the daydream fund challenge thread

lostinrates

Quick question...

I have a few currents and raspberry canes in pots...the soft fruit garden is looking less and less likely its going to be ready soon....so...plant in the veg border or garden and move when dormant or pot on and leave in bigger pots? My natural leaning is to plant then move....but inevitable its more disruption for roots.

(not being intentionally rude...but as someone who counts calories day in day out there is no way I can read a post about DH's people labouring in calorific terms! Sorry!)

Rummer

Ok I need advice from you fabulous people! I ordered the T&M coupons so I have £40 to spend on fabulous things for the garden. Now I was thinking blueberry bushes but I am worried that they will not survive in the Scottish climate. The other options is some more raspberry plants and another gooseberry. Hmmmmm I just don't know what to do???

alfie_1

lostinrates wrote: »

Quick question...

I have a few currents and raspberry canes in pots...the soft fruit garden is looking less and less likely its going to be ready soon....so...plant in the veg border or garden and move when dormant or pot on and leave in bigger pots? My natural leaning is to plant then move....but inevitable its more disruption for roots.

(not being intentionally rude...but as someone who counts calories day in day out there is no way I can read a post about DH's people labouring in calorific terms! Sorry!)

iv got my fruit bushes in big pots....mainly cos i put them there waitng to plant and never got round to them !!:o
they are still going strong and iv noticed buds coming now so MAY get round to shifting them .....

alfie_1

Rummer wrote: »

Ok I need advice from you fabulous people! I ordered the T&M coupons so I have £40 to spend on fabulous things for the garden. Now I was thinking blueberry bushes but I am worried that they will not survive in the Scottish climate. The other options is some more raspberry plants and another gooseberry. Hmmmmm I just don't know what to do???

i tried blueberry last year but only got a cup cake amount...... they grow/sell em up the road so must be me !!

Davesnave

lostinrates wrote: »

Quick question...

I have a few currents and raspberry canes in pots...the soft fruit garden is looking less and less likely its going to be ready soon....so...plant in the veg border or garden and move when dormant or pot on and leave in bigger pots? My natural leaning is to plant then move....but inevitable its more disruption for roots.

I would put them into a specially prepared bit of the veg garden rather than have to keep watering them (and maybe picking them up when they fall over in pots.) It also depends on how many and what pots you have going spare....

Funnily enough, I have a similar problem with these:

http://shop.deaconsnurseryfruits.co.uk/brandy-wine-248-p.asp

I'm probably popping these in among the veggies for this year. I discovered what they are only after I dug them up! (There was a label lying around loose and I Googled.)

The digger also revealed a label on a gooseberry yesterday, which sounds promising:

http://www.chrisbowers.co.uk/product_info.php?id=231

But if it's so good, why have I never heard of it?

Davesnave

Rummer wrote: »

Now I was thinking blueberry bushes but I am worried that they will not survive in the Scottish climate. The other options is some more raspberry plants and another gooseberry. Hmmmmm I just don't know what to do???

The RHS says:
Winter protection

Blueberries are not always fully hardy, and as with many plants, it is the combination of low temperatures and wet conditions that are most damaging. Put containerised plants indoors in a shed or garage during prolonged cold spells, or wrap the pot in hessian or straw to protect the roots. Protect flowers from late frosts with a double layer of horticultural fleece.

Full article on growing conditions here:
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=85

There are blueberry varieties being bred for the American market that will take in excess of -20C. I guess you can't choose one of those though!

alfie_1

i have discovored a grape vine round the forgotten side of the house, its in an old half barrel buried behind a shrub that iv just pruned. its a south west wall. its about 6' of x4 branches.. does anyone know what best i can do with it ?? i can put it SE or S in the garden with no shade or NE in shade?? or leave alone??

alfie_1

iv been told i should register as a smallholding but im not sure what benefits ?? i remember this has been discussed but cant remember the results !! i was advised in the capacity of me talking about available grants ..... does anyone know of the pro's and con's.please....??

rhiwfield

alfie_1 wrote: »

i tried blueberry last year but only got a cup cake amount...... they grow/sell em up the road so must be me !!

Mine were rubbish until I containerised them in ericaceous compost. First year not much, though growth stronger, but second year I netted them and amazed at difference in yield. Hadnt realised how many were going to the blackbirds!

lostinrates

alfie_1 wrote: »

iv been told i should register as a smallholding but im not sure what benefits ?? i remember this has been discussed but cant remember the results !! i was advised in the capacity of me talking about available grants ..... does anyone know of the pro's and con's.please....??

TBH I thought you HAD to be nowadays if you had a farm animal....Mabel and the sheep?

We reg'd on moving, having carefully kept the flock below 50, not wanting to reg and then move when we found somewhere, and deal with transfer and movement. Now we are reg'd and will receive single payment this year....but not for the 9 months we'll have been here before that...months where cost was obviously incured...fencing (such as it is), hedge cutting. I'm hoping that it will over the hedge cutting and hopefully a few acres being rolled (I'll probably have to oversow by hand on the acres they've had over winter with contractor costs here, I wouldn't have minded doing a proper reseed.)Next year it will go on hedges, and any left on fences.

Vitally, in today's sad situation, its protection for all animals in your area: if desease breaks out and you're registered you are easier to find in a cull area...when time matters. Nice, no. But infinitely better than adding to the confusion in another outbreak.

Means also registering as a business.....so you can use a cash and carry, lol. (not sure where there is one).