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

thriftylass

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Well that was my veg patch at the start or the snowing last night. So glad I covered them up the day before. Also stuck the heating on in the conservatory over night, just on defrost. Made a difference. Looks like it will get warmer now.

Scottish_Mike

Fruittea wrote: »

I feel your pain ScottishMike - I did the same and got caught by the frost. I had just one of the Sub artic plenty's in the house - so I can still see how they grow.
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Are you growing anything unusual this year SM?

Nothing particularly unusual I'm afraid. I had to give up my allotment last year, so just trying to stuff as much into my small garden.

Having a little 3 sisters bed at the bottom of the garden. I had a couple of sweetcorn plants a few years ago and they looked great, so definitely want them, and it gives me an excuse to throw in a couple of squash plants too! I grew potimarron squash last year and they were lovely, so definitely trying them again. Would definitely recommend anyone having a try of them, although they did seem to want to take over the garden!

New tomato seedlings have all germinate, hopefully they'll do better than the last lit, which were binned the other day.

But, jeez, the weather! It's terrible. We haven't had snow or hail yet today, but we've got thunder and lightning forecast this afternoon. I just want to get out and do something!

smallholding_antics

Morning all


We've lost 1 (possibly 3) to the frost but I'm not giving up yet.
My bl00dy goose has been in and had some bits from the greenhouse, he's bored as his girls are on the last few days of sitting on their eggs and he's on his own and must be feeling rebellious. Nothing that can't be fixed though.


I've planted a load of caulis out and hardened off everything else that's going out.


Is it too late to plant more tomato seeds? The ones I planted in February are looking amazing at the moment, touch wood!


Hoping for some time in the garden over this BH weekend but we have a lot planned too so I'll be trying to sneak into the GH and plot when no-one's looking


What can I do to stop the caterpillars (maybe?) chomping on my bean leaves? They are making patterns!

smallholding_antics

Oh and we harvested our first rhubarb!!! It was gorgeous! I made a cake but I couldn't find the recipe on here (was using my phone) so I took one from B B C GF and adapted it. It went the same day

thriftylass

smallholding_antics wrote: »

Oh and we harvested our first rhubarb!!! It was gorgeous! I made a cake but I couldn't find the recipe on here (was using my phone) so I took one from B B C GF and adapted it. It went the same day

I have got a rhubarb plant from a friend last year and leaves starting to show. Does the fact that you get your first rhubarb now mean I have to leave mine growing till next April? :eek:

Fruittea

Shame you had to give up your allotment ScottishMike.
I don't have a full allotment - just a strip but that's enough for me. Now I've rained the chickens into half of the front garden I have a bit of room back now. So it's going to be artichokes for the look and a bit of privacy and loganberries up the fence - just have to vine them and prune well.
You were right to cover that garden Thriftylass I can't believe the temperatures we are all getting. You're right about the rhubarb don't harvest any in the first year - just let the plant build up it's strength.
Zafiro I don't know much about apricots and have struggled with a patio one - so I don't think I bother with one again. A neighbour of mine has a small orchard and a peach tree. He gets around 150 peaches on it - nothing like the usual ones you see. When I asked him about it he said it was a commercial tree. So if you have room for a full tree it might be worth looking into.
Hi Smallholding_antics it is a bit late but I bet if you throw in a few seeds they'll catch up and you will still have the toms later on. I did buy an extra 4 last week - when that hard frost caught me off guard. But still couldn't resist planning a few more.
All the best

northwest1965

I'm interested in growing a squash this year. Do garden centres normally sell them? (as plants)?

Jazee

Sorry Northwest, I can't answer your question about squashes.
Morning everyone. Suddenly with the bad weather this week, I don't feel so bad about being behind with some of my planting.

Currently I'm trying to keep my cucumber plants alive. I've a busy day planned today but hope to get lots of stuff done over the next two days.

Fruittea

Hi Northwest1965
Yes garden centre sell the squash plants but you don't get a great selection. It's not too late to sow some seeds. Check this out before you go. http://wwww.organicplants.co.uk/acatalog/Super_Squashes_Collection.html I had code for £5 off as I got the chilli collection for just £2. I'll try to find the code if you're interested. I love growing squash - some you can keep all winter - lovely roasted or in soups. I'll off to the garden centre for some compost - I'll take a look and see what squashes they are stocking and report back later. Jazee my cu's look a bit sad - I'm thinking of starting some more off. It's just been so cold!

Fruittea

Found the code:


And this voucher code is KG516, giving you £5 off your purchase, with a minimum spend of £6.50. They do some lovely selection packs of plants too, which have postage included.


These are for plug plants - so they'll cost just £2 delivered.
At that price it would be rude not to!