Help MBE grow his dinner 2011

Fay

Well done you-my pretty in purple said something similar about germination rates and to plant all 20...out of which I have 7 plants, quite a low rate. Next year I plan to get a heated propagator. My early jalapenos are going well though, but are being beaten by my bell and sweet peppers!

mrbadexample

Fay wrote: »

Well done you-my pretty in purple said something similar about germination rates and to plant all 20...out of which I have 7 plants, quite a low rate. Next year I plan to get a heated propagator. My early jalapenos are going well though, but are being beaten by my bell and sweet peppers!

Ahh...that might be the secret. I have a cheap little propagator that I've put a little heat mat under. It seems to do the trick quite nicely.

I have sown a few Pretty in Purple, but nothing doing yet.

In my somewhat twisted, optimistic little world, I'm thinking "I know I'm at least a month behind with my chillies, but they germinated in 5 days instead of 4 weeks, so I've caught up nearly a month." :rotfl:

:shhh: Don't tell me different and spoil the illusion.

Mrs_Veg_Plot

Evening all. Thanks for the advice a few pages back about spuds. They are all planted now so fingers crosses.

Dad had put in my second raised bed and will be putting a third one in for me to use as a strawberry bed. He is using old roof joists to edge them with.

OH ordered top soil to fill them with as it would take forever to generate our own compost. Hope we have not imported lots of weeds with it. WIll have to wait and see what comes up.

The dining room table is groaning under the weight of seedlings.

Tomatoes (Red Robin, Pomodoro, Tigerella, Cherry Fox, Red Cherry)
Courgettes
Sweetcorn
Climbing beans
Aubergines
Peppers
Cucumbers

The greenhouse has also got seedlings growing well
Leeks
Cauli
Cabbage
Brocauli

Veg Plot 1
Raddish
Onions (red and white)
Garlic
Purple sprouting brocauli

Did put parsnip seeds in plot 1. Followed the instructions on the packet but nothing has happened. Not sure if its worth trying again. I have never grown parsnips before.

Hav sown basi and oregano but again with o success. Does anyone have any tips for growing basil from seed. I love it and use a lot so would really like to grow my own.

Sally_A

I just sprinkle a few basil seed in a pot, indoors, every now and then. It comes up a treat at this time of year, and whole basil leaves can be nipped of and frozen if you fear the plant is becoming too old.

Successional sowing is the way to go for windowsill basil

Mrs_Veg_Plot

Forgot to ask in my previous post what site do you need to look up when the predicted last frost will be in your local area?

Mrs_Veg_Plot

Thanks Sally A. Do they need any particular care or do you just sow, water and leave them to grow?

Sally_A

Can't remember, but i know around here is 20th May-ish. There is a link on another forum, the poster is offline at the mo, but if I can get a link I will post a s a p.

annie123

Mrs_Veg_Plot wrote: »

Forgot to ask in my previous post what site do you need to look up when the predicted last frost will be in your local area?

http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/main/weather1.asp

remember it's only a guide but its a good starting point for the first few years of gardening until you get to know your micro climate.

mrbadexample

Mrs_Veg_Plot wrote: »

Did put parsnip seeds in plot 1. Followed the instructions on the packet but nothing has happened. Not sure if its worth trying again. I have never grown parsnips before.

Parsnips can be fairly slow to germinate. The seed is supposed to be viable for only one season. If your seed is fresh, hang in there - it might still happen. If it was old seed, start again, I reckon.

Strapped

Mrs_Veg_Plot wrote: »

Thanks Sally A. Do they need any particular care or do you just sow, water and leave them to grow?

In my experience, basil is very easy - just sow & water. Can't stop the stuff growing! It has a tendency to shoot, so you can pinch out a bit if you like or just do as MBE suggests ie pick and freeze if the plant starts looking too old and leggy.

I've been pricking out petunias and lobelia for the last couple of days - no cooking will be happening in the kitchen for the next month 'cos I can't get near the worksurfaces anymore.