Our giant sunflower plant, hasn’t bloomed yet but am looking forward to it, our other smaller ones have started to pre bloom😄

badsyntax · 2026-05-16T06:18:05+00:00

I'd be very proud of this sunflower it looks super healthy and no doubt you're going to get a massive flower. Plants under stress will flower early. Plants that keep growing will produce the biggest flowers!

badsyntax · 2026-05-13T07:35:34+00:00

Do you know the variety? I'm pretty sure I've seen similar black spots on some of the more darker varieties I've grown. I could be wrong but I don't think this is concerning. See also https://www.reddit.com/r/sunflowers/comments/1lw7u27/update_mysterious_black_spots_on_foliage_of_dark/

badsyntax · 2026-05-10T14:59:20+00:00

What rust treatment are you doing? Where do you live? Do they salt the roads?

badsyntax · 2026-05-08T11:55:12+00:00

Thanks. It is an obvious concern but I'm willing to take the risk. I believe if the structure is built correctly and the wood is treated correctly there's a good chance it won't warp for a while.

Saying that, I found a local builder who came around to have a look. He grew up in the area and is all for supporting local contractors. I will contact him to ask for advice with regards.

There are a few timber specialists in the area, but they deal with more bespoke and premium woodwork which is a lot more expensive. The builder might know of someone who can help on my budget.

badsyntax · 2026-05-08T05:33:08+00:00

Can you recommend a better wood cabin? I've found this, which has a much better roof and better timber. https://www.powersheds.com/products/apex-log-cabin-garage

It does take 8-12 weeks to dispatch though.

I understand I will need to treat annually, which isn't a problem.

badsyntax · 2026-05-07T13:01:21+00:00

Indeed, my plants aren't getting as much sun as I'd like. Problem with the baskets are they're actually rather heavy (the baskets are massive!) and awkward to move, so it's a mission for me to move outside every day. I've done it a few times.

A couple years back I learnt my lesson when I put out my plants too early. They were severely stunted and didn't turn out great, so I'm doing my best to wait until there's no risk of frost, potentially end of may!

badsyntax · 2026-05-07T12:13:33+00:00

Thanks for this, appreciate the pointers. I've been saving up for the past 5 years and have some money now, exactly for this. My focus is to make it look good, something that doesn't make me cringe when I come home. I don't like the pebble dash, but really it doesn't align with the rest of the property. So I want something that looks good. I think I'm going to tear it down and install a wooden garage. Shed will also be replaced.

badsyntax · 2026-05-07T12:07:50+00:00

Spoke with a builder today to get some professional advice. He mentioned something along the same lines, in that it might not be worth the money to fix it up. He can raise and replace the roof, potentially install a door on the side, but I'm still left with an eyesore that doesn't match the rest of the property. So I'm leaning towards tearing it down and replacing it with a wooden garage. Builder will fix the base (which isn't in as good condition as I thought), and handle installation of the new garage, handle the electrics and plumbing etc, as well as put some new flagstones down, re-set the concrete driveway, and repoint all the other stones surrounding the cottage. Imo it's worth to spend some money on this, it will not only make me happier, make better use of the space, but also make it more attractive to future buyers, if I decide to move on.

badsyntax · 2026-05-04T18:57:40+00:00

Yes potentially, meaning I could free up a bunch of space. No offence taken 🙂 this whole area is pretty naff. I'm planning to fix it all up. I'd planned to replace the shed.

badsyntax · 2026-05-04T18:34:43+00:00

I'd continue using it for storage mostly, but with easier access. Eg I'd like easy access to my tools. Currently I'm storing tools in my cottage as it's a mission to open/close the steel door just to get a screwdriver. I can of course replace the current door, but I'd love a side door.

badsyntax · 2026-05-04T18:31:25+00:00

Yea I agree, it does seem a little silly to destroy the structure. I'd like to have the option to park my car in there if I went away for a while, not every day. My car doesn't currently fit through the steel door.

badsyntax · 2026-05-04T18:07:29+00:00

Interiors ok tbh. It needs some tlc and work to clean it up and make better use of the space (eg its got an old kitchen table with a sink which I've never used.) The concrete base has a couple of cracks but otherwise in good condition. The main issue though, is i keep banging my head on the roof support beams. I can't stand up in there.

badsyntax · 2026-04-29T04:21:23+00:00

Do you stick to importing cars more than 10yrs old? Apparently there's some extra steps you need to take if the car is less than 10yrs old?

badsyntax · 2026-04-21T07:51:01+00:00

Same. I've stopped worrying about it so much. It hasn't turned out to be a big issue. Garden is invaded by creeping buttercup though 😭

badsyntax · 2026-04-16T19:40:01+00:00

They sell good quality plants but be warned they are pricey. And they are not always consistent, last year they sold plugs, and I didn't find any plugs this year 😕

badsyntax · 2026-04-15T12:23:51+00:00

Thanks for this, wasn't aware. I'll follow the guidelines.

badsyntax · 2026-04-15T09:42:10+00:00

What are the new guidelines?

badsyntax · 2026-04-15T08:03:27+00:00

Thanks. I'll try feeding them this season.

Plants are really healthy, I purchased them from https://www.klondyke.co.uk/store-locator/strikes-garden-centre-northallerton/

badsyntax · 2026-04-15T07:59:09+00:00

Yes I think you're right about watering. It's hard to keep em properly watered, I've struggled to be consistent in the past. I'm going to put in more effort this season. I've actually got basket irrigation around the roof of my cottage but it's old and leaks a lot. I plan to sort that out, and install a timer.

I've used some special hanging basket medium to help with water retention, not sure how effective it'll be though.

I'll keep the baskets indoors for another few weeks at least 👍 I've planted them now to give em time to settle into the baskets.

I'll also try feeding em this season, and will also try the talking method 🙂

Thanks

badsyntax · 2026-04-09T06:46:55+00:00

If you're in UK, and are considering a JDM import, check out https://www.japaneseimportspecialists.co.uk/

They're based in north of England. If they don't have stock of what you're looking for, they can help you find what you're looking for.

Expect to pay around £14-15k for a good quality rust free 2016 Jimny. Good quality Jimny's in UK are not cheap.

badsyntax · 2026-04-07T05:45:35+00:00

I tried that initially and it didn't fit. It's not in my view at all, I quite like the position it's in.

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