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

Mrs_B

I am wondering if you would mind me joining you. I am a real all round novice gardener. I grew a few vegetables many years ago, working on the "bung it and see" principle, which I quite enjoyed, but the garden has gone through a revamp - well, if I'm honest, an actual complete overhaul, I have recovered from smashing my ankle, and dealing with some other issues, and my vegetable garden was returned to me at the back end of last year.

On the "bung it" principle, I went out and bought some cheap seeds which might produce something over the winter, working on the basis that a few plants returned would recoup my expenditure, and have some returns coming through from that. The onions and garlic are looking promising, I found a few turnips before they sprouted, a bit of rocket and salad leaves, which survived only because the winter was so mild, and the broad beans are :j If half the flowers turn to pods I am going to be quids in. On the other hand my potatoes did all the right things, but we just couldn't get to dig them up because everything was so wet and claggy (not helped by DH managing to move the soil I had been working and feeding and destoning, elsewhere in the garden, replacing it with rubbish). By the time we did they had, erm, disappeared.

As of the back end of last year, I have a small greenhouse. With nothing being on my "I can't list", and failing to read whether things are easy or difficult to grow, I am currently having a go at aubergines, cucumbers, peppers, chilli peppers, courgettes, tomatoes - tumbling and Heinz, and minipops. I just have some normal stuff planted out at the moment - roots and leaves - no doubt success will be mixed.

As my plot is small, I use a close cropping method (not sure that is the right description).

Having a go at some fruits now. I have grown rhubarb and gooseberries for years, but I have gone for some compact blueberries, blackcurrant, redcurrant and raspberries, with a blackberry cane. I am waiting with excitement for some cordon apples, damson, plum and greengage to arrive - they will all have to go in the flower beds.

I have lots and lots to learn.

northwest1965

Fruittea wrote: »

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?

Growing less this year. Decided no to chard and cabbage/cauli. As of today, undecided about runners. I much prefer green beans.

I am giving sweetcorn a go (in another veg bed though). Tried it once while living in Northants, it didn't turn out well. God knows how it will fare up here in Stockport.

Toms and a cucumber in pots outside (not yet, they're too young and it's way too cold):)

northwest1965

Mrs B - would love to see some pics.

Love to see others as well:)

Mrs_B

Well northwest1965 I have taken some photos (before it hailed) but now I am clueless as to how to post them here from my iPhone without downloading them first. Help!

Fruittea

Hello Mrs B. Sounds as though you're going great guns with all the produce I quite like the bung it approach. It must be exciting for you. Just one thing to flag up - what are your plans for the blueberries? I only ask as a neighbour of mine went ahead and planted them in the ground. The blueberry will need ericaceous soil and surprisingly they can grow to up to 5" and give a really good crop - so it might be best to give it a really large pot with it's own soil.
Aubergines and chillis and the like would prefer a greenhouse or a really sunny, protected spot but really worth having a go.
Perhaps Northwest 1965 could explain how to post pictures as it would be lovely to see others gardens. Mine is literally a tip as I've just about finished renovating some of it. So it will be a fresh start for me at home but at least I have my allotment patch. I'm also growing a few things for other as I enjoy passing the seedlings on.
Also Northwest 1965 I can see why you wouldn't bother with the caulis they take up so much space but I was thinking you could go up and try some squashes up that fence - it would be deal for something like pumpkin munchkin (I'm trying it this year) and it would give you a bit of height or maybe interweave with the beans. Did you plant your sweetcorn in blocks? I plant Incredible in a square at 12" apart and it seems to work. Don't plant any different F1s together - apparently it has a poor effect if they cross pollinate.

northwest1965

Fruittea wrote: »

.
Perhaps Northwest 1965 could explain how to post pictures as it would be lovely to see others gardens.

I have a photobucket account (free). I upload them to it and transfer from there. If anyone wants further help, glad to!


Also Northwest 1965 I can see why you wouldn't bother with the caulis they take up so much space but I was thinking you could go up and try some squashes up that fence - it would be deal for something like pumpkin munchkin (I'm trying it this year) and it would give you a bit of height or maybe interweave with the beans. Did you plant your sweetcorn in blocks? I plant Incredible in a square at 12" apart and it seems to work. Don't plant any different F1s together - apparently it has a poor effect if they cross pollinate.

Great idea about pumpkins up the fence. Never thought about that. Sweetcorn are still in pots in the potting shed. It's too cold up here yet.
I was reading about the planting of them last week. Then it's cross my fingers and hope:)

Fruittea

Thank you Northwest1965 I have a dropbox account I'll give it a go to see how it works.


https://www.dropbox.com/s/frge8hqimdi7xw9/20160422_121023.jpg?dl=0

Fruittea

So I should be doing something different than just copying the link? Sorry not very techie.

northwest1965

Fruittea wrote: »

So I should be doing something different than just copying the link? Sorry not very techie.

You have to click the insert image logo on the reply part of this (4th image in from right - on the same line as Bold and Italic etc)

It then brings up a box for you to copy the url in. I am sorry i dont have dropbox, but will take a look now:)

Fruittea

Sorry just practising with this link thing. Maybe I need Photobucket afterall. Many thanks Northwest1965
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Thanks Northwest1965 - finally got the photo loaded. Sadly not my veg this was a visit to Daylesford Farm this week. Lovely veg


http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/Framilode1/media/Garden/Dalesford3_zpsyxxvuoya.jpg.html