Helen's plot

Forgot what happened last year - maybe it's here!!
Annie
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Re: Helen's plot

Post by Annie »

I think its such a sensible approach you have taken this year Helen, although the plants cost more than a pkt of seeds, when you take into account that you probably dont use all the seed ( and I am not very good at rememberibg to use them the following year), I still think you will come out on top.
Best of all you have avoided the heartache of seeds not setting/wilting/too dry too wet and so on and so on.
Sounds like you will have a useful crop of a good selection of plants too .
It will be alright in the end , if its not alright, it isn't the end .
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p.penn
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Re: Helen's plot

Post by p.penn »

I have to say Annie that buying the plants was the best thing I have done. There would have been a big fat zero in my garden otherwise! Mind you, to be fair, I do get staff discount as I am watering again at the garden centre now.
So, providing the snails don't attack (and the plants perk up a bit as they look a bit wilty), I should be in business!
Helen xx
3 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 chooks, 3 fish, a shrimp that thinks its a prawn and a dappy dog.
http://www.acountrygrandma.blogspot.com
stewpot
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Re: Helen's plot

Post by stewpot »

It all seems to be coming together nicely there Helen. Sympathised when you said about your soil. My parents used to be the same but you've cracked the hard bit and keeping it compact with your planting so I think you will have some great veg this year.
As I was told just go for it and plant/grow what you can the first year its great fun. When you see what grows then you can plan next year
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p.penn
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Re: Helen's plot

Post by p.penn »

It's really coming together now)c( I planted my leeks today, so just have courgettes to go - I have been promised a couple of plants by a friend. then I am up and running for the summer hopefully.
I have flowers on my roma tomato plants now, and aside from a couple of eaten parsnip plants, all the other stuff I planted has taken and seems to be doing ok. The beetroot perhaps still needs a bit of a kick start, but I have every faith in it!
I wish you could see the blossom on my small quince tree this year. Having a big fat zero last year, I am really hopeful there will be a small winemaking crop this autumn.
Lookin' good!)c(
Helen xx
3 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 chooks, 3 fish, a shrimp that thinks its a prawn and a dappy dog.
http://www.acountrygrandma.blogspot.com
p.penn
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Re: Helen's plot

Post by p.penn »

I really never thought a veg plot would happen at all this year, but TA DA!! It has! My last item - a courgette plant, went in yesterday)c(
The rest of it is looking good - my peas and beans seem to have suddenly shot up, and the beetroot is small, but sturdy.
I planted some parsnips in the raised bed and some in the plot. Initially I thought only the raised bed ones would survive, but both are ok now.
A friend gave me some pots of salad leaves which I have in my mini green house - I may just leave them in pots and pick as needed.
Could do with some spring onions...I will check the seed tin tomorrow!
Helen xx
3 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 chooks, 3 fish, a shrimp that thinks its a prawn and a dappy dog.
http://www.acountrygrandma.blogspot.com
Totally Scrambled
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Re: Helen's plot

Post by Totally Scrambled »

You're doing better than us. I'm still trying to get some persistant weeds and thistles to die by weed killering them but they are refusing to die completely.
Dom
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davina112
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Re: Helen's plot

Post by davina112 »

Helen, I think it's eventually got to the time of year when things start to move. I have noticed a change in my garden this last week.
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p.penn
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Re: Helen's plot

Post by p.penn »

Oh my goodness - has it been that long since I posted here?>dowhat< Sorry, been really busy with working loads and life generally!
Well, just a quick update. My beetroot need lifting, they are the size of melons (well.....almost:oops: ) but as I have no hob and have to cook them in the microwave, this is just putting me off a tad (or perhaps supplying a valid excuse for not cooking them:oops: )
Leeks all looking ok - healthy, but would have thought a little thicker by now. Time will tell. My parsnips are divided into two - half in a raised bed andthe rest in the plot. The latter are twice the size, but as I used manure, I am thinking the roots will be split. Again, time will tell! The other raised bed I have for herbs and that is looking really good - I will take a photo and post soon.
My one courgette plant is OK - bit overwhelmed with tomato plant, but ok. No edible courgettes yet though. The tomatoes are HUGE. I am referring to the plants and numerous flowers though, as there are no fruit yet}hairout{ I have strated pinching out the growing tips and hopefully this will help.
My sugarsnap peas are fine and I have been nibbling them raw when I come and go from the house! Same with strawberries. Runner beans in flower, but some blackfly - I forgot to put the yellow buckets out}hairout{
My rhubarb is still prolific. I had 12 lbs off it by mid june, and plan to make some jam and crumbles with the masses I have now.
So, not too bad!
Helen xx
3 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 chooks, 3 fish, a shrimp that thinks its a prawn and a dappy dog.
http://www.acountrygrandma.blogspot.com
p.penn
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Re: Helen's plot

Post by p.penn »

It's like a jungle out there!!!{rofwl}
My 'Roma' tomato plants have gone completely wild - perhaps they misspelled it - should have been roamer{rofwl} They are a plum variety and there are a few green coming along nicely! My courgette plant is under there somewhere ha ha ha - if and when I find it, I will let you know if there are any courgettes on it{rofwl}
My sugar snap peas were gorgeous - none of them made it to the pot, just eaten raw on the way up the front path (mainly by my grandchildren!). The plants are looking...well..dead really - not sure what happened, a short life, but merry!
Runner beans are full of lovely red flowers. The recent storms have woken the snails up from their slumbers, and they have been climbing up the beans (and in my teeny plot generally) in their thousands (literally). I should open a theme park. Snail World.)grin2(
I have loads of huge beetroot but no hob to cook them on. I was going to microwave them but have so many and haven't got round to it. Hmmm. Bad me.
Leeks and parsnips doing ok. Will have to report back about them much later. Herbs fab.
That's it for now I think. Oh yes, and quince tree still looking good!)c(
Helen xx
3 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 chooks, 3 fish, a shrimp that thinks its a prawn and a dappy dog.
http://www.acountrygrandma.blogspot.com
AL37
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Re: Helen's plot

Post by AL37 »

Jst a thought Helen, Does anyone have a camping gas stove you could borrow to boil your betroot on. Or, do you have a barbeque You could probably do a couple of pans at once one the average barbeque.)t'
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julieann
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Re: Helen's plot

Post by julieann »

I admire your efforts, I'm all talk and no action:oops:
Julie x
p.penn
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Re: Helen's plot

Post by p.penn »

julieann wrote: I admire your efforts, I'm all talk and no action:oops:

Whereas I'm no talk.....???? Hahaha{rofwl} {rofwl} {rofwl}
Helen xx
3 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 chooks, 3 fish, a shrimp that thinks its a prawn and a dappy dog.
http://www.acountrygrandma.blogspot.com
julieann
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Re: Helen's plot

Post by julieann »

{rofwl} {rofwl} {rofwl}
Julie x
p.penn
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Re: Helen's plot

Post by p.penn »

AL37 wrote: Jst a thought Helen, Does anyone have a camping gas stove you could borrow to boil your betroot on. Or, do you have a barbeque You could probably do a couple of pans at once one the average barbeque.)t'

My ever patient neighbour has a cooker, but he does so much for me that I just haven't the nerve to ask him!! I asked my daughter but she hates beetroot and it makes her feel sick, so that was a big fat no. I do have a BBQ, but it wouldn't be cost effective to cook them on that really, would it (also one side of neighbours wouldn't be pleased - I generally forewarn them of a BBQ, which is why I have only had one in 7 years}hairout{ )
Helen xx
3 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 chooks, 3 fish, a shrimp that thinks its a prawn and a dappy dog.
http://www.acountrygrandma.blogspot.com
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