The Vegetable Patch Mark 2

[MereDintofPandiculation]

A continuation of the thread for those of us growing edibles, to share triumphs and failures, swap expertise and solve problems

@Lovemusic33 Tricky, isn't it? I think I'll just have to prioritise new seeds that are germinating, and as soon as they pop up move their pots and trays out into the garden to make way for more germinating things, and hope for the best.

Germination in my house is quite sporadic as it's drafty, so the temperature fluctuates, and it's not light enough until later in the year.

What I wouldn't give for a proper greenhouse!

if greenhouses ard not allowed, are cold frames an option?

An allotment that doesn't allow sheds - I've never come across that and would find it very hard to garden indeed, without some form of decent storage on site.

I am lucky that my allotment is a stone through away from my house so I usually transport tools with my wheelbarrow 🤣

someone has just put up a mini poly tunnel on their plot, I thought this was against the rules but so far no one’s told them to remove it. It’s not a huge allotment (only 25 small ish plots) which I think is why sheds and greenhouses are not allowed.

It’s fine, I have one of those bench storage box things and everything goes in there apart from my hoe which is too long and that lies behind it (comes home in winter). I keep other stuff such as my hoops and netting out in the open. Hose reel overwinters at home so it doesn’t freeze with water in. I have one of the half shed/half greenhouse things at home for growing in and storing my home garden tools. Very few sheds on our site.

I have a 6x12 log cabin on my allotment. Got it on freecycle, the lady of the house saw a mouse run under it, assume she put her loo seat in the dishwasher. The allotment officer is rather jealous.

Planted peas (and other stuff)about a week ago, need to go and see how they are doing.

For the radish lovers out there, mooli grows very well i this country. Wasabi is not bad, needs protecting from severe frost and to be kept wet and shaded.

Yes I would have preferred to be allowed a shed or greenhouse of some description, both for tool storage and somewhere to hide from the weather when necessary. Still, I'm just happy to have a plot so I'm not complaining.

We're also "strongly advised against" using hoses for watering. They recommend water butts. But with no shed or greenhouse roof to collect water off I'm not sure how much one would actually collect. I imagine I'll find one for free somewhere so we'll see.

I'd actually ask them how you are expected to fill water butts with no structures allowed. What a daft rule.

I've been so busy in planting out here in France, and as I had 3 weeks out will,, during my 'weed and prep' period I'm well behind. Not that it matters, so many things I planted out have been slugged that I'm going to have to buy [BUY] pepper plants to fill in for the ones taken out by the slimy buggers this week.

I'm off to a massive plant fair at the weekend. So will get them there.

The allotment I used to have had no storage and no water. And was about a mile away when I had no car

We have a communal shed where you can keep tools (I've never used it though). I keep an emergency umbrella in my bench box - I'm about 10 mins walk from home at the plot and it has come in handy from time to time. Yes to no shed meaning water butts don't fill very fast, that is definitely a drawback. But our plots are small which is probably why so few have sheds and I've never seriously considered getting one. I also like the fact that there are hardly any so you can see over the entire site, it is lovely.

With regard to slugs, I've had some success with copper tape, if practical. Anyone rate the wool pellet things? I dread checking my seedlings each morning. Last year they were almost all decimated overnight!

Also can't get my courgette seeds to germinate. Do they need to be very warm? I've got some on my kitchen windowsill and some in a cold frame. I think I'll have to buy some young plants as I think it's getting a bit late now.

yes, courgette need about 20 degrees to germinate. once they get going they are fine with night temps above 10 but do best above 20 daytime.

I do rate the wool pellets, but unfortunately so do my cats. I have 2 large Maine Coons and they love the pellets so much they roll around and squash the plants.

when chosing seedlings to plant - do you go by root growth or top growth?

I have 4 cucumber seedlings. one is quite a bit bigger than the others, but looking at the roots, they don't yet reach the bottom of the 500ml yoghurt pot. the others are smaller but 2 of them almost fill the pot with their roots.

I’d go by roots provided the top growth is reasonable

they all look good.

I just don't want to give a plant to friends that then outshines mine

That'll happen anyway. It's called Sod's law

Actually, I’ve just potted out 3 courgettes. I went entirely by top growth

As long as it stays dry, moving some squash to the allotment tonight. I might have to try pick up some courgette plants as mine have not germinated.

We got some bought plants in the ground at the weekend, mange tout, kale and brussel sprouts. Have also direct sown some mange tout at home and will do the same at the allotment. French beans have germinated well and will probably be ready to plant out in a week.

Also picked up some more seed potatoes being sold off cheap, so if we get those in the ground hopefully get a late crop. We've got plenty of space so no issues if we don't harvest until Sept/Oct. One of the varieties is a blue potato!

Chillis and Tomatoes are spending days outside and nights inside. These will all stay at home.

Otherwise just need to do some more weeding at the allotment and get some more wood chip spread on the paths (we have free wood chip at the allotment so just needs to be narrowed down)

I moved one squash onto my plot today…..as a tester, if it’s ok in a couple days I will plant the rest out. My runner beans went out yesterday and look fine today.

tagging along in the hope of picking up wisdom!
I planted out my french means today (I'm in Cornwall). I think I'm going to plant out some squash later. DH has made a frame a la Monty Don for them scramble up. Which will leave more room for my courgettes to meander and roam down below.
Fingers crossed I'm not going too soon!

French beans not means obviously!

Those who have planted out, how are you getting on?
I'm in the South and the forecast is looking fantastic for the next couple of weeks. I have pumpkins and courgettes that my windowsill is struggling to contain. But I've gone too early before and lost everything so I'm scared.

@Oysterbabe - I came on to post about this specifically!

I have 13 plants of pumpkin and courgettes that are looking good but really need to be planted out. I’m in Scotland but weather forecast is looking about 15 degrees upwards for the coming week.