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

FreeBear

The pot of nepeta that I had growing outside has been nibbled to death.. Got some more growing on the windowsill in the bathroom. Debating potting the seedlings up and putting them in a cage outside.

Silvertabby

FreeBear said:

The pot of nepeta that I had growing outside has been nibbled to death.. Got some more growing on the windowsill in the bathroom. Debating potting the seedlings up and putting them in a cage outside.

Your cat or a little visitor?

FreeBear

Silvertabby said:

FreeBear said:

The pot of nepeta that I had growing outside has been nibbled to death.. Got some more growing on the windowsill in the bathroom. Debating potting the seedlings up and putting them in a cage outside.

Your cat or a little visitor?

Probably the BFC that rules the house here.

Glittering_M

My nepeta (I think cat nip rather than the mint), did so well last year, it was huge, definitely over 5ft..The bees loved it when it was in flower. I cut some of it back last year but kept the rest for some winter interest and I've cut the rest largely back. 

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be doing anything and I'm worried I've killed it.

I had saved some seeds from it as I had wanted to grow some plants for friends but I may have to take some of the plants. The seeds have germinated.

I was going to replant it this year anyway as I hadn't realised it would look like nettles for most of the year until it flowered! 

I had thought they were perennial so not sure what has happened here. 

sammy_kaye18

I have actually gotten around to getting stuff sown in the greenhouse but the weather here in south wales is just all over the place much like most of the UK still is I expect. 

In the greenhouse so far I have 
- chillis - basket of fire and jalapeno 
- aubergine (why not try)
- 4 different types of tomato - big pink, binoto, money maker and ....... ????
- peas
- cabbage
- courgette
- cucumber
- lettuce

I have a load of chitted potatoes to put out but dont have the compost at the minute to earth up but they are next to go into containers so may get a few started with the compost I have at the minute.

Have also put all my containers out ready, made the flowerbed for some wildflower and bulbs to go into. 

Need to weed the strawberry bed because I want to encourage the strawberries and later add the beans and peas to the same bed to companion plant them. I do need to start my runner beans soon as well. 

Sure theres something else Ive started. 
Beetroot but Im not convinced its doing very well. 

I do have watermelon seed to plant as well. (trial for a change) and I have some cauliflower, yellow courgette, tobasco chilli seeds on their way.  

I really need to cut the grass too but its so wet at the minute. I really want to put compost and a layer of grass in my containers to give plants a good boost. I already have some well rotted manure on the way from a local stable. 

Silvertabby

Glittering_M said:

My nepeta (I think cat nip rather than the mint), did so well last year, it was huge, definitely over 5ft..The bees loved it when it was in flower. I cut some of it back last year but kept the rest for some winter interest and I've cut the rest largely back. 

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be doing anything and I'm worried I've killed it.

I had saved some seeds from it as I had wanted to grow some plants for friends but I may have to take some of the plants. The seeds have germinated.

I was going to replant it this year anyway as I hadn't realised it would look like nettles for most of the year until it flowered! 

I had thought they were perennial so not sure what has happened here. 

That's big for a nepeta - the biggest variety only normally gets to 2.5 - 3ft.

Are you sure it isn't a perovskia (Russian sage)?

Glittering_M

Silvertabby said:

Glittering_M said:

My nepeta (I think cat nip rather than the mint), did so well last year, it was huge, definitely over 5ft..The bees loved it when it was in flower. I cut some of it back last year but kept the rest for some winter interest and I've cut the rest largely back. 

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be doing anything and I'm worried I've killed it.

I had saved some seeds from it as I had wanted to grow some plants for friends but I may have to take some of the plants. The seeds have germinated.

I was going to replant it this year anyway as I hadn't realised it would look like nettles for most of the year until it flowered! 

I had thought they were perennial so not sure what has happened here. 

That's big for a nepeta - the biggest variety only normally gets to 2.5 - 3ft.

Are you sure it isn't a perovskia (Russian sage)?

I know, it went mad! 

Definitely not Russian Sage, flowers are different. Russian Sage looks very pretty and now I want some!

It was like this:

https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/nepeta-cataria/classid.2000028484/

Most of the year it looked like a nettle (without the sting) until it flowered.

Silvertabby

Glittering_M said:

Silvertabby said:

Glittering_M said:

My nepeta (I think cat nip rather than the mint), did so well last year, it was huge, definitely over 5ft..The bees loved it when it was in flower. I cut some of it back last year but kept the rest for some winter interest and I've cut the rest largely back. 

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be doing anything and I'm worried I've killed it.

I had saved some seeds from it as I had wanted to grow some plants for friends but I may have to take some of the plants. The seeds have germinated.

I was going to replant it this year anyway as I hadn't realised it would look like nettles for most of the year until it flowered! 

I had thought they were perennial so not sure what has happened here. 

That's big for a nepeta - the biggest variety only normally gets to 2.5 - 3ft.

Are you sure it isn't a perovskia (Russian sage)?

I know, it went mad! 

Definitely not Russian Sage, flowers are different. Russian Sage looks very pretty and now I want some!

It was like this:

https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/nepeta-cataria/classid.2000028484/

Most of the year it looked like a nettle (without the sting) until it flowered.

I  was going to say you must have healthy soil, but I would have expected to see signs of life by now!  I have two dwarf(ish)  nepeta plants (Purrsian Blue) in pots, and both are showing a healthy amount of new growth.

alicef

Ditto here  @sammy_kaye18!  Squashes/pumpkins & sweetcorn sowing next on the list. 

I sowed beetroot in modules a la Charles Dowding - but I'm not sure.  They have germinated but I don't know how well they'll transplant.  Will direct sow anyhow. 

Am having to cart crates of plants between potting shed (better light) and utility room (better overnight temperature). 

Having a break before pricking out lettuce (might be long break).

Glittering_M

Hopefully my nepata seedlings will continue to take off and replace what I have then.

Another question please that G00gle doesn't seem to be able to help with:

We planted an apple pip (from the supermarket, not marked as organic) around 5 or 6 years ago. It is now about 5-6ft and it produces leaves but it has never formed buds or fruit. 

Ultimately I don't mind it as a tree but I'd prefer it if it produces flowers and apples! 

Is it just too immature? If so, when can I expect as a benchmark for it to do something.
Will it ever fruit? 

It is in a large pot and I replaced the top layer of soil this year with well rotted manure. It probably could go in the ground we just haven't decided where it's permanent home will be (and we are likely going to be moving around too so for now easier in the pot).

 I know apples can get a bit confusing with different root stock and grafting which obviously we haven't done.