Help MBE grow his dinner 2011

mrbadexample

:hello:

Well, here we are again. Happy New Year to all.

As I got such helpful advice and assistance last year, I'm kindly going to allow you lot to help me out again. Plus the thread keeps me motivated. I'm more likely to get off my butt and do something if I think people are watching. :rotfl:

To top up my seed supplies, I have ordered the following from the Real Seed Catalogue:

"Wenks Yellow Hot" chilli
"Lemon Drop" chilli
"Verdi Marchigiano" green cauliflower
"Tender & True" parsnips
"Galina" tomato (early, yellow cherry variety)
"Red Cluster Pear" tomato (small, pear-shaped variety)
"Jaune Obtuse de Daubs" yellow carrot

This is just to supplement my existing stock of seeds, which I hope will still be good this year (with the exception of the parsnip, as these don't last more than a season, apparently).

Jobs I need to do are:

Get my Mantis tiller running again.
Dig another vegetable bed.
Build another compost bin.
Start forcing the rhubarb.

This year's competition is to grow the longest runner bean by Halloween. This year I have two opponents instead of one. Seeds from a variety known as "Long As Your Arm" (LAYA) have been kindly provided by djohn2002uk, and distributed evenly between the competitors.

Lessons I think I have learned from last year:

Don't try to put too many tomatoes in the greenhouse, as it will promote [STRIKE]powdery mildew[/STRIKE] botrytis.
Tomatoes grown outside should be ok.
Don't sow the tomatoes or runner beans too early, as they will be affected by the last frost.
One tub of parsnips is not enough.

Here's to a good growing year. :beer:
MBE

Sally_A

Congrats on keeping going!! :T

Tell me; did you have a complete home grown dinner in 2010?

mrbadexample

Sally_A wrote: »

Congrats on keeping going!! :T

Tell me; did you have a complete home grown dinner in 2010?

No, because I haven't worked out how to grow meat yet.

However, I haven't bought a tomato since about August, and with the exception of the odd onion or two, which I didn't grow, managed to go about 5 months without buying any veg at all.

I'm not saying that was money-saving though, as the amount I spent on compost, seeds and other materials may well have outweighed what I produced. However, as the years go by, I expect this balance to slowly tip more in my favour.

Can't beat the taste though. :drool:

Sally_A

It will get cheaper over the years, and I agree that you cannot beat the taste. Just wish I had more success with carrots as young carrots taken from the ground surpass your wildest thoughts of what home grown can taste like.

What crops have you planned for 2011?

PS. Re the meat - nothing to stop you swapping some home grown for local meat or eggs :cool:

mrbadexample

Sally_A wrote: »

What crops have you planned for 2011?

Pretty much the same as last year really, but I'll have another proper go at swede, I think.

Sally_A wrote: »

PS. Re the meat - nothing to stop you swapping some home grown for local meat or eggs :cool:

I don't see much local meat or eggs in Walsall. (Although I guess that doesn't mean there isn't any, I just don't see it!)

misskool

is it that time of the year again?

mrbadexample

misskool wrote: »

is it that time of the year again?

Yes.

What are you growing with me?

Sally_A

50 - 70 potato plants
20 chilli plants
12 cucumber plants
100 sweetcorn
4 french bean wigwams
2 runner bean rows
lots of mangetout plants
60 parsnips
100 leeks
10 sprout plants
50 broad bean plants
12 courgettes
24 tomato plants
6 sweet pepper plants
6 aubergine plants
basil, tarragon, sage, dill, rosemary, parsley, dill, fennel, thyme.
10 squash/pumpkins
shallots/onions - about 100

Also want to succeed with cauliflowers, cabbages, carrots, swedes.

PS. Forgot the 180 garlic cloves planted Oct/Nov 2010

soul619

Sally_A wrote: »

50 - 70 potato plants
20 chilli plants
12 cucumber plants
100 sweetcorn
4 french bean wigwams
2 runner bean rows
60 parsnips
100 leeks
10 sprout plants
50 broad bean plants
12 courgettes
24 tomato plants
6 sweet pepper plants
6 aubergine plants
basil, tarragon, sage, dill, rosemary, parsley, dill, fennel, thyme.
10 squash/pumpkins
shallots/onions - about 100

Also want to succeed with cauliflowers, cabbages, carrots, swedes.

wow thats a lot of veg! this is my second year

Sally_A

Am also growing for next door too....have use of their garden and greenhouses since Mr Next Door passed away last year. Hope I can do his widow justice, will miss him greatly - for tips and also a bit of friendly competition.

mrbadexample

Sally_A wrote: »

50 - 70 potato plants
20 chilli plants
12 cucumber plants
100 sweetcorn
4 french bean wigwams
2 runner bean rows
60 parsnips
100 leeks
10 sprout plants
50 broad bean plants
12 courgettes
24 tomato plants
6 sweet pepper plants
6 aubergine plants
basil, tarragon, sage, dill, rosemary, parsley, dill, fennel, thyme.
10 squash/pumpkins
shallots/onions - about 100

Also want to succeed with cauliflowers, cabbages, carrots, swedes.

That's a lot.

What sort of chillis & tomatoes are you growing? What can you tell me about leeks? How do I grow them? When do you plant them? When are they ready?