April Update: What are you growing in 2006?

NEgirl

thank you annie and yategirl

we looked at the peas but thought we would start out with something smaller (ie didnt involve growing up the wigwams etc) for the first year - hopefully when the kids know they can do it we can move onto more things I was going to try strawberries too - does anyone grow these sucessfully from the pots??

annie-c

I am hoping to grow strawberries from seed this year - they are next on my agenda. But you can also buy them in pots in garden centres. My dad has always grown them successfully on the rockery in his garden. It is a good idea to cover them with netting later on, unless you are happy to share them with the birds... Also you need to mind the slugs, unless, like me, you plan to use pots on the patio.

Curry_Queen

I've got a couple of mini-greenhouse things that I bought from the studio outlet site recently, so this weekend I've transferred my tomato seedlings into one of those to free up some windowsill space. They really need re-potting as they're rapdily outgrowing the seed trays but I've lost the use of my arm at the moment and it's a bit tricky trying to do them with one hand (as is typing!)

My nasturtiums are coming on well and I re-potted those into large clay planters and put them outside last week, with a clear plastic box over to protect from wind/rain for now. As is the rocket which also resides outside in a large plastic tub with protective covering.

I've also sown beetroot and perpetual spinach in large polystyrene boxes and put those straight into mini-greenhouse, and have basil, coriuander, chilli peppers, morning glory, parsley and chives on windowsills indoors, most of which is already sprouting.

There's still a lot of work to be done in the garden before I can start planting anything out in the ground, as it really needs cultivating and organising into blocks, and I'm not sure I can manage to get it done this year now unless i can find a local gardner/handyman who doesn't charge the earth! I also need to organise something for the tomatoes once they're big enough for grow bags, otherwise I fear I'm going to end up losing the lot

On the plus side, I've spotted a clump of rhubarb just poking its nose through the ground, so at least I know I'm going to have one successful crop of something this year

AlmightyCorgi

NEgirl - i dont have children but i have 5 neices and nephews, they always beg me for cherry tom's and strawberrys, they like watching the friut grow and turn red. Though my sisters have to stop them eating the green ones sometimes!!!!

I do them a few plants each year from scratch and when they are tuff enough to withstand little fingers pass them on.

Ive also found sunflower races to be good - huge variety out there to choose from - they grow quickly and the kids can ''race'' them to see who gets the tallest.

Hth :T

**purpleprincess**

I'm attempting to sprout beans and it's finally working!! :j :j Will post a piccy when they're sprouted enough!!!

annie-c

I've just come in from the garden Curry Queen so it's nice to hear of your developments too. Sorry to hear about you arm - I hope you manage to get some help with the garden.

This is a really stupid question, but I'll ask anyway....

I've got a tiny patch in my garden where I'd love to grow some rhubarb: does it grow from seed, or do I buy a plant started off, or what? Is it too late at this time in the year...?

Thanks,
Annie

outrageous_monkey

This will be my first attempt at any type of growing, but yesterday I went for it as all your inspiration has, as they say, inspired me :T So, yesterday I planted into seed trays carrots, cabbage, letuce, spring oinions, garlic chives, basil, corrinader, oregano and cherry toms. Keep your fingers crossed for me, cos I think I may have been a tad too adventurous first time round :eek: There all out in the greenhouse, so I'm praying that they all start to sprout in the next few weeks.

Julie

Curry_Queen

annie-c wrote:

This is a really stupid question, but I'll ask anyway....

I've got a tiny patch in my garden where I'd love to grow some rhubarb: does it grow from seed, or do I buy a plant started off, or what? Is it too late at this time in the year...?

Thanks,
Annie

From what I know, which isn't much! you can buy what they call a crown or something and plant this in late winter/early spring. Actually, I've just found this website which might be more helpful to you than I can be

Sweet_Pea_2

My OH spent a few hours yesterday re potting my strawberries and garlic which have now gone out into the garden in a sheltered spot on the patio. (I bought the strawberry plants on ebay, all 4 of them are doing well, but I commented to OH how in one of the pots there were two plants, one was a bit different from the others, a bit prickly, maybe another type of strawberry? OH reckons its a nettle!) My rocket and herbs - sage, parsley, dill and thyme are all coming along, but nothing doing with the cucumbers. Decided not to bother trying again with any more cucumber seeds as we dont like them anyway!
Re potted the sweet peas and sunflowers, but ran out of pots for the dahlias and geraniums which are doing really well too, so OH is off to Wilkinsons on his way home tonight for more pots. Nicotiana and Verbena are coming up, and he planted some Alyssum and lupins yesterday too.
Still to go in, peas, carrots, runner beans and lettuces.
14 mini tomato plants all re-potted! Raspberry and tayberry canes still want planting out.
I love this, have not grown much before but its so exciting watching it all take off.

Nikki

Our pepper is still growing nicely!! Our chillies didn't really grow but now the sun is out for alot longer they are flowering like crazy, so fingers crossed for a few chillies. French Beans look to be growing well and so is the garlic. The windowsills in the front of our house(se facing) are over run with growing things!! Dh has been out and planted a family pear tree, a family apple tree, a blackberry bush and a blackcurrant bush so with a bit of luck we'll have some fruit at some point in time. Kids have grown some cress!