winterjobs

Good morning, goedemorgen, guten Morgen, buongiorno, bonjour, ...

2026-04-03T08:55:56Z

Good morning, goedemorgen, guten Morgen, buongiorno, bonjour, buenos dias. The garden is turning white #inthegarden #earlyspring #flowers

I didn't realise it was already nearly 7 pm when OH called. I ...

2026-04-02T22:13:05Z

I didn't realise it was already nearly 7 pm when OH called. I had gone on the plot late to give some pruning advice, then I decided I would stay (despite my neck burning) and chip some prunings. It went faster than expected so I tackled my (very controversial) compost heap, with reused compost bags for noxious weed. It was fun and it's getting back to a decent size that looks tidier; most importantly, as I promised, in time for the inspection. The pic is from before #ontheplot #winterjobs

I sit here on my plot having a wee weep for all that is wrong in ...

2026-04-01T15:14:28Z

I sit here on my plot having a wee weep for all that is wrong in the world, my bruised ego and my failing health. Nature is coming back as lush as ever. #ontheplot #earlyspring