The all new 2019 growing your own thread!

SunMoonStars

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

Layering gooseberries to make new plants - has anyone done this? Is it better to do it now or after the fruits have been harvested please? I have one hit and one miss but boogered if I remember which was which. Whoops!

I haven’t tried specifically with gooseberries, but have found more generally when layering various soft and semi-hardwood stems at this time of year that it works well, probably because the plants have so much active growth hormone in spring. On the flip side it will likely be to the detriment of fruiting, as the energy will be going into surviving the trauma of damage, and in creating new root systems. So if you’re hoping for fruits you could wait until after fruiting, but energy is likely to be depleted somewhat and layering possibly less likely to be successful. My gut feeling is that putting up with fewer fruits this year might be worth the trade off for strong plants.

Hole that helps, though probably sounds as clear as mud!

unrecordings

dancing_star wrote: »

Take it easy, hope the chemo gets more tolerable unrecordings.

I accidentally grew too many tomato seedlings - I thought the first lot had failed, so sowed another bunch, and guess what the first lot grew like Topsy. So I'm trying to give them to friends as I can't bear the thought of chucking them and I am running out of space.

Thanks, the chemo isn't too bad, I'm just being impatient. Got some seedling giveaways planned myself, peppers as a housewarming for a neighbour's new greenhouse & maybe a trip to the (very organised) old dears up the road to see if they're wanting to trade anything. Got some chillis that need separating too...

tibawo

I think DD1 should do her GCSEs more often as we have not been out and about as much this year as she is busy revising so I have been able to crack on with sorting the allotment!

Still clearing areas etc and I have 2 beds full of onions. Not being funny by why is there so many in a bag? I still had about a third left over! Strawberry bed and a tub newly in as well.

My big job has been digging the weeds, placing beds/weed suppressant and mulch. As our allotment i have also been strategically placing water butts/large tubs.

Has anyone any ideas for a shady part? not bothered if flowers etc as colour is always nice to see.

MysteryMe

Transplanted my toms into individual 7cm pots yesterday, all seem to have accepted their move and still looked OK today. Fingers crossed.

zafiro1984

tibawo wrote: »

Has anyone any ideas for a shady part?

Try rhubarb

unrecordings

Mint, wild garlic is good for shade too, or look at anything native to woodland

-taff

Fatsias, ferns - do a search for plants for shady areas, there are loads...Foodwise, spinach - although again, there are quite a few depending on how much shade is in the shady area...
All tomato seedlings have been put in the greenhouse a few days ago, they're still alive..huzzah..
Today will definitely be sowing beans and cucs and squash..

Karmacat

I went to a county show yesterday and bought two lovely healthy plants rosemary and thyme. Plus two sets of good quality gardening gloves and a proper steel hand fork with hardwood handle for £2. Happy days

Pablosmummy

When does everyone plant their tomatoes outside? Looking at garden focused for my area it says the third week of May and that I should be hardening them off now...it seems a bit early to me? They won't be going out this week certainly the weather is meant to be bad for the next few days.
I've grown tomatoes for the past few years now and I have had a complete brain meltdown on when they normally go out.
Also has anyone ever grown and kept a pepper (cayenne) plant inside? I grew them last year outside but have a few to go out this year aswell, but I was debating keeping one as a more indoor plant. It would.be in a large pot on my dining table Infront of the very sunny patio doors, I'd also be able to give it little holidays out on the garden table on sunny days...

unrecordings

For tomatoes - never again, we get blight here, so I only grow in the greenhouses

For chillis - yes I grow indoors, but as you've mentioned be sure to put them outside regularly when they flower so they can pollinate