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

unrecordings

Fruittea wrote: »

Don't give up on the rhubarb Smallholding antics - I think it will suddenly spring up as varieties differ. I've got plenty of leaves on some mine whilst others are still not showing. Much sure you put down a ring of manure like Queen of Cheep - just don't put it right over the crown.

Is a forest garden lots of ferns and maybe some mushrooms if it's cool enough. You could get some of those inoculated logs.

I've got three small courgettes just showing on the window sill like you Unrecordings I just couldn't wait for April and we could just be lucky with a warm spring.

My Livingston Early rhubarb is coming along quite nicely - say 8" stems so far, my third (which I think is Victoria) is just beginning to show signs of life

In terms of windowsills - I've got a cat, so once the perspex lid comes off, I've got to put my seedlings on the kitchen windowsill (not cat friendly) or pot the seedlings on

I've a sort of forest garden going on in places, I think the concept is based around the garden of eden - so an uncultivated area providing naturally a range of fruit, nuts, greens etc. To set this up artificially would be an awful lot of work, but I've introduced woodruff and wild garlic to the bottom of my garden and attempt to herd brambles into suitable locations

Narc0lepsy

I've finally managed to sow a few seeds in the greenhouse; it has been so cold here and I've been very busy. So tomatoes, aubergines and sweet peas are on their way! Something else too but I can't remember what - oh yes, salad cucumbers. I also shelled and collected all the borlotti beans I'd left over winter from last year - they look fine.

Ate some lovely curly kale for dinner.

Fruittea

Morning Everyone It's a beautiful day in Gloucestershire. Bright blue sky but quite frosty. I've been out letting down a neighbours chickens.


Reading back I see that Fosterdog isn't planting this year. It's a shame not to put in some earlies and maybe some tomatoes and cucumbers house hunting can take ages and you might get to the middle of the Summer and regret it.


My tomatoes look as though they've recovered from their spindly start. I've going with Crimson Crush, Essex Wonder, Mega bite, Sub Artic Plenty and a heritage green called Aunt Ruby's Green German Green.


Thanks for the explanation Unrecordings I'll google it and take a look.


Sadly I have a tiny garden which backs on to a river - so no room for trees but I do have a views across fields so it makes it feel bigger than it is. I also have a strip allotment measuring about 13' by 65' - so that's where most of my veg grow.


I do have a bit of a thing about packing stuff in - the front garden is ruled by my 4 chickens and they've managed to eat nearly everything in it. I'm seriously thinking of penning in this year and try to recover a bit of grass.


All the best for now

savingpennies

Fruittea wrote: »

Hi Saving pennies


It sounds as if you're off to a great start. Do you have much success with turnips started I seed trays? I've ever tried that - could you tell me if they are the salad (French) type - I might try it.


Spring is officially here as its the Spring Equinox today. I'll be sowing some more seeds - just can't decide what as I'm quite short for space.


Have a great day everyone.

Last year I sowed them straight into the ground. I mainly grated them and used them in salads. I'm trying to make better use of the little patch I have, so the idea is to start everything off in modules and then as space becomes available fill it with whatever I have on the go. Let's see if it works.

Ken68

Have sown two rows of Parsnips and also put some seed onto a wet flannel (which I shall keep damp and in the warm).

sazzlebgood?

been and gaffer taped the broken glass in the green house, fil says he will order the glass soon. Sowed some french marigolds which apparently will help the carrots i think. Pruned the raspberries which should of been done in Autumn but didn't happen for various reasons. Lettuce in the greenhouse is starting to sprout. Our rhubarb is starting to emerge, already found a nice cake to make with it. Picked some corn salad for tea. Ken why the seeds on the wet flannel?

Ken68

...for them to germinate and then be planted out in gaps in the main sowing. It was all the rage once to germinate them in wallpaper paste, though never tried it. Probably NOT for growing on in pots.

smallholding_antics

We had a frost last night that I didn't know was coming - I hope it hasn't killed anything. How soon will I know if the plants are affected?
I fancy adding turnips to the list, love a nice turnip.

mmharko

Morning,

Have been lurking on the thread for a few weeks, so hello properly!
The past couple of years I've grown a few things in our very small garden (beans, salad leaves, tomatoes, herbs, leeks, carrots), so you can imagine my delight when yesterday I received an email from the local allotment chairman saying that a plot had become available! Going down to see it on Saturday, hopefully it will be in an ok state!
If anyone can recommend any websites/books/forums that are good for an allotment beginner I'd much appreciate it!
Look forward to becoming a more active member of this group soon
Thanks

smallholding_antics

Congratulations I'd just use this forum lol.