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

rosie383

I'm new to this thread but would love to ask...I have some garlic (bought or cooking, not planting) some of which have dried out really quickly and others have started to develop quite long sprouts. Can I plant them? Is there any point? I do have space, but I know they are a different type than ones for planting, and there probably (hopefully) won't be another cold enough spell for them either.

sazzlebgood?

hi rosie I wouldn't bother putting in garlic now as its too late. We put ours in usually late october early november time. Been to the allotment today and picked more force rhubarb to make a pudding with later. Found that if i cut the end off and leave the leaf on and put in a vase of water it keeps ridged for several days. Make for a interesting flower arrangement. Put in the parsnips that I'd grown in toilet rolls as gap fillers, hoping those that got sowed directly will grow. Planted the beetroot and kohi rabi the latter never grown but have eaten before. Another row of pots in but can't remember their name.

rosie383

Thanks sazzlebgood. I won't bother then. I may as well just keep grating it and cooking with it even though it doesn't have much flavour. But waste not, want not!

sazzlebgood?

more pots going in now that we have good weather. Planted lots of different types of mint as i'm going to try and make my own mint tea. Will have to sun dry the leaves as we don't have a dehydrator.

zafiro1984

I've been a bit quiet this year (or maybe a bit busy) so this is just a catch up.

Finished off the kale yesterday or if the truth be known I gave it to the hens.
Polytunnel - strawberries-can just see some flowers, earlies - not up yet, dwarf beans doing ok, onions ok.
Outside - strawberries covered over, shallots and onions planted and covered.
Been concentrating on growing bedding plants for my daughter as she is about to put her house on the market and, 'guess what' she wants a 'stunning garden' - pink pigs are flying well.

Todays jobs - I try to set myself a couple of jobs each day as there is such a lot to do and it feels too daunting looking at the bigger picture. 1) Plant some artichokes in last years parsnip bed and add loads of compost on top as the level has sunk. 2) Take the weeds off a couple of beds for some outdoor earlies (Orla) I'm going to do the 'No dig Method' as it worked very well last year for me and left me with some really good beds for this year.

If it rains I'll probably sort out and move on some of the bedding plants. Maybe I'll sow the courgettes and french/runner climbing beans.

rosie383

I planted (sewed?) some seeds a couple of weeks ago. The tomatoes have all germinated nicely. Unfortunately the courgettes haven't! Only one out of eight has germinated. Not a sign of any more coming through at all. The one that did, is now about 3"high and nice and strong looking. I'm kicking myself that I didn't keep the packet (used all the seeds and just chucked the packet) as I remember seeing on it that if there was a problem with the seeds, that you could return the packaging for a replacement.
Also there is no sign of any of the sweetcorn which I planted on the same day. Do I just write off all the ones which haven't shown their faces? If there is no sign by now, then surely it is unlikely that they will grow now I think.
I planted them in those fibre type little pots indoors, nice and warm and with sunlight and have kept the compost moist but not too wet. Anything else I should have done. Oh, and can I just fish the dud seeds out of the wee pots and reuse?

Jazee

Hello all. I've entered the garden competition again this year in three categories so I've got to crack on now!

Rosie - don't give up on your seeds just yet. I planted peppers at the same time but they've germinated at different times spread over about three weeks.

Sazzle - I grew kohl rabi last year, total success, but they do need netting.

Fruittea

Weird how the same seed from the same packet can germinate at different times. I agree with Jazee give them a bit of time. If they fail I wouldn't replant in the same pot as you might have a rotting seed in there. If you dig down you might find them. One thought - the fibre pots are very small (if it's the ones I'm thinking of) they might be better suited to cells or small pots. Maybe others can comment.
Pride comes before a fall ad as I was bragging about my 7" toms Jack Frost came and nipped them - so I think I've lost my Sub Artic Plenty's. I've still got the others inside but it's the first blow of the year. To late to replant now. So it will be off to the garden centre for me - oh the shame! But on the up side it will be a good excuse you try something different.
Happy growing everyone.

northwest1965

Hello everyone I am now in my third year of veg gardening. It's a learning curve!

My potatoes are all in now. Broad beans looking really healthy in the garden.

Growing in the potting shed (don't have a greenhouse) french beans - none up yet, coriander seedlings, a dozen lettuce seedlings, courgette and cucumber.

I love to look at others photos. This was last year!

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Fruittea

That veg patch looks lovely. Well done you Northwest 1965. You had quite a variety going on. Will you be doing the same this year?