Story of Hugsville Patch

Nelmer

Hi Smoffi,

I have just read your thread with interest and will be watching eagerly! Hubby and I are just about to acquire our first allotment and are in the stages of planning what to do, a bit late I think but better than never!!

Keep up all the good work and I'll share any experiences with you as we have them!

Nelmer

Can you tell me...we have ready access to horse manure, is this okay to dig into the soil? Thanks

Smoffi

Yes dig it into the soil.. but spread VERY thinly.. do some of the patch.. not all..
some veggies do not like that richness and it is also very hot stuff

Plan your veggie patch layout on paper many times before doing.. also don't make the same mistake as me and plant too close..read the packet.. lol

katholicos

I've enjoyed reading your thread so far and will continue to read it. I'm a first time fruit and veg grower and look forward to reading more.

Smoffi

Todays planting list so far and they are all in pots in the back room to avoid the cold at the moment lol.. wife not happy!!

Water Melon x 6... Broccoli x 12... Chilli x 12... Cauliflower x 12.... Lettuce x 12... Cabbage x 12... Beetroot x 12... Dwarf Bean x 6.... Rocket x lots.... Sweetcorn x 36... Squash x 12.... Courgettes x 6.. Peas x 36...

Still have more to start off..

Jobs for tomorrow (hopefully).. digging the garden.. sorting out both mini greenhouses and seeing what has survived the frosts recently..
Other veggies to plant..

Might try some veggies straight into the soil outside and covering it over with fleece....

Smoffi

Compost has been mixed in with the whole patch..
24 tomatoes plants, all about 1 inch big, have been planted outside. Watered and covered over with protective covering from the cold.. fleece.. LETS SEE HOW THEY GO!! I find it better to trial things and see.. maybe I put too many outside.. I shall bring a few inside in the morning

Will be planting seeds:
Radish - (Outside)
Spring Onions - (Outside)
Carrots - Little Finger - (Outside)
Carrots - Early Nantes - (Outside)
Chard - (Outside)
Pak choi - (Outside)
Tomato - Tumbling Toms (Inside)

Smoffi

The experiment of putting the toms straight in the patch earlier last week was a failure.. they froze and died..

Lesson learnt: wait at least a week before putting things in the patch outside to ensure the frost has passed!
Also sow more in pots ready in advance!

Back room is now overcome with pots and with the heating in the house on.. they are all shooting up.. just make sure if you do grow anything inside your home water is daily!! The heat in the house dries the soil quicker than outside. also allow fresh air into the rooms during the day!

Will post pics when I have got around to it of how the backroom looks and what is growing

also gents... keep your wife from nagging you.. grow food she likes as well and keep pointing out how well its growing and how much she will like it when its all done..

Smoffi

Well it took a week and a bit for the wife to cave lol..

Here is my new purchase.. yet to arrive. and when it does I shall provide my feedback on here about it as well..
Greenhouse!!!!

More on growth in the backroom: What has sprung!
Squash 1 out of 8
Broccoli 10 out of 12
Pea 32 out of 36
Cauliflower 4 out of 12
Pepper 0 out of 12
Rocket alot!!
Cucumber 6 out of 12
Sweetcorn 13 out of 25
Pumpkin 0 out of 6
Courgettes 1 out of 11
Lettuce 6 out of 12
Cabbage 0 out of 12
Tomato 0 out of 32
Beetroot 1 out of 12
Dwarf Beans 0 out of 6
Water Melon 0 out of 5

So far none of these are ready to plant out as they have just broken the surface of the pots.. photos will follow later

Remember different veggies take longer than others to start to grow..
Do not be disheartened!

knithryn

Smoffi
I've only just started to read your thread. I too use my shed roof, though mine is bigger than yours. Luckily, having had to struggle with tiny plastic greenhouses for the last years, Other Half has now put in a concrete base and I shall soon be ordering a 'proper' greenhouse.
I love the pictures, they really help to show what can be achieved in a small space.
I shall be reading regularly now and trying to emulate what you do, but without the broccolli... or cabbage...and I'm astounded you dared to put the toms out.... up here it was -6 degrees a couple of nights ago!

Smoffi

Pics of the backroom greenhouse growth!!

http://yfrog.com/jxdscf2256jx

Click on each little pic to show a bigger one.. and then on that to see the fullsize image..

You can't see the growth too well on the small starts.. but it is there lol..