Living in the South - what are you up to?

BinkyTheHorse

Farway wrote: »

May be more growing space available at Fratton Park soon

ouch!:p

message too short

Genuisscuffy

Hello I'm just outside Portsmouth and I've been gardening for about 15 years and veggies for the last three! I'm using a system called Square Foot Gardening (by an American called Mel Bartholomew which you can google) and I have three 3ft x 6ft beds. Last year I grew 34 different veggies in this plot which just about kept me and two teenagers fed through the season. My little plastic greenhouse is full to bursting at the moment with toms, courgettes, asparagus peas, runners, cues and and have raspberrys, lettuce leaves, garlic, onions, spring cabbage, sprouting broc, beetroot, pak choi, mangetout, rhubarb, radishes,potatoes (in sacks) and carrots growing outside at the moment. If you have got the time and not much space this way of growing is really good (you dont dig, you dont thin out plants and only grow what you are going to eat so no waste!!) I keep thinking I will plant some out and then look at the forecast and it is still going below 5degrees at night so will wait a little longer - the last frost date is meant to be 1 May where I live so will give it another week or so just to be sure.

BinkyTheHorse

Genuisscuffy wrote: »

Hello I'm just outside Portsmouth and I've been gardening for about 15 years and veggies for the last three! I'm using a system called Square Foot Gardening (by an American called Mel Bartholomew which you can google) and I have three 3ft x 6ft beds. Last year I grew 34 different veggies in this plot which just about kept me and two teenagers fed through the season. My little plastic greenhouse is full to bursting at the moment with toms, courgettes, asparagus peas, runners, cues and and have raspberrys, lettuce leaves, garlic, onions, spring cabbage, sprouting broc, beetroot, pak choi, mangetout, rhubarb, radishes,potatoes (in sacks) and carrots growing outside at the moment. If you have got the time and not much space this way of growing is really good (you dont dig, you dont thin out plants and only grow what you are going to eat so no waste!!) I keep thinking I will plant some out and then look at the forecast and it is still going below 5degrees at night so will wait a little longer - the last frost date is meant to be 1 May where I live so will give it another week or so just to be sure.

I'm reading that book at the moment - I'm going to have a bash at this.

Did you make up his growing mix or did you simply use compost? It looks quite expensive if you use his recipe.

It's good to hear that you had a lot of success with Square Foot Gardening - I feel a little more confident reading it worked well.

Genuisscuffy

I did use different bags of compost eg grow bags as well as normal bags of compost and yes i did get one big bag of peat (as it holds the nutriants and you never need any ever again) and loads of vermiculite (makes the compost free draining)
Its been eyeopening - whats the point thinning veg - thats food you are chucking away!! Originally it was for my Mum (who I cared for and was disabled) but later used it in the beds. Yes its worked for me so good luck!!

Farway

Genuisscuffy wrote: »

Hello I'm just outside Portsmouth .... I keep thinking I will plant some out and then look at the forecast and it is still going below 5degrees at night so will wait a little longer - the last frost date is meant to be 1 May where I live so will give it another week or so just to be sure.

Traditionally the safe date is Wickham Fair, which is around 20 May normally

But like you I reckon mid May should be fine here

xxvickixx

Hi, I've been lurking so thought I'd introduce myself, I'm Vicki from Essex so will be interested to see what the other Southerners are up to.

I just planted out my "chancing it" runner beans. I have back ups a few weeks behind if the frost gets them but it would be so lovely to have early beans this year!

When is it likely to be OK to plant tomatos outside? I'm desperate for more room in my little green plastic greenhouse lol!

parsonswife8

I am in Kent...and our rocket, spinach and mint, have come back and growing well, from last year.
We have had an abundance of purple sprouting broccoli for the past 3 weeks, just from 3 plants in the ground.
You cut it and 3 days later you can harvest more.
We have planted all our seeds for the summer, tomatoes, baby tomatoes, gem squash, courgettes, chanternay carrots, more spinach, beans, peas, coriander, parsley, red chillies, dill, basil, salad leaves, courgettes, peppers, etc.
Aren't homegrown veggies and herbs just to die for!

Chimera

parsonswife8 wrote: »

I am in Kent...and our rocket, spinach and mint, have come back and growing well, from last year.
We have had an abundance of purple sprouting broccoli for the past 3 weeks, just from 3 plants in the ground.
You cut it and 3 days later you can harvest more.
We have planted all our seeds for the summer, tomatoes, baby tomatoes, gem squash, courgettes, chanternay carrots, more spinach, beans, peas, coriander, parsley, red chillies, dill, basil, salad leaves, courgettes, peppers, etc.
Aren't homegrown veggies and herbs just to die for!

Right that's just convinced me I'm growing some purple sprouting broccoli this year - love the stuff, and was wondering if it was worth it

artydoll

I live in mid glamorgan,South Wales
i planted carrots straight into the garden last September time,and nrver saw a one of them
This morning I noticed a little row of carrots in amongst the primroses.
They sure took their time,will they be alright,or should I resow them?

pookiewn

Hey,
Have been following this thread and are very interested in what other's are doing I'm south west londonish/ surrey.

Think this is my third season of growing veg, at least attempt at it! The first year was an utter disaster, one green tomato harvested.

However, this year I have the bug, perhaps addiction! So I'm in the progress of re landscaping the garden (it was/is a bit of a mess to say the least!), have managed to get one bed ready where french beans, mange touts, parsnips, red and white onions and garlic are growing. There is room still for some summer and winter purple sprouting brocolli and a couple of pumpkins growing up the ash tree! I the pots I have two types of carrots, Butternut sqaush, a small rosemary plant, some mint, three types of tomatos companioned with basil. There is also a green and red grape also companioned with basil and oregano. Ooo and the gogi berry is bursting out of it's rather large pot too.

Gosh it sounds like rather alot on "paper" and there's still more seedlings to put out.

With a little luck there will be a little more to harvest this year :rotfl: