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

Pablosmummy

Just did a little Wilko's order, got some dahlias to go in a huge pot and my big planter at the back of the garden to add as bit of colour, a small bag of compost, a few cheapy flower seeds to try and fill gaps and a new rake, as the tree in the field next to us seems to be dropping every single leaf on my lawn.
I'm trying to find when is best to start some Pak choi on my windowsill. It will be going in my vegtrug with the greenhouse cover, there's also a fleece cover that can go over the top for extra warmth and I'll pull it on to the patio right next to the house which will warm it a bit more. It's empty at the moment so I might try soon...
Sunny but cold here today, I'm debating going out to tidy the strawberries up a bit

unrecordings

Deceptively sunny, but cold here, 5˚C according to my weather station so I'm staying in sorting out my seed catalogues for recycling and researching the habits of some of last year's purchases

Oriental greens like pak choi seem to be regarded as 'all year round' so you can probably sow now indoors

Pablosmummy

I was hoping someone would say that! I'll wait for my new compost to arrive (and the kids to be back in school next week) and I'll start sowing, hurray!

zafiro1984

Help - Thought I may have a go with growlights this year but has anyone had experience with them and can recommend one. I need to cover an area 2' x 4'
I start my seeds off in the utility room and they always get leggy as there isn't enough room on the window sill for everything and I end up using the work surface and table where there isn't as much light. Thanks

unrecordings

I don't have any experience with this, but I did see some in Ikea last year so I assume they'll be a good/cheap starter option

Pablosmummy

Another question from me, I need to report my two blueberries I got last year, is it too early to do this now? Should I wait for spring or take advantage of the non frosty weather now and move them incase we get a really cold spell and everything is frozen if I wait...

unrecordings

Bit grim here still, so I'm pruning seed catalogues and trying to come up with good reasons not to buy more varieties of stuff. I found out the Malabar Spinach is not hardy, don't know where I got that idea from. It is a perennial though - which throws out another mystery: Why are three of them 'dead' (or just resting) and one is flourishing ?

Suffolk_lass

Pablosmummy wrote: »

Another question from me, I need to report my two blueberries I got last year, is it too early to do this now? Should I wait for spring or take advantage of the non frosty weather now and move them incase we get a really cold spell and everything is frozen if I wait...

(guessing report is predictive text intervening to change re-pot?) You can re-pot while they are dormant (so now is fine) but be a bit cautious where you put them. If the intended location is frost-prone or exposed you could wrap the pots in some bubble-wrap, fleece or similar to stop the roots freezing (I always have a few bits after December deliveries that I redeploy with some large rubber bands... Don't forget to use ericaceous compost as they are acid-loving plants

Pablosmummy

Thank you, I only have enough ericaceous for one of them so they've been moved to the patio to remind me to go and buy more!
I also braved the cold and tidied up the strawberries and raspberries and I was overjoyed to see some teeny tiny green raspberry canes just poking up! I love seeing buds and signs of life on overwintered stuff, I'm always amazed it's still alive

unrecordings

Pablosmummy wrote: »

Thank you, I only have enough ericaceous for one of them so they've been moved to the patio to remind me to go and buy more!
I also braved the cold and tidied up the strawberries and raspberries and I was overjoyed to see some teeny tiny green raspberry canes just poking up! I love seeing buds and signs of life on overwintered stuff, I'm always amazed it's still alive

You reminded me about something Monty Don said last year about xmas trees and ericaceous compost - can't find the exact advice, but I vaguely remember chipped xmas tree eithr mixed in or used as a mulch helps with ericaceous requirements. Actually try this link as well: https://charityxmastreecollection.com/news/did-you-know-that-christmas-tree-chippings-can-help-with-growing-raspberries-in-your-garden/

Edited to add:

I should have read the link before commenting - you must have thought I'd gone mad...