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Hi Daff, I'm really impressed with how you are getting on!
I sowed lots of seeds earlier in the year which I think the cold weather finished off. Followed by the hot weather, lol. So I have carrots and parsnips coming but very new plants. Potatoes are going mad, so that's good. But cauli/brussels/etc, very little showing itself and the weeds are flourishing. Radish plants are huge but no sign of little radishes underground and the rhubarb has blocked the light from the lettuces. R.I.P.
I am really disappointed! Usually I do much better than this.
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Helen, that is such a shame!!
I have a feeling it is a mix of things, here. I have quite a sheltered spot, we are surrounded by trees, which serve to break up any wind, but also moves the air on a still day, lol.... the soil is fertile, but clay, so mixing it with all the organic stuff has been good... and the Bokashi/wormery/compost bins have really come into their own. The Bokashi means that I can add fish and meat left overs, including chicken and fish bones, and things like cooked rice/pasta, bread, cheese.... you know the sort of thing that we don't put on a compost heap cos it attracts rats and such like. Each container takes about two weeks to fill with scraps, and then two weeks to ferment... it comes out like pickled food. The sytem has two containers, so there is a continuous cycle. Also the run off has been extremely good all round fertilizer, and the plants have grown healthily. I started a lot of the more delicate stuff in the conservatory, as well, I don't have a greenhouse. And because I am new at most of the vegetable growing, I am paying more care and attention... I prepared everything better than I have ever done before, and it is paying dividends so far. My son has helped a bit, but mainly with the heavier stuff.
I didn't grow parsnips... I am not that keen, but hubby loves them and now I feel guilty, lol We have had massive success with the herbs as well... except the basil, that has been a total failure. But we have dill, Russian and plain tarragon, parsley, mint and loads of coriander.... that is growing like a weed! But it is one of my favourite herbs, so I don't mind.
I am really certain that it is all the home grown compost that has been the difference.
Oh..... my cut and come agains, I have put all of those into those little bags you can buy? Brilliant idea... I have them on an old pvc table with a bright colourful cloth, right by the kitchen door.... and all the paraphernalia goes under the table so hidden by the cloth (balloons, from Dunelm, lol), with the plants at a good height for me to just snip what I want for a sandwich or whatever... really brilliant and no bending. ;¬)) My earlies were in bags, too. And the cucumber are at the moment... bigger ones, but bags none the less.
I have put some courgettes and cucumber into the ground but they do take up a lot of space... so I have put them into pots, tall ones, on the gravel all around the pathways.... so they are all in hot spots, are up highish and on bricks too.... but have room to move without taking any more earth space up... cool, eh? Along one bit of fence, I have put some very old radiator airing things... I used gardening twine as a bit of a restraint, and have stuck small pots of herbs and tomatoes into that.... so far it seems to be working ok.
Daff's take on cottage gardening, lolol
Love
Daff xxxx
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I am a Mummy!! I have three little courgettes, lolol.... I am soooooo pleased. They weren't there yesterday evening, but the biggest is about the size of my baby finger... aw bless, not sure whether to eat it or frame it, lolol
I do love this gardening malarkey!!
Love
Daff xxxxx
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