veg growing Newbies- Feb 2010! lets learn together!

katholicos

dodster2008 wrote: »

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.

Welcome to the forum :-)

This is my first year as well and i really do think it is very much trial and error....learning from our mistakes etc.

I left my radishes in the ground too long and some of mine went spongey inside too so i had to toss them on the compost heap. I think the trick is to sow seeds every couple of weeks or so that way their doesn't end up being a glut of them and then no new ones growing for the following month.

I'm not growing rocket so can't advise you on that, sorry.

mrbadexample

ausmummy wrote: »

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

Is that 36" across the top for the big one? Coz for a tenner that's a good deal - I want to try and make a little bog garden out of one.

kimmee

dodster2008 wrote: »

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.

Hi dodster - I've been growing rocket for the first time and I was harvesting leaves as and when. I didn't cut the whole plant, is that what you did? I'm guessing it wont re-grow if you have cut the whole plant. My rocket seems to bolt fairly quickly, but I have been sowing every 2 weeks so I have a continual supply.

As for radish the same applies, sow every 2 weeks or so like kathalicos says. I harvest mine fairly small (you can pretty much tell when they're ready to harvest). As for overwatering, it is trial and error and learning from your mistakes (which I have made quite a few!!!)

All the best

ausmummy

mrbadexample wrote: »

Is that 36" across the top for the big one? Coz for a tenner that's a good deal - I want to try and make a little bog garden out of one.

36cm not inch. I'm guessing they are giving the diameter of the top not the bottom so 36cm across the top. I didn't really pay much attention to them in store so can't really comment. I wish I had really while I was there. Just to say when buying do have a good look as some had loose bits of wood.

lolly5648

kimmee wrote: »

As for radish the same applies, sow every 2 weeks or so like kathalicos says. I harvest mine fairly small (you can pretty much tell when they're ready to harvest). All the best

I haven't a clue when my radishes will be ready. I saw a red stalk and pulled one up but it was just a red root, no swelling. will the leaves die back or something?

Same with carrots - pulled one up and nothing there.

There must be some way to tell.

Lolly

PS I tried to replant the carrot and it flopped, obvious doesn't like having its roots disturbed. Radish seems OK

mrbadexample

ausmummy wrote: »

36cm not inch. I'm guessing they are giving the diameter of the top not the bottom so 36cm across the top. I didn't really pay much attention to them in store so can't really comment. I wish I had really while I was there. Just to say when buying do have a good look as some had loose bits of wood.

:doh: Glad I checked in before I went to get one....

I though a tenner was ridiculously cheap for a 3' barrel. I am keeping an eye out for one to make a little bog garden, with some carnivorous plants.

mrbadexample

lolly5648 wrote: »

There must be some way to tell.

You'll know.

They seem to push themselves out of the ground:

scotsaver

lizbethr wrote: »

Just read post about thinning out carrots, when are you supposed to do this?, doh I wonder if I am too late?
.

I've been thinning mine since last week, can just see them below the compost so started pulling them and using them like Crudites in dips when we've had salad/bbq for Dinner. Going out to thin the last of them tonight when we have a BBQ - just love how sweet and crunchy they are and so much nicer than anything from the Supermarket.;)

Got a problem with my Onions - the ones at the Allotment are fine, they are really huge and look healthy, however the Onions I have grown in the Garden seem to have gone to seed as they are really small and have a bud/flowerhead appearing out the top - does anyone know why this would have happened?

mutley74

I have an overgrown raised bed:rotfl:
pak choi and courgette leaves everywhere, plus lots of salad leaves, carrots, brocolli, swede, beetroot and masses of coriander!

I notice that courgette flowers only last for a about 2 days before dying. hence need to be picked of the end of the courgette carefully, otherwise some of mine wilted in the heat. How long should black beauty courgettes before picking them?

alliwantistosave

Hi everyone

I have been very distant on here for the past few months but we have been very busy with the growing.

We have dug up our first potatoes tonight and they are currently cooking
Our lettuce that wasn't picked has now bolted so we now to try and replant more.
I agree with Mrbadexample that you will know when your radishes need picking. I love them in my salad's and sandwiches

You all seem to be doing great I will try and catch up more soon