The even bigger and better and hopefully not lower bits of growing your own in 2022!

MissRikkiC

I hope everyone is having this lovely weather we’re having (especially those up in the north!), I’m in the midlands and it’s glorious. 

Between yesterday and today, I’ve planted the 20 bare root strawberries I got at the back end of last week and planted the 5 plants. I have likely planted the plants to close together but not sure what they need really. I keep thinking about square foot gardening and it means I ignore the spacing designed for other gardening methods. We shall see I guess. 

I started some peas off (to try them out) in paper towel and popped them in a seed tray once they’d germinated and thankfully they’re taking off now. Although I’m aware they don’t like transplanted so not sure on my next move. Good job it was an experiment. 

I have so many seeds to start off now though, just need to get on it. I’ll keep everything that needs it indoors. 

I’ve put the old baby room grow egg in the conservatory and last night after a warm day the temp dropped through the night to 16. Still warm enough I think, might be worth wile not using the cold frame (yet to arrive) just yet but instead use it later for hardening off.  

I’ve misplaced a packet of carrot seeds and a packet of parsnips! Driving me nuts where I’ve put them as I want the carrots going out this week! 

Anyway, washing to get on the line. Enjoy the sunshine everyone

Glittering_M

Hello, 
I've just purchased a mix of flower and veg seeds and plants, some will go direct in the ground but others I would like pots for.

Has anyone got any recommendations for sturdy pots/troughs etc for outdoors that won't break the bank? I don't have a preference for what style I want. 

Farway

Glittering_M said:

Hello, 
I've just purchased a mix of flower and veg seeds and plants, some will go direct in the ground but others I would like pots for.

Has anyone got any recommendations for sturdy pots/troughs etc for outdoors that won't break the bank? I don't have a preference for what style I want. 

You could try asking on local give away groups, like FB, mine often has such items where people are having a clear out

Suffolk_lass

@MissRikkiC re peas not liking to be transferred - I think that is why lots of people start them in guttering then dig a trench and slide them in.


@Farway I agree with @Glittering_M re getting good pots from FB Marketplace and Freecycle - it's also worth checking with your local garden centre who often give them away and boot and garage sales, of course

I'm resisting the urge to plant too much out here as cold weather is in prospect next week. I am trying to persuade myself not to plant my squash seeds until we get back from a holiday immediately after Easter, but we might have to take some pots of seeds with us in the car... late May for last frosts last year and I lost my carefully cultivated cucumbers

Glittering_M

Thanks both, I'll give them a go!

Suffolk_lass

My second sowing of Tomato seeds are all starting to germinate and little stalks are appearing - I marked the pots to differentiate between the seed company versions as two of the pots are Sungold F1H (super-sweet orange cherry) which are very popular here. None of the chillies or peppers in the second sowing are showing, but I think that is the same as always.

Oh yes, my grey wood cold frame arrived and has been assembled and positioned. I can start hardening off tomatoes that are little plants and still indoors next week

MovingForwards

I watered my garden after work, had a good look at everything.

Seeing the leaf buds on my fruit trees warmed my heart, as did seeing all the leaves on my fruit bushes.

I'm hoping to be sowing my first season seeds and planting spuds tomorrow.

I'll also be harvesting, blanching and freezing my kale as there's flowers forming; not surprising due to the heat lately. 

atrixa

I have a question about the weather next week (very new to this, sorry). We're expecting heavy snow and around 1C temperatures. I planted some garlic out in containers, most of which have shoots now. What would you do with them? Leave them as is, take indoors, cover over? 

MovingForwards

Leave them as is, it's the cold which makes the individual cloves form @atrixa

bluesooz

MissRikkiC all my strawberry plants are closer together than recommended I just make sure I keep the patch weeded and fed and I've had some very heavy crops

My veg patch isn't that big so everything I grow tends to be crammed in - I'm more of a square yard and a bit! style rather than the square foot - so no nice long neat rows - with the odds and ends shaing a square yard.  As with all gardening it's experimenting to see what works in your own garden.