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

carinjo

@MissRikkiC i just leave the bulbs in the ground. I've always left whatever bulbs i have. Most come back the next year. I did however cut the stalks and leaves this time just so it tidier for the veg planting, normally i leave it to die down before removing.  The carrots, lettuce and radish all have straight roots, so i hope they don't interfere too much with the bulbs. Another experiment! 

Suffolk_lass

Whether you should lift Tulip bulbs or not depends on what type they are. I watched two episodes on GW on catch-up while staying with my Mum and one of those included a feature on someone's tulips (so in the last month and they trail it in the intro to the programme, if you want to look) - only one sort thrive if left in the ground with the others needing to be lifted to return as well.

We are back from hols and catching up on here and in RL very slowly. Tomatoes, chillies and bell peppers all thriving in the greenhouse (I think DS got what I asked for this time while he was house/cat/plant sitting). Bees are taking up much time and we are helping others where we can. I have planted beans and squash seeds now so just waiting for things to germinate. I took the precaution of bringing a few indoors onto the kitchen window-sill and can see the first Blauhilde (climbing purple French bean) and denilo (dwarf French beans) are poking through there but need some runners and Borlottis to put in an appearance.

No sign of pumpkin, cucumber, courgette or butternut squash yet. Also no sign of the banana shallot seedlings I ordered in February...hmm.

While we rabbit-protect our raised beds I am poor at netting soft fruit. I am also terrible at keeping on top of weeding. On this occasion I have maybe 30 lettuces that have self seeded!!

carinjo

Thank you @Suffolk_lass managed to watch the episode this morning. It's Episode 8 of the new series on the BBC iplayer for anyone else wanting to watch. I'll be lifting tulips next time at allotment!

carinjo

Lifted the tulips this morning from raised box on allotment. The radishes, lettuce planted last sunday inbetween the bulbs already sticking their heads through.
Ms C done the second dig for the tomatoes, we planning on putting them in tomorrow. 
The chard and spinach seedlings from the pallet box (which started with windows glass for heating) ready to be transplanted into the brassica tunnel. The radishes ready to be harvested too, but i am enjoying snacking on them as i work. 
A stop at h0mebarga1ns and picked up a pack of marigold plants for inbetween the tomatoes, since our seedlings still too small for allotment, they will go in the tomato pots at home.
Noticed that half the gooseberry bushes don't have any fruit on them again, same as last year. Not sure why, will need to read up a bit.

Suffolk_lass

If your gooseberry is still young, it might be you just need to wait a bit - some are like asparagus and you have to wait until year three for any and four before it is worth harvesting

carinjo

Not sure how long they have been there @Suffolk_lass, but at least since we took.over the front plot 3/4 years ago. I do remember that some of the bushes were the lovely sweet red ones and i think those are the ones not fruiting. Gave them some food, so fingers crossed.
The tomatoes on allotment went in as did the marigolds. Got a lovely harvest of radishes and got some lettuce from neighbour with more tomorrow.
Ms C started prepping the area for the big seeds, going to cover it up again with weedsuppressing fabric with holes cut into it, worked really well last year.

carinjo

Done the bush tomatoes at home today in pots. I had a look at getting tomato planter bags to empty into pots as suggested previous years, but worked out too costly, just went for peat free multi purpose. The marigold seedlings went in too. Got some basil pots from Ald1s, split them and added to some of the tomatoes. Tripped over a brick in garden, broke 2 of the 3 cucumber plants, my pride nd very almost my hip! Stuck some cucumber seeds in the pot, fingers crossed.

sammy_kaye18

Well things are progressing here nicely.

I spent Saturday in the garden, had to put my big Bertha brolly up as it was so warm and then I forgot to fold her down and the bleeding wind snapped two of her arms! So will have to look at replacing her as I struggle in the heat but I’m determined to enjoy my garden this year. 

I put two poles up and have strung the pea netting between them so that’s up nicely. 

Also runner beans were taking off in the greenhouse so I had brought an arch and they are now going to be trained to go up and over it. They are both along the same fence (peas and beans) so I’m hoping it will make a living wall to block out nosy neighbours. 

Haven’t planted anything in beds yet but have thinned out the radishes which we’re going a bit nuts and I have a lot of carrots that have sprouted to replant outside. 

Also forgot I put a potato in a shall tub and had no compost to fill it so j managed to cover the leaves up with old compost and then have dumped a load of grass cuttings on top so I’m hoping they will keep rotting down and I’ll put compost in when I can. 

Also strawberry plants I pinched from MIL now have flowers growing. 

Also cucumbers and peppers have finally sprouted in the greenhouse so before long I will need to pot all of those on as well. 

Hoping to get cucumbers outside in one of the beds and then the greenhouse can be for peppers and tomatoes. 

Also had my first bit of rocket and lettuce from the greenhouse the other day too and have a courgette that is happily growing in a tub too. 

Suffolk_lass

Big day potting on tomatoes yesterday, with six against the house and 17 in the greenhouse, I have a few to give away. I always grow lots because I make my own chopped tomatoes to go through winter. Here is hoping it all goes well this year with no bottom end rot or blight.

I really need to plant beans today. They have all germinated and I have three pots of about 15 of Blauhilde (climbing stringless French bean), and two pots each of runners, borlotti and dwarf French beans. There are loads of self-seeded lettuces. I might need to make some lettuce soup...

Chillies and peppers need repotting and my goodness the paths need weeding. Need to sow carrots and beets in situ and remember to water all the squashes (in the cold frame).

Oh yes, we have put some bean poles in with the raspberries, not to support them - rather to encourage the bind weed to start growing up them instead of the raspberries so I can treat it topically.

I also have a bunch of perennials I got and have grown on (they were £5.95 postage only from T&M in a GW magazine offer). I can see which are the verbena (as I already have loads) but need to make sure the rest go in suitable places with a bit of looking up, and although it is no-mow-May, there are some big weeds in what used to be a lawn that need removing.

Happy days with this lovely weather

MovingForwards

I've been potting up spare herbs and plants as a few people are starting from scratch. I also managed to offload a ton of seeds I wouldn't be using.

My fruit is forming, greens are growing and I'll be netting everything the weekend.