Sparklepinksunflower

My Calla actually can!!!

Hi Everyone, 

My calla lily after 4 years is finally thinking about flowering. 

OH was not suitably impressed so I thought I'd tell you lot as you will under stand how  happy I feel

Flippin' pigeons

I lost my first early sewing of lettuces to pigeons down the allotment so i feel your pain!!

Moldy Compost Disaster :(

no, it was for free and just came form the London Eco Park, Its the same stuff that we get down the allotments.

Moldy Compost Disaster :(

 Hi Alina,

I think it must be under composted compost, as I dont think it was over watering Boo, right will have to go and buy some ruddy compost for the third attemp at some seeds

Moldy Compost Disaster :(

A couple of weeks ago I got hold of 12 sacks of compost from the London Eco Waste Centre (the waste centre that gets all our green waste and most of North London)

After running out of seed compost I thought I could make my own, so googled it and make a mixture of seived compost, sand and perlite.

Every single pot and tray i used it in has gone moldy All my seedling have dampened off

Any thoughts on what went wrong

Some of the seeds sown were second sowings as squash, pumkins and sweetcorn were disasterous the first time. 

So we have to think about 3rd time lucky

squash seed germination

I have had major problems with squah and pumpkin germination and sweetcorn too. Only 2 plants out of 24 have germinated  

Problem with Dahlias

what type of daliahs are they?

From seed they tend to be annuals, so will not get to the size of tubor grown daliahs

Just keep removing the flower heads and they should flower right through to first frosts

Problem Clay soil

I have heavy clay soil and over the years have developed it into lovely loam.

It wont take for every, start now with adding compost, grit, sand, spent compost, manure etc etc and repeat every year

Mulch in autumn as well and by next spring you will notice a massive improvement

Seeds as wedding favours

lettuces, beetroot or radish would be able to be planted and get some crops from if planted in July - but not very romantic

Marigolds, holly hocks, foxgloves can all be sewn in the summer for flowers the following year, plus all that have been mentioned earlier

july is a difficult time of year for seeds as most things want to be in already if they are going to flower the same year nd over wintering seedlings can be a bit of a pain.

Sunflowers might be a good suggestion (not just cos they are my name sake ) but they are so easy, you might get flowers by September, but all seeds have a shelf life so would be totally fine until next year

Water retaining gel crystals

If anyone is in the Thames water area, they are giving away 2 packets of the crystals to each customer free  

Crocosmia has croaked it!

Writing a Name on a pumpkin

What to do with a bucket of snails!!

Carrots have feelings too

Hollyhock Rust

Why don't Sunflower Seeds Compost!!!

When Best to liquid feed in the rain!!!

My Calla actually can!!!

Moldy Compost Disaster :(