Winter sowing advice. Wanting to get a head start for a productive garden next year.

Jjah

elle_may said:

Went into my side garden and i noticed my spring bulbs, daffs and crocuses are coming through now. Bit baffled that my tulip ones are too. I'm sure they are summer ones. And i live in the northeast not known for good weather. Any one else noticed theirs.

I've not noticed my bulbs up yet but I still have roses in bloom

goldfinches

elle_may said:

Went into my side garden and i noticed my spring bulbs, daffs and crocuses are coming through now. Bit baffled that my tulip ones are too. I'm sure they are summer ones. And i live in the northeast not known for good weather. Any one else noticed theirs.

Yes, have definitely spotted daffs and snowdrops coming through here in the centre of Dreaming Spires city 3 weeks ago now. Will look for tulips tomorrow afternoon and report back.

twopenny

Jjah, I don't forrage but I do know what's around. Samphire of course, mussels, Dulse and lots more. Dulse crisps are a thing but It may take practise. Sunscreen from bladderwrack. And seaweed compost of course. Purslane is abundant in a nearby village

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/purslane#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2

And there's Laver, the Welsh and Irish used to eat it (Laverbread) and had high disease resistance. It's edible, just, but it's properties are worth it. And no end of mushrooms.

But there's plenty in the countryside. I used to nibble on Pennywort.

The raspberries sound interesting though I don't have space - yet ;-)

I did notice the crocus which I moved late summer are half way up! Snowdrops which were legally bought, potted from the wild in our valley, I can't see and I covered them with stones to stop the mice and hedgehog getting at them. Precious as the valley was closed this year and will be next so can't get more. They dig up from the overcrowded spots to raise money for the maintenance.

I wonder if I could grow parsnips in the badger run? Would they be eaten by mice or other grubs if not supervised do you think?

Jjah

That sounds awesome, twopenny.
You certainly have much bounty in your locality.  A coastal region would certainly be agreeable to me

How lovely that you have badgers nearby too 

I think at 14p, planting a few parsnips here n there can't hurt.  I'm actually eager to try the greens too.  There is a degree of caution as it reportedly can make you a bit more sensitive to the sunshine (not much danger of that hereabouts ) but I've heard many express how delicious they are in juices and pestos and the like.

I hope your snowdrops make an appearance.  Maybe they are more punctual than their eager counterparts

Black_Cat2

Iris and tulips coming up here in Somerset too! 🐈

twopenny

I had that last year BlackCat, but this year no sign of the potted ones and a bag of last years bulbs sitting in a bag because it's just been constantly soaked here.

The badger run is another 3ft of my garden fenced off and still wondering how I can use it. Not seen badgers for about 3years. Floodlit sports near their set probably puts them off. I've got young goosberry bushes there and roses, blackberries. Has to be something the birds don't eat and don't want to use netting where it's not checked daily. But it's an oportunity. That's another thread ;-)

Viking_mfw

I'm also planting onion seeds now - following the advice of the Savvy Gardener blog, which suggests using the natural light and temp variations to get them going as early as possible in the year. 

Not much immediate help but I'm still harvesting pak choi, which I planted in my pea tubs as a second crop. They got a bit motheaten but have done well for being completely neglected. 

Jjah

Thanks viking_mfw

I'm in good company then

Pak choi is certainly one I am up for trying.  Especially if it overwinters and thrives on neglect

I'm waiting on some seed deliveries to arrive now so will have to busy myself with general tidying up jobs out of doors until they arrive.  There are plenty of them to be tackled 

The badger run project seems interesting, twopenny.
It's a good challenge to make every inch of your land productive, even if it is only to benefit wildlife. 

ruthber

I am in Buckinghamshire and just noticed by the garage a small clump of Snowdrops in bloom

Jjah

Wilko has put the seeds out early.  This was taken 30 minutes ago in my local store.