The Gardening Thread

[Mole]

Yesterday and today i have replaced the liner on the pond and relayed the slabs. The kidney beans are coming on nicely, and even the green beans are starting to spiral up the poles after doing nothing for weeks. The Marrows are coming on nicely and had some lovely new potatoes for lunch.

[Thedelldays]

you mean "up hill gardening"...?

[Mole]

you mean "up hill gardening"...?

 

Hello Sailor.

[Amesbury Saint]

getting a few strawberries now.

apples growing nicely

 

pleased there was some rain yeterday

 

need some colour in the garden - may have to go to the garden centre tomorrow to buy some pretty flowers

[hamster]

I dug over approx 10m2 this afternoon and put in 24 seed potatoes. I also transplanted a small apple tree to a precarious (but better) site, if the grandkids ride their ****ing tractors/bikes/footballs into it, they will sustain injuries. I am also considering 'grwing my own' if soemone can recomend a hardy variety that will not draw attention and will thrive in our climate.

[John Boy Saint]

I have 2 Cherry Tomato's forming on my 4 Tomato plants in the grow bags outside my house, I think I have to help them along now with a drop of Tomorite.

 

As for the advice to grow herbs from Hamster there is a strain that fits his specification, as a couple of horticulturist's in Silchester North Hampshire were dab hands at producing a useful quantity in various locations around the village: warmer summers usually helped.

[hamster]

I have 2 Cherry Tomato's forming on my 4 Tomato plants in the grow bags outside my house, I think I have to help them along now with a drop of Tomorite.

 

As for the advice to grow herbs from Hamster there is a strain that fits his specification, as a couple of horticulturist's in Silchester North Hampshire were dab hands at producing a useful quantity in various locations around the village: warmer summers usually helped.

 

Would you happen to remember the name of said 'strain' JBS? Not for myself obviously.

 

What would I be looking for, just in case I suspect that there is some growing wild in my neighbours garden? Sadly, he passed away last year and the house is still empty. I thought it only right that I should tend it to maintain the neighbourhood's reputation for green fingeredness thus attracting the right sort of prospective buyer when the property is put up for sale..

[mack rill]

I dug over approx 10m2 this afternoon and put in 24 seed potatoes. I also transplanted a small apple tree to a precarious (but better) site, if the grandkids ride their ****ing tractors/bikes/footballs into it, they will sustain injuries. I am also considering 'grwing my own' if soemone can recomend a hardy variety that will not draw attention and will thrive in our climate.

 

Dutch Passion, But most will unless it says indoor only, Thing to remember about herbals Any were you can grow wheat crops (corn oat barley) you can grow weed.,,,and its simples:cool:

[Weston Saint]

I grow everything in outdoor pots and containers including grow bags because my soil is clay.

 

Carrots & Spring Onions are doing well. Just harvested some courgettes for dinner.

 

Plenty of Lettuces at various stages having already harvested a row.

 

Sprouts and Cauliflowers are going well. Runner beans in flower and a few beans just beginning to develop.

 

Tomatoes are just beginning to bear fruit but it will be a while before they ripen. In should be able to have some potatoes soon but not grown many. Just one pot this year.

 

Growing spinnich as well although my first lot have just gone to seed after a few picks. Just planted some more to replace.

 

Masses of Strawberries in the last few weeks. Just picked some more for afters.

 

Surprising what you can achieve.

[hamster]

I grow everything in outdoor pots and containers including grow bags because my soil is clay.

 

Carrots & Spring Onions are doing well. Just harvested some courgettes for dinner.

 

Plenty of Lettuces at various stages having already harvested a row.

 

Sprouts and Cauliflowers are going well. Runner beans in flower and a few beans just beginning to develop.

 

Tomatoes are just beginning to bear fruit but it will be a while before they ripen. In should be able to have some potatoes soon but not grown many. Just one pot this year.

 

Growing spinnich as well although my first lot have just gone to seed after a few picks. Just planted some more to replace.

 

Masses of Strawberries in the last few weeks. Just picked some more for afters.

 

Surprising what you can achieve.

 

Sounds really good weston, just one question though. How do you smoke a bloomin cougette?

[RonManager]

Sounds really good weston, just one question though. How do you smoke a bloomin cougette?

 

Light it and suck :confused: -- duuuh

[Mole]

Just harvested some courgettes for dinner.

 

Thats good going, i only planted my marrows out last week.

[hamster]

Seriously, are we too late to get some tomatoes going?

 

Also, we have grapes on our vines, tiny weeny ones, but it's the first year they've appeared so I am very pleased. Although I don'e like grapes peresonally, it is rewarding to (quite literally) see the fruits of ones labours isn't it.

[Colinjb]

I think it may be too late for the tommies. Grandad starts his back in March and mine are already starting to fruit.

 

Quite happy with my garden right now, my Fire lillies have been excellent and the buzy lizzies have glone from strength to strength. Am fighting a losing battle with aphids on my roses though.

[Weston Saint]

Thats good going, i only planted my marrows out last week.

Grew them from seed and planted them in growbags near the end of May. Picked my first 3 today and another 3 developing well. All from 2 plants. First time I have grown them. Very pleased.

[Weston Saint]

Seriously, are we too late to get some tomatoes going?

 

Also, we have grapes on our vines, tiny weeny ones, but it's the first year they've appeared so I am very pleased. Although I don'e like grapes peresonally, it is rewarding to (quite literally) see the fruits of ones labours isn't it.

Absolutely. I get a good kick from eating home grown.

 

Might be a bit late to grow tomatoes outside now but if you have a greenhouse, go for it.

[harvey]

A productive day today.

 

Picked some peas, pulled up some carrots and also dug up some Charlotte potatoes. Tell a lie, I've grown the potatoes in grow bags this year, so didn't technically 'dig them up'.

 

Also pulled up some beetroot, boiled and then pickled.

[pilsburydoughboy]

I have eaten onions ,potatos,garlic,peas,courgettes,lettuce,coriander,basil,mint and courgette flowers from my garden so far this year.

Chillies,beetroot,cucumber,carrots,tomatoes and more of the above to come.

Are we getting old?

Or is this good fun?

[Colinjb]

Are we getting old?

Or is this good fun?

 

It IS rock and roll mate, no better feeling then eating your own fresh produce.

[hamster]

..Am fighting a losing battle with aphids on my roses though.

 

Google suggests placing foil on the ground at the base of the plants and/or a thin washing up liquid solution. I'd be interested to hear how you get on if youy try these suggestions Colin.

[John Boy Saint]

Seriously, are we too late to get some tomatoes going?

 

Also, we have grapes on our vines, tiny weeny ones, but it's the first year they've appeared so I am very pleased. Although I don'e like grapes peresonally, it is rewarding to (quite literally) see the fruits of ones labours isn't it.

When they start to get ripe get some of those light bags that you put your loose veg in when shopping in the supermarket to loosely tie over them otherwise the birds, especially Blackbirds and Starlings will be off down the road on their toes with armfuls of your crop.

 

If you don't like eating them might be worth bottling them.

[hamster]

/\

Bottling ala winemaking? I wish.

 

Actually, I am seriously considering rinsing out all my homebrew kit now. I only use the kits, but you can't beat the satisfaction of downing a pint of your own ale. I had to stop making wine as Mrs h was drinking it faster than I could make it, which is a good sign I suppose.

[John Boy Saint]

I made some Blackberry wine years ago, first attempt too, by the time it was bottled was crystal clear and tasted so good that the 6 bottles made vanished in a micron of the time that it took to produce it. Actually this year looks like it might be a good one for blackberry's I might dust off the kit that is lurking in the loft.

[mdearlove]

Eating spuds, lettuce, strawberries (wild and standard), peas, spinach and chard from my allotment. Loads of other stuff in there. At home we have peppers and tomatoes growning as well as some squash and courgettes in pots ready to put in the allotment.

 

I usually eat the strawberries straight of the plant while at the allotment - not many come home. Same with the peas

[Saint Luke]

Got loads of spuds, need to dig the first lot up and store in a dark place.

Another lot ready in about 4-6 weeks.

Corugettes ready in about a week and then that's all we'll eat with potatoes for quite a while.

Onions in September/October.

Tomatoes in about 3 weeks.

Cabbages, carrots and french beans coming along nicely.

Hopeful of Garlic but it failed last year.

Will have winter potatoes to put in later in the year.

[Mole]

Marrow and Kidney beans cooked together is the best. Peel and seed the marrow and cut it into chunks and boil with the beans and top with white sauce - there'll be no going back once you've tried it.

[hamster]

Marrow and Kidney beans cooked together is the best. Peel and seed the marrow and cut it into chunks and boil with the beans and top with white sauce - there'll be no going back once you've tried it.

 

Cookery thread Mole. You have been here long enough to know the rules FFS.

 

 

Right, I am off to look at canal boats. Ahoy there matey's.

[Barfy]

Had loads of strawberries & raspberries over the past few weeks. Same with radishes, lettuces (cos & iceberg), wild rocket & coriander.

 

Rooster potatoes and pink fir apples blooming at the moment. Parsnips, sprouts, beetroot, swede, onions, garlic, cauliflower, celeriac, leeks, spring onions, horseradish and sweetcorn all doing very nicely too. Looks like we might be in for a bumper crop of tomatoes too, plenty of flowers on the 4 or 5 different variety plants (green tomato chutney again this year...).

 

The fig, blueberry and grape vine all seem to be doing well, but there's still plenty of time for the snails to find them :mad:

 

My rhubarb isn't doing so well, anyone got suggestions how to help it along?

 

And I've just had to pull out all of my carrots due to carrot fly infestation, they were just starting to get to a good edible size too planning to plant some more, but surround with fleece this time.

 

We're also surrounded by blackberries, so will try and pick a few kilos of those again this year to make some wine, possibly with some of the neighbour's damsens. Made some blackberry wine a few years ago, wasn't too alcoholic, but slightly sparkling and very refreshing when well chilled.

 

And to think, I'd never really got into gardnening before this year...

[Mao Cap]

Google suggests placing foil on the ground at the base of the plants and/or a thin washing up liquid solution. I'd be interested to hear how you get on if youy try these suggestions Colin.

 

Sounds crazy, but diluted toilet cleaner (one part loo cleaner, nine parts water) is very good for greenfly.

[South City Si]

Sadly this is a cracking thread! :-)

 

Peas are nearly ready. Leeks are looking good. Spuds growing well. Courgettes didn't grow in the compost so risked putting the seeds straight in the soil and started growing almost straight away realy weird. Strawberries starting to grow, mange tout almost there. Carrots going nicely. Onions growing well.

 

The good thing is that the ones I grew from seed/bulb are the ones that are doing better!

[sunrise]

Potatos are going well and will probably dig an early plant or 2, Onions swelling nicely- I could pick some now but will leave for a little while longer. Shallots and Garlic looking ok also. Sweetcorn and Courgettes coming along nicely and I think the first flowers will appear on the Courgettes this week.

 

Runner and French beans not doing too much at the moment but hopefully will start to grow a bit more soon. Going to plant a few more runner and french bean seeds this week.

 

Anyone else got an allotment?

[Mole]

Going to plant a few more runner and french bean seeds this week.

 

Don't you think it might be a bit late for growing kidney beans from seed?

 

Personally i'd nip down the garden centre and buy some plants.

[sunrise]

It really depends on what the rest of the summer and autumn is like, if the weather doesn't get too cold then I should get a few beans off the plants. It is a bit of the gamble but will be interesting to see what the results are like.

[Mole]

It really depends on what the rest of the summer and autumn is like, if the weather doesn't get too cold then I should get a few beans off the plants. It is a bit of the gamble but will be interesting to see what the results are like.

 

Out of interest do you plant your seeds in the ground, or grow them in pots first?

[sunrise]

The seeds go straight in to the ground* at the allotment, in the case of French and Runner beans, for the last 3 years, I've put them in after the 2nd week of May. Reason behind this is that there should be almost no chance of a frost. I may try an early sowing indoors in pots next year should there be the space.

 

*Except Chilli Peppers which I sow late march/early april indoors and I keep them in until late may when they get planted out in 8-10" pots. Most of the Chilli plants now have flower buds on them so hopefully a warm summer and a good autumn will mean a good crop.

[saintwarwick]

Out of interest do you plant your seeds in the ground, or grow them in pots first?

 

Most can go straight into the ground but I grow Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Chillies and Peppers in pots first then plant out in grow bags. One tip I got a few years ago is plant broad beans in September/October and you will have an early crop the following Spring. My garden currently consists of (including the above) carrots, cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, radish, parsnips, spring onions, spuds, runner beans (including dwarf runner beans), beetroot, strawberries and various herbs. Nothing like home grown.

[spain saint]

I love gardening but don't have the space!

I do have some pots on my terrace the i grow herbs in and with the good weather here i get two or three crops per year! My other half has loads of pots and tubs of plants and they are all in bloom at the moment. The herbs I have are, parsley (curly and flatleaf), basil, thyme, sage, rosemary, chives, purple basil, lemon thyme and dill.(to go with all the fresh fish that i catch!)

 

Loving this thread! \\:D/

[Mole]

The seeds go straight in to the ground* at the allotment, in the case of French and Runner beans, for the last 3 years, I've put them in after the 2nd week of May. Reason behind this is that there should be almost no chance of a frost. I may try an early sowing indoors in pots next year should there be the space.

 

*Except Chilli Peppers which I sow late march/early april indoors and I keep them in until late may when they get planted out in 8-10" pots. Most of the Chilli plants now have flower buds on them so hopefully a warm summer and a good autumn will mean a good crop.

 

Personally i'd never plant kidney bean seeds straight into the ground. Same with Green beens. It's much better to grow them in pots (i cover them with newspaper till they shoot) That way you can use the best plants and there's no problems with seeds not germinating like you get in the ground.

[hamster]

What could I plant over the next two weeks that would take? Last year was a disaster btw. I need to keep it simple and don't mind just going for 2 or 3 vegetables, I have planted quite a few spuds last weekend, but have an area of roughly 4 yards x 6 uards than I can double dig (back permitting) to accomodate.

[harvey]

I've an abundance of carrots now and have started freezing them......is there anything wrong with this?

[pilsburydoughboy]

What could I plant over the next two weeks that would take? Last year was a disaster btw. I need to keep it simple and don't mind just going for 2 or 3 vegetables, I have planted quite a few spuds last weekend, but have an area of roughly 4 yards x 6 uards than I can double dig (back permitting) to accomodate.

 

Salad

Courgette

Potatoes for xmas

Just go for it

[Mole]

If you have any new potatoes then save a few and place in a quality street tin of sand. Bury the tin and dig them up for christmas dinner. Perect new potatoes when you can't get them.

[TopGun]

Gardening is a stealth tax that has been created by left wing mongers. Everyone knows that!

[saint boggy]

I've an abundance of carrots now and have started freezing them......is there anything wrong with this?

it's a bit cruel, don't ya think???......

[harvey]

it's a bit cruel, don't ya think???......

 

It was a serious question actually :smt021

[TopGun]

it's a bit cruel, don't ya think???......

 

I have cultivated my garden for nooky corners. I am going to throw swinging parties. Interested Boggy?

[saint boggy]

I have cultivated my garden for nooky corners. I am going to throw swinging parties. Interested Boggy?

yeh, go on then.....could be fun....

i hope you have planted the courgettes and carrots near to these nooky corners of yours, falic shaped vegetables could come in quite handy at some point in the proceedings.......:cool:

[Clapham Saint]

I dug over approx 10m2 this afternoon and put in 24 seed potatoes. I also transplanted a small apple tree to a precarious (but better) site, if the grandkids ride their ****ing tractors/bikes/footballs into it, they will sustain injuries. I am also considering 'grwing my own' if soemone can recomend a hardy variety that will not draw attention and will thrive in our climate.

 

?!!!