Help MBE grow his dinner 2012

Little_Vics

my my my, we're a grumpy lot!

I have flowers on my toms
I have peppers on my pepper plant
I have flowers on my quince
I have flowers on my strawberries
I have flowers on my sugar snaps (although they appear to have migrated towards each other for support rather than the canes)

AND I have potatoes. Even if I didn't plant them. Or want them.

RedLass

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

It's because it's chuffing cold out there. Chuffing cold. Chuffing damp. Chuffing windy.

Lotus-eater wrote: »

I suspect your cucumber has been chomped, either on the stem, or the roots.

Today was dry and sunny but my cuc didn't perk up. In fact, it got half eaten in the night by something that left a trail, and throughout the day got even droopier. I've just dug it up and had a good look, can't see anything bug like (other than a ladybird and they're friendly, right?), or any strange blemishes on the leaves. The roots look.. well.. like roots.. I cut the main stem in half and it's not milky or gunky. All in all, I don't *think* it's been a case of pests or disease, just pure disgruntlement as Sambucus suggested, and who can blame it? Dunno why it's pal isn't so sad though, given the same conditions. Matter of time perhaps? Hope not

On the plus side tiny swede seedlings are going full steam ahead and all have their first true leaves. Tomato plants are also looking stronger than ever, and the first flowers are starting to open.

Little_Vics wrote: »

my my my, we're a grumpy lot!

I have flowers on my toms
I have peppers on my pepper plant
I have flowers on my quince
I have flowers on my strawberries
I have flowers on my sugar snaps (although they appear to have migrated towards each other for support rather than the canes)

AND I have potatoes. Even if I didn't plant them. Or want them.

It's been a grumpy couple of days Sounds like things are going well in your plot, lots of flowers brings lots of hope for a bountiful harvest. Where are your potatoes coming from? A previous years remnants?

RedLass

mrbadexample wrote: »

Here's one of the sarracenias I bought, so you can see what I mean. I'll keep the other plants under my hat until the whole thing is complete. I think it's going to look great.

This looks fantastic! These plants are amazing, I think it's so clever how they've evolved to look so beautiful and inviting for little unsuspecting creatures. I have no idea what the other plants are like, but I can see already it's going to look brilliant.

I don't quite understand the whole bog barrel thing though... with the tube, and the tap...

RedLass

annie123 wrote: »

Question I have found 2 more Ponca squash seeds, should I have a gamble and sow them now? or is it too late and better to hold onto them for next year?

Much as I would love to be able to, I can't even begin to answer that. Have you grown squashes before? Do they tend to be difficult or quite straight forward?

annie123

RedLass wrote: »

Much as I would love to be able to, I can't even begin to answer that. Have you grown squashes before? Do they tend to be difficult or quite straight forward?

Yes I've grown them before but they are very weather dependant, ie they like warm temps and sun, and as I've no greenhouse I've had nowhere to keep them out of the cold winds, temperature and rain.
Last year just as the first one was looking good something chomped right through the stem overnight, I was gutted.

Well as this year has been the wettest ever here in London and one of the dullest too I'm going to take a gamble and plant both seeds on Saturday. The gamble being that the end of the season is warmer/sunnier than usual.
I'll buy more seeds for next year.
Otherwise I've got a very big gap to fill and there's only so many lettuces, spring onions, beans and peas, and courgettes we need.
Thinking on it I'd allowed for 2 plants so might plant some armpits of the tomatoes, can't make enough pasta sauce for the winter months.

And the 2nd sowing of kohlrabi has been muched, so not bothering with them again.

Did get another 3 raspberries tonight:D hubby miffed I didn't share but it's his fault for getting home after me;)

Sambucus_Nigra

Little_Vics wrote: »

my my my, we're a grumpy lot!

I have flowers on my toms
I have peppers on my pepper plant
I have flowers on my quince
I have flowers on my strawberries
I have flowers on my sugar snaps (although they appear to have migrated towards each other for support rather than the canes)

AND I have potatoes. Even if I didn't plant them. Or want them.

I picked broad beans, victorian purple podded peas, yellow mangetout, an onion, lettuce and some strawbs today. And had a potato harvested yesterday. All eaten for tea.

Won't be harvesting anything for a few more days though - set in for rubbish weather again. Harrumph.

I've done another sowing of lots of things, mainly those that have been munched or have just given up the ghost. Will be sorting the greenhouse out to house them over the next few weeks until big enough to go out. Surely by then.....some semblance of summer?

Bearing in mind we are only a week away from the longest day.

:eek:

mrbadexample

RedLass wrote: »

I don't quite understand the whole bog barrel thing though... with the tube, and the tap...

Essentially it's just to make sure it stays wet. There is a water reservoir to ensure that the substrate is always moist. The tap is so I can drain off water id required - e.g. over winter so it doesn't freeze. I can't wait for a few nice days so I can plant it up.

mrbadexample

annie123 wrote: »

Yes I've grown them before but they are very weather dependant, ie they like warm temps and sun, and as I've no greenhouse I've had nowhere to keep them out of the cold winds, temperature and rain.
Last year just as the first one was looking good something chomped right through the stem overnight, I was gutted.

The squash given to me by the squash fairy seems to be doing quite nicely, although it's only been outside for a couple of days. It's still got time to sulk.

mrbadexample

And if I'm lucky, I might get a turnip this weekend.

greenval

You sound like Baldrick MBE!