The zombie army COVID-19 Gardening thread.
Discussion
Evoluzione said:
You put in your beds and pots whatever your plants require. They're all different so you'll have to do the research into what they need. Carrots and Parsnips for instance grow very badly in good fertile soil, they actually do better in poor land.
You need to research proper compost too, yours is all green and no brown so won't be very useful. Making good compost requires a lot of time and some hard graft as it needs to be turned periodically. Maybe you could consider a compost rotator.
If you have no idea what you have is of any use then cheap soil testing kits are available.
Don't throw away cardboard and paper in the bin, put it in your compost, it's a good source of 'brown' and the most efficient way of using it by a country mile.
Don't put membrane in pots, it does more harm than good and am not sure why you've used it. Just put some stones or broken pottery in the bottom and fill with soil/compost.
I'm looking for a decent all round soil for the beds as I don't have any solid plans for what to plant now or in the future.You need to research proper compost too, yours is all green and no brown so won't be very useful. Making good compost requires a lot of time and some hard graft as it needs to be turned periodically. Maybe you could consider a compost rotator.
If you have no idea what you have is of any use then cheap soil testing kits are available.
Don't throw away cardboard and paper in the bin, put it in your compost, it's a good source of 'brown' and the most efficient way of using it by a country mile.
Don't put membrane in pots, it does more harm than good and am not sure why you've used it. Just put some stones or broken pottery in the bottom and fill with soil/compost.
Edited by Evoluzione on Thursday 14th April 11:33
Thanks re:cardboard tip, will add to compost heap and also bury some in the planters when I get around to rearranging it.
Membrane in the pots was to prevent the stones being clogged with dirt particles and to aid drainage.
I'll look into a test kit but I do think the soil we have isn't good enough. Last years beets really struggled and leeks never got bigger than 1cm or so.
Comacchio said:
I'm looking for a decent all round soil for the beds as I don't have any solid plans for what to plant now or in the future.
Thanks re:cardboard tip, will add to compost heap and also bury some in the planters when I get around to rearranging it.
Membrane in the pots was to prevent the stones being clogged with dirt particles and to aid drainage.
I'll look into a test kit but I do think the soil we have isn't good enough. Last years beets really struggled and leeks never got bigger than 1cm or so.
Yes but you need to know why and no-one here has a crystal ball. 'Isn't good enough' is not an answer, you need to be more precise. There are other conditions which must be met like sunshine for instance. IIRC last year was largely a waste of time for many growers as it got cold and rained for much of later Summer.Thanks re:cardboard tip, will add to compost heap and also bury some in the planters when I get around to rearranging it.
Membrane in the pots was to prevent the stones being clogged with dirt particles and to aid drainage.
I'll look into a test kit but I do think the soil we have isn't good enough. Last years beets really struggled and leeks never got bigger than 1cm or so.
Soil will not vanish from the pot if you don't put membrane in and water will still come out, gardeners have been using stones and crocks since pottery was invented! It works. By putting membrane in the worms can't get in or out and you need them in there as they improve the soil.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
I'd definitely lose at compost top-trumps. I've got plastic containers from Lidl.
Just emptied the first one actually and it's worked a treat, but it won't win prizes for aesthetics.
Me too Couple of daleks here too. A previous gardener at this house was obsessed with weed proof membrane, had the stuff everywhere, Inc under the compost bins. Just emptied the first one actually and it's worked a treat, but it won't win prizes for aesthetics.
RichB said:
akirk said:
our future compost plans start right here: 
planning on making three bins each roughly 1m cubed - with removable planks to make it easy to turn from one to the next...
I did he same thing, although I had Travis Perkins deliver the wood! 3 x bays, removable fronts, each turns out half a tonne of good compost. I start filling one and turn it along the bays so by the time it's done it's been turned twice. Gets really hot, have had it up to 60°c planning on making three bins each roughly 1m cubed - with removable planks to make it easy to turn from one to the next...
- 75mmsq posts
- on the router table to put a groove down them
- 19mm boards cut to 1m long to then slide down that groove
- 3 bays
- left side / right side / backs all fixed
- 3 x front removable
- 2 between the bays also removable to make it easy to turn from one to the other...
- plywood lids on a frame of battens and covered with shed felt roofing material
PositronicRay said:
CharlesdeGaulle said:
I'd definitely lose at compost top-trumps. I've got plastic containers from Lidl.
Just emptied the first one actually and it's worked a treat, but it won't win prizes for aesthetics.
Me too Couple of daleks here too. A previous gardener at this house was obsessed with weed proof membrane, had the stuff everywhere, Inc under the compost bins. Just emptied the first one actually and it's worked a treat, but it won't win prizes for aesthetics.
Did you know there is a certain type of worm that lives in compost? I forget the name, but they're quite bright red and thin.
The problem with those static ones is the compost can't be aerated nor mixed so it takes a long, long time to make compost, but they are cheap and easy.
Evoluzione said:
PositronicRay said:
CharlesdeGaulle said:
I'd definitely lose at compost top-trumps. I've got plastic containers from Lidl.
Just emptied the first one actually and it's worked a treat, but it won't win prizes for aesthetics.
Me too Couple of daleks here too. A previous gardener at this house was obsessed with weed proof membrane, had the stuff everywhere, Inc under the compost bins. Just emptied the first one actually and it's worked a treat, but it won't win prizes for aesthetics.
Did you know there is a certain type of worm that lives in compost? I forget the name, but they're quite bright red and thin.
The problem with those static ones is the compost can't be aerated nor mixed so it takes a long, long time to make compost, but they are cheap and easy.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
The worms are essential, as you say. The boxes can be mixed but it's certainly a little awkward compared to open ones. I get in with a fork and turn it periodically and it composts down fine. In some ways the finite capacity helps as it keeps each load manageable. When I had large open areas previously the tempation was to keep piling more on.
Good points regarding worms - am I daft in thinking it'd be a good idea to nip to the local angling shop to buy some live worm, dig a trench in both my planters, spread the worms about then loosely cover and let them go to work? Pretty confident there's none in the planters as the soil they were backfilled with was riddled in and I definitely came across none in the process.Comacchio said:
Good points regarding worms - am I daft in thinking it'd be a good idea to nip to the local angling shop to buy some live worm, dig a trench in both my planters, spread the worms about then loosely cover and let them go to work? Pretty confident there's none in the planters as the soil they were backfilled with was riddled in and I definitely came across none in the process.
That won't work, they're different worms. Heat will kill the normal ones. Just either pull the membrane out in one sheet or pierce it as much as you can with fork tines or a spade edge. They'll come naturally but a membrane is unnecessary and unhelpful. Just realised you're talking about planters rather than compost, sorry.
As others have said, pots are best with compost. I tend to buy in bulk and use that, with my own compost in the bottom and the finer bought stuff on top.
Edited by CharlesdeGaulle on Thursday 14th April 12:33
Comacchio said:
CharlesdeGaulle said:
The worms are essential, as you say. The boxes can be mixed but it's certainly a little awkward compared to open ones. I get in with a fork and turn it periodically and it composts down fine. In some ways the finite capacity helps as it keeps each load manageable. When I had large open areas previously the tempation was to keep piling more on.
Good points regarding worms - am I daft in thinking it'd be a good idea to nip to the local angling shop to buy some live worm, dig a trench in both my planters, spread the worms about then loosely cover and let them go to work? Pretty confident there's none in the planters as the soil they were backfilled with was riddled in and I definitely came across none in the process.CharlesdeGaulle said:
That won't work, they're different worms. Heat will kill the normal ones. Just either pull the membrane out in one sheet or pierce it as much as you can with fork tines or a spade edge. They'll come naturally but a membrane is unnecessary and unhelpful.
The planters are solid oak built on top of compacted MOT type 1 in a brand new garden so they'll struggle. I'll set about improving the soil first with cardboard and composts then introduce worms down the line - I see you can buy the correct type online so I'll get a delivery once they've got enough nutrients to thrive upon.Comacchio said:
The planters are solid oak built on top of compacted MOT type 1 in a brand new garden so they'll struggle. I'll set about improving the soil first with cardboard and composts then introduce worms down the line - I see you can buy the correct type online so I'll get a delivery once they've got enough nutrients to thrive upon.
I edited my response as I answered a question you didn't ask, sorry. If the soil is poor, your only real option is to replace it. You've got time to do it this year and get good results. Empty it out, stick the old stuff into your compost bins to improve it, and fill at least the top half of your planters with those large bags of bought stuff. You'll see a dramatic improvement as long as they are not otherwise compromised and get plenty of sun.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Comacchio said:
The planters are solid oak built on top of compacted MOT type 1 in a brand new garden so they'll struggle. I'll set about improving the soil first with cardboard and composts then introduce worms down the line - I see you can buy the correct type online so I'll get a delivery once they've got enough nutrients to thrive upon.
I edited my response as I answered a question you didn't ask, sorry. If the soil is poor, your only real option is to replace it. You've got time to do it this year and get good results. Empty it out, stick the old stuff into your compost bins to improve it, and fill at least the top half of your planters with those large bags of bought stuff. You'll see a dramatic improvement as long as they are not otherwise compromised and get plenty of sun.
lemansky said:
Agree, just use compost.
For something more organic (and free) it might also be worth checking the household recycling facility local to you. Where we stay, there is a scheme called Compost2Go, where the rotted down contents of everyone's brown bins is plonked in a huge pile in a covered shed and you can just turn up and collect as much as you want.
Ah, Inverclyde? We're South Lanarkshire but seems they don't have anything similar from a quick search.For something more organic (and free) it might also be worth checking the household recycling facility local to you. Where we stay, there is a scheme called Compost2Go, where the rotted down contents of everyone's brown bins is plonked in a huge pile in a covered shed and you can just turn up and collect as much as you want.
Right, here goes. A couple of garden aspects. Shame the magnolia's feeling a bit sorry for itself now, but the maple's looking promising and the wisteria is showing signs of flowers, which will make a nice change from me begging it to bloom! Note: I have never planted a single primrose in this garden, but they seem to like it here.
As you can see, I'm going for the 'mostly unkempt' look.
As you can see, I'm going for the 'mostly unkempt' look.
Comacchio said:
CharlesdeGaulle said:
That won't work, they're different worms. Heat will kill the normal ones. Just either pull the membrane out in one sheet or pierce it as much as you can with fork tines or a spade edge. They'll come naturally but a membrane is unnecessary and unhelpful.
The planters are solid oak built on top of compacted MOT type 1 in a brand new garden so they'll struggle. I'll set about improving the soil first with cardboard and composts then introduce worms down the line - I see you can buy the correct type online so I'll get a delivery once they've got enough nutrients to thrive upon.You're just blocking them from getting up into your planters. You could dig anywhere in your garden, or even lift some slabs, pull some worms out and put them in the planters.
You don't need to buy as much stuff btw, a lot of it is already there for free and for the taking.
Good gardening is about being Eco friendly and thrifty, not going out and buying as much stuff as possible.
I think the only thing we throw away in the bin here is plastic and glass packaging, everything else never leaves the garden.
Not even our poo
Bluesgirl said:
Right, here goes. A couple of garden aspects. Shame the magnolia's feeling a bit sorry for itself now, but the maple's looking promising and the wisteria is showing signs of flowers, which will make a nice change from me begging it to bloom! Note: I have never planted a single primrose in this garden, but they seem to like it here.
As you can see, I'm going for the 'mostly unkempt' look.
If I was an EA i'd describe it as 'a well established oasis of calm and beauty hidden away here in suburbia' As you can see, I'm going for the 'mostly unkempt' look.
It’s certainly peaceful here. The woman who lived here for 30 years before I moved in obviously planned it carefully with some great shrubs and features. The pergola’s on the tilt so I’ll have to find a way of fixing it.
I always think it’s a pity to see older properties with no established garden features. They make a huge difference.
I always think it’s a pity to see older properties with no established garden features. They make a huge difference.
Comacchio said:
lemansky said:
Agree, just use compost.
For something more organic (and free) it might also be worth checking the household recycling facility local to you. Where we stay, there is a scheme called Compost2Go, where the rotted down contents of everyone's brown bins is plonked in a huge pile in a covered shed and you can just turn up and collect as much as you want.
Ah, Inverclyde? We're South Lanarkshire but seems they don't have anything similar from a quick search.For something more organic (and free) it might also be worth checking the household recycling facility local to you. Where we stay, there is a scheme called Compost2Go, where the rotted down contents of everyone's brown bins is plonked in a huge pile in a covered shed and you can just turn up and collect as much as you want.
Shame they don't run a similar scheme over your way but it's not all bad. In Scotland's capital of health and life-expectancy, you get charged an extra £30 per year for each brown bin you have (on top of the usual Council Tax) and we've got six of the buggers. It's pure robbery.
I don't feel quite so bad about pillaging tons of 'free' compost.
Bluesgirl said:
It’s certainly peaceful here. The woman who lived here for 30 years before I moved in obviously planned it carefully with some great shrubs and features. The pergola’s on the tilt so I’ll have to find a way of fixing it.
I always think it’s a pity to see older properties with no established garden features. They make a huge difference.
Wonky features are quite appealing. I'd be inclined to leave it on the piss!I always think it’s a pity to see older properties with no established garden features. They make a huge difference.
Bluesgirl said:
It’s certainly peaceful here. The woman who lived here for 30 years before I moved in obviously planned it carefully with some great shrubs and features. The pergola’s on the tilt so I’ll have to find a way of fixing it.
I always think it’s a pity to see older properties with no established garden features. They make a huge difference.
They really do. Ours had been abandoned for 10 years so whilst lawn etc was just brambles, the formerly savagely pruned trees and hedges had grown huge, and given the garden real privacy for a city house. I always think it’s a pity to see older properties with no established garden features. They make a huge difference.
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