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

Jjah

Thanks, @Suffolk_lass.

The seed is the edible one.  Nigella Sativa from the ethnic stores.

I use it liberally in my curries and it is an ingredient in my home made dukkah.  I use loads of pulses and seeds in my diet so I can't wait to experiment with seeing what grows.

When I googled the black onion seed, I was surprised to see how pretty it is as an ornamental so will be growing it for this purpose but will also harvest the seeds.

I have some REALLY old poppy seeds in the back of my larder too that used to use in my orange cakes but I haven't baked for a long while now.  I will be using these up in the flower bed too

This cold spell is really hindering us eager gardeners who can't wait to get a crack on

I got a fair lot of cardboard yesterday and had to brave snowy banks in order to collect it.  Can't wait to get the back of the back garden laid down with the stuff.

Here's to a productive 2021

DiggerUK

Some new faces in 2021, welcome.
Got off to a good start with ground works, log splitting and general prepping. Now I've woke up today with a sore old mans back.  Must remember that I'm a way past the age I can legally buy drink..._

carinjo

Thanks to @Jjah got some Desiree potatoes at Home Bargains this morning. Also went to a garden centre that came recommended, they do Crown Prince pumpkin seeds, thanks @Suffolk_lass, will be in stock by end of the month. Now just need a bit of dry weather to get outside. 

Jjah

Fab, @carinjo!  I bet you'll find other jobs outside to do in the meantime whilst waiting for more favourable weather.

I've just removed a mountain of woody jasmine from my collapsing gazebo and I'm covered in goodness knows what in my hair and my layers.  (I'm hoping they aren't crawlies.)

I'm soooooo happy I did it in the midst of winter as I came across 2 tiny nests so they were not currently occupied, phew.  Such beautifully constructed little things.

I was happy to see the fennel, coriander and mustard seed appearing already in the greenhouse and realised I hadn't sown the fenugreek so rectified that immediately too.  They should make nice microgreens in a few weeks, yum  

I hope your back is a bit better now, @DiggerUK.  You'll be needing your strength for the coming growing season

Suffolk_lass

It's been dry here for two days and the puddles in the beds have gone. I almost went out to do some collection of dead bits and hoeing but it has been -1 all day here. It makes me wheeze so badly I have stayed in instead.

I've ordered my Crown Prince from Kings Seeds, who are local (not offering click and collect but low miles delivery hopefully)

MovingForwards

The spuds I had earmarked for baking are now chitting, hopefully by the time they are ready the weather would have warmed up a bit so I can plant them. 

I've got some leftover spuds from last year's crop and will start getting them underway soon.

We keep having snow and freezing weather so no pottering around the garden at the moment.

Jjah

On the subject of seeds, I have to try comfrey as it appears on nearly every permaculture video.  

I ordered 15 seeds last night that claim to be the officinale variety and I also ordered lovage whilst I was about it (Ill use it as a perennial alternative to celery).

If one gets to germinate successfully, I will be happy.  

Has anyone successfully grown it from a true seed?  I know the usual way to propagate is from an established plant but I have no gardening chums that I can scrounge from sadly

MovingForwards

I grew comfrey from root and was sent some plugs.
The root plants took a while to establish, but took off when they made an appearance.
The plugs were very slow, one died and the plants are not as big as what are growing off the root ones.
Personally I would always recommend buying root stock after my experience @Jjah

greenbee

I've grown borage from seed. Once. I now spend my time weeding it out of the beds, the drive and the lawn. 

Jjah

Thanks such a lot, @MovingForwards!
 I was thinking of getting a root instead but it was a little more expensive and I was worried if it would survive the delay in postage which seems to be the norm of late.

It's good to know that your comfrey root did so well.  I'll certainly go for that if I don't get a result with the few seeds.

I LOVE the fact that your borage became so prolific, @greenbee!