12 month Grow your own planting plans

mum_of_4

Yategirl wrote: »

sounds good just been topping up the soil in my beds ready for planting out (when we get there!)... got stuff sown in the greenhouse.. can't wait for everything to get going 'proper'!

Hi yategirl was just thinking about you today as I haven't seen you on the forum much.

I thought I was going to get loads done this week, can't believe the weather is turning. The skys are already overcast.

Yategirl

been very hectic recently but I have a bit of time again (in between being in the garden/being a mum taxi lol!)

it was beautiful this morning but this afternoon while ds2 and I were in the garden, the wind picked up and the clouds rolled in ah well... at least the soil is ready for planting

Am still awaiting my rhubarb plants (got 3 different varieties from dobies) but my new fruit trees are potted up. Got quite a few seedlings already but loads more to plant this month (think I will give it another week in view of weather reports!).

I am desperate to get outside and get going.... but lifting 6 300L bags of compost today was a very silly idea... my pelvis and back are groaning!!!!!

How are your new girls getting on?

katie2407

manged to get our raised bed make and filled with all the soil needed, now to start planning where we are going to put everything

mum_of_4

I've just found a great link on preserving your glut of tomato's as sundried tomato's. These are great to keep you going through the winter months when fresh tomato's are so expensive to buy.

The only thing I think we should check is about storing them I've only ever put some in my garage where it's cool and only put the jar I'm using in the fridge.

http://www.channel4.com/food/how-to/make-sun-dried-tomatoes_p_1.html

itsalldrivingmemad

thank you so much for the file - I have had 3 days of clearing and bonfires and still have a lot of work to do but you have provided so much inspiration - and with the money I save i am saving up for a chicken house and run for a couple of hens.

TC

mum_of_4

Most of you will know by now that I believe we should all try to save our own seed - money saving in the flesh

I've listed all the varities that I would love to save seed from this year but when giving advice on saving cucumber seed didn't know enough about the other veg in my list. Well realseeds have sent me their instructions. So an update on saving seed for parsnips and leeks -

Leeks - seems easy to save seed and only problem with crossing is if another leek variety is flowering with 1 mile. So should't be a problem. Flowers in 2nd year so I will have to remember to leave some good leeks to flower. I may plant a batch at home which the sole aim of saving seed.

Parnips, also flower in 2nd year and only cross with other which arte in flower within 1/4 of a mile

So it appears possible to save seed from

tomato
sweet pepper
chilli
parsnip
leeks
herbs
squash
cucumber
courgette
melon
peas
runner beans
french beans
carrots

Amazing to think that one could be saving seeds for all the above.

maxdp

Hi Maz

Thank you for the download and the information you sent to me. Have just got a 5 rod allotment and need all help I can get. Work full time (ish). Am self-employed so some weeks loads of hours other weeks work from home catching up on paperwork.

My aim is to cut down on the amount I spend each week providing organic food for my family and to grow as much as I can to become mainly self sufficient.

Anyway am sure I will be posting again or asking questions of you lovely people.

Again thank you Maz:D

Yategirl

1. argh! I started hardening off 3 tomato plants (greenhouse ones) from house to greenhouse and forgot to bring them in last night... i fear 2 have had it.. :mad: stupid me :rolleyes: really should know better by now.... everything else is doing well though!

2. local council 'may' have found some suitable land for allotments.. they are investigating... please please keep your fingers crossed! I need my plot!!!!!

How is everyone else doing?

misskool

Thank you Maz! Just received the file this morning, it's fab. What a great inspiration.

mum_of_4

Yategirl wrote: »

1. argh! I started hardening off 3 tomato plants (greenhouse ones) from house to greenhouse and forgot to bring them in last night... i fear 2 have had it.. :mad: stupid me :rolleyes: really should know better by now.... everything else is doing well though!

2. local council 'may' have found some suitable land for allotments.. they are investigating... please please keep your fingers crossed! I need my plot!!!!!

How is everyone else doing?

My peppers are all up but don't seem as perky as they normally do. fingers crossed as there's 39 (13 of each type) all with there first set of leaves starting to form so I'd be gutted if I lost them.

Basil still isn't showing yet, dwarf fench beans are taking their time but as it's still really cold I don't mind. The marigolds are starting to show. Don't expect anything from the rest until nextr week.

Is it me or does everyone kepp checking on the seeds. Staring at them doesn't seem to make them grow :rolleyes: Still really excited when I see a green shoot forcing itself through the compost.

Well I'm going to try to do some digging up at the plot.; Thought if I left it till about 10.30/11.00 then maybe the frost will be gone and it might have worked it's magic on the soil. Still got loads of digging to do.

Yate girl I read something this week that claimed the UK had been given loads of funding which was to be for re -generating old allotment sites and the setting up of new sites, finding new land or assisting farmers to rent out plots of land. Think it might have been Kitchen Garden.