Zoomer44

Growing Sweet Peas

Hi, David...I wasn't going to sow sweet pea this autumn only because there wasn't  room to plant out in Spring those which were sown last autumn and they became a tangled mess... but had seeds left over, so, sowed some early October time which seems the best time here, thought they may have been sown to early...

...but they are a nice size, about 3 to 4 inches. Pinched the tops off some to stop them growing and apart from that no TLC or mollycoddling... you would be proud...

I only get to see them at weekends but looking good at present  

December offers online

T & M usually send good distructions, follow them to a T and you can't go much wrong. I''ve had some ever so tiny seedlings from them and roots which looked dead, so feeling a refund request coming on I followed the distructions to the word and it's been good advice, nice healthy plants several months down the road.  

Buying plants on line

I like to see what I'm buying so tend to lean towards GC's and nursey's. There's quite a few near here, all within 30 mile radius and most of the large GC's sell so much more than plants.

I like the GC Christmas displays so they get a visit now and return visit in the sales if I've seen anything I like.

Always check out the nearly dead section too now, sometimes you can pick up nice pots cheaper with nearly dead plants in than if the pots were empty and if the plants survive with a little TLC it's a bonus.

Also like the free offers with GW where you just pay P & P.   

Greenhouse size?

Depends how reasonable the price is.

I have a 6 by 8 GH and it came free. There really isn't room in my garden for anything larger but in the spring I also need a 4 shelved plastic GH to fit in everything I want to grow.

I started off growing toms but this year grew chillies, peppers, toms, cues and aubergines along with veg started off in modules and have now moved onto flowers. I've only had the GH 3yrs   If you already think it's too small chances are it is.

seaweed

I use seaweed in all manners of ways. When fresh from the beach it's used as a mulch in pots, it dries out quickly, goes black and doesn't smell. I cut it up so it goes further as some of my pots are quite small.

I've also dug it into veg beds and into the GH bed, tomartoes love it, as do potatoes. Depending on the weather it breaks down fairly quickly.

You can also make a liquid feed from seaweed. I tie up a couple of bags, punch holes in the bags and immerse in water for about six weeks. It can then be bottled up and diluted down with water whenready to use. I use it on stuff you would usually use tom feed on. 

The soggy stuff left in the bags does smell but spread on your beds and dug in stops it smelling and enriches the soil. 

You can also use the liquid as an organic spray against slugs and snails but need to start spraying about March time before any infestations set in. It may even deter other pests. I don't think it kills pests, just puts them off eating the stuff sprayed.           

What's the weather like in your area?

Over cast  and cold here, it rained in the night but has been rain free all day. I've been mopping up a flood in the basement. No real damage, it looks like water has come up through a drain and as the floor isn't level couldn't flow back down.

The new window over the basement in the front garden is so new looking it's putting the paint work at the front to shame, if a bucket of hot soapy water doesn't show improvements, then I've another item on the 'jobs to do list' this winter...painting.

Talkback: Growing gooseberries

 If sawfly have been a problem this year, you may find eggs and chrysalises have dropped into the surrounding soil ready to hatch next year.  Carefully clear away any fallen leaves and gently dig over the soil surrounding your bush, this should destroy most eggs and chrysalises, you don't need to dig too deep they'll be near the surface.

If you decide to spray next year it's more effective to spray before the first sign, in about April. 

Growingspuds for Chistmas...

Well done you, a big pat on the back from Zoomer.

 Mine eventually all went down to browning leaves and blight,two of the bags are still by the shed, but with all the rain it's unlikely there's anything edible in them.

Is this your first time at Christmas spuds.

siting compost near greenhouse?

Mine's near the GH, I've had no problems.

Hard wood cuttings...

The GH it is then, with perlite as a mix in the compost and the patience to wait  till the plants root

Bolting onions....

Black spot...

Painting a trellis...

Repotting a Christmas Tree...

Veg to sow in February...

Stored home made liquid seaweed feed...

Moving flowers...

Which spuds to get...

Clearing snow...

Hard wood cuttings...

Where have all my beans gone!.

Growing fennel bulbs...

Growingspuds for Chistmas...

Saving bean seeds...

Saving tom seeds...