GMG Green Thumb Club

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Skin and deseed the tomatoes. Chop roughly.
Melt a salted anchovy in copious amounts of olive oil.
Add the toms.
Let them heat through slowly, but hardly cook at all.
Add lots of chopped parsley and some pine nuts
Serve with linguine.


Apart from that, the vine looks dead, the bamboo was given its second root pruning of the year over the weekend and looks well, there's a big quantity of apples. And a huge quantity of pears, which have been stewed with cider and raisins and are mostly in the freezer.





This past two weeks, I have planted a replacement Vitis coignetiae, a couple of Salvia officinalis 'Berggarten', a handful of Balotta  pseudodictamnus and a hedge of 50 Teucrium x lucidris.

Oh and some Eucalyptus gunnii. I'm trying an experiment, I want to grow eucalyptus in pairs about 1m apart, and pollard one of each pair every two years in spring. That should leave a eucalyptus tower permanently. I don't know how well it will work, they may not like growing so close to each other.

But the thing I'm most proud of of this.



What you see is a Buddleja colvillei and an Echium pininana. The Buddleja was planted a year ago, the Echium was planted out in May. Both seem happy.

They are nestling in a corner, protected on three sides by brick walls, against the proverbial south facing warm wall in Surrey (you probably don't get that unless you've read Graham Stewart Thomas.) 

I now need to work out what I have do to exactly get the Echium through the winter, and to make sure that flower buds of the Buddleja aren't burnt off by cold winds in March.

Thanks for the recipe!

You're garden looking great (and despite the heat and the drought).

Sounds like you make a kind of chutney out of your pears?

Here, I'm trying to figure out what to make out of the remnants of my eggplants, tomatoes and peppers.  Besides some bell peppers, I have a bunch of jalapeños and serranos to use up (or freeze?).

I just finished my annual task of taking all my tender plants into the safety of their winter home in my cellar. It's a bit earlier than I'd like, and there haven't been any frost warnings for my area as of yet, but watches have been issued for places not too far to the north and west. I didn't want to be caught off guard.

What kind of plants do you overwinter in your cellar Tony?  Here, I have a few large herb plants that I try and keep alive every year including one large rosemary that doubles as a mini-Christmas tree during the holidays. 

PD

[Szykneij]

What kind of plants do you overwinter in your cellar Tony?  Here, I have a few large herb plants that I try and keep alive every year including one large rosemary that doubles as a mini-Christmas tree during the holidays. 

PD

I love the rosemary Christmas tree idea, especially being able to use the same one each year. Makes a neat tradition!

I have several small citrus trees (orange, lemon, lime, and tangerine), small banana, avocado, and pomegranite plants, and various patchouli, peace lily, arrowhead vine, bamboo palm, zz plant, bayberry, and lantana plants. I also have three tiny monkey puzzle trees I grew from seed that I hope will eventually thrive outside.
  They all get crammed together inside under lights. Luckily, I have a hose inside for watering that saves a lot of time. The cellar is unfinished, so a little water and dirt on the ground isn't a problem. The main goal is survival until the spring. Some do really well over the winter while others look pretty bad when spring arrives. Luckily, they seem to bounce back once they're back outside.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I love the rosemary Christmas tree idea, especially being able to use the same one each year. Makes a neat tradition!

I have several small citrus trees (orange, lemon, lime, and tangerine), small banana, avocado, and pomegranite plants, and various patchouli, peace lily, arrowhead vine, bamboo palm, zz plant, bayberry, and lantana plants. I also have three tiny monkey puzzle trees I grew from seed that I hope will eventually thrive outside.
  They all get crammed together inside under lights. Luckily, I have a hose inside for watering that saves a lot of time. The cellar is unfinished, so a little water and dirt on the ground isn't a problem. The main goal is survival until the spring. Some do really well over the winter while others look pretty bad when spring arrives. Luckily, they seem to bounce back once they're back outside.

Wow, that's a lot of plants to overwinter!  Did you buy miniature varieties of the fruit trees?  And have you been able to harvest any fruit from them?

Your mention of monkey puzzle trees reminded me of a scene from the movie "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir":  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdw0FWZXm8I

I often struggle with some sort of powdery mildew on my rosemary plant just a few weeks before it's due to go outside.  I use a spray by Safer (Garden Fungicide) to stave it off and keep it alive 'til I can move it back outside.  This past spring, it didn't look very "happy" for some time. 

PD

[Szykneij]

Wow, that's a lot of plants to overwinter!  Did you buy miniature varieties of the fruit trees?  And have you been able to harvest any fruit from them?

Your mention of monkey puzzle trees reminded me of a scene from the movie "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir":  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdw0FWZXm8I

PD

Yes, I bought the miniature fruit trees a number of years ago. I can't remember exactly when, but well over 10 years. They do produce fruit, but tiny ones. The oranges are smaller than golf balls and might have one seed in them.

I was inspired by watching "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" one morning to investigate monkey puzzzle trees because they weren't something I was familiar with. I found that they're hardy on the edge of my growing zone, so I ordered some seeds. Monkey puzzle trees are very slow-growing and mine are now only a few inches tall after more than a year. I'm not sure if they'll ever get big enough to plant outside, but they'd make nice miniature Christmas trees, too!

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Yes, I bought the miniature fruit trees a number of years ago. I can't remember exactly when, but well over 10 years. They do produce fruit, but tiny ones. The oranges are smaller than golf balls and might have one seed in them.

I was inspired by watching "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" one morning to investigate monkey puzzzle trees because they weren't something I was familiar with. I found that they're hardy on the edge of my growing zone, so I ordered some seeds. Monkey puzzle trees are very slow-growing and mine are now only a few inches tall after more than a year. I'm not sure if they'll ever get big enough to plant outside, but they'd make nice miniature Christmas trees, too!

That's funny that we both thought of the same show/movie.    I read that they are on the endangered list in their native habitat.

Wonder if your fruit trees need to be repotted into some larger containers?  Also, do you regularly feed them?  I haven't tried growing them before but I know with my potted veggies and herbs that I have to feed them more often.  From what I read online, they do (make that "can") produce full-sized fruit?

I've been tempted to buy a fig tree (There's a farmer who regularly sells them at a market).

Do you find that your electric bills jump a lot in the winter time using all of those grow lights that you have?  Curious as I switched over to (expensive!) LED grow lights and even with that, it seems like my bill was really high (some of that is also I'm sure from using some space heaters....couldn't have ANYTHING to do with my tube stereo system....we're not going there!  ).

PD

[Szykneij]

That's funny that we both thought of the same show/movie.    I read that they are on the endangered list in their native habitat.

Wonder if your fruit trees need to be repotted into some larger containers?  Also, do you regularly feed them?  I haven't tried growing them before but I know with my potted veggies and herbs that I have to feed them more often.  From what I read online, they do (make that "can") produce full-sized fruit?

I've been tempted to buy a fig tree (There's a farmer who regularly sells them at a market).

Do you find that your electric bills jump a lot in the winter time using all of those grow lights that you have?  Curious as I switched over to (expensive!) LED grow lights and even with that, it seems like my bill was really high (some of that is also I'm sure from using some space heaters....couldn't have ANYTHING to do with my tube stereo system....we're not going there!  ).

PD

I repotted the fruit trees at the beginning of the summer to a slightly larger size, not so much because of the plants, but because the older pots were starting to deteriorate. The plants weren't root bound at all, so I think it will be a while before they'll need new homes. I replace some soil and feed them in the spring, but that's it for fertilizing. I definitely don't feed them when they're inside because I'd rather they do their growing outside.

A friend of mine started a grapefruit plant from seed that he would take it to work during the school year. His music room had large windows and high ceilings. The last time I saw it, it was taller than me. It didn't set fruit, though, because it was never brought outside to be pollinated.

There is a cold-hardy type of fig tree available, but I've yet to try buying one.

My electric bill definitely spikes due to the extra lighting, just when my water bill finally goes down when the garden hose gets put away.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I repotted the fruit trees at the beginning of the summer to a slightly larger size, not so much because of the plants, but because the older pots were starting to deteriorate. The plants weren't root bound at all, so I think it will be a while before they'll need new homes. I replace some soil and feed them in the spring, but that's it for fertilizing. I definitely don't feed them when they're inside because I'd rather they do their growing outside.

A friend of mine started a grapefruit plant from seed that he would take it to work during the school year. His music room had large windows and high ceilings. The last time I saw it, it was taller than me. It didn't set fruit, though, because it was never brought outside to be pollinated.

There is a cold-hardy type of fig tree available, but I've yet to try buying one.

My electric bill definitely spikes due to the extra lighting, just when my water bill finally goes down when the garden hose gets put away.

I really like Espoma products (organic).  https://www.espoma.com/product/citrus-tone/  I think that they might help you (and no, I am not affiliated, etc. with them).  And I know what you mean re watering and electricity....sigh.

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Back inside for a short break.  I was outside doing a combo of weeding a bed and planting some daffs.  Years ago when my Wegie passed away, I planted some daffodil bulbs mostly in one bed in honor of her and then about a year later when my BSH passed away, I planted a different variety in her honor.  I thought that it would be a nice way to remember them and give me something cheery to look at in the springtime--the time of renewal.  I had meant to plant some more when my shelter kitty had passed away (now a few years ago) but never got around to it.

Well, Mama finally did.

I'm also trying something a bit different this year.  I had picked up a bag of alliums and had changed my mind as to where I wanted to plant them.  I have a pretty big (and heavy!) clay pot that I leave outside year round.  I planted them in it, gave them some water and crossed my fingers.  Wondering whether I should bother putting some straw that I have on top of the soil in the pot?  I normally leave it quite full of soil over the wintertime.  Any thoughts?

And how goes the rest of your gardens?

PD

[Irons]

Back inside for a short break.  I was outside doing a combo of weeding a bed and planting some daffs.  Years ago when my Wegie passed away, I planted some daffodil bulbs mostly in one bed in honor of her and then about a year later when my BSH passed away, I planted a different variety in her honor.  I thought that it would be a nice way to remember them and give me something cheery to look at in the springtime--the time of renewal.  I had meant to plant some more when my shelter kitty had passed away (now a few years ago) but never got around to it.

Well, Mama finally did.

I'm also trying something a bit different this year.  I had picked up a bag of alliums and had changed my mind as to where I wanted to plant them.  I have a pretty big (and heavy!) clay pot that I leave outside year round.  I planted them in it, gave them some water and crossed my fingers.  Wondering whether I should bother putting some straw that I have on top of the soil in the pot?  I normally leave it quite full of soil over the wintertime.  Any thoughts?

And how goes the rest of your gardens?

PD

Lovely to plant in memory of something dear to you and to be reminded (not that you need to be) each season. With your freezing winters I would be more worried about pots then the bulbs. Saying that, I can't grow alliums in my heavy clay soil and I have tried. Drainage is the key as they hate sitting in water. Mix plenty of grit in the soil and your alliums will me fine.

I'm in a quandary as in the near future but don't know when will be out of action for at least six weeks (surgeon's knife ). I order all my seeds at this time through the allotment at 50% discount. But will I be around to sow them! Hedge by bets by ordering half what I normally do and play it from there.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Lovely to plant in memory of something dear to you and to be reminded (not that you need to be) each season. With your freezing winters I would be more worried about pots then the bulbs. Saying that, I can't grow alliums in my heavy clay soil and I have tried. Drainage is the key as they hate sitting in water. Mix plenty of grit in the soil and your alliums will me fine.

I'm in a quandary as in the near future but don't know when will be out of action for at least six weeks (surgeon's knife ). I order all my seeds at this time through the allotment at 50% discount. But will I be around to sow them! Hedge by bets by ordering half what I normally do and play it from there.

I'm surprised myself that this pot has lasted so long and outside.  Even if I emptied it out completely, it would still be a bear to move (even with another person).  I purchased it probably 30 years ago.  It's a thickly-walled Mexican-made round ceramic pot (I have some smaller ones made by this same company).  Found it on sale at a local nursery.  Hopefully, I didn't top it off too much when planting the bulbs.  It has a drainage hole at the bottom.  Good suggestion about adding grit (for me it would be sand)--which I didn't do, but the soil in there seems to drain pretty well (no clay thankfully).  Well, the bulbs were half-off (about $5 total), so hopefully not a waste!

I do hope that your surgery goes well and that you heal speedily Lol!  That's cool that you get your seeds at 50% off.  Are they last-year's seeds or this years?  I do know that most seeds keep well for a few years.  Do you have anything left growing in your garden at this time of year?  I just have some herbs.  Should try and dry some of them.  Parsley is still alive (though the temps have dropped quite a bit, so I wouldn't be surprised if I went out there this morning and it was partially frozen).  I was still able to weed a bit yesterday (as in ground wasn't frozen).  I suspect that I won't have many more of those days left though.  Oregano and sage and chives were still looking good (knock on wood).   

One idea:  would your wife be able to help with the seed planting (under your expert guidance of course  )?

PD

[Irons]

I'm surprised myself that this pot has lasted so long and outside.  Even if I emptied it out completely, it would still be a bear to move (even with another person).  I purchased it probably 30 years ago.  It's a thickly-walled Mexican-made round ceramic pot (I have some smaller ones made by this same company).  Found it on sale at a local nursery.  Hopefully, I didn't top it off too much when planting the bulbs.  It has a drainage hole at the bottom.  Good suggestion about adding grit (for me it would be sand)--which I didn't do, but the soil in there seems to drain pretty well (no clay thankfully).  Well, the bulbs were half-off (about $5 total), so hopefully not a waste!

I do hope that your surgery goes well and that you heal speedily Lol!  That's cool that you get your seeds at 50% off.  Are they last-year's seeds or this years?  I do know that most seeds keep well for a few years.  Do you have anything left growing in your garden at this time of year?  I just have some herbs.  Should try and dry some of them.  Parsley is still alive (though the temps have dropped quite a bit, so I wouldn't be surprised if I went out there this morning and it was partially frozen).  I was still able to weed a bit yesterday (as in ground wasn't frozen).  I suspect that I won't have many more of those days left though.  Oregano and sage and chives were still looking good (knock on wood).   

One idea:  would your wife be able to help with the seed planting (under your expert guidance of course  )?

PD

I'm sure you have, but have something below the pot lifting it above ground level.

It has been very mild here with temperatures breaking records although this is forecast to change. Fuchsia's are blooming, even the banana plants are thriving in the mild temps.
As an organisation of three hundred odd members we are able to make bulk orders with discounts. All seeds are ordered from D.T Brown.
The missus will have her hands full looking after me. Planting out at the allotment is a worry, fingers crossed I'll be up and running by then. 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I'm sure you have, but have something below the pot lifting it above ground level.

It has been very mild here with temperatures breaking records although this is forecast to change. Fuchsia's are blooming, even the banana plants are thriving in the mild temps.
As an organisation of three hundred odd members we are able to make bulk orders with discounts. All seeds are ordered from D.T Brown.
The missus will have her hands full looking after me. Planting out at the allotment is a worry, fingers crossed I'll be up and running by then.

Good idea!  I'll see if I can get a friend help me to get some bricks underneath it.

Do you have 300 members just at your allotment?  If so, that must be huge!  Or do you join ordering forces with other allotment members in your area?  Hadn't heard of that company before now.  Upon taking a quick look, I saw that they are selling an interesting looking seed planting tool with a rubber bulb-like cushion that one squeezes/pushes on to dispense seeds one at a time.  Do you use something like that Lol when you do your plantings?

And you're getting me worried:  that sounds like major surgery! 

PD

[Irons]

Good idea!  I'll see if I can get a friend help me to get some bricks underneath it.

Do you have 300 members just at your allotment?  If so, that must be huge!  Or do you join ordering forces with other allotment members in your area?  Hadn't heard of that company before now.  Upon taking a quick look, I saw that they are selling an interesting looking seed planting tool with a rubber bulb-like cushion that one squeezes/pushes on to dispense seeds one at a time.  Do you use something like that Lol when you do your plantings?

And you're getting me worried:  that sounds like major surgery! 

PD

Important, PD. Raising the pot will allow water to drain otherwise the hole underneath will get blocked. No need to be as high as bricks, these would be perfect at only two quid each.



For a £5 yearly subscription anyone can join. The "hut" is only open from 10am to midday on Sundays but a large stock of everything discounted including wild bird food which is our biggest seller after "Country Natural" compost. I will have to investigate that tool you mention, PD.
Double knee replacement.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Important, PD. Raising the pot will allow water to drain otherwise the hole underneath will get blocked. No need to be as high as bricks, these would be perfect at only two quid each.



For a £5 yearly subscription anyone can join. The "hut" is only open from 10am to midday on Sundays but a large stock of everything discounted including wild bird food which is our biggest seller after "Country Natural" compost. I will have to investigate that tool you mention, PD.
Double knee replacement.

It's called the Pro-Seeder.  I found more detailed info on another site.  Looks like it comes with various size tips though I think that you can only pick up one seed at a time with it.

It's actually on top of a low stone wall.  I suspect that the reason that it hasn't frozen is that the stones can be uneven.  Will look at it better soon.

Alas, one of my plants took a hit last night.  It was a large lemon verbena "tree" and one of the main branches broke off.  I'm thinking of cutting the other one off and putting the pot in my basement near a window--won't get much light though.  And take some cuttings from it in the meantime and see if I can get any of them to grow over the winter?  Did manage to lug in my thyme plant and also the even bigger rosemary one.  I might still need to get some help though in moving it into the living room and lifting it back into its saucer.  God, that thing is heavy!  Particularly after it's been watered.  We received a combo of snow/rain recently, so, yup, it's heavy!

So, a double knee operation...wow!  How long do they think that you will be out of commission for Lol?

EDIT:  Managed to get my rosemary plant into the living and lift it back into its saucer....and without (knock-on-wood) wrenching or throwing my back out!  Hurrah! 

PD

[DavidW]

My adventure was learning how to use my new lawn tractor.  By that I mean learning all the failsafes.

[Szykneij]

My adventure was learning how to use my new lawn tractor.  By that I mean learning all the failsafes.

How big is your lawn?

I spent the day planting tomato and cucumber seeds for my garden. They are now inside on heating mats, safe from our still-chilly evening temperatures.

[DavidW]

How big is your lawn?

I spent the day planting tomato and cucumber seeds for my garden. They are now inside on heating mats, safe from our still-chilly evening temperatures.

0.7 acres.  I used a push mower for the past year and a half.  It is a pain, especially in the summer with heat and high humidity.  Getting a riding mower really makes the job easier.

[Irons]

How big is your lawn?

I spent the day planting tomato and cucumber seeds for my garden. They are now inside on heating mats, safe from our still-chilly evening temperatures.

Below 10c knocks tomato plants back as I found to my cost last year. After planting out in late May one night temperature fell down to 4c. In a panic I rigged up some protection with canes and fleece.

[DavidW]

I've mastered my riding mower!  Yesterday I mowed without needing to go back with the push mower.  I did need to hit the corners with the trimmer.

Also my wayward tree has started leafing.  I mean the other trees are done, but better than nothing.  The bushes by that tree are also in bad shape.  I'm afraid it might be the soil.  I've discovered that there is an arborist in town, so I might see if they can investigate.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I've mastered my riding mower!  Yesterday I mowed without needing to go back with the push mower.  I did need to hit the corners with the trimmer.

Also my wayward tree has started leafing.  I mean the other trees are done, but better than nothing.  The bushes by that tree are also in bad shape.  I'm afraid it might be the soil.  I've discovered that there is an arborist in town, so I might see if they can investigate.

Congrats on your driving skills!  Perhaps the soil, insects, too much shade, in need of some food?  Lots of different variables.  Good luck with that!

PD