Veg to plant in April and things to do.

cootambear

Raspberry_Swirl wrote: »

Went outside for the first tidy up of the year last weekend to discover that my 4-tier plastic greenhouse needs a new cover as the pastic on the cover has rotted away in a lot of places Looked on Ebay but for some reason I don't seem to have a standard or even extra wide sized one so none of the covers on there will fit.

I really wanted to get seeds planted this weekend, but won't have cover by then, unless I just buy a whole new frame (which I don't really want to). With all the little holes in the plastic cover, I don't think enough warmth will be trapped in there so do I need to wait? I can start a few things off on windowsils, but not everything.

Just when I was feeling motivated as well

Get some clear plastic and patch the holes, fixed with superglue?

ginvzt

Any wrote: »

Which cucumber are you growing? I cannot find any that is not climbing one in the shops...

It is Marketer. I would love to grow some gherkins, but might just see if I have any space left and then buy the plants if I find any.

So, I cme home and put my carrots in. 1 row (about 30") of chanteney red cored and 1 of autumn king. Radish: 1 row of pink beauy and 1 row of french breakfast. 1 row of beetroot.

Also, transplanted some of the salads from one container - will see if the slugs have a feast of will be some left for me as well... Need to get some Nematoides to give it a go in my raised beds. Next on the list...

ginvzt

Raspberry_Swirl wrote: »

Went outside for the first tidy up of the year last weekend to discover that my 4-tier plastic greenhouse needs a new cover as the pastic on the cover has rotted away in a lot of places Looked on Ebay but for some reason I don't seem to have a standard or even extra wide sized one so none of the covers on there will fit.

Where did you get your frame from? I know Wilko does replacement covers - did you have a look for the size?

If you think of trying selotape - it doesn't work. Just unsticks and that is all - I had one of the small tunnels (botanico pro, I think) and it broke at the seams, tried to stick it together with no luck. In the end, left it for 'natural ventilation'.

Sally_A

Ginvzt - gherkins were on my to do list, but I could never find any cheap enough seeds for a first year try out.

When I was in Chepstow Garden Centre I noticed a Mr Foth's stand - all for £1.49 named Vegetable Explorer brand - the variety is Cornichon de Paris, a french heirloom variety. 20 seeds in the packet (I got 27 )

I'm sure I've seen them cheaper on the www, but as i just popped in for a "comfort break", thought it was only polite to buy something. :cool:

It says to pick at 2 inches for the sweetest flavour, or allow to grow on for a slicing cuce. Says perfect for pickling on the front of the pack, but you'd need loads ready at the same time to do that, and I don't know how prolific they are yet: I'm growing 3 - 6 plants.

Can be sown March to June for a July to October harvest, so worth doing some successional sowing I reckon.

matt987106

i had to pot on my cucumber tonight ( from seed tray to cup )

every seed came through ( which is strange ) and i now have 12 cucumber plants

ginvzt

Thanks Sally!!!!

The suggested variety in 'my book' (river cottage) is Vert Petit de Paris. But I will try any other.

My grandpa used to grow cucumbers (not the long varieties you see in the shops here) and I love the fresh one from the plant, on its own, with sugar or with honey... I managed to get all of 1 cucumber last year, but how much I enjoyed it!!!!

Any

ginvzt wrote: »

Thanks Sally!!!!

The suggested variety in 'my book' (river cottage) is Vert Petit de Paris. But I will try any other.

My grandpa used to grow cucumbers (not the long varieties you see in the shops here) and I love the fresh one from the plant, on its own, with sugar or with honey... I managed to get all of 1 cucumber last year, but how much I enjoyed it!!!!

I would rather small cucumbers too. My grandpa also grew them, my grandma pickled them - I remember when I was little my grandpa planted 50mx20m just with cucumbers!! But that was in warmer climate.

I had cucumbers 3 years ago (but the long thin ones) and my brother didn't believe I can grow them in North West (weather) so even though I had only 3 I left one for him when he comes to visit - and when he did we discovered that even though it was looking great from the outside it was completely hollow - eaten by slug!!!

I've never tried cucumber with sugar or honey? I like mine sprinkled with sea salt or dipped in dips.

Have you tried cold cucumber salad? You grate cucumber (either on large grater or thin thin slices part of the grater), season it, leave aside for 20 mins (it will let out lots of water) and add 1 little pot of sour cream and mix well... very refreshing in summer and is gone fast when having BBQ for friends...

Any

Oh, just found these... These look like the ones my grandpa used to grow! I ordered from this seller before as well..
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CUCUMBER-GHERKIN-PICCOLO-DI-PARIGI-50-SEEDS-/280651694381?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item415825012d

Hmm, but I don't have a greenhouse...

ginvzt

Any wrote: »

Oh, just found these... These look like the ones my grandpa used to grow! I ordered from this seller before as well..
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CUCUMBER-GHERKIN-PICCOLO-DI-PARIGI-50-SEEDS-/280651694381?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item415825012d

Hmm, but I don't have a greenhouse...

I have just ordered them - before seeing your post. I don't care if I don't have a greenhouse. Well, I got a plastic thing.

We grew up eating wither cucumber and sour cream salad, or cucumber and tomato with sour cream, or even with some salad leaves mixed in.

Oh, what a lovely days....

Any

ginvzt wrote: »

I have just ordered them - before seeing your post. I don't care if I don't have a greenhouse. Well, I got a plastic thing.

We grew up eating wither cucumber and sour cream salad, or cucumber and tomato with sour cream, or even with some salad leaves mixed in.

Oh, what a lovely days....

I used to have a plastic thing.. Until a wind destroyed it and now I got new pots/raised beds I haven't got the space for it. But I suppose I could just try and get hold of some big glass bottle or something and put it over each plant until the summer comes... I only have a space for 2-3 plants anyway.. If one could just guarantee we finally get nice summer! The last two were pants up here.

That's an idea.. Getting excited!