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

Jazee

Morning all. Not a lot more done here yet this week, but the cucumbers and flowers are all germinating which is really quick.

The tomatoes I moved to the green house are still alive so I've moved some more out there this morning. The peas I planted in the greenhouse back in the autumn are small plants but all with flowers and some pea pods growing so looks like I'll have an early crop. The ones outside got damaged, so I'll probably plant some more.

Fruittea

Sounds like you're well on the way Jazee.


About the peas - I've only just learned that they also have seasons like potatoes and should be sown in succession. Are you factoring that in - so early peas and then the main crop?


I haven't plated many before as I tend to go more for the beans but I was talking to a fellow allotmenteer who was talking about it. I think I might give it a try this year.


And the pop up green house will be arriving at 12:30 today -can't wait.

Jazee

Yes Fruittea, my earlies were going to be the ones in the greenhouse (and still are) followed by the ones planted at the same time in the garden plot (now dead) and then some more to be planted around now (still to do). I've done pretty much the same with broad beans although the ones in the green house will also be moved outside shortly. The ones planted outside in January are really strong little plants now.

smallholding_antics

Our broadbeans that were planted over cover are like monsters, big healthy shoots coming out. Love it. I'm not sure when I should plant them outside though?


Can you start peas undercover please?


I planted early potatoes around mid march too and not a peep from them yet, I didn't know re soil temp so that's good info, thank you.


Lettuce, tomatoes, caluiflowers, cabbages are looking fab in the greenhouse. We've had a couple of frosts and so far, so good.


We also found 3 potatoes from last years allotment (previous owners) so we shall enjoy them this weekend First lot of free food.


I've bought a load of strawberry plants from Ald1 and The [EMAIL="R@nge"]R@nge[/EMAIL], a red gooseberry fruit bush (never tried it) and some main crops which I will chit. I can't wait to get the strawberry plants in this weekend though the forecast isn't looking great.


The plan is to have 2 raspberry bushes, lots of strawb plants and 2 rhubarbs in the same bed. Does anyone know if there's a reason any of these shouldn't go in together?


Also we are finding lots of cat poo so I will have to net over most things.

Fruittea

Hi Smallholding_antics It all sounds lovely. I would try to harden the broad beans off before you plant them out. So gradually leave them out in the day and take them back indoors/greenhouse at night. Otherwise they'll get a nasty shock and wilt. You're supposed to do this for a couple of weeks - or you could plant them and cover them with fleece. The same with peas but they could also go in the ground now.
The fruit sounds great. Remember to give the rhubarb a metre square growing space and you will need to stake the raspberries as the hopefully heavy fruit will pull the canes down. Keep the strawberries away from the raspberry canes and away from the rhubarb.

smallholding_antics

Thank you for that, very interesting. Re the strawberries, why do I need to keep them away?

Fruittea

Sorry just got back from a quick trip to the allotment. Smallholding_antics - You will need to give the rhubarb plenty of room for the leaves to grow they can get enormous and in late autumn you need to feed it with a ring of manure (or other fertilizer) around but not over the rhubarb crown. So you need to give it space.
And also to think about the strawberries producing runners and more strawberries. I was just thinking of the space needed - there's no other issue.
Speaking of rhubard Sazzlebgood posted a really good rhubarb cake - worth a read back.
Hope that helps.

ajdj

Spent a couple of hours yesterday afternoon getting the patio area ready. Gave the bush a major cut to stop it casting a shadow over the patio, cleared and swept up leaves, got rid of the snails(!) etc and put some weedkiller down (Left overnight and will pull out today). I also repainted the fence as it needed it.

Had a chat with OH and we're definitely going to get some more containers and try and turn this area into a little veg growing patch. Just need to leave some room for table and chairs but they can certainly be moved over a bit. Off to buy compost, seeds etc. this afternoon to make a start.

Fruittea

Ajdj why not get a couple of grow bags and run some cherry tomatoes up the white wall. It loots very protected and it would make a lovely backdrop to your seating. Something like this.

Tomato 'Sweet Baby'
Cordon. A fabulous variety producing prolific crops of 8-10g (1/3oz) cherry tomatoes which hang on trusses like bunches of grapes. Tomato 'Sweet Baby' has a delicious sweet flavour with a bit of 'bite'. This cordon cherry tomato is well suited to growing outdoors or in the greenhouse. Height: 200cm (79"). Spread: 50cm (20").

Edit Sorry I don't seem to be able to paste pictures but give it a quick google and you'll see them. I've only just started my seeds off but there's still time

smallholding_antics

Late to the party today but thanks for the rhubarb/strawberry reply fruittea - I can't wait to get moving with it all, grow, grow, grow!!!!