The ups and downs of growing your own dinner 2016...

Geodark

Weather is lovely up here in Newcastle today so started early this morning. Already have the greenhouse emptied ready to clean. Once that is done I think its time to set some more seeds off.

Added later in the day... got quite a bit done today; greenhouse cleaned, Spinach, salad and rocket planted. Also made a raised bed, filled with compost and got my onions sets planted. Might even get time to cut the raspberries back since they seem to be springing back to life as well now. Had a really good day. Always feel better when I have done something on a Sunday. Might even get the homebrew wine stuck on tonight, I have only had the kit 3 months!

Jazee

You've done well Geodark.

Me - I just put some compost and a new seed tray in the greenhouse and watered what is already in there. I am so behind with planting now, but tired out today after doing a big shop and housework.

smallholding_antics

We had the best day weeding and sowing - truly felt like spring.
Broad beans and peas in, cauliflower and purple sprouting broccoli too. Bliss.

sazzlebgood?

Been to the allotment today and have started on growing what i hope will be many future dinners, Sowed lots of cut and come lettuce,spring onions, rocket and year round lettuces in the greenhouses. Also sowed 2 different types of summer cabbages and broccoli in the potting shed. Then sowed half a row of beetroot and put glass over it to increase the soil temp (experimenting) and then sowed 2 rows of parsnips in the hope that we will get more than the 3 we got this winter!Think that I might of got a touch of either wind burn or sun burn as it that warm and windy this morning. Harvested lettuce for tea and spinach for tomorrow chickpea and spinach stew. Yum

smallholding_antics

I can't wait until we eat something we have prodcued ourselves. It'll be a great day!

Fruittea

Sounds like everyone's doing really well - it's the sunshine! I've also started some of the brassicas and leeks off in pots and lots of salads and herbs. Some are showing there shots already which is good.


I put five Belle du Fontaine seed potatoes (earlies) in tubs as I thought I'd put them in the greenhouse. Sadly the wind brought down a couple of panes- so I've now got two tubs of potatoes now showing haulms in the kitchen!


I'm now stuck with them until the temperature goes up a bit more and I fix the greenhouse - maybe a bit of a mistake but it's fun.


Not sure how they'll do in the heat - so I'm trying to keep the kitchen temperature down.

Ken68

OOooo,,,,,,,,me back. Digging to plant taters, fortunately light silt but even that is wet wet.

sazzlebgood?

planted 5 fruit trees today so back and hip joints are not happy. Plan is to add cider apples to the orchard. Has anyone any ideas would be the best variety? We live in Derbyshire and the site is open so will get the sun all the time

Ken68

Hi Sazzle....traditionally you protect fruit from the rising sun, hereabouts the farmers plant conifers or tall trees/hedges.
Google shows a few cider makers in Derbyshire. Never done cider but have made plenty of apple wine.
I have two plum, two apples and two pears. Mostly freeze or dehydrate the harvest.

sazzlebgood?

Thanks ken for the advice I'll google them.