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

Yes, I've isuaully had to weap thin string round my wigwam of canes to get cucamelons to scramble. They don't have much flavour but are so pretty, I turn them into dill pickles to boost the flavour and store them.

Today I've sown the third batch of tomatoes, I sowed bush ones first, then the medium and large vine types and the cherry and smaller ones today.

I've also pricked out lettuces, chard, coriander, beetroot, celery and celeriac this week. And sown another batch of stem lettuce as the first batch got slugged.

I'm halfway through my irrigation system but it has got really hot here so I'm spending some time to wash all my plant pots and as I got loads last year off marketplace, I really need to get them done and out of the way.

It's been a long time since I posted! I've planted my first set of peas out weekend before last, but this winter has been so warm this year that for the first time I've had trouble with slugs eating the shorter ones. The second batch are now growing happily on the kitchen floor, and I've just sown a third batch to make up for the lost ones.

I've also currently got tomatoes germinating on the kitchen floor to take advantage of the underfloor heating. I don't plant them out into May but starting them now and potting them on inside until then means they are a very good size by then.

We got dreadful blight on the allotments last year, so no Solanaceae this year.

A mistimed holiday means I've been holding off sowing anything until now, because I'd have to go away and leave the seedlings.

So, in the last few days I've got a shift on and sown tomatoes, chillis, aubergines and sweet peppers and will just have to hope for a hot summer to bring along the aubergines and peppers.

The next round of sowing is likely to be sunflowers (I grow shorter, multi stemmed varieties for cutting) and sweet peas.

By then I suspect it may be time to think about my first round of carrots.

Last year I sowed french beans early in pots and direct in the ground in June and tbh, couldn't tell which were which by the end - they went mad - so think I may direct sow again this year. TBC.

May not be their fault, but complain anyway. They’re a good company

chillis need heat to germinate.
they also are prone to rot if too wet.
and even then for me I only get about half to germinate.

basically barely damp coir, lid on seed tray, airing cupboard (or shelf above heater)

I was assuming she had the conditions right since her own chilli seed germinated

I feel like I’m going to be way behaving this year. I have onions and potatoes in (early), peas are just popping up in the green house and have sewn a few dwarf beans. I had a hysterectomy this week so I’m now out of action for a few weeks but hoping to get a friend to help me get the peas in the ground when they are ready. Everything else will probably have to be bought as plugs, I have £50 voucher for the garden centre so will be buying sprouts, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage and broccoli plugs. I still have part of my plot to clear of couch grass and I’m worried how bad it will be by the time I can get up there 😬

‘Behind’ not ‘behaving’

Going to go early to the plot today and start my seed sowing, no greenhouse so it'll be a few direct sown.

First batch of sunflowers, beetroot and carrots going in. I'll do them all again in a few weeks.

Thank you all for the cucumelon answers! Think I'll net the canes in that case. I'm not too worried about the flavour as I'm hoping to grow them for my guinea pigs!

I've been collecting my guinea pig poo and letting them dry out so they are like little fertiliser pellets. I've read you can use them neat in pots and beds. Has anyone tried this before?!

Yes, they make fantastic fertiliser. You can also mix them (and the bedding) into the compost heap to give that a boost.

Brilliant, thanks!

Thanks for the heat / chilli tips !
Determined to get parsnips this year .....

Our former Wilkos reopened as the range but is still selling some Wilko stuff so I went and bought some seeds yesterday. Starting some things off indoors this weekend and if dry enough that we can prepare beds at the allotment will direct sow some peas and beans.

Trying to weigh up whether to put my potatoes in or not. Our last frost date is May 11-May 20 so may give it another week or two.

My David Austin bare root roses have arrived in good time for the hopefully not drowned-out-completely Bank Holiday weekend.

Ive got a couple of climber/ramblers and a couple of bushes.

we bought Tomorite extra deep grobags for the basil, chilli and toms. I didn't need to buy tomato or chilli plants as my seedlings are looking very healthy.

I was enticed by a small selection of beautiful and unusual seeds stupidly sold on the envelopes they came in, sigh which I hope actually grow because the temps are still very cold so I'm going to resist the temptation to plant them yet, as I expect they may just rot!

weather today started beautifully but deteriorated at lunchtime to driving rain and quite strong wind. Staying indoors, it's very unpleasant!

@daisychain01 - trying to decide whether to grow tomatoes in grow bags or in pots this year.
I’ve had moderate success growing in bags but sometimes, depending on the plant height, staking them can be an issue.

I cut my grow bags in half and turn them into the equivalent of pots. Then I sink a small plastic bottle with holes in into the compost, and put a tomato seedling next to it. Worked really well last year, easier to water and stake too.

So instead of lying flat they’re upright? Genius!

Yes! Standing up on end. It worked well for me last year. You can just put the compost in a pot of course, but an upended half grow bag takes up less space I find. And they seem to retain moisture quite well.

@Maggiethecat I've had good success with the extra deep Tomorite bags. The regular ones are very skinny by comparison.

one thing I've learned is to make sure the compost isn't compacted, while the bag is still fully sealed. They go all solid because of being stacked in the garden centre. Once you've got the plants in there, it's too disruptive to try and break up the compost. I balance them on their side and work away at the solid lumps until the bag is nice and malleable. It helps the plant roots really get into the compost and soak up the feed 👍

@HazelTheGreenWitch thats an ingenious idea!

I've got Hozelock grow bag trays which fit whole bags. You can push canes into several holders they've created but we found they flop around so we've added some strong to hold them in place.

I bought some reusable grow bags last year from Wilkos and they are much deeper than regular ones, I was really pleased and will be using them again this year, mainly for toms which seem to prefer being in a grow bag Vs my soil which would probably like a bit more nutrition.

So far I have 4 varieties of tomatoes germinated and sowed some more today. Also have sown some courgettes and cucumbers today. I've also sown some canteloupe melons, new to me this year, I'll keep them in big pots in the greenhouse and see how they go. Any tips welcomed!

I'll wait another month or so to sow french and runner beans, the French in particular were a resounding success last year.