Grow your own dinner 2014

Lifes_Grand_Plan

Hi guys, have been growing my tomatoes and courgettes on a sunny windowsill for the past few months and have recently been (for the last 5 days) putting them outside in the daytime and bringing back in at night to harden them off.

Spoke to someone at work today who said I should just plant them out now as the night time temps are so mild.... is that good advice or do I need to keep hardening them off for a bit longer?

Happygreen

suzeesu2000 wrote: »

Thats handy kittie, will add that tip to my "book of knowledge". I know, as brother is a homeopath, that nettle tea aids a sore throat (providing you can stand the taste!!) Good idea to use something you otherwise would rid your garden of.

We eat nettle tops (smuggled into "real spinach") :rotfl:. I did not know the sore throat tea, we use sage tea with lemon and honey for that. Nettle brew is loved by tomatoes, so I put some leaves under the suffering seedlings. Don't think I'll bother with T & M's plants again, looking at the label the parcel had been on the road for over a week. I'd look sad if they did that to me! :eek:

suzeesu2000

Happygreen wrote: »

We eat nettle tops (smuggled into "real spinach") :rotfl:. I did not know the sore throat tea, we use sage tea with lemon and honey for that. Nettle brew is loved by tomatoes, so I put some leaves under the suffering seedlings. Don't think I'll bother with T & M's plants again, looking at the label the parcel had been on the road for over a week. I'd look sad if they did that to me! :eek:

Well you're a braver man than i Gungadin! I dont think I quite fancy nettle :rotfl:

I am definitely going to try the nettle brew for my toms though. I would so much rather not use anything chemical on anything we are going to eat. Doesnt seem quite right.

[Deleted User]

Lifes_Grand_Plan wrote: »

Hi guys, have been growing my tomatoes and courgettes on a sunny windowsill for the past few months and have recently been (for the last 5 days) putting them outside in the daytime and bringing back in at night to harden them off.

Spoke to someone at work today who said I should just plant them out now as the night time temps are so mild.... is that good advice or do I need to keep hardening them off for a bit longer?

Depends where you are. I am in SW and have put courgettes out but under protective net to break the wind, which is fierce on the allotment. All my tomatoes are out now at home in a sheltered garden. All in black buckets with growpots on top. Tomatoes are fine down to 6 degrees, courgettes like it a bit warmer. No squashes out yet and no frenchies but runner beans are out and again protected by wind break net

Happygreen

my early Courgettes move from greenhouse into polytunnel. Later ones can try outdoors , Cucumbers, tomatoes and squashes stay indoors. I've never had much success outdoors with either as Scottish summers are a bit unpredictable. Courgettes need hand pollinating indoors, the loving touch

suzeesu2000

Happygreen how do you hand pollinate please?

hambo04

This year gone a bit mad with trying to grow flowers and vegetables. Easiest for me is potatoes and watercress so doing that. Apple and nectarine tree which probably would show any signs of fruits for another 1-2 years. A few varities of Spinach, pumpkin, runner beans, peas, garlic, onions, and strawberries from a hanging basket. Hope to get a good crop from these.

Happygreen

suzeesu2000 wrote: »

Happygreen how do you hand pollinate please?

with a wee paintbrush - male flower first then into a female, touching the middle or even use a finger as long as some yellow powder sticks to it it will work. I started doing this because waiting for the bees just gave me lots of small rotting (unfertilised) fruit.

suzeesu2000

Happygreen wrote: »

with a wee paintbrush - male flower first then into a female, touching the middle or even use a finger as long as some yellow powder sticks to it it will work. I started doing this because waiting for the bees just gave me lots of small rotting (unfertilised) fruit.

Thank you. How do you tell the boys from girls cos none of mine are in trousers or carrying a handbag :rotfl::rotfl:

Do I have to peep under their little leaves? I have never sexed a plant before :eek:

Happygreen

suzeesu2000 wrote: »

Thank you. How do you tell the boys from girls cos none of mine are in trousers or carrying a handbag :rotfl::rotfl:

Do I have to peep under their little leaves? I have never sexed a plant before :eek:

:rotfl:

this should explain it with pictures!

http://completegarden.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/how-to-hand-pollinate-courgette-flowers/