Grow your own dinner 2014

annie123

Thank you for the dog proofing ideas. I've stuck some 2' tall canes in with netting weaved through them. The dogs aren't as tall as that so hopefully they'll get the message. I can't put anything solid up as it will block the sun out so fingers crossed this will work. I'll try to find something nicer at a later stage.

I picked and had for supper my 1st cucumber of the year :j Very early for an outdoor one, well it is for me.
Had courgettes too, which had hubby mumbling 'oh they've started already have they!'
Finished the last of the red raspberries, a few yellow ones yet to ripen, but those are early too.

Everything else looking good so far which makes a change for me.
I've decided not to plant my leeks out 'till the dogs have been here for a few days to make sure the barrier works. I've only got 12 so don't want to lose them.

Fruittea

Hi there
I'm not a member of this group but often pop in to see how people are getting on. About Kale. This might be helpful for you.


Easy-to-grow by direct seed or transplant. Frost-tolerant and winter hardy. Wants evenly moist soil and will grow in full sun or with partial shade. Can be planted in spring, late summer and early fall in succession plantings for nearly year-round harvest. Flavour imporves in cold weather. Plant Seeds: Direct seed or transplant after danger of hard frost 1/2" deep, 1" between seeds, in rows 18" apart. Soil Temp: 50-85 F. Days to Sprout: 5-17 days. Thin To/Mature Plant Spacing: 12". Companions: beets, carrots, dill, lettuce, onion, spinach, tomato, nasturtium, cilantro. Days to Harvest: 45-60. Seed Viability: 4-5 years.


It's supposed to be one of the best kales. I'd put some in now and then very late - so you have kale right through to next summer. Lucky you.

Happygreen

Fruittea wrote: »

Hi there
I'm not a member of this group but often pop in to see how people are getting on. About Kale. This might be helpful for you.


Easy-to-grow by direct seed or transplant. Frost-tolerant and winter hardy. Wants evenly moist soil and will grow in full sun or with partial shade. Can be planted in spring, late summer and early fall in succession plantings for nearly year-round harvest. Flavour imporves in cold weather. Plant Seeds: Direct seed or transplant after danger of hard frost 1/2" deep, 1" between seeds, in rows 18" apart. Soil Temp: 50-85 F. Days to Sprout: 5-17 days. Thin To/Mature Plant Spacing: 12". Companions: beets, carrots, dill, lettuce, onion, spinach, tomato, nasturtium, cilantro. Days to Harvest: 45-60. Seed Viability: 4-5 years.


It's supposed to be one of the best kales. I'd put some in now and then very late - so you have kale right through to next summer. Lucky you.

you are a member of this group now , thanks for the more concise guidelines to my "throw the seeds in any time" approach :rotfl::rotfl:

Fruittea

Thanks for the welcome Happygreen. Hello everyone I'd like to join you. I must say I really enjoying reading the thread and hearing about everyone's ideas and have been lurking for a while.


I have a small allotment plot 13 x 65 feet, which I've owned for about 4 years.
I mainly grow the usual things and am also keen on preserving and bottling. Anything over I sell at the gate to my neighbours. So far this year I've made the grand sum of £39.50.


But the money we all save is incredible - this year, for fun, I thought I'd try to add it all up using Tesco prices. Should be fun!


Now to brag a bit - for the first time I have the first runner beans on my allotment!

Happygreen

Fruittea wrote: »

Thanks for the welcome Happygreen. Hello everyone I'd like to join you. I must say I really enjoying reading the thread and hearing about everyone's ideas and have been lurking for a while.


I have a small allotment plot 13 x 65 feet, which I've owned for about 4 years.
I mainly grow the usual things and am also keen on preserving and bottling. Anything over I sell at the gate to my neighbours. So far this year I've made the grand sum of £39.50.


But the money we all save is incredible - this year, for fun, I thought I'd try to add it all up using Tesco prices. Should be fun!


Now to brag a bit - for the first time I have the first runner beans on my allotment!

I fully agree - it's incredibly rewarding to eat your own - and the hard graft is healthy exercise! Congratulations on your profit!:T

zafiro1984

Fruittea wrote: »

I have a small allotment plot 13 x 65 feet, which I've owned for about 4 years.
I mainly grow the usual things and am also keen on preserving and bottling. Anything over I sell at the gate to my neighbours. So far this year I've made the grand sum of £39.50.

But the money we all save is incredible - this year, for fun, I thought I'd try to add it all up using Tesco prices. Should be fun!!

Think I may join you in adding up all the savings - like you say "should be fun"

I sell eggs at the gate to neighbours, wouldn't take much to sell vegs but I think that will have to be next year as I'm far behind at the moment.

Just off out to do some watering now the sun has backed off a bit, but must make some scotch eggs for tea first.

CAFCGirl

RAIN!
Huzzah

Discovered my very first runner bean yesterday, well there were lots of little pods but this one was ripe for harvesting. Longer than a pair of scissors

There's lots of flowers, lots of smaller pods on them, and my french beans have produced as well (only just noticed - opps) So far about 5-6 at the right for of length.

Makes me feel pretty chuffed with myself. I know its only beans and thats the first thing you're directed to grow as a newbie, but I am a newbie and I managed it so woohoo!



Hope everyone has a productive slug free day

Dizzy_Ditzy

CAFCGirl wrote: »

RAIN!
Huzzah

Discovered my very first runner bean yesterday, well there were lots of little pods but this one was ripe for harvesting. Longer than a pair of scissors

There's lots of flowers, lots of smaller pods on them, and my french beans have produced as well (only just noticed - opps) So far about 5-6 at the right for of length.

Makes me feel pretty chuffed with myself. I know its only beans and thats the first thing you're directed to grow as a newbie, but I am a newbie and I managed it so woohoo!



Hope everyone has a productive slug free day

Well done :T

There'll be no stopping you now

Happygreen

Hi all,
I'm asking for advice today -
my broad beans have grown very tall and have a good crop on them. Still, I'm a bit worried as the top leaves are turning blotchy brown. I can't see any beasties on them, maybe they didn't get enough water during the dry spells, what do you think? Maybe they are just done??
My cauliflowers are ready but the largest is only tennis ball sized....I always have that problem, they are literally a waste of space. They are not growing any bigger but are starting to bolt...they had good compost and are in a partially shaded area...what am I doing wrong??
Any tips welcome!

Fruittea

Happygreen wrote: »

Hi all,
I'm asking for advice today -
my broad beans have grown very tall and have a good crop on them. Still, I'm a bit worried as the top leaves are turning blotchy brown. I can't see any beasties on them, maybe they didn't get enough water during the dry spells, what do you think? Maybe they are just done??
My cauliflowers are ready but the largest is only tennis ball sized....I always have that problem, they are literally a waste of space. They are not growing any bigger but are starting to bolt...they had good compost and are in a partially shaded area...what am I doing wrong??
Any tips welcome!

Hi Happygreen


It sounds as though your broad beans are ready to be cropped. Particularly if you planted last year. You should nip off the tops to discourage blackfly. But better still if they are ready why not harvest them and make room for something else. I pod all mine twice - I know it wastes a not of the beans but I love to see the bright green beans and I freeze them as they are and make broad bean hummus - it's really delicious.


Summer caulies are difficult - they need planting right up to the first leaf and then plenty of water - to encourage the head to develop - use a high nitrogen fertiliser such as sulphate of ammonia to boost growth and curd formation. You could always use the homemade stuff (pee).


Good luck with things.