The even newer good, bad and ugly of growing your own in 2021!

DiggerUK

 "I do weed occasionally but I can also spray if I CBA to weed."

I now have a new all time favourite acronym..._ ✅

zafiro1984

Suffolk_lass said:

I know you have said your soil is not suitable for brassicas @zafiro1984, but what is it?

Thanks Suffolk Lass, I have thought about a semi permeable membrane and gravel, I just want something that is easy to maintain. Mr Z would do the hard work of putting it down but he has no interest at all in maintaining it.
As far as soil goes we have a very acid sandy soil, in places it is almost like builders sand. I think geologically it is called greensand and forms part of the weald. It's good because it drains well but it is basically a poor soil.
When we lived in Kent we were on alkaline clay, fabulous for brassicas and we were in a part that abounded in sprouts and cabbages. great until they had been harvested but then they rotted in the fields before being turned in and smelt like rotting seaweed.
I know I could use chalk/limestone - we put that on the fields to get decent (not sour) grass but for the amount of brassicas we eat I think I would rather just buy them and grow what does well here.  

Just watched a gardening programme and thy mentioned self binding gravel. Has anyone come across it, and if so what is it like?

Suffolk_lass

@zafiro1984 We used to use it on a parish maintained path - it needs a wacker when you lay it and you should put down metal edging to contain it (wooden edges rot -we know from experience) it certainly represents a more ecologically sound alternative to tarmac

Kantankrus_Mare

Just jumping in for the first time this year. Hello fellow growers! 
Ive got raised beds on my plot and in between......weed membrane and slabs interspersed with gravel. Still get the odd weeds but it is manageable! Didnt cost either, as helped a neighbour who was doing a garden makeover to dispose of bags of gravel and old slabs.
Does anyone have any Geranium knowledge? Had some for the first time in garden at home last summer and loved the long term colour they gave. I have put plants in greenhouse at the plot to overwinter. They have completely dried out but not sure if they need to come out of pots and be kept damp or when full watering begins?
Sorted through all my seeds yesterday but not sown anything yet. Must get chillis on the go. I dont have a heated seed tray but just thought........I used to make wine and have a heated thing I used to sit the demi john on. Wonder if this would be too hot?

Suffolk_lass

@Kantankrus_Mare re geraniums - I usually remove all the flowers and then let them rely on damp in the greenhouse over winter (still planted up) then come spring I water lightly just to see if there is anyone there and new growth starts - if not, they are dead but I give them a while. If you get tiny leaves, reinvigorate the compost (I repot or replace). There will be some old dried out spindly bits but I personally leave these until new growth has started.

the_cross_rabbit

Our transition town group had their potato day(pre-orders only) so took a huge rucksack to carry it all home. Lots of potatoes, beans, peas and onions ready and waiting for spring to get into full flow.
CRx

Suffolk_lass

the_cross_rabbit said:

Our transition town group had their potato day(pre-orders only) so took a huge rucksack to carry it all home. Lots of potatoes, beans, peas and onions ready and waiting for spring to get into full flow.
CRx

What a great idea - I posted some blauhilde black bean seeds to my sister but sharing seeds and seed potatoes is brilliant - I only want five of 3 varieties of potato

leftatthetrafficlights

Just ordered a heated propagator as decided the temperature changes are pretty extreme in my house (paticularly in the kitchen where I start most of my seeds! 🙈) 
Still haven't sorted through my seeds collection so will be doing that today - hopefully I won't need to buy anything else for this year 😉

aylithuk

Thought I'd join in this thread

• Planted my new bare root roses in a temporary home
  
• Turned my compost bin and got some compost from the bottom to top dress my existing roses in pots. Started composting in Lock down 1. 
• Sown some pepper seeds. Now in a propagator tray/lid combo and on a heat mat. 

MovingForwards

My OH has created another growing area for me and he's sorting out how I want my salad bar.

Onion sets don't look too happy, but I will start some seeds off as back ups. Garlic seems to be thriving.

Not sure about anyone else but the sun is starting to shine more frequently and I need to look at what seeds need to go out.