veg growing Newbies- Feb 2010! lets learn together!

mrbadexample

Ok, so while I'm showing off, these are the other two varieties I'm growing:

Iranian Round (a taller plant, a little over 2' I think):





Purple Venezuelan (supposedly quite rare, this one's about 18" from the top of the compost):



And the fruit are tiny. I've seen bigger peas:



But the whole plant's a lovely dark purple - doesn't come across too well in the photos.

mrbadexample

heynonnynonny wrote: »

I'm off to check out the website now and possibly not buy anything :whistle: :whistle:

Just make sure you get them all in one go. I ordered my initial selection of seeds, then decided I wanted a couple of extra packets. That's when I found out about the £8 minimum order, so had to buy even more.

I'm aware that I keep harping on about the Real Seed Catalogue, so I should point out that I have no connection with them whatsoever. I just like what they do. I like the way they stick two fingers up to the European Union, and continue to supply their members (don't worry, membership is 1p a year) with some fantastic-looking heirloom varieties. They actively encourage seed saving, so that you don't have to go back to them for more. They're a not-for-profit company, and all their seed is guaranteed:

"No matter what you choose, you should expect excellent germination, fantastic growth, and great flavour.
We work hard to choose good varieties and grow good seed - we take pride in supplying the best available.
And we want you to feel that you can really rely on it - so here is our unique guarantee:

If you are in any way not completely happy with your seeds, plants, or even the taste of the resulting crop,
we will cheerfully replace your seed or refund your money - whichever you prefer."

Can't really argue with that, can you?

kimmee

I had a look at the real seed website as recommended by MrBE and it looks fab, wonderful selection of chillis and peppers. Didn't look at much more as I could hear the credit card screaming but I will definitely order from there later on in the year. Thanks MBE.

heynonnynonny - did you manage to resist?

ausmummy

I've just been to homebase and added to my collection. Scored some a tray of broad beans for 75p, a 'blueberries and cream' lavender plant and these wooded troughs. A nice haul of bargains really.

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=20001&partNumber=130995&Trail=searchtext>WOODEN

heynonnynonny

Kimmee I resisted seeds, but ausmummy I've gone online and reserved 4 of those wooden planters - they are lovely!!

heynonnynonny

Disappointed - had a phone call from Homebase to say they couldn't find the stock anywhere - gutted! Glad they let me know though. but wanted those wooden ones!!

lolly5648

ausmummy wrote: »

I've just been to homebase and added to my collection. Scored some a tray of broad beans for 75p, a 'blueberries and cream' lavender plant and these wooded troughs. A nice haul of bargains really.

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=20001&partNumber=130995&Trail=searchtext>WOODEN

Are the troughs deep enough for veg or are they really for flowers or herbs? They seem to have a lot in my local one in London.

ausmummy

You couldn't grow root veg (well maybe baby carrots) but I think they are big enough for say three lettuces or similar. They are deeper than basic troughs but prob designed for flowers and herbs.

I can't find the camera, so thinking of a visual reference we all have to hand (literally) I thought I'd measure in credit cards.

2 credit cards high
2.5 credit cards wide
5 credit cards long long

So probably ideal size for a dolls cot.

There's some creative descriptions for you. Hope that helps.

Heynonnynonny sorry to hear that. They do have them in different sizes in store. At mine they had a pretty large one for (I think) £20 and 2 different size round ones all in the same design. They don't seem to have the offer on in store though. I went to check the size before collecting my reserved ones and they had a couple on the shelf for £10. The ones I collected had new stickers stuck on them with the online offer wrote on. The CS staff said that they were hoping I wouldn't collect so that they could buy them instead lol.

I have 4 and still haven't decided what to use them for. :rotfl:

ausmummy

Oh found the round ones

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=20001&partNumber=822781&Trail=searchtext>WOODED&c_1=1%7Ccategory_root%7CGardening%7C16849255

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=20001&partNumber=829088&Trail=searchtext>WOODED&c_1=1%7Ccategory_root%7CGardening%7C16849255

dodster2008

Hi all,

Sorry to crash your chat, but I've been lurking and after watering my first year's crops tonight, have a question! My rocket doesn't seem to be regrowing, do I need to plant more seeds, or am I cutting it wrong?

Also I lost my first crop of radishes after having 3 out of the planter, they were really spongy and I think I over watered. Is there any quick way of judging this, or is it just trial and error?

Thanks for any help.