August Update: What are you growing in 2006? Tips for fruit/veggies/flowers

Marisan

Since acquiring an allotment back in March (which was badly neglected and waist high in weeds) hubby and I have grown potatoes (Rocket,Arran Pilot and Maris Bard earlies and Desiree maincrop) carrots,onions,beetroot,runner beans (disappointing year) French beans,peas,(forgotten how delish these are!)broccoli,parsnips,swedes coming on nicely as are sprouts.

It is a fantastic hobby - fresh air,exercise,wholesome food,a huge help to those trying to LBYM (live below your means) and all the other members are so friendly and helpful.

Get digging,folks.

Josiegirl

This is my first year at growing potatoes, had a bit of a bandicoot today and pulled out a nice little kipfler. But it was covered in tiny white pimples, is this normal?

Cheers,
Josie

Icemaiden

:j I'd almost given up hope but my toms have started to ripen, got about a dozen yesturday:j

Squidgy

Hi this year I have grown: peas, spinach, broccoli, lettuce, two types of potatoes, rocket, swiss chard, pumpkins, spring onions, leeks, parsnips, beetroot, carrots, tomatoes and sweet peppers all in my back garden. I don't really have time to go to an allotment as I have two small children and work at the weekends. All seem to have done really well.

To the person who asked about saving seeds from their butternut squash:- it's best to buy fresh seeds as you don't know what dieseases there may be lurking, but if you really want to save them then you need to wash them to get all the squash flesh off and then dry them. Probably putting them in some kitchen paper and putting them on the radiator would do the job.

For peppers / chillis:-
Obviously you can use them green. It's best to take them off of the plant when they are big enough and let them ripen under glass (but not in full sunlight). Leaving them on the plant will slow further production, as the plant will be putting all it's energy into turning the fruits red (yellow or purple) and the smaller fruits won't grow so quickly.

Hope this helps.

Squidgy x

katyk_2

frugglewump wrote:

The basil was just from a supermarket pot, but is now about 3 times the size. We didn't use much of it because it was more for keeping out the flies.

Does this work well Frugglewump? :T

We live quite close to a river and get heaps of those tiny little flies coming into the house which are a real pest.:mad:

Resorted to buying a couple of fly-eating plants this year - a Drosera Capensis which has tiny hairs on each long tendril that are sticky and smell good (if you are a fly, anyway), and the good old favourite Dionaea Muscipula or Venus Fly trap. The drosera has worked like a little gem and has caught literally 100's of them, even managing to hold firm to a couple of bluebottles although they usually seem strong enough to breakfree from the sticky hairs. Unfortunately I have come to the conclusion that I have the laziest Venus FT in the world - all she has had to eat this summer are flies I swat then feed to her, tickling her mouth to make it close on the poor insect....:rolleyes:

I love the scent of Basil - if this works well it would be definite plus to growing some. (don't suppose I would still have time this year?)

Kantankrus_Mare

Marisan wrote:

Since acquiring an allotment back in March (which was badly neglected and waist high in weeds) hubby and I have grown potatoes (Rocket,Arran Pilot and Maris Bard earlies and Desiree maincrop) carrots,onions,beetroot,runner beans (disappointing year) French beans,peas,(forgotten how delish these are!)broccoli,parsnips,swedes coming on nicely as are sprouts.

It is a fantastic hobby - fresh air,exercise,wholesome food,a huge help to those trying to LBYM (live below your means) and all the other members are so friendly and helpful.

Get digging,folks.

Well done to you!! Youve accomplished far more than me and my friend have considering we got allotments about the same time.

We are still clearing weeds on ours!!

But I do have a nearly full time job as well.....would much rather be down the lottie though.:rolleyes:

Nobjocki

Listen,I know I'll probably get hounded to death over this one but all I really want to grow is some top quality dope.
Given that half the people I know are doing it what is the easiest way ?

BASIL

my toms are finally turning red also - cant believe it almost given up hope!!!
however think ive done in the courgette plant as accidentally cut of the stalk with the flowers on instead of courgette when i was out there the other night.... lesson learnt - collect veg in the daylight not at night!

my pepper plant is producing little friut which is great and ive had some french beans - not exactly a bumper crop but who cares!

x_raphael_xx

Nobjocki wrote:

Listen,I know I'll probably get hounded to death over this one but all I really want to grow is some top quality dope.
Given that half the people I know are doing it what is the easiest way ?

I dont do it myself, but a friend of mine does.
Aparently its really difficult, they need special uv lighting or something.
The internet is always a good way of getting info.

*zippy*

We have grown sweetcorn this year and have quite a few cobs, they are supposed to be the mini type, but the cobs look quite large for little ones?? and are still growing.

Please could anyone tell me how I know when they are ready to be picked?

And if I leave them to grow will they become normal sized cobs?

Thanks