May Update: What are you growing in 2006? (Tips here for Fruit, Veggies and Flowers!)

Kazonline

Hi All. Well you inspired me to give it a go and I'm looking forward to spending the day in the garden with my youngest tomorrow, planting and sowing today's purchases. I bought 3 small strawberry plants that are for hanging baskets, a tumbling tom, and several packs of seeds from liddle (thanks Morph). Lettuce, courgette um - can't recall the others just now.
RE dishwater, my ex MiL swore by dishwater - the wash liquid apparently helps detter greenfly so she recomended squirting the roses with it. A real whizz in the garden that lady.
Tempted to give the potatoes in a bin thing a go too as I have a redundant plastic bin - I know it's been asked, but I can't find the answer - do I need specific seed potatoes or can I just use some that have sprouted at home?
Thanks for the advice and inspiration all!
Kaz x

Katinkka

I just got an allotment! This site is good for veggie growing tips. https://www.allotments4all.co.uk

BASIL

to Linda32 thanks for that - im going to try - will soon find out. ifanything dies i'll let you all know! :rolleyes:

Lulubells

Thanks for that Reverie. I have been searching around for something to do the spuds in - don't think it'll be cost effective if I have to buy a bin etc !! really wanna do it though...I looked at the seed potates in homebase yesterday and they were £1.74 a bag - the only thing is there were quite a few varieties and I got confused .... !!???!?!?!

lewlew_2

hi all ,
i wonder if anyone could help me i really want to grow chillies and peppers and i havent go a clue where to start ,do i buy seeds or try to find plants and how do i grow them .
many thanks .

reverie

Lulubells wrote:

don't think it'll be cost effective if I have to buy a bin etc !!

At last years Gardeners World show, I went to see Alan Titchmarch (is it weird that I have a really big crush on him? ) and he showed potatoes that he had been growing in plastic bags, 1 plant per bag. The bag was the size of a small sandwich bag but was black (to keep them in the dark I imagine) and he got quite a few potatoes out of it. Maybe you could improvise with something similar?

Re varieties, tbh I have no idea. There are different varieties for different times of year. Perhaps you could try googling. Or in the store try and find a helpful assistant?

xueta

lewlew wrote:

hi all ,
i wonder if anyone could help me i really want to grow chillies and peppers and i havent go a clue where to start ,do i buy seeds or try to find plants and how do i grow them .
many thanks .

Hi lewlew,

Just google for "chilli seeds" and you'll find lots of useful sites.
Some of the companies I've used for chilli seeds are https://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk https://www.chileseeds.co.uk and https://www.chillifire.co.uk

I would recommend growing from seed as opposed to buying plants, as chillies are annuals and paying £3 per plant for maybe a handful of chillies is a little excessive.

Growing chillies is rather like growing tomatoes - only chillies require constant warmth (often 30deg C) to germinate and may take several weeks before the first shoots appear. You'll need a sunny windowsill or greenhouse.

Good luck!

lewlew_2

thanks xueta:T

Kazonline

Just a quick warning to you all - I planted my strawbs out today so expect the frosts to return! The sun started to go in as soon as I started planting:rolleyes:
Must run in the family - the neighbours used to laugh that you could tell the weather by my mothers laundry, rain was guaranteed if she hung hers outside to dry! lol
Anyway - back to the real topic of the thread (sorry) I now have growing

Strawberries (temptation) 3 in a wall basket (finally put up by me - only taken 4 years!)

Zuchini Diamant F1 Courgette seeds sewn today, now on windowsill (usually v.warm)

Lettuce Iceburg & other (can't remember) also from seed

Thymus officinalis again seeded in trays.

Quick question - my clear lids for the trays are badly yellowed, should I replace them or will the sunlight still get through just as well?

Quick tip - make an excellent mini wattering device by drilling several small holes into the lid of a plastic bottle.

Came up with this today when I realised that I didn't have anything suitable for wattering - guess the MSE ways are finally rubbing off - I'd have gone off to buy a small watering can previously!!:eek:

LizD_2

Well, I took the plunge and have planted courgettes, carrotts and salad leaves in some containers outside. I'm on the south coast, so pretty sure we're safe from frost, but will keep an eye on weather forecast! Also planted some tomatoes, but they're sat on the windowsill to germinate. They'll go outside later, when they've sprouted. Wish me luck!