grai

window boxes are a wash out this year

Misery loves company

thanks for all these lovely replies I'm so happy that you are all struggling and having problems too - it makes me feel so much better!

window boxes are a wash out this year

yes Kate I did the same thing in the end - which sort of cancelled out the economising of the seed growing! My garden centre were selling things like begonias usually $3.99 for £1 each so I filled the gaps with them - still wasn't the usual display of lush loveliness I'm used to though - and every summer has its challenges but this year has been something else

I did two boxes of marigolds which I've never grown before - expecting two solid blocks of lovely orange by my front door - they were yellow leaved from day one (*and still are!*) and have flowered one flower at a time! They're actually an eyesore to be really brutal

[do they like it dry? I've been watering them every day so I wonder if they struggled with being too wet? Whatever it was they have had a miserable summer]

It's lovely to grow from seed but this year I feel alittle bit like all the mess and palaver from February onwards wasn't worth it

window boxes are a wash out this year

I live in a flat with a balcony and love containers and window boxes

I grew everything from seed this year to cut the cost so it was months of work and I have to say looking today half way through August I've finally admittied to myself its now too late for them to look anything - just stringy marigolds and loads of soil showing and one flower at a time

It just never got to a point this year where it was a breath taking show of colour - anyone else had a disappointing year - lets MOAN

Coverage of Hampton Court Flower Show

I visit Oxfordshire regularly and walk my sister's dog and as a London dweller would expect the countryside to be an onslaught to my city senses - but the shocking reality is that huge swaithes of the fields are as diverse as a concrete car park in the centre of the West End - just square mile after square mile of one crop and absolutely nothing else. As for the Hampton Court show - FAR too much talk - not enough flowers!

is it safe to put seedlings into window boxes yet?

what shall i feed them with?

is it safe to put seedlings into window boxes yet?

thats good to know Alina I didnt know that - shall I give them some liquid seaweed? what do you feed yours?

Margot - I have loads of gardening friends who will be able to find a spot for a few marigolds! there always seems to be room

is it safe to put seedlings into window boxes yet?

thanks obelixx

I'm more greenfingered than I thought! Everything has survived - I have about 90 marigolds!!

of course they could all keel over once they're planted out or get infections from being inside all crammed together etc.etc.- they are starting to look exhausted so I won't speak too soon - I will give anything away but intend to fill my balconies to the brim first

I'm 3 flights up so I think its a bit too blowy and cold even in the sheltered parts of the balcony floors so I'll wait

is it safe to put seedlings into window boxes yet?

thanks Pam - I was afraid you'd say that! I want my window ledges back! Also they are all looking a bit tired of being crammed on there together in tiny pots and I'm getting the odd little blackfly which isnt good and the odd yellow leaf

But there's no point just chucking them out in the window boxes and hoping for the best after nursing them since January so I will wait

but apart from the fact that they're struggling now - they are really starting to out stay their welcome inside the flat

Searching the site?

other sites do have a "search the Forum" feature which narrows the results massively whereas the search on here gives you reams and reams from the ENTIRE site

I put in "window boxes" and had 7 pages to scroll through by which time I was past caring

still didnt find the answer either! (I was wanting to know when to plant them out with the seedlings I've grown over the winter)

is it safe to put seedlings into window boxes yet?

when is the usual time to plant window boxes - I have grown hundreds of plants from seed (by accident! I was expecting some of them to die!) and now want them off all my window ledges inside my flat but don't know whether I'd lose the lot to cold and frost

is it too early? when is the usual time?

how do I add someone to my ignore list?

window boxes are a wash out this year

is it safe to put seedlings into window boxes yet?