2020 new Gardeners’ thread

[FoolsAssassin]

I think there will be a lot of people this year looking to grow veg and things generally. Thought I would be goof if those of us who have been growing for a bit could help those getting started,

I’m far from expert but a few allotments over the years and I know there are lots of people on here who are far more knowledgeable than me. So if anyone has any questions please feel free to ask and will see what we can do.

Congratulations Chewbecca , you have baby beetroot!

I have french beans and runners to sow too, but think it could be a bit cold here still (Yorkshire). Also Yorkshire, 400ft above sea level. I usually reckon on last frost being possible up to 1st week in June (although in recent years it's been a lot earlier), so I sow French and runners from mid April, in greenhouse. I grow in containers, and be the time I move them out, they're at the top of the canes and about to flower.

Does anywhere know of companies delivering compost/topsoil?
(Pref not Amazon)
My local garden centre has sold out and stopped taking phone orders, I'm guessing none of the super-markets/DIY stores will have them out front like usual?
I've ordered plants ok, but got no soil for them to go in!

I was in home bargains the other day (buying essential food and toiletries) and they had compost as usual though it was running very low. Also things like tomorite and pots etc.

Mere thanks for the tip. I sowed runners this morning in old juice containers so missed your tip about larger containers. Ill transplant them into these and keep in conservatory once they've germinated - good idea.

Planted out 8 strawberries today in the sunniest part of the garden . Also sowed more early peas and lettuce in containers.

TiddleTaddleTat You can happily leave the transplanting until you see roots beginning to come out of the bottom. Don't in any case transplant until you have true leaves not just fleshy seed leaves, and hole by the leaves when you transplant, not the stem - young stems are fragile. I think it's helpful to leave it till the roots are filling the pot before transplanting - less damage to the rootball.

Someone mentioned that their Wickes had plenty of compost but was refusing to sell it because it was "not essential".

Thanks Mere
I have transplanted my tomato seedlings before true leaves, hopefully they will be OK (they look fine). I'll wait to do the rest....

I bought a large quantity wickes multipurpose compost several weeks ago, pre lockdown. It had lots of good reviews but I've been very dissappointed as it's extremely dry and has a lot of what look like fabric fibres. I have to water it much more than my other composts.

Hello-fellow newbee gardener here.
Ive just cut back some woody shrubs. The tips are all closed and my local authority has advised against bonfires. Does anyone know the best way to compost woody shrubs?

That’s disappointing to hear about the Wickes compost as I have some waiting to be opened!

Cheesypea I think the best way to compost it is to cut it as small as you can. If nothing else it is something to keep you busy...
Any decent bits that have the potential to be plant supports might be worth keeping and drying but that will depend on how substantial they are,

I’m finding watching my seeds grow really satisfying. I just need to make sure these tiny plants DO grow to edible veg now!

Sainsburys had compost on friday

Hello, what great thread. Thank you.

I've already gleaned some good tips off it.

I bought lots of compost before the the lock down, but have been busy planting veg containers with potatoes, carrots, onions and spring onions, and have seem to have used most of it already. So I was really happy to discover one of the local garden centres are doing deliveries. (I'll be starting my compost heap this year now)

at the moment its all containers, I plan to dig up another part of the garden But I want to get some kind of screen up first, as there is an footpath running at the other side of our boundary, which has never been well used but now with people out exercising its become a bit of furrow fair. which leaves us feeling a bit exposed and lacking in privacy.

I've never grown potatoes before (my parents did but I didn't take note) so I was wondering how long after planting do the first earlys take to push through? I planted them after chitching about 2 weeks ago and have been looking for signs of life since. I'm worried I've done something wrong.

I impulse bought some runner bean seedlings during my grocery shop yesterday and realised I’ve nothing to grow them against! I’ve got some leftover decking that I can cajole Mr Jcurve into making into an A-frame. How tall would it need to be?

Also, how much space would I need to grow squash? Suttons sent me full size squash instead of patty pan squash seeds - I’d planned to grow the latter in large pots but not sure where I can grow a large squash plant!

My Quadgrows also turned up this week so looking forward to planting out my courgettes, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.

*thorough fare that's my dyslexia for you

Chewbecca I always enjoy time off year seeing things come through and really like that
makes me feel connected to the seasons which I find comforting.

ThePittts that’s handy to know, thanks.

NewYear don’t worry yet , they will turn up when they feel like it. You probably know about earthing up but here just in case:
www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-earth-up-potatoes/

Jcurve about 6 feet for the beans. Look at trying the squash vertically too if enough wood or Joy Larkcom suggests a circle, training as it grows by pegging the new growth down.

Not tried Quadpots but had success with Autopots when I had a greenhouse. Have a picture.

Autopots

Thanks FoolsAssassin

Yes the pots are a quarter off the bottom of the container at the moment

just checked again and there is 1 just starting to come through.

Thanks fools. That pic is amazing.

Can I pick more experienced brains about compost? There is none to be found locally and I would like to start growing some herbs and easyish vegetables.
Years ago I had a green plastic compost bin where you put your compostable stuff in the top and get compost out the bottom. Due to difficult circumstances it hasn't been used for a good few years.
I investigated it today and there's about 10 inches of usable compost at the bottom but the rest is very dry with a lot of eggshells which haven't broken down at all. It also looks as though exH dumped some unsuitable garden waste in there which I've removed.
Can it be resurrected and if so what do I need to put in there so it's not so dry? Do the eggshells need to come out?

Hello all you green fingered people

I took my leggy tomato seedlings and planted them deeper in the same pot - they are doing so well - now have more leaves and are looking stronger.

Someone earlier said to waft paper over them (like wind) so I have been doing that as well - my family think I have lost it

I ordered seeds from Mr Fothergills a few weeks ago but am still waiting on them - hope they come soon or it might be too late

I think eggshells are ok in compost. Maybe water the compost so it’s not so dry then add new stuff on top. If you find worms you could add them to speed things up?

KateF I would take out most of the usable stuff leaving a small layer at the bottom then start again. Don’t worry about the eggshells, bash them a bit. Chuck a little bit of water over it and start again.

Noidea well done - have you been talking to them nicely as well?! Don’t worry about the seeds, most things will still be fine. I’ve only really started tomatoes, everything else I will do in the next week or so.

Cardboard is very good in compost as well. We turn ours about every 5/6 months and there is usually a good amount of usable stuff at the bottom.

Thank you. I'll give it a stir up and add some water.