The ups, the downs and the insides out of growing your own in 2025!

droopsnoot

I've started leaving some tomato plants in the lean-to greenhouse overnight to see if they can handle it. Over last night they seem to have survived, so I'll leave a couple more out tonight. They're getting a bit too big to be bringing inside every night. I also planted some lettuce seeds to see if I can actually get some lettuce this year. There was a thing on Gardeners World last week where he put them in a tray, then put the tray in a larger tray with a load of water in it, so I tried that. That's certainly far more water than I was giving them last year, so perhaps that's the key.

Silvertabby

I had to move a couple of tomato plants into the greenhouse last week as they had outgrown the window ledge space.  Even though we are north of Watford Gap, they are fine - lots of flowers and a few green fruits, a couple of which are already showing signs of ripening.

These (grafted) plants were bought as small plants from our local garden centre at the end of March, and I can't believe how quickly they have grown - they are both 5ft, and so nearly at the 'stop the top' stage.

My other tomato plants are much less advanced, so hope this little experiment will extend this years tomato cropping season.

Just about to get stuck in to a good garden and greenhouse tidying session.  If the weather forecast is correct, we are due several days of rain from Friday.  

carinjo

Two big sessions on allotment yesterday and monday.
Tidied the shed, sorted all the bamboo canes and nets/fleece etc.
Build the tomato frames in greenhouse, took idea from neighbour and it went really well. Got about 20plants and a few cucumbers in. Planted purple climbing beans, some from seed dried last year, some from fresh packets. Done sprinklings of sunflower, basil, lettuce, radish everywhere the was a gap. First time sown basil and first time direct sown sunflowers. 
Still disappointed in courgettes, the second planting of 8 pots, only 2 germinated. Very odd, the rest of the collection in packet of 6types courgette, patti pan all done very well. 
Hoping for a bit of rain in next few days, then it the next planting session.
@Suffolk_lass i had a look at cutting some rust away, but think will leave it for now, better care at end of season needed definately. And thanks for the ideanof carpet in greenhouse. Looks lovely!

carinjo

Start of June and almost caught up with where i want to be before going to portugal on 16th.
Brassicas are in with netting build before the time!
Purple climbing beans all germanted and protected from slugs.
Dwarf barlotti sown with cover against pigeons.
Half the squashes/courgettes planted. 
In the greenhouse the chillies and aubergine in. Very late, i know!
Started hacking the blackberry into submission, digging out runners next to asparagus.
Before holiday need to cover the gooseberries, finish with blackberry and planting squashes etc.
Do another sowing of lettuce, radish and beetroot.

Suffolk_lass

Got my husband home yesterday after 8 days in hospital. After rooting out a lounger so he can loll in the garden, I need to get catching up. I did harvest a tiny handful of potatoes that germinated from little leftovers in the wrong bed, and a handful of breakfast radishes (these are lovely as an accompaniment to any supper or lunch just sliced and sprinkled with a light vinegar like white wine or cider. Also rhubarb - I gave away a big bunch of stems to one of the dog sitters we had here

carinjo

@Suffolk_lass i hope your husband on the mend. Lots of tlc coming his way i'm sure

Silvertabby

Well, that's the greenhouse cleaned and the tomatoes and chillies potted in into their final homes.  All nicely romping away - just need a decent summer now.

If you haven't cleaned your greenhouse yet - I can thoroughly recommend Fairy 'Skip the Soak' Power Spray.  Yes, I know it's for dishes, but I sprayed it all over the greenhouse, inside and out, left it for 10 minutes, gave it a rub with a long handled mop, then sprayed the foam off with a hose pipe.  Brilliant job - the green stuff on the glass didn't stand a chance.  

Mr S says it works well on the pots, too.  

fionaandphil

Thanks for that tip @Silvertabby I will give that a try. I got some of the product to test but didn't find it useful for the dishes so it will be put to good use on the greenhouse.

I have my first tomatoes and cucumbers starting to show in the greenhouse and the early lettuces I started in there are supplying our salads. Peas and beans growing well and strawberries appearing everywhere! The slugs had the pak choi but so far have left the rest.

Wet weekend here so I doubt I will get much done in the garden, hope you are faring better 

greenbee

Open gardens here tomorrow, so I need to go out in the rain shortly for an inspection. The veg plot needs the grass cutting (and probably some weeding), and I need to pick spinach/cavolo nero/strawberries and sow more spinach. 

Suffolk_lass

I drove from my beekeeping mentee's house to the north of me, down to the M&S food hall (to buy peonies on behalf of my Mum for our Son's GF) to the south of the town to the south of my home - using back roads and byways (Google thought it best) and no less than three villages had their Open Gardens yesterday with another two today. When we used to in our village, we used to liaise with the neighbouring village to ensure we didn't pick the same day. With 20 gardens in their location and around 12-15 in ours, anyone interested could not do two in one day with any justice (which included cream teas, coffees and lunches in three different gardens). 

Good luck today if you are taking part @greenbee - it's a great fundraiser