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

smallholding_antics

I have mine in the unheated greenhouse and some are indoors. It's a bit of an experiment. The onions took longer to germinated but they did. Carrots and cabbage and purple broccoli haven't taken at all. Most things inside germinated

smallholding_antics

We planted some Jersey Devil tomatoe seeds, anyone tried this variety?

zafiro1984

Started yesterday to sow seeds. I'd forgotten just how long it takes. Only sowed leeks and mange tout. Will try to sow tomatoes and chillies tonight.

smallholding_antics

Managed to get some more seeds in over the weekend and some of a plot weeded. Hard work isn't it!


I am over the moon to say cabbage and PS brocolli have germinated!!! I was just about to write them off. The carrots haven't though. These are an early variety. I never have luck with carrots.

Fruittea

Hi Smallholding antics
Can I ask how you're starting the carrots off? Are you using trays or pots for them - I've only planted the seed straight out into the ground before.


Also happy to report that my tomatoes (replanted the leggy ones) are doing ok and I threw quite a few basil seeds into the germinator and they all seem to have taken - so I have a tonne of seedlings which is good.

Artichokes are doing well and I have 5 tiny aubergines coming up.


Yesterday did quite a bit of sowing - lots of brassicas for later on in the year. I must admit I've never done this before - I usually buy in small plants - so I feel way ahead of myself.

smallholding_antics

Hiya, I have put them in a seed tray. The type with no dividers in. My dad thinks it's far too early but they were soldas for sowing now and forcing / early so I am not sure what I have done. I can see these becoming my challenge through 2016!

Hartley0507

Any idiots guide to grow-your-own is most welcome here.

I need to grow in containers.

Love growing potatoes, but would love to grow peas too this year and any other beginner friendly veg?

Thanks for posting x

Fruittea

Thanks Smallholding antics - I'll give the container carrots a go.


Hi Hartley Potatoes in containers will be fine. I started some earlies off in the kitchen a couple of weeks ago and they are just showing now. Why not try some rocket - they'll be ready in 10 weeks as baby spuds.


Beans could work quite well in a big pot and grown them up some canes say 3 beans to a big pot - you'll need plenty of fertilizer ad keep them well watered.


I could also recommend a tomato called Mega bite in containers - they work really well and give a huge harvest. They are a determinate bush tomato which means that they only grow to a set height and you don't need to stake them very much - only to hold the weight of the tomatoes as they get bigger ad you don't need to pinch out the side shoots. I had a bit of trouble finding them this year but googled them and found them on Amazon. They look really pretty too.

smallholding_antics

I don't need more tomatoes but now I am going to look LOL.

smallholding_antics

They are on amazon for 5 seeds only. That's crackers! I wonder why they are in such short supply.