The ups, the downs and the insides out of growing your own in 2024!

Suffolk_lass

@CoffeeSonata Unless your shed key is a padlock, the integral locks will usually operate with any key of that shape.

Farway

CoffeeSonata said:

Half trained espalier now looking somewhat tree like at top no idea what to do, totally dropped the ball on that one when I was sick and because the upper wires weren’t put in) 

If the branches are still flexible enough, you can pull them down to as near horizontal as you can get them, tie them in & they will “set” as the wood ripens

Have look on YouTube for "bending branches fruit training"

Much the same result as espalier but later start

droopsnoot

One of my tomato seeds has sprouted, so now I'm annoyed that none of the others have. Planted some chives in a pot on the windowsill yesterday. If it ever gets dry enough I'll clean all the dandelions out of the cold frame and have another go with lettuce this year.

kiss_me_now9

We've got our first seedlings here! 4 melons have sprung up (incredibly quickly - I only planted the seeds on Thursday last week). Transferred them to the windowsill from the heat mat/propagator. Hoping that the loss of heat doesn't bother them but they're already 1.5 inches tall and hitting the top of the propagator. Nothing else up atm (I did expect my sweet peas to be up quite quickly as they were all pre-soaked and thus sprouted but they're in the greenhouse so I guess I need to be patient). Peas have made no appearance yet either but hopefully they're happily working away under ground. 

This week I need to get my tomatoes, cucumbers, gherkins and courgettes started.

Glittering_M

Recommendations for seed compost please. 

We have multi purpose, half tempted to just sieve it but my understanding is that multi purpose has too much nutrients for seeds? 

Thoughts?

leftatthetrafficlights

Personally I'd just use the multi purpose - I've used both and always have better results with it. I've also mixed multi purpose with old compost from pots to help keep costs down and that has also worked. Tbh, the worst results I've ever had were when I used seed compost exclusively!! 

I was watching a very successful gardeners YouTube programme recently (I think it was Huw Richards🤔) and he always uses multi purpose for seeds....

Farway

Glittering_M said:

Recommendations for seed compost please. 

We have multi purpose, half tempted to just sieve it but my understanding is that multi purpose has too much nutrients for seeds? 

Thoughts?

A second for just use Multi purpose, the clue is in the name.

Years back when only soil based compost was the only game in town, before Mr Levington developed his miracle peat based compost, the seed one was used because it was finely riddled and the others could be a bit lumpy.

-taff

I've never used anything but multi purpose...oh, I lie, sometimes I use just dirt from the ground....

Glittering_M

Thanks all, really appreciate it. 

alicef

First batch of tomatoes have been potted on and now have to wing it on the window sills.  I've sowed again into cells for second batch.  Planted out first tranche of broad beans, and put in canes with toppers ready for tying in, (go me!). Nearly time to pinch out my sweet peas.  I did sow a few 9cm pots of leafy herbs but haven't seen any signs of germination so will try again, sowing into half trays and leaving them in the potting shed.  First tranche of peas just starting to peek above the soil so will soak another bowl of seed.  Can get into fruit cage now - plan is to prune blackcurrants/redcurrants and gooseberries before they get going and I need to !!!!!! out onion seedlings - if weather holds this w/e I'll do the former if not I'll do the latter, that's the plan, (though my plans always seem to tend towards fluidity)