H-alphaFox
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Post by H-alphaFox on Feb 4, 2022 11:07:37 GMT
Spring is around the corner so a good time to get out and potting around. There is bound to be some of you who enjoy it so tell us what you are growing or planning. Whether it's fruit or veg, flowers, trees, shrubberies or weed what are your best tips.
For me I just planted carrots, lettuce and peas and am going to create a nice levelled area for this summers tomato's and chillies. Weed seeds will be ordered shortly.
I also like bonsai but most of my trees didn't survive the lockdown malaise so my surviving stick in pots are just that.
A good tip I can think of is to buy some nice fancy tomato's, a few varieties even and plant a slice in a pot. Keep watered and the seeds should sprout. This is generally how we start ours off but it really helps if you can buy organic toms because some of the bulk cheap ones are sterile, gm and all that.
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Post by smoothpete on Feb 4, 2022 11:17:36 GMT
I tried to grow chilies last year but failed miserably. We got a greenhouse in June so it's probably about time to put some stuff in it. Loads of herbs and another attempt at chilies I think
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Post by elstoof on Feb 4, 2022 11:19:46 GMT
My snowdrops are coming up, always forget I put those in
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Post by dfunked on Feb 4, 2022 11:24:28 GMT
Got a bunch of free seeds from seed parade via HUKD last week and bought a load of random ones at the same time. Of course they all arrived in little drug baggies with no indication on when to plant, so will have to do a bit of investigation.
Had some chilis last year which were overwatered and very weak heat as a result, so will try not to repeat that this year (think you need to water them a fair bit at the start but then be very stingy with it)
My main goal for this year is to grow some mooli, which is always a pain in the arse to find in our usual supermarket shops unless we go out of the way.
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Post by elstoof on Feb 4, 2022 11:28:02 GMT
I got chillis, they’re multiplying
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Post by spacein_vader on Feb 4, 2022 11:37:48 GMT
I tried to grow chilies last year but failed miserably. We got a greenhouse in June so it's probably about time to put some stuff in it. Loads of herbs and another attempt at chilies I think Top tip, freeze chilli's you can't use straight away, then grate them (from frozen,) into food.
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H-alphaFox
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Post by H-alphaFox on Feb 4, 2022 11:46:52 GMT
A downside to Spain is the warm spring means our broccoli and cauliflowers have always bolted. Going to try planting them now in pots and put in a shady area to see if that helps.
Also our greenhouse got destroyed by 100+km winds, not going to bother fixing it. I was finding panels all over the neighbourhood.
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dogbot
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Post by dogbot on Feb 4, 2022 11:54:04 GMT
My wife is a super keen gardener. She grows (amongst other things) all our herbs and loads of other stuff we cook with (vanilla, chillies etc). We finally got our greenhouse installed in December, which was a bonus for things like our citrus plants which were not enjoying the outdoor British winters. I mostly do the digging. And mow the lawn.
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Post by smoothpete on Feb 4, 2022 11:58:40 GMT
We have a tiny patch of front garden in the corner of our driveway. It's not even garden really, it's just mud with some weeds. A few years ago I went to clear it back a bit and realised that we have asparagus growing there. We now get a pretty decent crop every year. We didn't plan it, it just arrived - There are allotments nearby so I assume either the wind or a bird delivered
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Post by spacein_vader on Feb 4, 2022 12:22:17 GMT
We have a tiny patch of front garden in the corner of our driveway. It's not even garden really, it's just mud with some weeds. A few years ago I went to clear it back a bit and realised that we have asparagus growing there. We now get a pretty decent crop every year. We didn't plan it, it just arrived - There are allotments nearby so I assume either the wind or a bird delivered Asparagus is an odd plant. The root system is huge (so the whole crop could be one large plant underneath,) and extend a long way. Takes ages to get bedded in and settled so if you've got one just sat there I'm very jealous!
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Post by dfunked on Feb 4, 2022 12:32:36 GMT
Mint can go get fucked... Person we bought from just let it grow wild instead of in a pot like a sensible human being. I don't think we'll ever fully get rid of it, it's worse than most invasive weeds!
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Post by elstoof on Feb 4, 2022 12:36:31 GMT
Mojitos round dfunked’s tonight lads
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Post by elstoof on Feb 4, 2022 12:38:45 GMT
I’ve a love hate relationship with gardening, I like the idea of it, I don’t mind doing it once I’m started but just can’t be arsed to get on with it most of the time. My garden’s quite big so it’s a lot of work and I don’t know where to start half the time, and I’m rubbish at planning where to plant things so half the time I put new things in less than ideal positions
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Post by smoothpete on Feb 4, 2022 12:58:04 GMT
We have a tiny patch of front garden in the corner of our driveway. It's not even garden really, it's just mud with some weeds. A few years ago I went to clear it back a bit and realised that we have asparagus growing there. We now get a pretty decent crop every year. We didn't plan it, it just arrived - There are allotments nearby so I assume either the wind or a bird delivered Asparagus is an odd plant. The root system is huge (so the whole crop could be one large plant underneath,) and extend a long way. Takes ages to get bedded in and settled so if you've got one just sat there I'm very jealous! It's pretty cool just popping out in the morning and picking a few stems to go with my poached eggs. I always leave a number of stems to grow / bolt, for the benefit of the plant. They grow like a massive grassy fern thing
I did once decide I wanted the freshest possible experience so knelt down and grazed on it like a cow
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Post by SpiralScratch on Feb 4, 2022 13:13:49 GMT
I tried to grow chilies last year but failed miserably. We got a greenhouse in June so it's probably about time to put some stuff in it. Loads of herbs and another attempt at chilies I think I had a shit year for chillis too (SW England), sunshine levels in August were non-existent and i think that was what did it, I had lovely big strong plants but most of them didn't set many flowers. Just bought the seeds and will be starting them off on a heated propagator in next couple of weeks. I can recommend these guys for chilli seed, great range www.premierseedsdirect.com/product-category/vegetables/vegetables-o-p/pepper-hot/
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Post by jimnastics on Feb 4, 2022 13:16:09 GMT
I’ve a love hate relationship with gardening, I like the idea of it, I don’t mind doing it once I’m started but just can’t be arsed to get on with it most of the time. My garden’s quite big so it’s a lot of work and I don’t know where to start half the time, and I’m rubbish at planning where to plant things so half the time I put new things in less than ideal positions Best decision I ever made with our big garden was to lay a shit load of weed fabric down coverining every single border area, with nice stone chippings on top. Railway sleepers to edge them off from the lawn, then laid paving slab paths all the way round between lawn and border (allows for easy mowing with no edge strimming required). Then we just planted some easy to maintain shrubs through the weed fabric, with additional plants / flowers in pots. So now it's one big rectangle lawn which is easy (if not quick...) to mow, with surrounding borders which are very low maintenance. Always looks pretty good now.
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mrpon
Junior Member
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Post by mrpon on Feb 4, 2022 13:16:42 GMT
I spent more time than necessary gorping at a new 7ft seed stand in Sainos the other day. It'll happen.
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Post by Dougs on Feb 4, 2022 13:19:00 GMT
Asparagus is an odd plant. The root system is huge (so the whole crop could be one large plant underneath,) and extend a long way. Takes ages to get bedded in and settled so if you've got one just sat there I'm very jealous! It's pretty cool just popping out in the morning and picking a few stems to go with my poached eggs. I always leave a number of stems to grow / bolt, for the benefit of the plant. They grow like a massive grassy fern thing
I did once decide I wanted the freshest possible experience so knelt down and grazed on it like a cow
I forgot my camera was on when in a meeting whilst reading that last line and cackled a lot.
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Immaterial
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Post by Immaterial on Feb 4, 2022 13:29:32 GMT
Having got a dog, our small patch of lawn looks like it's been under rocket attack. First order of the weekend is moving (rotted) crap from the compost heap to fill the shell-holes & burnt bits, then raking & reseeding.
For a smallish dog, he does a lot of damage, from one end or the other.
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Post by elstoof on Feb 4, 2022 13:43:27 GMT
I’ve a love hate relationship with gardening, I like the idea of it, I don’t mind doing it once I’m started but just can’t be arsed to get on with it most of the time. My garden’s quite big so it’s a lot of work and I don’t know where to start half the time, and I’m rubbish at planning where to plant things so half the time I put new things in less than ideal positions Best decision I ever made with our big garden was to lay a shit load of weed fabric down coverining every single border area, with nice stone chippings on top. Railway sleepers to edge them off from the lawn, then laid paving slab paths all the way round between lawn and border (allows for easy mowing with no edge strimming required). Then we just planted some easy to maintain shrubs through the weed fabric, with additional plants / flowers in pots. So now it's one big rectangle lawn which is easy (if not quick...) to mow, with surrounding borders which are very low maintenance. Always looks pretty good now. The previous owners lived here 30 years and they put tons of work into the garden, it’s very mature now so reluctant to tear it up as they did a wonderful job. It’s still in reasonably good shape, you can see where I’ve had a go at fucking with it though
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dogbot
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Post by dogbot on Feb 4, 2022 13:57:06 GMT
Having got a dog, our small patch of lawn looks like it's been under rocket attack. First order of the weekend is moving (rotted) crap from the compost heap to fill the shell-holes & burnt bits, then raking & reseeding. For a smallish dog, he does a lot of damage, from one end or the other. Yeah, the lawn here has basically been destroyed since we moved in. In between the dog and putting in a concrete pad for the greenhouse, it's in a sorry state. I tell myself that the traditional suburban, manicured lawn has gone out of fashion. But I'll be reseeding it shortly. I don't fancy its chances, though.
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Post by RumMonkey on Feb 4, 2022 15:00:44 GMT
Dog rocks for their water. They really do work.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2022 21:40:28 GMT
I got some bee bombs off Amazon last year and put them on a patch of soil I’d dug up at the fron. I didn’t expect anything to come of it, but we got loads of lovely flowers and loads of butterflies and bees. I’ll have to get some for this year. I’d love to grow veg, but don;t have the time or the knowledge.
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Post by Sarfrin on Feb 6, 2022 9:13:57 GMT
I’ve a love hate relationship with gardening, I like the idea of it, I don’t mind doing it once I’m started but just can’t be arsed to get on with it most of the time. My garden’s quite big so it’s a lot of work and I don’t know where to start half the time, and I’m rubbish at planning where to plant things so half the time I put new things in less than ideal positions I've made my peace with that. I just put things wherever and see if they survive.
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H-alphaFox
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Post by H-alphaFox on Feb 19, 2022 12:01:46 GMT
My peas and carrots are sprouting, this makes me happy.
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Post by Zomoniac on Feb 21, 2022 22:22:56 GMT
What’s the best way for a small (as in narrow, but also not too high) raised bed border without breaking the bank? Want to do round the whole garden, so 7m on each side and 10m across the back, give or take. Doing it with sleepers or brick seems like it’ll run into the high four figures which is way more than I want to spend. Could try fashion something myself out of regular timber, the kind you’d use to build a deck frame, but don’t know if it would be strong enough.
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Post by Trowel 🏴 on Feb 21, 2022 23:34:37 GMT
tl;dr - I'd say a long-lasting job well done is worth the expense. I built a ~4m long brick raised bed last year, probably cost about £250 all in though I had to lay all four sides which basically doubled the cost - what are you building against? Obvious benefit of brick is longevity, but also you can shape and curve the bed easily. Bear in mind the amount of cement you'll need to mix, as it's really time consuming (and concrete burns are something else...). Factor in the number of courses you need to make its height viable/practical for whatever you want to grow, e.g. harvesting veg without having to bend too much - you may want to vary the height in places for variety - and see if it's worth the expense. Think also if you have kids running about if you trust them with sharp brick edges. And use yoghurt if you want to age them quickly. Otherwise go treated sleepers - I've seen plenty of cheap wood raised beds at the allotment, and they don't last longer than 5 years or so. Pretty easy to turn sleeper beds into extra seating too. Decking boards can do a decent job from what I've read, but I don't know how long they'll last. You can also save a fair bit by being smart about how you fill the bed - you only need decent compost in the top foot or so, and the rest you can fill with garden rubbish and cuttings etc. I also added some cheap capillary matting and old cotton towels to help water retention. I did it in June BTW which I thought was late, but the plants loved it and lasted late into the year - this is them in early October. photos.app.goo.gl/YDEyHPL5J7vQw4ur7photos.app.goo.gl/jfoTRDrBrA723RHHA
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Post by Zomoniac on Feb 21, 2022 23:46:54 GMT
You did a nice job with that! Problem is I really don’t like brick, I’d want it in white render, something like this: thumbsnap.com/sc/JsBoSkqy.jpg and as I’ve never laid a brick or used cement in my life I’d need people and that would be super pricey. Sleepers would be preferable but you’re looking five times the price of wood. Might last five times longer but I don’t envisage being here in 25 years so will have to way up the pros and cons of lasting vs much cheaper but needing replacing probably once whilst we’re here. This is the space I have, want to do the whole perimeter. That fence is very thin and not flush to the ground all way round so whatever I do will be four-sided and attached to the fence rather than using the fence as part of the structure. postimg.cc/gallery/q22b9pM
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Post by elstoof on Feb 22, 2022 6:41:25 GMT
I hope this weeks episode of gardeners world is how to attach a fence panel, or how to mix postcrete
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H-alphaFox
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Post by H-alphaFox on Feb 22, 2022 13:26:55 GMT
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