Preparedness for when

AnimalTribe

Westcoastscot Marshalls sell it, but it's out of stock. They do offer to let you know via e-mail when they get some more in. The only other place I could find was Pennard Plants, but they are out of stock too (and I've never used them).
I am also trying to get together perennial varieties. Although I have to say I must be one of the world's worst gardeners. I haven't grown anything successfully at my current house. But I live in a remote cottage - battered by high winds and usually sunk by deep winter snow. I'm surrounded by sheep that nibble anything that dares to poke it's head through my fence. I also support the large local rabbit population. Most hill walkers who get this far think we are mad - I think I am extremely fortunate.
Next year I'm going to make a determined effort to beat the beasties and grow some stuff. I saw a great idea on this thread about a bottle garden against a wall - sorry I don't know who posted it - but it has inspired me. I have an appropriate metal grill to attach to the wall, and I'm steadily collecting bottles. Next year I will beat the rabbits.
Does anyone know if painting the bottom of the bottles black would help the plants to grow?

AnimalTribe

MrsLurcherWalker thanks for the tip about the matches. I have the jar, I have the cotton balls, I have the matches. I shall go and sort it now while I have a cuppa. I've a tendency to procrastinate if I don't do things immediately. I'll add a lighter to my shopping list.

mardatha

RAS I'm interested in this kale too, we've had minus 19-20 here a few times and anything that tough I want! I have some Borecole (?) growing outside and will pick that through the winter as it's handy in soup.

RAS

mardatha wrote: »

RAS I'm interested in this kale too, we've had minus 19-20 here a few times and anything that tough I want! I have some Borecole (?) growing outside and will pick that through the winter as it's handy in soup.

mar

In early 2010 we had two months below freezing except one brief spell which meant that plants were bereft of their snow cover and frozen and late 2010 when we went from full leaf to minus 19 almost over night so sap froze as plants had not drawn down the sap.

The survivors were

The kale and broccoli mentioned.

Swiss chard Lucellus but not the coloured ones. Came away after the temperature rose.

Land cress and corn salad.

Garlic also survived.

Cabbage stalks froze and then keeled over in the thaw and they rotted from the core.

mardatha

I lost everything, and yes I can mind rotten cabbages too lol

lillibet_dripping

mardatha wrote: »

RAS I'm interested in this kale too, we've had minus 19-20 here a few times and anything that tough I want! I have some Borecole (?) growing outside and will pick that through the winter as it's handy in soup.

:eek::eek::eek::eek: MAR and KALE:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Now there's two words I never thought I would see in the same sentence!!!

Karmacat

AnimalTribe wrote: »

Next year I'm going to make a determined effort to beat the beasties and grow some stuff. I saw a great idea on this thread about a bottle garden against a wall - sorry I don't know who posted it - but it has inspired me. I have an appropriate metal grill to attach to the wall, and I'm steadily collecting bottles. Next year I will beat the rabbits.
Does anyone know if painting the bottom of the bottles black would help the plants to grow?

That sounds interesting, AT! Are the bottles pushed into the soil to make a wall, or do you knock their heads off to plant in them? Do tell - and about the wire grill too, I've got one of those knocking around as well

ginnyknit

Thank goodness I am sitting down - Mar and kale - you are right Lillibet its a scary concept! I popped a kale plant in a bag that had spuds in originally and was only half full of compost thus the plant was protected from the elements and grew very well all winter. Of course Manchester suburbs arent quite as cold as the wild hills of Scotland.

I saw a note somewhere that if you use a kilner jar and put sandpaper (black) on top of the lid you can use it to strike the matches on.

99p lamp has been glowing perfectly for 96 hours now on cheapo batteries, not that I didnt believe you Bob just wanted to experiment too very impressed.

Memory_Girl

Was it me? I can't remember?

However - when the plants came in they seemed to provide enough shade for their roots - and we got masses of food off a small fence panel sized "Hanging Garden"


I will definitely be doing it again next year - probably tripled my productivity.

MG

Karmacat

Aha! Thanks MG! I don't think any of my fences would take it ... thinking about it, tho, I *do* have a few feet of trellis on brick walls ... that might do for salady plants, just in the summer. Got to make the most of the garden soil, first

Okay, I have a plan