The Potting Shed - come on in, the kettle's on!

earthlysparky

Having spent 3 years transforming our small wilderness into a functioning garden, we had to move house last summer. At the time, it was devastating, especially as I'd only managed one season of veg in my lovely raised beds, and had started most of my planting for the forthcoming season. We got notice to quit in the May, the same day that i had 2 tonnes of top soil and 30 rolls of turf delivered in order to finish the garden.

However, we have moved into a much nicer house, with a much bigger garden It does mean that we have had to start all over again, with an overgrown jungle that hasn't been touched in years. We're mainly still at the "Time Team" stage; wondering what on earth we will dig up next. The list so far includes a mortice lock complete with key, a bottle of ink and an alternator from an Austin A series (possibly A40) :rotfl:

Having said that, we have managed to clear an area and erect a 3m x 4.5m polytunnel, and have very nearly got one of the veg beds ready. Being a sad geek, I have created a spreadsheet for all our seeds, complete with planting/harvest times. Currently, I'm quietly optimistic that by planting time (mid April/May for most crops for us) we shall be ready.

tink1981_2

hi

can I join you... bara brith is curently baking in the oven and happy to share!

I'm fairly new to growning my own... we tried a few bits last year that were fairly successful but this year we are making a bigger effort. We've got rid of my other halves car and now we're planning to use the space that's now free on the drive to grow as many things in tubs, pots and troughs as we can.

We've started off some chilis and hoping to have a good weekend of planting this weekend.

Fingers crossed the wind and rain goes away! :cool:

christiansmummy

hi can i join im just starting to get into gardening

[Deleted User]

I spent a very pleasant hour this morning getting my harvesting and sowing calendar sorted. I used A4 sideways and drew lines down every 2 cm and headed every column with the months jan to dec. Then I went through all my seeds, onions, garlic, shallots and potatoes and drew a horizontal line for its harvesting period plus a dotted line for its sowing period. I did a page for greens, one for alliums, one for potatoes, roots ec and I could see at a glance where the shortfalls were, particularly in greens. I have now ordered more seeds for cabbages to fill those spaces. Doing this should help me get the max out of my small allotment and we will have veg throughout the year. That book will eventually be like gold dust to me. I ordered extra seeds from suppliers that have given me high germination seeds and it has to be said that they are smaller suppliers

Peppers called `planet` have come up and they were replacements after the gut feeling I had re my other peppers. Grrr I am going to be like a dog with a bone re those suppliers who have provided dead seeds and have not responded to my e mails, one being marshalls (leeks) and another being mr fothergill (peppers) provided by plantmenow and also two packs of asters from pennard plants. Everything else have been excellent and I have planted dozens of different varieties of veg and flowers. The best for germination have been from premier seeds direct and a few others on ebay (also far away the cheapest) real seeds and plants of distinction

My onion sets haven`t arrived yet and I am getting twitchy

[Deleted User]

earthlysparky wrote: »

Being a sad geek, I have created a spreadsheet for all our seeds, complete with planting/harvest times. Currently, I'm quietly optimistic that by planting time (mid April/May for most crops for us) we shall be ready.

I just saw that, lol great minds

Dustykitten

Spent ages in the back garden today inspired by Gardner's World last night - so good to have Monty back, looking forward to getting to know his garden.

Prunned the crab apple tree
Cut back grass (even swept the worm casts with the witches broom first)
layed out a rope to mark the widelife pond
Moved the foxgloves from where the pond is to go
Started to clear the area for the pond, plants need rehoming around the garden or potting up to be replaced once it is done
Sowed sweetpeas and flat beans
DH has created the new woodstore minus the roof - trying to decide on tiles or wood

Not sure of the forcast for tomorrow but I want to feed the hedge with PPM and move some more plants from the pond area.

Keiss_21

A busy time now in the garden for all of us - unless you have snow that is! :eek:

Managed to get the overwintering plants out of the greenhouse yesterday, most have survived, despite not getting the bubblewrap up in Autumn . Most look pretty good...don't think I have lost anything there...different in the garden though!! My biggest (and I thought strongest) bay bush has popped it's clogs...hardly any roots, so no surprise there then. Also my Tom Thumb Pittosporum is leaveless atm...hoping it will come back, I love it!! If I lose a plant I normally get a different one...but I will have to get another Tom Thumb...lovely purple foliage, with green new growth!! It won't be going in the same place though...will find a more sheltered spot, though the old one is 7 years old now.

I managed to wash down the greenhouse yesterdayand got rid of all the green algae on the glass...much brighter and cleaner now! So today I am sowing seeds and potting up my toms and peppers that have shot up!

I need to update my database of seeds too, as I have boughta few more...began a new one to replace my old spreadsheet. I am doing a database computer course atm and so have been playing with fancy bits...fun but can be time consuming!! :o

The sun is shining and the washing needs hanging out...so off now.

Have a great day all.

[Deleted User]

Just a warning about the ground not getting rain under fleece if it is over a cage or hoops. The bit of rain we had last night wet everywhere else but not the seeds under that cage so now removed and replaced with environmesh. Tap is still off at the allotment. Very windy at the allotment this morning and a completely different micro climate back home where it is positively hot in the house and very sunny in the back garden. We are 3m below the orchard around us at the back and sides so I have a completely different climate, often very warm but also swirly winds. The whole village is pretty sheltered from rain because we are in valley surrounded by hills so it makes what rain we get all the more appreciated. Last summer was very very dry and hot since we moved in during july so I haven`t done a full year of seasons but I have degradable black mulch at the ready

LilacPixie

just a mini vent... apolgies for not posting in ages.. been busy having my own little baby but she is 4 weeks now so back too it.. ANyway we have moved house an new house back garden was basically fency to fence shrubs.. evil thorny shrubs mixed with IVY and random big bits of pampas grass. the hubby been ripping at that area for about 10 days now weekends and after work and its almost tere but not quite.. I have zero idea what i will be doing with the space though.. planing some containers on the patio with herbs, salad, strawbs and potatoes though, proabably tomatoes and maybe peppers too.

We still geting snow and harsh frosts here, today I did manage to visit the allotment today, first time since the hefty snow at the end of last year. Ground is still mostly frozen, water still off etc but it looks like about 10 hours work to get all green manure dug over and beds topped up. I don't have enough compost at the allotment to top them all up, I must get on to local council and enquire as to cost of compost from them. I really need to start to plan out allotment for this year..

Too much going on I fear

Dustykitten

New log store is complete and I'm one very happy bunny.

Weather wasn't great today so all I've done is sown my runner beans. Planning on doing half an hour each day this week either outside or inside seed sorting/sowing depending on weather.