gardening jobs you can do in May

Plum_Pie

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Sorry Annie, only just noticed this

I don't have a clue what type of soil I have but it seems pretty fertile (judging by the amount of weed that grows!!! :mad: ) When it's damp it turns over and breaks up fairly easy and looks and feels lovely, rich dark soil that just runs through your fingers, but when it's dry (like now!!!) it goes a greyish colour and sort of sets on the top like cement, if that makes sense? It's horrible to dig when dry as it's very dusty and clumps into little hard lumps

Sounds like there's some clay in there?

~Chameleon~

Plum_Pie wrote: »

Sounds like there's some clay in there?

I really wouldn't have a clue as I'm useless at identifying soil types. I'd assumed it wasn't clay as it drains quite well, in fact too well in most areas, hence why it gets so dry

Plum_Pie

The fact that it looks grey, dusty and cement-y was my reason. Also you're in Essex, Essex is next to London, London soil is very clay-y. My geography/ geology are, erm, a bit primitive.

I'm almost compulsively gardening at the mo. This is because I'm trying to catch up, having done nothing in my garden until late March. Yesterday I popped out to check on my seedlings and an hour later still hadn't started the washing up.... (The back door from the kitchen leads on the garden)

Lotus-eater

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

A question if I may please? The white sprouting brocolli I planted last autumn is coming on in leaps and bounds and is about 3ft tall now but so far only one plant has produced any "sprouts" to eat, everything else is just producing massive leaves!!! Am I doing something wrong?

Never grown it, but if you are feeding it stop and if you are watering it, stop that as well, unless it looks like its completely dying.

I have mostly raised beds and I have hardly watered them at all. Much better to leave the plants if possible to get deeper roots and they will survive better by themselves (and I think taste better as well) Too much water and they will get green and lush, a good target for slugs, with short root systems and they will constantly need watering.

Lotus-eater

Btw, we are now totally self sufficient in salad leaves and thats with 3 or more salads a week very nice feeling. I've grown oriental mixed salad leaves for the first time (had an old free packet knocking around) and they are great! Definitely grow them again, they grow so fast its unreal.

Lotus-eater

Plum_Pie wrote: »

Was considering making a sortof shelf/bench to go against the wall to put my Hostas on. Have some bits of wood but not enough and some carpentry skills but not great ones!

Well although its probably not much help, I put the pieces of wood together and knock in nails or screws until it stops falling over ........... then paint it, so no one can see what a mess you made of it :rotfl:


Works for me

~Chameleon~

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Never grown it, but if you are feeding it stop and if you are watering it, stop that as well, unless it looks like its completely dying.

I have mostly raised beds and I have hardly watered them at all. Much better to leave the plants if possible to get deeper roots and they will survive better by themselves (and I think taste better as well) Too much water and they will get green and lush, a good target for slugs, with short root systems and they will constantly need watering.

I did feed it the other week, along with the cabbages, with some of that nitro stuff specially for brassicas. I haven't watered it too much, just a light sprinkling two or three times over the last week as it's been so hot and dry.

I must admit I'm not overly impressed with the bits of broccoli I've already had off it. The stems were very tough even though I only lightly steamed them the first time and stir-fried the second time, so I've not overcooked them or anything

The cabbages on the otherhand are absolutely delish, just sliced and stir-fried in a little olive oil and butter :drool:

Plum_Pie

Come on then! An extra day off (for most!) and everything is growing like crazy right now (hopefully)!

What are your plans for the garden this weekend?

I'm away for most of the weekend so will be just planting a few more night-scented stock seeds tomorrow morning, so I have a second wave when the first lot die are finished. Also, I bought a heuchera obsidian last weekend which I've changed my mind about, so I have to deliver it to my sister.

Doom_and_Gloom

Well today I've been sweeping the patio outside where my make-shift BBQ is going (made from bricks but not cemented) for tomorrow and been adding more stuff to the bombfire (sp?) that is for tomorrow as well. Later on will be making the make shift BBQ .

On Sunday I will be planting my seedlings into my first veg patch and planting some things that I haven't been able to do untill now as I was afraid the bomfire would scorch my seeds and seedlings as it's rather near (bombfire is in my second veg patch lol). So that means the sweetcorn, courgettes, lettuce, cabbages, marrow and cucumber will finally be able to be taken out of their pots and put in the ground :T :j and I will be able to sow my peas, beetroot, spring onions and onion sets :beer: . I believe I will be growing potaotes in a big tub soon as well as some courgettes . Maybe even buy a REALLY huge pot to grow a pumpkin in as I would like to grow pumpkin and I have quite a lot of patio to the side of my patches :cool: .

eaustin

What sort of vegetables could I be planting now, at the end of May, that are fairly 'foolproof'?

I'm looking for something relatively easy for beginner and that won't require too much attention until they're ready for eating.

Any advice / suggestions welcomed.