Gardening in Yorkshire

carebearbecky

Well I planted some peas and tomato seeds out today in the greenhouse. It's probably far too early, but I couldn't resist the lovely sunshine!!!

otterspasm

Hi Little Vics and all,
I've been lurking a bit and thought I'd say Hi. I live in the Calder Valley and have a small allotment. We took it on last year and it was all virgin ground so although we successfully grew some broad beans, potatoes, courgettes and tomatoes, we spent most of our time digging out stones, rubble and glass from the soil and improving the soil with manure and compost. This year we have put in some raised beds and have a fruit end with 2 blackcurrants, 4 raspberries, 2 gooseberry bushes, and 2 rhubarb plants. We are hoping to also grow cabbages, onions, lots of potatoes (earlies are in already), runner and french beans and a few parsnips and beetroots. not much planted out yet which is a blessing as snow forecast for tomorrow! How wierd after the lovely sunshine we've had recently. Still it makes for interesting gardening lol.

I have planted some Patty Pan seeds as a substitute for courgettes this year (they are on my windowsill at the mo) I don't want to end up putting them out too early....when do you guys plant out courgettes to avaiod frosts?

:-)

s_glover

otterspasm wrote: »

Hi Little Vics and all,
I've been lurking a bit and thought I'd say Hi. I live in the Calder Valley and have a small allotment. We took it on last year and it was all virgin ground so although we successfully grew some broad beans, potatoes, courgettes and tomatoes, we spent most of our time digging out stones, rubble and glass from the soil and improving the soil with manure and compost. This year we have put in some raised beds and have a fruit end with 2 blackcurrants, 4 raspberries, 2 gooseberry bushes, and 2 rhubarb plants. We are hoping to also grow cabbages, onions, lots of potatoes (earlies are in already), runner and french beans and a few parsnips and beetroots. not much planted out yet which is a blessing as snow forecast for tomorrow! How wierd after the lovely sunshine we've had recently. Still it makes for interesting gardening lol.

I have planted some Patty Pan seeds as a substitute for courgettes this year (they are on my windowsill at the mo) I don't want to end up putting them out too early....when do you guys plant out courgettes to avaiod frosts?

:-)

Welcome. We've recently move close to the Spen Valley / Calder Valley so can't be far from you.

You wouldn't believe the change inw eather from last to this week!!

Looking forward to hearing about your growing.

I haven't planted my courgette seeds yet, maybe this coming weekend. Wouldn't put them out unprotected until all fear of frost has passed which is probably mid May.

alleycat`

otterspasm wrote: »

I have planted some Patty Pan seeds as a substitute for courgettes this year (they are on my windowsill at the mo) I don't want to end up putting them out too early....when do you guys plant out courgettes to avaiod frosts?

:-)

May time for me (if i can be patient enough).
I always start some too early and they get killed by a late frost.
I never, ever, learn that lesson.

otterspasm

Lol...yes I think you are both right. I always plant out the seeds too early too and I think they might end up all leggy and I'll have to start again. I'll keep them on my windowsill for now and will see how they cope with waiting til may. I didn't plant all of the seeds so I can pop some more into pots later in april ready for planting out in May if I need to.

The weather is nuts isn't it? Really warm last week and I've got the stove going today cos its chilly and snow on the way. At least the plants outside are getting watered today :-)

Thanks again x

otterspasm

Welcome to the area s_glover :-). We are close to Hebden Bridge and moved here about 4 years ago. Its great. Hope you settle in well and enjoy it x

Datchet

Hi there, we are avid veg gardeners and N Yorks based. Some great advice here, esp starting late! do keep persevering. You may need to invest ( cold frame, brassica cage) but keep going. start with easy stuff; green beans courgettes etc. Tomatos & lettuce under glass. Take care of your soil and read up on what plants like what soil.
If you try an exotic ( IMHO sweetcorn oop' dale is an exotic!!) dont be too dissappointed if you get nowt...
Try; Spuds, Kale, Jerusalem artichokes, onions, bulb fennel, try Chard instead of lettuce - it grows all year. etc are all good. We did cucumbers last year and were not optimistic, but those under glass "Evermore" were superb - too many to know what to do with! the packet said you could grow outside in the UK - outside all but one died...

carebearbecky

Well frantic plant rescue is completed; lets hope that kitty doesn't get into them all!!!

alleycat`

otterspasm wrote: »

The weather is nuts isn't it? Really warm last week and I've got the stove going today cos its chilly and snow on the way. At least the plants outside are getting watered today :-)

Thanks again x

You've got a stove?
I'm not jealous much :whistle:

s_glover

Well all the plants in our garden are well and truly burried under several inches of snow. Think it's ruined all the daffodils too, mind you they were past their best anyway!