Bob177

Some Squash is Turning Soft

Hello Again everyone,I have many buds & flowers on my Squash plants (in Greenhouse), but  I have had to remove a couple of soft, mouldy  bulbs from my plants, that occurred after the flowers had died off, and the acorn type pod had started to form. I already have at least two that have started to form, and are still firm. Any advice would be most welcome.

PS: Have tried to include pics, but I can't get beyond the 'insert an image or video icon'.

Are My Shallots Ready?

Hi Everyone, The vast majority of the stems on my shallots have turned yellowish, and are dying off. Do they need to be pulled? The clumps do not appear to be huge, but as I have never grown them before, I'm not sure whether to pull them up. I think they have gone as far as they are gonna go.

ANTS

Tina5 wrote (see)

We have a dreadful ant problem here, the soil is sandy and ants and their nests are just a fact of life. For the most part, we have to ignore them, unless they are invading the roots of something. We have 10 compost bins, and many of those get nests. Again, we leave then be, they swarm eventually, and a side 'benefit' is they do make the compost nice and fine! I do leave the lids off too, sometimes, and let the birds pick them off.

Hello Again Tina,

I have just had check on my 2 composting bins, and as previously stated, the one I am currently filling has no sign of ants, as it is too moist & yukky inside. The other has a thinnish layer of soil/compost, with some damp shredded paper inside, and does not appear to have any ants inside. There are however, other species, going about their business.  My other bin is probably a few weeks away from being full, enabling me to start on the 2nd one proper. One thing I have noticed about the Ants, is that I have 4 raised beds, all covered with Enviromesh fine netting, One has a row of Peas & Broad Beans inside. Whenever I go inside to add further support to the stems, I always disturb ants inside the Beans, never the Peas. The Beans are not swarming with them, neither are they being eaten, but it is annoying.

Help - Aubergines & Peppers

Tina5 wrote (see)

My peppers are a bit stunted this year, I've been thinking it may have been a bit cold for them. They've only just got buds on them, so I've potted them on and given them a good feed, and it'sbeen much warmer here the last few days, so perhaps they'll catch up a bit.

Hi Tina, I did wonder if it was due to the weeks of dismal weather we have had. There are no obvious signs to me, of buds appearing on the tallest Aubergine plant as yet. Lets hope we get a prolonged spell of sunshine.

ANTS

I too have recently suffered from an ants nest in one of my Dalek composting bins, where I had put some grass divots to compost down. I didn't use powder, but tried to remove as much as possible, and place the divots in compost bags for storage outside the bins. I would be keen to know if sotongeoff thinks I should remove the lid of the bin concerned, to allow the elements to penetrate the contents, thus putting off any ants still inside. I am currently filling  my other Dalek bin for composting. I have not noticed ants in this one, as I guess it is too wet inside. I am not planning to restart using the one that had the ants nest inside, until my other is full. I would also be keen to know if I am likely to have a problem with the the bags I have filled, when the contents have composted sufficiently.

Help - Aubergines & Peppers

I sowed some Aubergines & Peppers (early long purple 2 & sweet colour rainbow mixed), at the end of March, indoors. They have been in the greenhouse in troughs for some time now, but the 2 pepper plants are only between 5 & 6 inches in height ( to highest leaf), while the 2 Aubergine plants are 6" & 12". The plants look healthy enough, except for the lack of height. They are watered about every other day, and are protected from the full sun- when we get it, that is, with shading. My Tomatoes were sown at the same time & some Squash plants a month later, both are doing far better. Any thoughts anyone?

Red Onions - Buds Forming

Hi Angie, So far I have removed a single bud from 11 plants. I hope that that will be it, but with the current weather, I fear the rest are at risk.

small bugs on my lettuce and brassicas!

I have 4 raised beds, and I have covered them all in a very fine netting called 'Enviromesh'. It comes in a variety of widths, so you can decide what width is best.   You then order what length you require, by the metre. It still allows the light & rain to get through. They claim it keeps the vast majority of aphids out. I installed mine as soon as the seeds were sown, and although I have had to 'go in' many times since, to thin out, etc, the only inhabitants I have seen inside, are the occasional spider, and a ladybird. It is not cheap, and I guess the more you 'open it up', the greater chance you have of something flying in behind your back. But overall, I have no regrets in installing it. I got mine on the internet from Gardening Naturally.com. Good luck. 

Red Onions - Buds Forming

Thanks for your advice. I will remove the buds, but leave the rest in place.

Red Onions - Buds Forming

Thanks for all your help everyone, sounds like I'm not on my own. I will remove all the onions that have started to bud - there are only about 6 at the moment.

Tomato Ripening

Harvesting Squash

Strawberry Plants - When Do You Cut Them Back?

Some Squash is Turning Soft

Are My Shallots Ready?

Help - Aubergines & Peppers

Red Onions - Buds Forming

Brussels Sprout- How high do they grow?

Squash - Yellow Leaves