Fruit and veg growers of 2023
Discussion
Thank you for the advice on the tomatoes. Some of the seedlings are now separated into bigger pots and seem to still be alive and growing!
Aubergines sprouting more now, they're already in 4" pots. Does similar logic apply in that I should perhaps pick out the weaker or smaller seedlings in a week or two and leave one strong one in each pot?
I'm fairly sure the carrots are growing as well, which were straight outside. I guess when the next set of leaves come I'll be able to confirm they aren't just neat lines of weeds.
Also, garlic looks good, I think!
My daughters school have asked for donations of seeds, plants, equipment etc. They have said fruit and veg is not usually brilliant as it's not often ready before summer holidays but they'd be happy to try. Wondering if there were some easy to grow, relatively quick things they could try that might be ready sooner than mid July.
Aubergines sprouting more now, they're already in 4" pots. Does similar logic apply in that I should perhaps pick out the weaker or smaller seedlings in a week or two and leave one strong one in each pot?
I'm fairly sure the carrots are growing as well, which were straight outside. I guess when the next set of leaves come I'll be able to confirm they aren't just neat lines of weeds.
Also, garlic looks good, I think!
My daughters school have asked for donations of seeds, plants, equipment etc. They have said fruit and veg is not usually brilliant as it's not often ready before summer holidays but they'd be happy to try. Wondering if there were some easy to grow, relatively quick things they could try that might be ready sooner than mid July.
cml24 said:
Thank you for the advice on the tomatoes. Some of the seedlings are now separated into bigger pots and seem to still be alive and growing!
Aubergines sprouting more now, they're already in 4" pots. Does similar logic apply in that I should perhaps pick out the weaker or smaller seedlings in a week or two and leave one strong one in each pot?
Yep, treat very similarly to tomatoes.
I'm fairly sure the carrots are growing as well, which were straight outside. I guess when the next set of leaves come I'll be able to confirm they aren't just neat lines of weeds.
Beware carrot fly! If they're in the ground/low raised bed, try to put a barrier up that's at least 60cm high. Carrot fly can't really 'fly' but instead does big 'hops'. Thin out to one every 3-4" so you don't get small twisted up carrots.
Also, garlic looks good, I think!
My daughters school have asked for donations of seeds, plants, equipment etc. They have said fruit and veg is not usually brilliant as it's not often ready before summer holidays but they'd be happy to try. Wondering if there were some easy to grow, relatively quick things they could try that might be ready sooner than mid July.
Salads (including radishes)/cherry tomatoes spring to mind... Microgreens are a lot of fun, with a surprising amount of flavour from things like pea shoots or sweetcorn seedlings.Aubergines sprouting more now, they're already in 4" pots. Does similar logic apply in that I should perhaps pick out the weaker or smaller seedlings in a week or two and leave one strong one in each pot?
Yep, treat very similarly to tomatoes.
I'm fairly sure the carrots are growing as well, which were straight outside. I guess when the next set of leaves come I'll be able to confirm they aren't just neat lines of weeds.
Beware carrot fly! If they're in the ground/low raised bed, try to put a barrier up that's at least 60cm high. Carrot fly can't really 'fly' but instead does big 'hops'. Thin out to one every 3-4" so you don't get small twisted up carrots.
Also, garlic looks good, I think!
My daughters school have asked for donations of seeds, plants, equipment etc. They have said fruit and veg is not usually brilliant as it's not often ready before summer holidays but they'd be happy to try. Wondering if there were some easy to grow, relatively quick things they could try that might be ready sooner than mid July.
Carrot seedlings are easy to recognise as they don't look like your average weed. Whilst the first two leaves are very slim and pointy, they're closely followed by some ferny ones, almost like a pair of green antlers.
It's too cold outside here for them so I pulled this into the PT:
and got 3 rows of carrot seeds in
Once the weather improves I'll drag it out.
It's too cold outside here for them so I pulled this into the PT:
and got 3 rows of carrot seeds in
Once the weather improves I'll drag it out.
Due to time constraints, the tomatoes were all repotted at different times. The ones that have done the best were repotted the earliest. Out of the last set I did, some have wilted after repotting. Its not really a concern as I had planned for a massive attrition rate, and it will influence what I do next year.
Continuing the experiment, the bravest volunteers have relocated to the cold frame type thing permanently in the garden and seem to be doing fine after a few days. My intention was to leave them in there another week, and then move them outside, in a sheltered location, prior to repotting into much bigger pots.
The garlic continues to grow, and the potatoes have all got leaves growing. You can see my attempts at netting over the carrots as advised there, I'd have allowed more room if I knew I needed nets from the start. Will rethink carrots if I do them again next year, at some point I shall have to lift the net to do some weeding and thin out the plants - not sure if there is a best weather window to do that.
The aubergines grow so very slowly, only now do they all have some leaves beyond the first pair. I'll pick out the smaller ones so its one per 4" pot and leave them for a few weeks before attempting to harden them off more carefully than the tomatoes.
I've got a little space and considering what one other thing to try. Probably some kind of peas as my daughter will definitely pick them and eat them. So whichever type is easiest to grow! (needs to be the type you break open rather than eat the whole thing).
As always, any advice appreciated, as I've never grow any veg before!
Continuing the experiment, the bravest volunteers have relocated to the cold frame type thing permanently in the garden and seem to be doing fine after a few days. My intention was to leave them in there another week, and then move them outside, in a sheltered location, prior to repotting into much bigger pots.
The garlic continues to grow, and the potatoes have all got leaves growing. You can see my attempts at netting over the carrots as advised there, I'd have allowed more room if I knew I needed nets from the start. Will rethink carrots if I do them again next year, at some point I shall have to lift the net to do some weeding and thin out the plants - not sure if there is a best weather window to do that.
The aubergines grow so very slowly, only now do they all have some leaves beyond the first pair. I'll pick out the smaller ones so its one per 4" pot and leave them for a few weeks before attempting to harden them off more carefully than the tomatoes.
I've got a little space and considering what one other thing to try. Probably some kind of peas as my daughter will definitely pick them and eat them. So whichever type is easiest to grow! (needs to be the type you break open rather than eat the whole thing).
As always, any advice appreciated, as I've never grow any veg before!
Note on the peas - SWMBO insists on growing some historic variety because historic - yeah, even I struggle to reach the peas on the 8 ft tall plant.
In short, find a variety that doesn't insist on growing up that much!
In other news . . here in NE Scotland, is it safe to start moving stuff outside yet?
In short, find a variety that doesn't insist on growing up that much!
In other news . . here in NE Scotland, is it safe to start moving stuff outside yet?
Peanut Gallery said:
Note on the peas - SWMBO insists on growing some historic variety because historic - yeah, even I struggle to reach the peas on the 8 ft tall plant.
In short, find a variety that doesn't insist on growing up that much!
In other news . . here in NE Scotland, is it safe to start moving stuff outside yet?
We had a frost this week about as far south from you as it's possible to get in the UK!In short, find a variety that doesn't insist on growing up that much!
In other news . . here in NE Scotland, is it safe to start moving stuff outside yet?
So I'd still be a little wary.
CML - with carrots they don't need 'full coverage' with netting for carrot root fly.
They don't 'fly', but do a 'big bounce', only reaching around 50cm vertical height. So a 'fence' of very fine mesh 60cm tall around the perimeter of the bed is enough, and that can be stepped/leant over to work in the bed.
Thinning is a really high risk activity in that regard - the pulled thinnings release the smell they hone in on so try to do that with some protection in place.
They don't 'fly', but do a 'big bounce', only reaching around 50cm vertical height. So a 'fence' of very fine mesh 60cm tall around the perimeter of the bed is enough, and that can be stepped/leant over to work in the bed.
Thinning is a really high risk activity in that regard - the pulled thinnings release the smell they hone in on so try to do that with some protection in place.
I've successfully germinated more than a dozen sweetcorn plants (12 fibre pots, two seeds to a pot, some have more than one success). They really need at least a square metre of plot, maybe a bit more.
I have not reserved a square metre of plot. Didn't really think this through.
I think I'm going to stick them in the big felt grow-buckets we have. I have tried the corn/squash/beans "three sisters" thing that they were always banging on about on TV years ago, and concluded that it was b
ks, but I think I probably will stick corn, courgettes, and climbing French beans in the buckets. There's a trellis behind for the beans to climb up when the corn is too short to support them, and I'll hang the courgettes over the edge so they don't splatter the corn.
I have not reserved a square metre of plot. Didn't really think this through.
I think I'm going to stick them in the big felt grow-buckets we have. I have tried the corn/squash/beans "three sisters" thing that they were always banging on about on TV years ago, and concluded that it was b
ks, but I think I probably will stick corn, courgettes, and climbing French beans in the buckets. There's a trellis behind for the beans to climb up when the corn is too short to support them, and I'll hang the courgettes over the edge so they don't splatter the corn. otolith said:
I've successfully germinated more than a dozen sweetcorn plants (12 fibre pots, two seeds to a pot, some have more than one success). They really need at least a square metre of plot, maybe a bit more.
I have not reserved a square metre of plot. Didn't really think this through.
I think I'm going to stick them in the big felt grow-buckets we have. I have tried the corn/squash/beans "three sisters" thing that they were always banging on about on TV years ago, and concluded that it was bks, but I think I probably will stick corn, courgettes, and climbing French beans in the buckets. There's a trellis behind for the beans to climb up when the corn is too short to support them, and I'll hang the courgettes over the edge so they don't splatter the corn.
42 out of 46 germinated for me, so that's a nice 6 x 7 block. Their 2m x 2m square plot is ready but it's weeks too early to risk planting them out. Wish I'd used bigger pots...I have not reserved a square metre of plot. Didn't really think this through.
I think I'm going to stick them in the big felt grow-buckets we have. I have tried the corn/squash/beans "three sisters" thing that they were always banging on about on TV years ago, and concluded that it was b
ks, but I think I probably will stick corn, courgettes, and climbing French beans in the buckets. There's a trellis behind for the beans to climb up when the corn is too short to support them, and I'll hang the courgettes over the edge so they don't splatter the corn. 
I've got three sweetcorn germinated, do we think it's too early to get them outside this weekend?
Got runner beans lodging in the greenhouse too, ready to go outside.
Two tomato plants have failed, the rest look OK. One runner bean failed. Melons are sprouting and the cucumbers and courgettes are off and running.
Got runner beans lodging in the greenhouse too, ready to go outside.
Two tomato plants have failed, the rest look OK. One runner bean failed. Melons are sprouting and the cucumbers and courgettes are off and running.
Today I've taken my sweetcorn outside to harden off , I plant "Red Indian Style" with Squashes (in my case Courgettes) in between Minimop and Incredible plants , works well and keeps the weeds down.
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[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/avjK3yoU[/url]Edited by glow worm on Friday 28th April 18:59
WrekinCrew said:
48k said:
I've got three sweetcorn germinated, do we think it's too early to get them outside this weekend?
Depends where you are; you should wait until the last chance of frost has passed. Also you might not get good pollination with only 3 plants.48k said:
It's 3 to start with, I add more. I stagger them so that they don't all crop at the same time.
Do you get good pollination that way? This site says " The absolute minimum number of sweet corn plants you would need to grow for effective pollination is 6".I've no idea how long the male parts at the top produce pollen, and what overlap you'd need three at a time.
I find even with 40 or so plants in a block, pollination is never 100%.
WrekinCrew said:
48k said:
It's 3 to start with, I add more. I stagger them so that they don't all crop at the same time.
Do you get good pollination that way? This site says " The absolute minimum number of sweet corn plants you would need to grow for effective pollination is 6".I've no idea how long the male parts at the top produce pollen, and what overlap you'd need three at a time.
I find even with 40 or so plants in a block, pollination is never 100%.
Nimby said:
wombleh said:
Always found spuds in containers got demolished by slugs here. Despite going out hunting after dark with a torch and bottle of salt water!
Same for my spuds in open ground last year, so I'm trying "Kestrel" this year which are supposed to be slug-resistant.Over wintered Broad Beans and Onions have now been harvested. Just started with New Potatoes and Early Peas , unfortunately the Asparagus season ended yesterday (Mid Summers Day 
) . A few battles with Rabbits, Mice and Pigeons.
The greenhouses are going crazy , cucumbers going berserk , peppers, tomatoes, melons and aubergines well on the way .
Fruit picking just started.. strawberries now, Loganberries and summer raspberries, gooseberries and cherries looking good. The peach tree looks pretty sick with leaf curl, apples, pears and plums less than last year.
) . A few battles with Rabbits, Mice and Pigeons.The greenhouses are going crazy , cucumbers going berserk , peppers, tomatoes, melons and aubergines well on the way .
Fruit picking just started.. strawberries now, Loganberries and summer raspberries, gooseberries and cherries looking good. The peach tree looks pretty sick with leaf curl, apples, pears and plums less than last year.
Edited by glow worm on Wednesday 21st June 15:11
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