veg growing Newbies- Feb 2010! lets learn together!

donnaw30

Hi everyone, I'm new to growing veg too this year (and flowers from seed lol) and am aiming high, waiting to spectacularly crash and burn when the temperature rises i'm sure!
I started early on seeds, bought some that said start from Jan onwards, so 29th Jan me and my 3 little kiddies spent ages-sowed them in the bottom of 4/6 pint milk cartons with holes put in-thin layer of broken polystyrene then vermiculite/compost mix. Started initially on my kitchen sill before i had a think and decided it wasnt warm or light enough, so now they are in my dining room-accross the entire front window, as it's 2.6m long-and has a radiator running most of that underneath, so nice and warm.
We planted Sweet Peas, Orange peppers (from one we ate) sweet california peppers, marmande tomatoes, gardeners delight tomatoes, cucumber, french marigolds and aubergine (think thats it!) they've done so well-had to repot them all about a week ago and put supports for the sweet peas as they're getting big. they're getting proper nice big leaves, rather than the seedling ones, but I have run out of space and really want a cheapy small greenhouse now haha. Just worried about them all dying, so may just end up keeping them inside, where they seem to like it!
I found REALLY cheap seeds in Jan in the Works (of all places) they were selling the Johnsons ones for 3 for £1, so went a bit crazy and have so much more to start planting as soon as i have given some of the extra plants away and made some space on the sill! Sorry, rambling, but i've really been enjoying reading everyones' posts on here, thought it was about time i joined in!!
Donna

Tibbie's_mum

WestonDave wrote: »

My tried and tested method!

Get a seed tray with no holes in (more accurately called a gravel tray) (Wilkos is as cheap as anywhere and you can reuse them) and put either 12 toilet roll tubes in a half size one or 24 in a full size one.

Next take one 4 pint plastic milk bottle as sold in most supermarkets (other sizes will probably work) and cut the "square" bottom part off just below the handle which will leave you with a funnel with a handle on it. The spout of what was the bottle is the right size to fit in the toilet roll tubes and enables you to fill your tubes without getting loads of it in the bottom of the tray. Provided your compost is reasonably dry it will flow in nicely.

Sow the seeds and top up if required.

I've done beans (runners, french and broad) peas, sweetcorn and currently got peppers in them. You can have more than one set of seeds starting in the same seed tray as long as you can remember which is which - different shape cuts in the top of the tube is probably best as writing will disappear over time. Some things like carrots or parsnips don't like being moved so are better started straight in the ground.

You're a diamond! What a fantastic idea, so glad I read this before planting my loo rolls tomorrow, I was thinking I'd have to fill them all by hand with tablespoon. Only thing is, it was recycling day yesterday so I'll have to go in search of an empty milk container.

lunar

I have just got out my b&q propergator that we got for £10 and have put pots in containing my cucumber seeds and some chillies, hopefuly it will give them a good start.

I used toilet rolls to start off my garlic which seemed to work really well. all i did to fill them was scoop them through a bucket of compost with my hand over the bottom. I might have a go at posting some pictures later on.

Optimist

If you wish to grow some rare taste good, non EU approved veg then I heartily recommend The Real Seed Company Link Here

lunar

Some of my seeds are from here, I cant wait to see the results.

Optimist wrote: »

If you wish to grow some rare taste good, non EU approved veg then I heartily recommend The Real Seed Company Link Here

Mrs_Flittersnoop

Megansmum wrote: »

Hi,

I believe you fill the whole tube with compost to almost the top, sow your seed and cover with a thin layer of compost. I will be trying this way for the first time this year too.

Stand them up next to each other in a container that has edges - to keep them in and to stop water getting out -

The idea is that when you are ready to plant out in the ground you just put the whole tube in the ground, then the roots aren't disturbed and the cardboard will compost down.

I assume it's better for things with deep roots, sweetcorn etc....

Thank you so much Megansmum! That's what I will try then, good luck with yours too!
Mrs F x

treepotato1

donnaw30 wrote: »

We planted Sweet Peas, Orange peppers (from one we ate) sweet california peppers, marmande tomatoes, gardeners delight tomatoes, cucumber, french marigolds and aubergine (think thats it!) they've done so well-had to repot them all about a week ago and put supports for the sweet peas as they're getting big. they're getting proper nice big leaves

Wow! Nice work! Good luck with all that! I really want to grow or aubergines but dunno if I have the room...Did you know they are actually fruit? They're berries!Courgettes are also fruit I believe.

Frenchies are great but be warned - they're like Fish Suppers for slugs! Another tippie - as soon as a wee bud shows on yer Frenchies - pluck it off and keep doing so for a while and you'll get massive loads of flowers! This is about my only gardening tip!

Am I not right in thinking you definitely NEED a greenhouse to grow tomatoes in? Or do you live in Spain or something?

Megansmum

asquiths wrote: »

Hi all,
chillis (no sign of anything yet!)???
peppers (no sign of anything yet!)???

ok well all seems to be going well, however the cress, radish and lettuce have gone wild they are now touching the top of the propergater!

What do i do? Should i repot them into the containers i'm planning on putting outside and just keep the on the kitchen windowsill till it warms up?

Thanks in advance xx

Heres hoping the sun comes soon!!!!!

Chillis and peppers don't worry - if they've only been in a week, plenty of time to come up yet!

i would re-pot the cress, radishes and lettuce - but i'm not experienced in growing them - so more than happy to be corrected....

well done on everything though!!:D

lynzpower

:wave: Hiya all

Ok I now have the Mr M buckets (sorry to anyone on the search in camberwell I got the last ones ) I am the proud owner of 2 lots of them :j

I think im almost set up now and ready to go!

Am I right in thinking we can now plant outdoors BROAD BEANS and BLUEBERRY PLANT?

hex2

treepotato1 wrote: »

Am I not right in thinking you definitely NEED a greenhouse to grow tomatoes in? Or do you live in Spain or something?

Gardeners Delight will perform ok outdoors if they get enough sun so no you do not need a greenhouse for certain varieties :T