Alisonfd

Gardening in Aberdeenshire

Thanks for you links, Sotongeoff, I'll follow them and maybe find some kindred spirits!

Gardening in Aberdeenshire

Reckon we're about 6 weeks behind here.  If the weather was better we would also have the extra daylight, hopefully that'll happen soon.  Used to live in Fife (just north of Edinburgh) and gardened very successfuly.  But that was in the 1970s and the only problem was watering.  Used to water the garden with waste water from the bath or kitchen sink.

Gardening in Aberdeenshire

Thank you!  I'm very depressed with the awful weather here recently BUT I have got peas, broad beans, potatoes and lettuce coming up.  No sign of the carrots or spinach yet, fingers crossed.  Leek seedlings are doing nicely, too.  Even mowing has been difficult with so much rain.  And it's good that grasses are 'in' now because my flower /shrub beds are full of them!  (don't mention the weeds!)  I'm keen to partipitate on the forum and glean as much knowledge as I can and maybe give some advice.  My biggest achievement this year is to overwinter globe artichokes which are already showing three fruits.

Gardening in Aberdeenshire

OK, I'm new here and I have obviously repeated other posts.  I'll just keep my head down and hope the weather picks up.  Thanks for all the feedback - much appreciated.

Gardening in Aberdeenshire

Kate1123, I'm not a newbie gardener.  I've been gardening for over 40 years, but I get very frustrated seeing these TV programmes which appear to show what I know is impossible in northern areas without greenhouses or polytunnels, etc.  In a normal household setting (I have a medium sized garden with raised beds for veg and lots of lawn and flower/shrub areas) I'm only starting off the summer season and they are already way ahead. 

Weejenny, I agree with your month difference.  But it also makes our growing season so much shorter.  May to October becomes June to September.

Zoomer44, I try to think 'outside the box' - it's part of gardening in difficult conditions, but this weather makes it so much more difficult.  GW just doesn't seem to acknowledge this.

Gardening in Aberdeenshire

If it's such 'an old chestnut' then why don't the production team make the programme more relevant to the rest of the country.  Beechgrove Garden is OK but they have a huge site with greenhouses, polytunnels, etc and those of us without those indulgences just want advice on growing the best produce that we can in difficult conditions.  (My biggest success this year is overwintering globe artichokes - well mulched and under fleece - but already three fruits showing - well chuffed).  Glad to hear some feedback, Wee Jenny!

Jerusalem Artichokes

  I've planted them (2 plants) in a large pot because I don't want them to invade my veg beds, but there's nothing showing at all yet.  Don't know if it'll work but I do  love (f)artichoke soup.  Still hoping (story of my life!)

Gardening in Aberdeenshire

I'd just like them to be more aware and helpful to those of us who are growing in more adverse conditions.  Otherwise it just becomes very annoying to watch every Friday.

Gardening in Aberdeenshire

Just watched Gardener's World.  I think it is only relevant to gardeners in the south  of Britain.  After our extremely low temperatures (still barely getting above 12 degrees here) and rain, rain, rain, I am only just seeing peas and broad beans peeking up.  To see sweet peas in flower and new potatoes being lifted, doesn't encourage me to keep viewing.  Get real!

Gardening in Aberdeenshire