Do I really spend to much on food?

mumto1_2

You have to be careful about complimentary growing if thinking of putting climbing plants through a tree... ivys will choke a tree, as will many clematis plants - my neighbour has lost her plum tree through another meighbour's clematis growing through it.

patchwork_cat

Montana by any chance, mum to 1 ? Seriously vigorous!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

In my defence, I would argue that the hawthorn opposite my bedroom window has been there for 50 years (according to the oldest neighbours) with ivy climbing up it for about 48 of those years. But, nevertheless, that kind of information is why I suggest looking on the Greenfringered Board for expertise!

se999

I like the individual shapes and texture of each plant so not really into the climbing up each plant idea.

Crux have you looked into sprouting seeds and beans yet. I've had major success with beans in the past,lots of supermarkets aren't good on really fresh beansprouts etc...

On the seed front, at the moment sitll using too too many seeds and result in too much despite halving the quantities. But the texture of alfafa sprouts etc does seem nice in salads and sandwiches, just got to get the quantities right.

ceridwen

mumto1 wrote: »

You have to be careful about complimentary growing if thinking of putting climbing plants through a tree... ivys will choke a tree, as will many clematis plants - my neighbour has lost her plum tree through another meighbour's clematis growing through it.

Plants will vary as to whether its advisable to use them for that purpose or no obviously.

Trying to recall which type of food plants I have read about that work well for producing food that way and dont overwhelm the tree - have a vague idea that kiwi might be one of them? I'm wondering whether passion fruit might be another? ('fraid I didnt remember too well just which plants it is that work well in that context).

crux

I've been aware of sprouting seeds for ages and never got around to doing any, a bit like cress, it's something I overlook.

Do they need a lot of light? My windows are full of tomatoes and other plants at the moment.

If you have a quick guide to growing them, then I'm game for giving them a try.

greenbee

ceridwen wrote: »

Plants will vary as to whether its advisable to use them for that purpose or no obviously.

Trying to recall which type of food plants I have read about that work well for producing food that way and dont overwhelm the tree - have a vague idea that kiwi might be one of them? I'm wondering whether passion fruit might be another? ('fraid I didnt remember too well just which plants it is that work well in that context).

Passion fruit grow like weeds, so are ideal for poor soil etc, but would probably overwhelm a fruit tree or bush. Growing them up something you intend to kill however that's a great idea!

ETA - sprouting seeds - no special equipment needed, and not really that much sunlight! if you need to stop them growing, bung them in the fridge. I LOVE alfalfa and broccoli sprouts, and sprouting seeds are available pretty much everywhere

se999

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

The birds will thank you for it!

We didn't mind because the blosson looked nice, but the birds were a bit naughty, they ate the fruit on the morello cherry tree, but left the stones dangling on the stalks

Our birds thanked us my eating everything, and leaving us with the stones :rotfl: We had to clean up after them!!!!!

ceridwen

crux wrote: »

I've been aware of sprouting seeds for ages and never got around to doing any, a bit like cress, it's something I overlook.

Do they need a lot of light? My windows are full of tomatoes and other plants at the moment.

If you have a quick guide to growing them, then I'm game for giving them a try.

There is a specific website with loads of free info about sprouting seeds - I think (?) the name of it might come up if you google "sproutman"????

The basic idea is put a dessertspoon or so of whatever seeds you wish to sprout in a sprouter container and pour a glass or so of water through twice a day and several days later - voila - loads of sprouts. I frequently come across instructions for using a jamjar or similar with some sort of square of muslin or similar fashioned across the top with a rubber band holding it in place and also "watering" twice a day.

I just found it easier to just buy myself a couple of sprouting sets of dishes and I use those if required.

They dont seem to require much light in my experience.

EDIT: YEP - think thats it:

https://www.sproutman.com

se999

crux wrote: »

I've been aware of sprouting seeds for ages and never got around to doing any, a bit like cress, it's something I overlook.

Do they need a lot of light? My windows are full of tomatoes and other plants at the moment.

If you have a quick guide to growing them, then I'm game for giving them a try.

I fly back tomorrow to the UK, and then will be trying the seeds again once we've unpacked again, so will update. Maybe someone else will pop in before then with some more experienced ideas.

On the light front, I'm not sure if it's like bean sprouts, where if you expose to light you can get a different taste. So lots more experiments needed here.