The all new good, bad and ugly of growing your own in 2020

zafiro1984

As they say

'First the good news'.......I usually start my seeds off in the utility room. i spent yesterday afternoon setting up the table, capillary matting, heated mat and my newly acquired grow light. It all looked really good, floor was scrubbed clean all was ready. I brought a bag of compost down from outside the greenhouse. It was rather heavy........

Now for the bad news...... The compost must have had a lot of water in it as it leaked out overnight, somehow the water managed to get under the door and onto a brand new, just laid, oak parquet floor before it had been sealed. Several blocks are raised - DH and the carpenter are not pleased - I'm keeping a low profile today....

ancientmum

Thank you Suffolk Lass, I'll follow your advice. And, yes, I take your point about fresh
manure on lettuces and radishes!

Suffolk_lass

zafiro1984 wrote: »

As they say

'First the good news'.......I usually start my seeds off in the utility room. i spent yesterday afternoon setting up the table, capillary matting, heated mat and my newly acquired grow light. It all looked really good, floor was scrubbed clean all was ready. I brought a bag of compost down from outside the greenhouse. It was rather heavy........

Now for the bad news...... The compost must have had a lot of water in it as it leaked out overnight, somehow the water managed to get under the door and onto a brand new, just laid, oak parquet floor before it had been sealed. Several blocks are raised - DH and the carpenter are not pleased - I'm keeping a low profile today....

That's awful - I feel your pain. We shut the cat in our newly carpeted sitting room the week it was laid and she scratched up/out the carpet by the door to the extent that it is unrepairable. I stood the door of the baking oven from yesteryear in front and it has been like that for at least three years but I know it is there

silverwhistle

zafiro1984 wrote: »

Now for the bad news...

Ow. I wonder what my swear word of choice would be in those circumstances..


Yesterday I did a tip run - always satisfying to get the garden a bit tidier - and then went to a B&M branch nearby. The plant shelves were bare, but they did have in seed potatoes and the like, so I got some Charlottes, a rhubarb crown and a pack of 3 garlic for a fiver. The chatty assistant said they'd be getting in blueberry plants mid February, and there's an ericaceous bed waiting for them.


It's actually a very good value place for things like stakes and tree supports, fleece fabric etc. as well and I recommend a look if you have a garden centre one nearby.

Kantankrus_Mare

Nice to see this thread so busy for the time of the year! :T

We got down to the plot last weekend on a cold but sunny day as OH had an urge to "burn".

Had quite a bit of old wood to get rid of so I left him to it and did my first sowings of the year to keep warm on the front dining table. Have sown aubergines, romano peppers and chilli peppers.

Thought Id take the opportunity to prune the autumn raspberry bushes while the fire was going and get rid of the dead wood. Had a good weed around the two rows of plants and was happy with results. Next visit I will dress with a load of homemade compost.

Some of the bulbs are poking through and gives a glimmer of the joy to come.

Pablosmummy

I finally moved the last blueberry plant to its bigger pot, I thought it was looking a bit spindly and weak but in the new pot it's looking marvellous!
Also my cayenne sprouted! I didn't think it would, in fact I nearly tipped it out of the propogator a few days ago, it must of sensed the threat as the next morning, there it was!
I also finally got my garlic planted (which I forgot about tbh) so I'm hoping it's cold enough for them still. Ooh also started my sweet peas so overall, done a few jobs I've been putting off, I'm pleased!
We also.decided to move the shed but it needs to be a bit dryer before we start that so will have to be a spring job, but it should give me a bit more patio room when it's done, if only for the kids to.play basketball!
Just very impatiently waiting for things to grow now...hurry up spring! I can't wait to see if my mini magnolia trees will flower this year ( such a saddo)

euronorris

I have placed my order for my 'free' seeds from the heritage seed library:


* Giant Improved Flak
* Canadian
* Sheepnose
* Crimson Giant
* Born Mangetout
* Ostgotaart


And a 'mystery' pack.


I wonder if you can guess the vegetable from the names (with the obvious exception! lol)? A few of my first choices were already out of stock. That's what I get for dithering over my choices!


Looking forward to getting out in the garden again tomorrow!

Jazee

Planning to sow seeds tomorrow.

unrecordings

Got out for a couple of hours last week, which nackered me out but got a bit of tidying done. Cut back the fennel, which as some of it still had a few seeds attached, Mrs Un hung the fronds in a cotoneaster tree for the birds to finish off.

herlig

Lemon balm has been divided and rehomed.

Herb container has been tidied. Mint has not yet died back such as the warmer temperatures this winter. It has now been cut back ready for new growth.

Chives have already began sprouting.