Help MBE grow his dinner 2010

mrbadexample

Well, I guess it's time for a progress report:

The Mantis tiller has gone to a supplier in Stockport for reconditioning, as apparently it's the only way it's gonna get sorted. MBE snr has kindly donated it to me, so once it's done, it's mine. Can't wait to get it back because I'm desperate to dig another bed.

The weather's been reasonable - nice drop of rain the other day to top up my water butt and save me watering. Nice this afternoon / early evening so I managed to get the lawn cut again.

This is what my dinner's looking like so far:

Spuds are starting to flower:





I now have two nice big bags which are earthed up as much as I realistically can. I've added a handful of chicken poo pellets to each bag as a bit of feed. Can't wait for the results.

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As you may have guessed, I am absolutely delighted with my chillis:



Pretty in purple - fruit all over the place:



Iranian round:



Purple Venezuelan:



The only thing I don't know is when they'll be ready. As it's my first year with any results at all, I've no idea how big they get.

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In the recycling bins:



Top left, carrots. Top right, invisible celery. Hopefully it will be visible soon.
Bottom left, spring onions. Bottom right, walking stick kale seedlings in fox-proofed box. Once again, my mate has managed to get ahead of me, so they have a fair bit of catching up to do.



Top left, beetroot. Top right cauliflower.
Bottom left, different carrots. Bottom right, parsnips.



Top left, turnips. Top right, new radishes. Previous lot mysteriously disappeared. :drool:

Was pleased to see that the turnips are coming on nicely:

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Gooseberries are looking good:



Gave them a handful of chicken poo pellets too, along with the rhubarb.

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On the left, four of the cauliflower seedlings in what should be their final position. Next to them, white beetroot. On the far right, not-dead runner beans.

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And the tomatoes. I'm still convinced there's something horribly wrong with them, but they are flowering. Time will tell I guess:





I think the best looking ones are the millefleur (yellow cherry tomatoes), which seem least affected by the problem:





Certainly plenty of flowers, anyway.

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Still composting everything I can:



And a bloke from work's promised me a couple of bags of fresh horse manure / bedding, so that'll go in too. Looks hopeful for next year.

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Finally, the sarracenia have produced some nice new pitchers:



Although I can't help thinking it's a bit of a harsh reward for any insects that make it into the greenhouse to help with the pollination.

katholicos

I'm really impressed with how well everything is coming along for you, MBE. The things you have growing in the recycling boxes are doing particularly well. Well done! Please continue to do the photo updates, I enjoy them.

lemonjelly

All going swimmingly for you MrBE!:j

I still have nothing flowering! No idea why. That said most of the plants are coming along fine, & there is plenty of time...

One or 2 of the sprouts I've put out are struggling a little, but I'm not giving up hope.

The beans are doing ok - I'm encouraging them to grow up the nets.

Tomato plants look really good - I'm actually going to have to donate a couple to good homes, as more sprouted than I thought.

I need to plant out my courgettes. I yhink that the cucumbers need a few more weeks in the greenhouse to get a little bigger, & then I'll put them out too.:)

Seen the forecast MrBE? Thunderstorms for the weekend, & a fair bit of rain!