Nuggets Mahoney Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Just a thought, but if you're falling behind for this season, and that'll be perfectly normal in the circumstances, and you want to use as much of the plot productively as possible, you might want to think about starting off some squash/ pumpkins, (I like butternut). They'll take as much room as you give them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC1 Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 They'll take as much room as you give them. Good call - I find most squashes quite bland and watery, but butternuts are very tasty and quite versatile, I might well give them a go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahBell Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Thanks Sarah, good ideas. Thing is, I'm not a massive potato eater! I did buy a few rows worth of seed potatoes (can't remember the variety) so will get them in asap. What is a good mulch material in the absence of an established compost heap etc? I've seen straw mentioned somewhere, and that seems like quite a clean & attractive option, although I can't imagine there's much nutrient in it? It's too late for manure I think, unless I can find a source of well-rotted stuff, which I don't think is very easy...? Straw if you can find it. A local dog boarding kennels has it and he's lovely enough to offer to deliver for free. Grass clippings - mow the lawn and take it to the plot. Shredded paper (soak it and it won't blow away) Spent hops if you have a local small brewery - although they will be quite wet they do dry out quickly. After that it's probably bought in stuff. I am a miser. Manure can often be collected free from stables. Ring up the ones nearest. Or ask on the site where they get it from. But if you have nice neighbours who also mow their lawn you could be collecting that and layering it with cardboard to create nice compost heap. Nicky in Devon who is the compost guru reckons it's a brilliant compost. Start your compost heap ASAP. Put your docks and dandelion roots in either a bucket of water to drown them or black plastic bags to kill them. It takes a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahBell Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 There's one bloke with a plot near to mine who's already laid everything out for the season ahead; tomato canes, bean trenches, bean poles, net trellises for cucumbers, all perfectly measured out, every square inch of soil ground to a fine tilth. No weeds in sight. He has had the plot for eight years though. We have one like that. He did poison his soil by using creocote on his edging boards though. Never accept anything off plots where they use nasty chemicals - and watch out for those who apply slug pellets constantly too. Don't eat it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahBell Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Good call - I find most squashes quite bland and watery, but butternuts are very tasty and quite versatile, I might well give them a go! potimarron pumpkin was the best tasting one I've ever grown. Am going to be sowing lots this year and giving the plants to people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuggets Mahoney Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Good call - I find most squashes quite bland and watery, but butternuts are very tasty and quite versatile, I might well give them a go! I would. Particularly if I had some space I wouldn't realistically be able to spend much time on this season. Also, they keep for a good while. Something else I grow which isn't watery or tasteless is a green pumpkin ('jarrahdale') that's popular in NZ and v. similar inside to a butternut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuggets Mahoney Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 potimarron pumpkin was the best tasting one I've ever grown. Am going to be sowing lots this year and giving the plants to people. hmmm, that looks intersting I tried giving up a half-sized plot on my existing site (I'm working a full-sized plot in a better spot) and I was told I can keep using it as a freebie if I want (no waiting lists where I am, far from it). I've been thinking about turning the half plot into a pumpkin/ squash sanctuary this year. I'm v. possibly going to give those a go, thx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahBell Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 hmmm, that looks intersting I tried giving up a half-sized plot on my existing site (I'm working a full-sized plot in a better spot) and I was told I can keep using it as a freebie if I want (no waiting lists where I am, far from it). I've been thinking about turning the half plot into a pumpkin/ squash sanctuary this year. I'm v. possibly going to give those a go, thx. It's certainly low-ish maintenance. They mulch themselves once they get going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corevalue Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Just picking huge winter cauliflowers, and masses of sprouting broccoli. The last two years were a crop failure, as the cold weather wiped them out, I'm glad I persisted. The advantage of them is that they come at a time when the caterpillars aren't around, and also a sparse time for other veg. The only other cauliflower I grow is romanesceau, and a fast-growing early broccoli; hopefully, I'll pick those before the caterpillars arrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC1 Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Just picking huge winter cauliflowers, and masses of sprouting broccoli. The last two years were a crop failure, as the cold weather wiped them out, I'm glad I persisted. The advantage of them is that they come at a time when the caterpillars aren't around, and also a sparse time for other veg. The only other cauliflower I grow is romanesceau, and a fast-growing early broccoli; hopefully, I'll pick those before the caterpillars arrive. I only just this week became educated about the difference between broccoli (white & purple) and calabrese (what 99% of people think is called broccoli)... Mind = blown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigantic Purple Slug Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Carry on planting guys. Nom Nom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Allegro Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 I did the wet newspaper membrane thing on some weedy bits in my mum's garden. I just put a few damp sheets down and covered them with clean topsoil, then trod it all down firmly. Two years on and it's still largely weed free. Mother thinks it's some kind of miracle. She's of the generation that thinks you have to break your back digging weeds every day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juvenal Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 I'm planting out 2" early beetroot plants grown in a frame. Still sowing sucessional lettuce in pots in the cold frame (Sweetheart and Salad Bowl). Allotment broad beans in good flower. Sugarsnax and Early Nantes carrot seedlings showing. Tomato seedlings almost ready for potting on into single 3" pots. Gardener's Delight and Sweet Million for allotment open ground. Garden Pearl and Minibell for patio 10" pots. Leek seedlings in cold frame 2" high. Waiting awhile yet to start germinating French, Climbing French and Runner Beans inside. Same with sweetcorn, Marketmore outdoor cucumber, courgette and squashes. Sweetcorn tip: Take a small tupperware-type box. Fold a square of kitchen paper into the bottom. Damp the paper well. Place sweetcorn seeds inside on paper. Close lid tight. Within a few days all viable seeds will develop a strong, visible, single white root. When roots are half an inch long, the seeds can go into single three inch pots of compost, or in early May, carefully into open ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winkie Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Lots of spinach, end of the leeks, radish, baby leaves, purple sprouting broccoli, kale......tomato plants six inch high.......everyday something new is happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuG III Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Carry on planting guys. Nom Nom. Actually had one hell of a slug outbreak the other day when it rained for the first time in a week. Bloody hundreds of the buggers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 Actually had one hell of a slug outbreak the other day when it rained for the first time in a week. Bloody hundreds of the buggers! The world of molluscs is fascinating! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winkie Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 Don't use slug pellets, the badger and the birds eat them.:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@contradevian Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 Trying to get the ALMO to put some planters on the spare land around my block. My housing officer was quite keen on the idea and thought 'a grant' might be available. Then I can join in the allotment revolution! Dig for Victory! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahBell Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 Trying to get the ALMO to put some planters on the spare land around my block. My housing officer was quite keen on the idea and thought 'a grant' might be available. Then I can join in the allotment revolution! Dig for Victory! Ooooooooooo There's always tons of bits of grants available. Ask your local councillors for help! Our district partnership (local ward councillors thing) has staff who deal with community involvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahBell Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b040y925/Deep_Down_and_Dirty_The_Science_of_Soil/ This is well worth a watch.Darwn's worm book was one of the first I got for kindle.I'm a firm believer in mulching the soil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 Snails. http://home.bt.com/news/oddnews/snails-we-lob-them-over-the-fence-11363894520679 It reminded me of a friend from years ago when I lived in York. Snails are one of God's mysteries! What are they "for"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 I'm only growing cannabis this year! Iused to grow it in the loft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC1 Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 I'm only growing cannabis this year! Iused to grow it in the loft. For making rope, right?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 We nautical folk can't get enough rope!! Splice the main brace, number one, and prepare the bong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juvenal Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Just finished potting up my tomato plants. Heavy rain on the south coast today. I just hope the bumblebees aren't being kept from my broad bean.. flowers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.