Is it worth it?

olly300

Megansmum wrote: »

Also planted on some brussels and spring onions. As i have only dug a small bit of the plot for this years sowing does it matter that they are all in the same bed? Next year i will have the whole plot dug over and will do them all in a different area.... but is it ok or will the poatoes kill off the onions or brussels?

This link about crop rotation will be of use for you:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1200/crop_rotation.asp

If you have a look around the RHS website they have lots of advice on growing, diseases etc.

One thing that you may find helpful and interesting is getting out of the library or buying a good vegetable growing book.

Megansmum wrote: »

Am i too late to sow carrot, tomato,sweetcorn, brussels or cucumber seeds? Although i already have cucumbers, tomatoes, brussels and sweetcorn going i want to do more incase they fail at any point!!

Most seed packets have on them a guide to when you should sow the seeds.

Sow all of them now.

For some of them i.e. the brussel sprouts and tomatoes if the seeds fail then you are better off getting seedlings from a shop as it will probably be to late to get a crop from them if they are growing outside.

ixwood

You're supposed to move trees when they're dormant, but since they've only been recently planted, you could probably move them. Make sure you dig well away from the tree and take as much soil/root as you can. Preferably all the roots. I.e. try not to chop them. And give them a good soak when they're planted. Bonemeal in the hole is good for root development if you want to be extra kind to them. Either on it's one, or in a blood, fish and bone all round mix.

1 pear tree? Is it self fertile? I think you can guess what's coming.. It might need a pollination partner. Some plants reject their own pollen as a defence mechanism against inbreeding.

Pears need the most protected (from winds and frosts) sunniest spot you can give it. As with most fruits, planting it so it doesn't get hit by the early morning sun (from the east) will increase production. If the flowers are frozen in a frost, the sun hitting them kills them. If they're thawed out 1st, they'll be okay.

Good news about the seeds. I sowed wildflower seeds last week and they started coming up in 3 or 4 days. Google meadows/wildflowers sowing if you get a minute for the basics.

Basically, they need poor soil, else they get out-competed by more vigorous weeds . Take the top soil off (you could us it for your new raised beds), leave for a week to let any weeds in the soil show themselves, weed, and then throw your seeds about (mixing them in fine soil or compost can make it easier). Sit back and wait for your fantastic new mini meadow and all the wildlife to show up.

And sow some a few weeks apart to extend the flowering period. You'll need to mow (or snip) a couple of times a year, depending on what type of flowers you've got and what type of meadow you want (spring or summer flowering. I'm going to try for both if I can manage it). If all that sounds a bit complicated, just mow after they're all flowered, or leave to late winter/early spriong.

How's the insect phobia doing? Hopefully, no news is good news there.

Megansmum

Had a busy few days - although not been to the allotment since Sunday - but all the rain we've had should have done the job for me! It took until Tuesday for the pain to hit my legs and arms from the digging! I thought i had got away with it, with using radox muscle salts in my bath!:mad:

The pear tree is a conference and after a bit of a cold sweat looking on the net..... i found it is self fertile. Then i checked on the net about my cherry tree...and luckily that is too!:) Phew, i must remember to find out BEFORE i buy them next time!:o

The phobias are doing surprisingly well (touch wood)! Because I spend a lot more time outside now than i ever have - being in their environment makes me less fearfull when they're in my environment. I knelt on the ground at the allotment (i NEVER sat on bare ground before - too scared of the bugs) and was forking over a patch when i realised the hand i was leaning on was covered in ants. I just brushed them off and carried on!:D
I had a spider right by me and just watched it. Then we had a spider in our bedroom and i ignored it....and when it disappeared i didn't freak or panic.... :DThat is MAJOR for me!:j:j:j:j
The wasps still catch me out occasionally - the noise still makes my back twinge and my body automatically run??????:mad: But, i stop and go back and try to watch them.:o

My eldest and his mates were going to dig over the rest of the allotment for me on the weekend.:D All I had to do was provide a crate of beer :beer: and McDonalds for them all...... a good deal for me...but i think other allotment holders might not like 21 year olds on the site! He came to the allotment on Sunday - for the first time - and it was so funny seeing his amazement at the space you get for such little money! He wants one now just to put a settee on..........so it's somewhere he can chill out and get a tan!! :rotfl:I must admit, it is very peaceful - a wonderful investment for a break from the rat race!

Happy chill outs and good growing all. :j

Megansmum

:mad: bought 2 "strawberry plants" from the pound shop.......the ones in plastic in a deep box ......got home and had paid £2 for just soil :mad:
not a happy bunny!!!!

Megansmum

I actually love growing fruit and veg....i can't believe it. I have had great help and advice on this forum - and for that i give my heartfelt
THANKS :smileyhea

I love going out in the garden first thing and seeing new buds on my fruit trees and flowers on my strawberrys, even pinching off the new growth on the tomato plants and earthing up my potatoes (which seems to be a daily job at the minute!:D)!

I have never felt so relaxed and peaceful as when I am tottering around with my hands covered in compost!:o

I no longer worry about bugs, i just look up how to organically get rid of the bad and i am actively trying to encourage the good - even starting an area for a wildflower garden.

Anyway - just wanted again to say a big thanks to everyone who patiently answered all my dumb questions - YOU ARE ALL WONDERFUL. :A:A:A:A:A:A:A:A:A:A:A

Jake'sGran

I am baffled. I thought vine weevil larvae was found in soil where they had been feeding on the roots of a plant - usually, in my garden, fuschias in pots

Megansmum

I was new at this when I started the post - and although my strawberry plants were sat in pots on that slab last year and had to be thrown away due to weevil larvae in the roots......I think through elimination and more closer viewing, we figured they were actually ANT larvae under the slab!!! :rotfl:Hence ALL the gratefullness to the kind patient mse users! Lol.:o

moggylover

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Children rely on their parents for everything and pick up everything from them. Nice idea, but I don't think that's going to happen.

Whilst that may be true in many respects, I am terrified of spiders, have run from them in front of the kids ever since they were small and neither of mine are particularly bothered by them and will "rescue" me when necessary:D. I also cannot actually pick up the grass snakes or newts we get in the garden - but both my sons can and will rescue them from the cats and find a safe spot for them.

Phobias are usually VERY personal, and usually have their roots in something far more primal than seeing a scared parent I think.

amcluesent

Spend today pricking out 48 tobacco plants into plug trays, after growing from stupidly tiny seed.

I'd prefer to buy from the garden centre, but all they have are garish 'mixed' collections. No good to me, I'm doing a white(ish) garden this year.

Megansmum

moggylover wrote: »

Whilst that may be true in many respects, I am terrified of spiders, have run from them in front of the kids ever since they were small and neither of mine are particularly bothered by them and will "rescue" me when necessary:D. I also cannot actually pick up the grass snakes or newts we get in the garden - but both my sons can and will rescue them from the cats and find a safe spot for them.

Phobias are usually VERY personal, and usually have their roots in something far more primal than seeing a scared parent I think.

You are right to a degree Moggylover - my phobia of insects came from seeing my mum terrified of spiders but mainly from my brothers tormenting me mercilessly with all the insects they could find!! Ladybirds flying into your face and eyes does not make you stop and smile when you're six!!:o Red ants stinging you, bees in your bedroom etc.....
my eldest dd is 17 and she is ok with all insects - but i wouldn't say she likes them. I am finally conquering my fear through gardening /growing veg and it is so my youngest dd (21 months) definitely doesn't share my fears.:D With such an age difference between the two I can see the mistakes I made 1st time round and try to rectify them 2nd time round!;) I want to make sure dd2 really enjoys being around insects and learns to appreciate what they do for us. But.... if she ends up being scared of them anyway - at least it won't be for my lack of trying!