Anyone here into gardening? I buy spices every week and then I thought to myself, why not just grow them? Soil, seeds, water, light, can it be so hard? I would like to start with parsley and wheat grass and see where it goes, tomatoes? Spinach? Everything will have to be indoors though.
Are berries difficult to grow?
I guess this is another topic all together but does anyone use oil lamps in their house? Another thought that came to me was to put a little candle oil lamp thing in the bathroom, so at night you dont have to turn the light on when you tinkle. Olive oil pomace for it probably you can buy for 10$ or 15$ a gallon and I am checking now how long it will stay on (although I didn't measure the volume and I am using extra virgin...) Drop a few good smelling oils into the mix and but 3 or 4 around the house, maybe it would be nice?
Not one of you even has a houseplant?
Quote from: Mozart on August 22, 2009, 10:01:58 AM
Not one of you even has a houseplant?
I have plenty of houseplants and outside plants as well (courtesy of my wife). I do the watering, and that's all I want to do with them. I suppose that I find them boring.
Quote from: Bulldog on August 22, 2009, 10:11:48 AM
I have plenty of houseplants and outside plants as well (courtesy of my wife). I do the watering, and that's all I want to do with them. I suppose that I find them boring.
Not interested in growing things you could eat yourself? Or filling your home with wonderful smells and air?
Wasn't certain where to put this....it's a combo of nature/environment/food/ecology article. Apparently there are 'murder hornets' now in the United States (hadn't heard of them before now). As if things weren't bad enough for the honey bees, now they have to deal with this! And enough stings and they can kill a human too! ::) ??? They are apparently from somewhere in Asia.
https://www.bbc.com/news/52533585
(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/B3B1/production/_112110064_gettyimages-456622162.jpg)
Quote from: Mozart on August 21, 2009, 03:28:29 PM
Anyone here into gardening? I buy spices every week and then I thought to myself, why not just grow them? Soil, seeds, water, light, can it be so hard? I would like to start with parsley and wheat grass and see where it goes, tomatoes? Spinach? Everything will have to be indoors though.
Are berries difficult to grow?
Berries aren't 'difficult' to grow, in fact they tend to grow in poor soil, but they need good exposure to sun (and then they need nets against birds). You can't grow 'em in the house.
With 'spices' you seem to mean 'herbs'. Most of these need a lot of sun hours too, which you can't accomplish indoors. In a window sill you typically get three or four hours of sun
coming from one direction. This is why the basil plant you got at the store will grow long and weak stalks and lose that peppery taste.
Oh, I see now, that 'Mozart' posted this question about eleven years ago, and hasn't posted in nine years, perhaps due to malnourishment...
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 04, 2020, 01:55:21 PM
Wasn't certain where to put this....it's a combo of nature/environment/food/ecology article. Apparently there are 'murder hornets' now in the United States (hadn't heard of them before now). As if things weren't bad enough for the honey bees, now they have to deal with this! And enough stings and they can kill a human too! ::) ??? They are apparently from somewhere in Asia.
https://www.bbc.com/news/52533585
(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/B3B1/production/_112110064_gettyimages-456622162.jpg)
Yes, he/she doesn't look very friendly.
Quote from: vandermolen on May 04, 2020, 11:54:33 PM
Yes, he/she doesn't look very friendly.
This made my jaw drop (from that article): "With their sharp, spiked mandibles, the hornets decapitate honeybees, using the bodies to feed their young. The hornets can destroy a honeybee hive in a matter of hours." ???
PD
Quote from: Herman on May 04, 2020, 11:33:10 PM
Berries aren't 'difficult' to grow, in fact they tend to grow in poor soil, but they need good exposure to sun (and then they need nets against birds). You can't grow 'em in the house.
With 'spices' you seem to mean 'herbs'. Most of these need a lot of sun hours too, which you can't accomplish indoors. In a window sill you typically get three or four hours of sun coming from one direction. This is why the basil plant you got at the store will grow long and weak stalks and lose that peppery taste.
Oh, I see now, that 'Mozart' posted this question about eleven years ago, and hasn't posted in nine years, perhaps due to malnourishment...
Herman,
I trust that you enjoy gardening then (since you posted here)? :)
Hoping to pick up some supplies from a local nursery--carefully minding social distancing (they my order out to the car); I've never not gone into this place before now to pick out things....will be rather strange. Perhaps will order some seeds online (have some left over from last year)?
What do you like to grow?
PD
I'm rather a fan of slowgrowing evergeen shrubs, like azalea, rhododendron and skimmia. I still can't believe how big the red berry skimmia has gotten that I planted fifteen years ago.
Roses always fail in my experience.
My GF wants a rosemary herb plant. I used to have one very successful rosemary bush twenty years ago, on a wall facing the south. That's really the only way.
I'd like to have a successful oleander bush once in my life. Not just in the year of planting, but for many yers. Never happened.
I don't have a garden. Too many critters (rabbits, squirrels, birds, groundhogs and the like). But I do have 2 patches of wild garlic I cultivate. It grows in a very specific type of environment, in maple tree and beech forests, along with the trillium and trout lily. When transplanted they adapt to just about any condition. I transplant a few bulbs every year. I have now over 160 of them. And critters don't like them ! ;D
(https://images.radio-canada.ca/v1/ici-info/perso/ail-des-bois-2.jpg)
(https://potagersdantan.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/ail-des-bois.jpg)
Quote from: Herman on May 05, 2020, 05:37:25 AM
I'm rather a fan of slowgrowing evergeen shrubs, like azalea, rhododendron and skimmia. I still can't believe how big the red berry skimmia has gotten that I planted fifteen years ago.
Roses always fail in my experience.
My GF wants a rosemary herb plant. I used to have one very successful rosemary bush twenty years ago, on a wall facing the south. That's really the only way.
I'd like to have a successful oleander bush once in my life. Not just in the year of planting, but for many yers. Never happened.
I've learned to appreciate shrubs (and trees) more the older that I get. And, yes, roses are frustrating little beauties! Like you, I've had numerous ones fail though I have found some that seem to be happy in my area (I do get a fair bit of sunshine which they MUST have).
Rosemary can be tricky. I've managed to keep some to grow quite big. The past few years, I've had ones potted up and then take inside when it starts getting cold and put into a sunny room. The best thing that you can do for them once inside is to put them into a big saucer filled with some crushed gravel stones and then rather than watering them at the top (in the soil)...fill the saucer as necessary and let the roots and the soil wick the moisture upwards into the plant. That, and don't water them too often and give them plenty of air space around them--helps to keep them from getting fuzzy fungal growth on the leaves.
Quote from: André on May 05, 2020, 06:03:27 AM
I don't have a garden. Too many critters (rabbits, squirrels, birds, groundhogs and the like). But I do have 2 patches of wild garlic I cultivate. It grows in a very specific type of environment, in maple tree and beech forests, along with the trillium and trout lily. When transplanted they adapt to just about any condition. I transplant a few bulbs every year. I have now over 160 of them. And critters don't like them ! ;D
(https://images.radio-canada.ca/v1/ici-info/perso/ail-des-bois-2.jpg)
(https://potagersdantan.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/ail-des-bois.jpg)
I have a mixed love/hate relationship with critters...as I suspect most gardeners do. Do you eat/cook with your wild garlic André? Do you get enough sunlight in the spring to be able to plant any daffodils? They and also iris are poisonous to squirrels, deer, etc. Wish that I had more tulips and crocuses but various critters dig them up. I do know one neighbor who has done pretty well with tulips. He puts a layer of fairly closely meshed bird netting plus some mulch...maybe some stones too on top. If need be, he might have to cut a bit of the netting to let a tulip through on occasion. I should try that!
Well, yes. Eating and cooking them is the whole point. Leaves are delicious in salads. The rosy stems can be added to white wine vinegar, it gives it a nice reddish colour and a very distinctive flavour. The bulbs I eat as is, rubbing the tip in a bit of salt.
After a few years they make flowers and seeds, and the bulbs divide. It takes 5-7 years after the transplant to get natural reproduction. The vegetation process ends in 6-8 weeks: when tree leaves above are out (mid to end of June), the garlic leaves wilt and fall. It doesn't tolerate shadow. It's a very seasonal treat.
Thanks for the tip, re: daffodils and irises. They would make a nice patch in the back of the yard.
Quote from: André on May 05, 2020, 09:18:19 AM
Well, yes. Eating and cooking them is the whole point. Leaves are delicious in salads. The rosy stems can be added to white wine vinegar, it gives it a nice reddish colour and a very distinctive flavour. The bulbs I eat as is, rubbing the tip in a bit of salt.
After a few years they make flowers and seeds, and the bulbs divide. It takes 5-7 years after the transplant to get natural reproduction. The vegetation process ends in 6-8 weeks: when tree leaves above are out (mid to end of June), the garlic leaves wilt and fall. It doesn't tolerate shadow. It's a very seasonal treat.
Thanks for the tip, re: daffodils and irises. They would make a nice patch in the back of the yard.
Scrolling back down, I realized that I hadn't noticed that you had a photo of them on a cutting board! lol Interesting that you eat the bulbs as is (with salt). If I run across some of them, I must try that. :) Wonder if they ever get any in my local co-op? They have had ramps and fiddleheads for sale there. Taking a quick look online, I see that one can purchase seeds of them here: https://www.americanmeadows.com/wildflower-seeds/native-rare-wildflower-seeds/wild-garlic-seeds
Enjoy!
PD
Quote from: André on May 05, 2020, 06:03:27 AM
I don't have a garden. Too many critters (rabbits, squirrels, birds, groundhogs and the like). But I do have 2 patches of wild garlic I cultivate. It grows in a very specific type of environment, in maple tree and beech forests, along with the trillium and trout lily. When transplanted they adapt to just about any condition. I transplant a few bulbs every year. I have now over 160 of them. And critters don't like them ! ;D
(https://images.radio-canada.ca/v1/ici-info/perso/ail-des-bois-2.jpg)
(https://potagersdantan.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/ail-des-bois.jpg)
We're eating the flowers of ramsons (wild garlic) on our walks at the moment. They're still very garlicky but a bit more delicate than the leaves, don't leave the same taste in the back of the throat.
Nice! If that picture was taken today in your area, the vegetation seems to be at least a month ahead of here. Leaves came out in the past 7 days, are not yet fully grown and the flowers are weeks away. Morning frost is expected in the next 3 days here... ::)
Quote from: André on May 06, 2020, 05:01:16 AM
Nice! If that picture was taken today in your area, the vegetation seems to be at least a month ahead of here. Leaves came out in the past 7 days, are not yet fully grown and the flowers are weeks away. Morning frost is expected in the next 3 days here... ::)
No, that was April 22. This is what they looked like April 02.
I'm too scaredy crazy to eat from nature.
I'd be awake all night waiting for the poisoning to kick in.
So I guess I'll never discover an new continent.
From what I read, there are different varieties of wild garlic. The european variety (allium ursinum) and the appalachian one are related to, but not identical to the one we have here (allium tricoccum). In Quebec it's an endengered species, and one is allowed to harvest a maximum of 50 plants per year.
An interesting article here:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/garlic-lovers-answer-the-call-of-the-wild/article686154/ (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/garlic-lovers-answer-the-call-of-the-wild/article686154/).
Herman: I suppose we won't be seeing you picking wild mushrooms either :D. That's another of my favourite non-musical pursuits. Fortunately it lasts longer and brings more diversity. Miam!
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/-_Coprinus_comatus_-.jpg/1920px--_Coprinus_comatus_-.jpg)
I admire mushrooms (and hopefully some of the feeling is mutual...) but can you eat those?
Obviously this is not the season, but those in your picture do show up in the late fall near where I live.
Quote from: André on May 06, 2020, 07:24:47 AM
From what I read, there are different varieties of wild garlic. The european variety (allium ursinum) and the appalachian one are related to, but not identical to the one we have here (allium tricoccum). In Quebec it's an endengered species, and one is allowed to harvest a maximum of 50 plants per year.
An interesting article here:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/garlic-lovers-answer-the-call-of-the-wild/article686154/ (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/garlic-lovers-answer-the-call-of-the-wild/article686154/).
Herman: I suppose we won't be seeing you picking wild mushrooms either :D. That's another of my favourite non-musical pursuits. Fortunately it lasts longer and brings more diversity. Miam!
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/-_Coprinus_comatus_-.jpg/1920px--_Coprinus_comatus_-.jpg)
I hadn't realized that ramps were the same thing as wild garlic. I do remember seeing them for sale at my co-op last year but they were expensive so I passed on trying them. Might be tempted to should I see them again...and if they aren't endangered in my area of course.
How does the flavor hold up after cooking? Or best just used in things like salad?
PD
Quote from: Herman on May 06, 2020, 09:24:58 AM
I admire mushrooms (and hopefully some of the feeling is mutual...) but can you eat those?
Obviously this is not the season, but those in your picture do show up in the late fall near where I live.
That picture shows
coprinus comatus, a choice edible common on lawns in September. It decays fast, with the gills turning pinky, then brown before liquefying (hence the name 'inky cap'). When they are young and white they are superb. And they grow in clusters, which makes them a good catch.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 06, 2020, 09:37:50 AM
I hadn't realized that ramps were the same thing as wild garlic. I do remember seeing them for sale at my co-op last year but they were expensive so I passed on trying them. Might be tempted to should I see them again...and if they aren't endangered in my area of course.
How does the flavor hold up after cooking? Or best just used in things like salad?
PD
I prefer them uncooked, but the bulb can be sauteed in butter, just like green onions. When cooked, the garlicky taste is not as strong and a bit of bitterness develops (like scallions or chicory). It's a once-a-year treat, one of those signs that Spring has arrived for real !
Quote from: André on May 06, 2020, 03:22:13 PM
That picture shows coprinus comatus, a choice edible common on lawns in September. It decays fast, with the gills turning pinky, then brown before liquefying (hence the name 'inky cap'). When they are young and white they are superb. And they grow in clusters, which makes them a good catch.
well, maybe we'll try next fall.
Quote from: André on May 06, 2020, 03:26:02 PM
I prefer them uncooked, but the bulb can be sauteed in butter, just like green onions. When cooked, the garlicky taste is not as strong and a bit of bitterness develops (like scallions or chicory). It's a once-a-year treat, one of those signs that Spring has arrived for real !
Thank you for your thoughts! :)
Will have to give them a go.
PD
By the way, are garden centers open in your various areas?
Around here, big box stores like Home Depot and Lowes are open (construction being essential); they also have garden centers (don't normally shop there though). There's a good-sized garden center a few towns away (where I often shop); they are open but only for curbside pickup and you need to call the day before and place your order....so, no picking out my own seeds, etc. Farm supply businesses are open (must wear a mask and limited number of people allowed at one time inside); you can also do curbside pickup there. I was able to purchase bags of compost and potting soil....looked at seeds but they didn't have the few that I wanted.
One seed supply company that I often used is now fulfilling non-commercial growers, but they are behind 2-3 weeks due to things like limiting contact between workers, etc. I suspect also that home gardening is growing in popularity and that seeds are selling out quickly and they are getting swamped with orders. My guess is that people are finding it 1) way to do projects with kids at home; 2) having more time to do it which they didn't have whilst working and it being an enjoyable hobby from days gone by; 3) concern about the food supply chain.
What have you seen in your areas?
PD
In the Neths garden centers are open, and I believe they have been too busy, just like the Ikea stores, with people who desperately need to get out and spend some money.
Quote from: Herman on May 08, 2020, 08:14:07 AM
In the Neths garden centers are open, and I believe they have been too busy, just like the Ikea stores, with people who desperately need to get out and spend some money.
Are all businesses open in the Netherlands Herman?
PD
No, not all businesses have been closed.
Supermarkets have, obviously never closed (they are the big winners of the crisis); food shops have been open, this week book stores have reopened to huge acclaim (here the story seems to be the other way around: the huge, big city flagship stores have suffered greatly; the more humanly sized stores seem to have done rel well: you could order books and have them delivered).
Cafe's and pubs have been closed, restaurants too. Theaters, obviously, are in major trouble.
I'm not sure about the rest, since my action radius has been very limited.
So how are you gardens growing? :) Planting anything new this year? Any major problems with pests so far?
It's been unusually hot at the moment (hence me taking a break from the heat for a bit to cool off). Making headway in the garden. So far, I've planted 3 tomato plants, peas (shelling), Chinese snow peas too. Today: planted a bunch of eggplants (Orient Express and Nadia plus some seeds for Listada de gandia (a wonderful Italian variety...planting late, will see what I get!). Also 4 mixed color pack of bell peppers. A bush slicing cucumber plant in a hanging basket (an experiment). The past hour: potting up some marigolds with lobelia (taking advantage of the shade from a screened-in porch to do this task!
Irises and roses are beginning to bloom...my favorite time of year in my garden. ;D
Back to work for me....
PD
My big red rhododendron is now it's most abundant bloom in years. What I used to do with rhodos and azalea is mix in some fine cedar needles in the soil, so as to mimic their ur-habitat and make their soil airier.
In other places it strikes me that roses are also unusually abundant. It has been dry, sunny and sometimes quite windy. So I'd expect vermin to come a flying and land right in rose bushes, but I guess they didn't. Yet.
I purchased a humble sage plant this afternoon, for my tiny little kitchen garden. Salmon, lime and sage is just the best.
I bet you have a large garden, PD, because those eggplants ain't pretty to look at, as I recall.
Quote from: Herman on May 27, 2020, 11:11:49 AM
In other places it strikes me that roses are also unusually abundant.
Errrr . . . yes!
(https://i.ibb.co/Zd72Mtx/20200515-132525.jpg/) (https://i.ibb.co/NLfFvRw/20200515-144503.jpg)
As you will see Cecile Brünner is really thriving in my garden and she's started to invade the big pear tree. I like the effect but I'm wondering if I should nip it in the bud -- will she completely smother the tree?
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 27, 2020, 10:53:39 AM
Any major problems with pests so far?
Yes this, on Vitis purpurea
(https://i.ibb.co/GMj4MHp/20200516-162043.jpg) (https://i.ibb.co/XC39bYK/20200516-162109.jpg)
I'm not sure what it is or what to do about it. The plant itself is very happy by the looks of it -- this pic was a couple of weeks ago.
(https://i.ibb.co/5WT1nRS/upload-2020-4-27-17-17-27.png)
Quote from: Mandryka on May 27, 2020, 11:17:29 AM
As you will see Cecile Brünner is really thriving in my garden and she's started to invade the big pear tree. I like the effect but I'm wondering if I should nip it in the bud -- will she completely smother the tree?
That would depend how big the pear tree is.
And yet maybe it would be good to think of way to let the rose not be dependent on the tree, and construct another thing it can grow against.
Quote from: Herman on May 27, 2020, 12:27:01 PM
That would depend how big the pear tree is.
And yet maybe it would be good to think of way to let the rose not be dependent on the tree, and construct another thing it can grow against.
Are the images working for you? (They are on my PC but not on my tablet for some reason) It'll be really hard to build a prop. I'm less worried about the weight than the thought that it will smother the tree.
It's interesting how everyone seems totally relaxed about growing roses through trees on the internet -- I can't find any advice about pruning it, or it being a danger to the tree. Graham Stewart Thomas is equally cool, saying "Those ramblers which are given trees and hedgerows as supports are best left to themselves . . . "
Anyway Cecile is turning into such a glorious plant that I'll give her a long leash, as they say. But if anyone has had any experience of this, please say!
(Two days ago the wind blew most of the petals off, it was like there'd been a wedding with confetti in the garden!)
Quote from: Herman on May 27, 2020, 11:11:49 AM
My big red rhododendron is now it's most abundant bloom in years. What I used to do with rhodos and azalea is mix in some fine cedar needles in the soil, so as to mimic their ur-habitat and make their soil airier.
In other places it strikes me that roses are also unusually abundant. It has been dry, sunny and sometimes quite windy. So I'd expect vermin to come a flying and land right in rose bushes, but I guess they didn't. Yet.
I purchased a humble sage plant this afternoon, for my tiny little kitchen garden. Salmon, lime and sage is just the best.
I bet you have a large garden, PD, because those eggplants ain't pretty to look at, as I recall.
Herman,
I'm sure that they like the needles as rhodes like an acidic soil (like azaleas).
Good to hear that your roses are doing so well....yes, they love sunshine and hate damp (more health issues then).
And, yes, I love sage! haven't tried it with salmon and lime though. How do you prepare it?
Garden isn't huge, but I do get a fair amount of sunshine, so I try to use it as best as possible. I do a combo of plants in the ground and some in pots. For example, I did put some peppers that grow on the smaller side (like jalapeño and serrano) in pots. In theory, you can grow anything in a pot that you can in the ground; however, my experience has been is that they aren't as productive over all. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong? I do feed them regularly. :( ::)
As for eggplants, I think that they are gorgeous! That lovely purple skin...or even striped or light lavender...and some of the globe-shaped ones with their ribbings?! Works for me at least. :)
Best,
PD
Quote from: Mandryka on May 27, 2020, 11:17:29 AM
Errrr . . . yes!
(https://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/attachments/20200515_132525-jpg.139802/) (https://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/attachments/20200515_144503-jpg.139804/)
As you will see Cecile Brünner is really thriving in my garden and she's started to invade the big pear tree. I like the effect but I'm wondering if I should nip it in the bud -- will she completely smother the tree?
Alas, I can't see your photos. Sounds like the variety Cecile Brünner is a tall climber? I have a climber but it's on the shorter side. I also prune it every year along with another variety--David Austin's Constance Spry which is great for pegging or for training to grow up something. Perhaps consult with a nursery? Or some rose association to see what they think? How tall is the rose bush at the moment? And how thickly is it covering your pear tree? I suspect that it might not be in the interests of the pear tree in terms of health. Are you able to get many pears from the tree and if so, how do you find them? Good I hope! :)
PD
Quote from: André on May 06, 2020, 03:26:02 PM
I prefer them uncooked, but the bulb can be sauteed in butter, just like green onions. When cooked, the garlicky taste is not as strong and a bit of bitterness develops (like scallions or chicory). It's a once-a-year treat, one of those signs that Spring has arrived for real !
André,
I tried to buy some ramps but due to Covid and I think also checking a bit late for them...and trying to figure out where to buy them, I missed out this year (weather also turned really hot almost overnight too!). Oh, well, will try again next year!
Best,
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 27, 2020, 03:08:06 PM
André,
I tried to buy some ramps but due to Covid and I think also checking a bit late for them...and trying to figure out where to buy them, I missed out this year (weather also turned really hot almost overnight too!). Oh, well, will try again next year!
Best,
PD
I don't know where you live in the USA, but obviously it's to the south of here :), so I guess it's too late indeed. My ramps are still up and started to sprout flowers (a single one) which means that the leaves should be falling soon, 1 or 2 weeks max. The bulbs have thickened and have a nice size :).
Quote from: André on May 27, 2020, 03:16:06 PM
I don't know where you live in the USA, but obviously it's to the south of here :), so I guess it's too late indeed. My ramps are still up and started to sprout flowers (a single one) which means that the leaves should be falling soon, 1 or 2 weeks max. The bulbs have thickened and have a nice size :).
How late do you eat them? At what stage do you stop?
Best,
PD
Not every plant sprouts a flower stalk. Maybe 1 in 5-10. Basically when the leaves have fallen you can't tell there's something under the ground, so the season is over. I never uproot the plants with a flower stalk, for obvious reasons.
I eat the bulbs raw, not cooked. With a sprinkling of salt, that's it.
:)
Quote from: Mandryka on May 27, 2020, 01:46:44 PM
Are the images working for you?
No I'm sorry they don't.
However, apart from an aesthetic notion that the pear tree should be 'apart', there's really not much against the rose climber growing up the tree. It doesn't feed or have those little roots some climbers have.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 27, 2020, 03:05:16 PM
Alas, I can't see your photos. Sounds like the variety Cecile Brünner is a tall climber? I have a climber but it's on the shorter side. I also prune it every year along with another variety--David Austin's Constance Spry which is great for pegging or for training to grow up something. Perhaps consult with a nursery? Or some rose association to see what they think? How tall is the rose bush at the moment? And how thickly is it covering your pear tree? I suspect that it might not be in the interests of the pear tree in terms of health. Are you able to get many pears from the tree and if so, how do you find them? Good I hope! :)
PD
Quote from: Herman on May 27, 2020, 05:52:53 PM
No I'm sorry they don't.
See if it's better now. I want you all to sing "oh how beautiful" so I can gloat.
Quote
The Glory of the Garden
OUR England is a garden that is full of stately views,
Of borders, beds and shrubberies and lawns and avenues,
With statues on the terraces and peacocks strutting by;
But the Glory of the Garden lies in more than meets the eye.
For where the old thick laurels grow, along the thin red wall,
You'll find the tool- and potting-sheds which are the heart of all
The cold-frames and the hot-houses, the dung-pits and the tanks,
The rollers, carts, and drain-pipes, with the barrows and the planks.
And there you'll see the gardeners, the men and 'prentice boys
Told off to do as they are bid and do it without noise ;
For, except when seeds are planted and we shout to scare the birds,
The Glory of the Garden it abideth not in words.
And some can pot begonias and some can bud a rose,
And some are hardly fit to trust with anything that grows ;
But they can roll and trim the lawns and sift the sand and loam,
For the Glory of the Garden occupieth all who come.
Our England is a garden, and such gardens are not made
By singing:-" Oh, how beautiful," and sitting in the shade
While better men than we go out and start their working lives
At grubbing weeds from gravel-paths with broken dinner-knives.
There's not a pair of legs so thin, there's not a head so thick,
There's not a hand so weak and white, nor yet a heart so sick
But it can find some needful job that's crying to be done,
For the Glory of the Garden glorifieth every one.
Then seek your job with thankfulness and work till further orders,
If it's only netting strawberries or killing slugs on borders;
And when your back stops aching and your hands begin to harden,
You will find yourself a partner In the Glory of the Garden.
Oh, Adam was a gardener, and God who made him sees
That half a proper gardener's work is done upon his knees,
So when your work is finished, you can wash your hands and pray
For the Glory of the Garden that it may not pass away!
And the Glory of the Garden it shall never pass away !
Quote from: Herman on May 27, 2020, 05:52:53 PM
However, apart from an aesthetic notion that the pear tree should be 'apart', there's really not much against the rose climber growing up the tree. It doesn't feed or have those little roots some climbers have.
I think I'm going to give it a long leash, see what it does. I like it!
Quote from: Mandryka on May 27, 2020, 11:17:29 AM
(https://i.ibb.co/NLfFvRw/20200515-144503.jpg)
As you will see Cecile Brünner is really thriving in my garden and she's started to invade the big pear tree. I like the effect but I'm wondering if I should nip it in the bud -- will she completely smother the tree?
Looks rather dramatic. Interesting whether or not they may be able to live in peaceful coexistence in the long run.
Quote from: Mandryka on May 28, 2020, 01:01:22 AM
I think I'm going to give it a long leash, see what it does. I like it!
Clearing her throat and warming up her singing voice:
Whistle, whistle..."Oh, how beautiful!" ;D
Is Cecile B a one-time bloomer or a repeat? I'm guessing a one-timer. Truly lovely though. :)
I would suggest bringing in a sample of that diseased plant into a nursery on the sooner rather than the later side to find out more about it and what you can do.
Are you able to harvest pears from your tree Mandryka?
Best,
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 28, 2020, 02:37:24 AM
Clearing her throat and warming up her singing voice:
Whistle, whistle..."Oh, how beautiful!" ;D
Is Cecile B a one-time bloomer or a repeat? I'm guessing a one-timer. Truly lovely though. :)
I would suggest bringing in a sample of that diseased plant into a nursery on the sooner rather than the later side to find out more about it and what you can do.
Are you able to harvest pears from your tree Mandryka?
Best,
PD
Cecile Bruner does one spectacular show and then a few intermittent flowers here and there until the first frost.
The pears are very good, some sort of Comice I think, and it produces a huge crop every year. The problem is harvesting them at the right time (I'm still not sure when the best time is -- I do know that it's important not to let them ripen on the tree because they ripen from the inside out), storing them (very hard to do!) and, of course, it's impossible to get the ones right at the top of the tree unless you can find a small boy and bribe him to climb up there.
yeah that's a very pretty sight. There may be a future issue with the neighbour who seems to have a bitch tree right behind the fence (?) and maybe he does not want Cecile to cross over. <let's make that birch>
Ideally you harvest the pears just in advance of ripe.
This is in Greater London? You're very lucky to have all that space...
Mandryka,
What about making various preserves like chutney, etc. from them (besides eating them fresh of course)?
Just back inside from watering garden....a quick bite to eat and then need to get back to planting, weeding, etc.....never ends!
Best,
PD
I have the opposite of a green thumb. I planted a native sage plant, essentially a weed. It died, while identical plants grew nearby from cracks in the sidewalk.
Quote from: Herman on May 28, 2020, 03:37:12 AM
Ideally you harvest the pears just in advance of ripe.
Easier said than done!
House is in Wimbledon SW19 -- since the lockdown it feels a hell of a long way from London. In normal times it's close enough.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 28, 2020, 03:58:33 AM
Mandryka,
What about making various preserves like chutney, etc. from them (besides eating them fresh of course)?
You just get so tired of that stuff rapidly! There's only so many pears a man can eat, whether in the form of fruit or chutney or crumble or tarte tatin or whatever. I've got a similar problem with apples because I covered all the fences with espaliers. I've now learned to become ruthless about thinning them out in June -- if not there are more apples than you can shake a stick at. The garden smells like the old Covent Garden market at 5.00 p.m.
It's a nice problem to have of course. Ich grolle nicht
Quote from: Mandryka on May 28, 2020, 06:08:52 AM
Easier said than done!
House is in Wimbledon SW19 -- since the lockdown it feels a hell of a long way from London. In normal times its close enough.
Quote from: Baron Scarpia on May 28, 2020, 04:44:17 AM
I have the opposite of a green thumb. I planted a native sage plant, essentially a weed. It died, while identical plants grew nearby from cracks in the sidewalk.
Oh, no! Is this the plant that you had planted? What kind of soil did you plant it in? https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/texas-sage/growing-texas-sage-plants.htm
Just potted up two tomato plants. They are dwarf varieties that should grow well in containers. I've never tried these varieties before now. One is called Dwarf Confetti and the other is apparently a popular English variety called Cyril's Choice. Came inside for some water. :-)
Hope that you can figure out what went amiss Baron.
Quote from: Mandryka on May 28, 2020, 06:08:52 AM
Easier said than done!
House is in Wimbledon SW19 -- since the lockdown it feels a hell of a long way from London. In normal times its close enough.
Have you been to The Championships before Mandryka?
Perhaps hire someone with a tall ladder (and insurance) to help?
PD
Quote from: Mandryka on May 28, 2020, 06:11:22 AM
You just get so tired of that stuff rapidly! There's only so many pears a man can eat, whether in the form of fruit or chutney or crumble or tarte tatin or whatever. I've got a similar problem with apples because I covered all the fences with espaliers. I've now learned to become ruthless about thinning them out in June -- if not there are more apples than you can shake a stick at. The garden smells like the old Covent Garden market at 5.00 p.m.
It's a nice problem to have of course. Ich grolle nicht
Wish that I was there to help you eat them! And apples! Neat! Quite the green thumb! Perhaps share with neighbors and/or food banks when they start rolling in?
Back inside from planting a bunch of seeds: French baby carrots (Babette), mixed-beets, turnips (Hakurei) and a few French Breakfast radishes....watered them in a bit...now praying that the birds, chipmunks, etc. will leave them alone! ::)
Time soon for food....but not from the garden (yet).
Best,
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 28, 2020, 07:56:08 AM
Back inside from planting a bunch of seeds: . . now praying that the birds, chipmunks, etc. will leave them alone! ::)
One for the wind, one for the crow, one to die and one to grow.
Thinning out them apples and pears is an idea.
The other thing is giving bunches away to friends.
Or move to a highrise.
Quote from: Herman on May 28, 2020, 09:32:12 AM
Or move to a highrise.
I know someone who lives on the fourth floor, not of a high rise but of a 60s development of private apartments. There's a pear tree in the garden and the top of the tree is right at the level of his balcony. If he had very very long arms, superhuman arms, he could reach them. It is so tantalising.
Yes, friends and neighbours get apples and pears -- I don't know if they're always so appreciative.
As far as thinning out goes, I'm quite tempted to just leave four or five apples on each of the espaliers. It's really hard to do, they always look so cute . . . Last year a Bulgarian friend made me a Bulgarian apple and walnut pie with filo pastry. Very nice, but very very fattening. Once a year though.
By the way, I have one of these, which helps
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61IUR78J3kL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
we have a fruit net like that, too, though we don't have a fruit tree anymore. However we do go out hunting for walnuts, or s my girlfriend calls them, nuts du wall.
Am having a problem with too many chipmunks digging here and there; the worst problem (so far anyway) is that he/she/they recently started tossing soil out of one of my potted tomato plants in their digging endeavors! A lot of my veggies are in pots and am trying to figure out the best way to deal with this. I doubt that they will try and eat the various peppers that I have, and have never seen them try and eat my eggplants; however, they have eaten my tomatoes (just as they are starting to ripen). Thoughts here?
One idea that I had...a couple actually: try creating my own pepper/garlic spray (maybe see if I can find some sort of horticultural oil) to spray on the plant...and the top edge of the pot? 2) try and cut some metal fencing (something like what is used for chickens??) and lay it around on top of the container.
Any thoughts/experiences/suggestions here would be appreciated!
Best,
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 08, 2020, 05:03:02 AM
Am having a problem with too many chipmunks digging here and there; the worst problem (so far anyway) is that he/she/they recently started tossing soil out of one of my potted tomato plants in their digging endeavors! A lot of my veggies are in pots and am trying to figure out the best way to deal with this. I doubt that they will try and eat the various peppers that I have, and have never seen them try and eat my eggplants; however, they have eaten my tomatoes (just as they are starting to ripen). Thoughts here?
One idea that I had...a couple actually: try creating my own pepper/garlic spray (maybe see if I can find some sort of horticultural oil) to spray on the plant...and the top edge of the pot? 2) try and cut some metal fencing (something like what is used for chickens??) and lay it around on top of the container.
Any thoughts/experiences/suggestions here would be appreciated!
Best,
PD
I have the same problem here in the UK with grey squirrels (aka. tree rats). They are destructive vermin and dig up bulbs and plants in my pots. The only effective remedy I have found is to cover the pots with plastic netting and cut holes in it as the bulbs sprout. For plants a layer of small stones usually works. One year we had a kestrel take up residence in a nearby tree and that kept the squirrels, pigeons and seagulls away; unfortunately it didn't stay long.
Quote from: Biffo on June 08, 2020, 05:12:16 AM
I have the same problem here in the UK with grey squirrels (aka. tree rats). They are destructive vermin and dig up bulbs and plants in my pots. The only effective remedy I have found is to cover the pots with plastic netting and cut holes in it as the bulbs sprout. For plants a layer of small stones usually works. One year we had a kestrel take up residence in a nearby tree and that kept the squirrels, pigeons and seagulls away; unfortunately it didn't stay long.
I have a neighbor who has done something like that (with plastic netting) which he's put over the ground where he has planted bulbs. The tomato plants were already a good size when I purchased them but might give this a go in the future. The part 'b' of the problem which I'll have to deal with a bit later on in time: how to keep them from climbing up the plants and eating the tomatoes?! I do have a few tomatoes in the ground with I've netting around the bed (may have to add some bird netting over the top of those plants. I have seen the chippies climb up metal fencing to get inside the bed and then climb up the tomato plants to chew on the fruit. :( And yes, grey squirrels are also plentiful this year too! I miss my indoor/outdoor kitty for numerous reasons including the fact that he was an excellent mouser/hunter (thankfully, not so re the birds). There is a red-tailed hawk family nearby....hoping that they come hunting in my yard! Also, for better or worse, I have a lot of perennials in my yard and shrubs which allows for lots of hiding places for critters.
I've also added some floating row cover (using metal rods to make hoops to support it) to make small tunnels to protect some veggies (like carrots, beets, turnips and radishes) from diggers; this also helps to protect them from insects like cabbage moths too. Not the most attractive thing to look at in a small garden, but it helps!
In any event, thank you for your suggestions! :)
Best wishes,
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 08, 2020, 05:36:17 AM
I have a neighbor who has done something like that (with plastic netting) which he's put over the ground where he has planted bulbs. The tomato plants were already a good size when I purchased them but might give this a go in the future. The part 'b' of the problem which I'll have to deal with a bit later on in time: how to keep them from climbing up the plants and eating the tomatoes?! I do have a few tomatoes in the ground with I've netting around the bed (may have to add some bird netting over the top of those plants. I have seen the chippies climb up metal fencing to get inside the bed and then climb up the tomato plants to chew on the fruit. :( And yes, grey squirrels are also plentiful this year too! I miss my indoor/outdoor kitty for numerous reasons including the fact that he was an excellent mouser/hunter (thankfully, not so re the birds). There is a red-tailed hawk family nearby....hoping that they come hunting in my yard! Also, for better or worse, I have a lot of perennials in my yard and shrubs which allows for lots of hiding places for critters.
I've also added some floating row cover (using metal rods to make hoops to support it) to make small tunnels to protect some veggies (like carrots, beets, turnips and radishes) from diggers; this also helps to protect them from insects like cabbage moths too. Not the most attractive thing to look at in a small garden, but it helps!
In any event, thank you for your suggestions! :)
Best wishes,
PD
I did grow tomato plants a couple of times and didn't have any problems with the fruit being eaten but then fortunately I don't have chipmunks. Last year I successfully grew chilli peppers and with them insects of some kind were the problem; I had to resort to spraying them.
Insecticides, slug pellets, plastic netting etc are not very 'green' but not using them isn't an option for me. Even with the use of slug pellets I can't grow tulips or dahlias, they get massacred by slugs and snails.
The squirrel problem was made worse by neighbours feeding them by throwing bread and also seed on to the communal lawn - they thought the little darlings were cute. This inevitably led to brown rats appearing. Our next door neighbours were horrified when I put down traps - 'Can't we just catch them and let them loose in the country'. They were not to be reasoned with and their 'humane traps' were useless. Eventually, I found a brand of rat poison that actually works and put it down out of their sight. However, the rats now reappear each spring. I don't like using poison because it can be a danger to other (beneficial) wildlife and also roaming pets. I have to put it where the rats can find it but not other animals.
Quote from: Biffo on June 08, 2020, 06:02:52 AM
I did grow tomato plants a couple of times and didn't have any problems with the fruit being eaten but then fortunately I don't have chipmunks. Last year I successfully grew chilli peppers and with them insects of some kind were the problem; I had to resort to spraying them.
Insecticides, slug pellets, plastic netting etc are not very 'green' but not using them isn't an option for me. Even with the use of slug pellets I can't grow tulips or dahlias, they get massacred by slugs and snails.
The squirrel problem was made worse by neighbours feeding them by throwing bread and also seed on to the communal lawn - they thought the little darlings were cute. This inevitably led to brown rats appearing. Our next door neighbours were horrified when I put down traps - 'Can't we just catch them and let them loose in the country'. They were not to be reasoned with and their 'humane traps' were useless. Eventually, I found a brand of rat poison that actually works and put it down out of their sight. However, the rats now reappear each spring. I don't like using poison because it can be a danger to other (beneficial) wildlife and also roaming pets. I have to put it where the rats can find it but not other animals.
Hi Biffo,
I feel for you with your slug problems! I only run across them occasionally in my garden....if I'm recalling correctly, on the undersides of collard greens...think that it was a damp summer? Last summer, I tried growing some things like Swiss chard and some small heads of lettuces in pots covered with a very lightweight floating row cover which worked pretty well--though not attractive I must admit. Have you tried any organic solutions? If so, how did they work?
Feeding squirrels: augh! My neighbors have bird feeders up but I don't ever recall seeing them cleaning up underneath them. Lots of fat and happy squirrels around here. And, as you pointed out, you don't just feed one animal when you start tossing food out to them, or aren't careful with your composting, etc. Mice and rats and squirrels can also do a lot of damage if they manage to get inside of a house too (you might, if you haven't already mentioned these things to them....plus mice help to spread Lyme disease--do you have that in the UK?).
Transporting wildlife (e.g., relocating it) is illegal in many areas and can cause problems for both the wildlife and the unknowing recipients at the other end.
Thankful (for a number of reasons) that I have some hawks around here to help keep an ecological balance. :)
Best wishes...and off soon to get weeding,
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 10, 2020, 04:58:51 AM
Hi Biffo,
I feel for you with your slug problems! I only run across them occasionally in my garden....if I'm recalling correctly, on the undersides of collard greens...think that it was a damp summer? Last summer, I tried growing some things like Swiss chard and some small heads of lettuces in pots covered with a very lightweight floating row cover which worked pretty well--though not attractive I must admit. Have you tried any organic solutions? If so, how did they work?
Feeding squirrels: augh! My neighbors have bird feeders up but I don't ever recall seeing them cleaning up underneath them. Lots of fat and happy squirrels around here. And, as you pointed out, you don't just feed one animal when you start tossing food out to them, or aren't careful with your composting, etc. Mice and rats and squirrels can also do a lot of damage if they manage to get inside of a house too (you might, if you haven't already mentioned these things to them....plus mice help to spread Lyme disease--do you have that in the UK?).
Transporting wildlife (e.g., relocating it) is illegal in many areas and can cause problems for both the wildlife and the unknowing recipients at the other end.
Thankful (for a number of reasons) that I have some hawks around here to help keep an ecological balance. :)
Best wishes...and off soon to get weeding,
PD
Thanks for your comments.
Slugs and snails are a perennial problem. I have tried slug pubs; these supposedly work on the principle that slugs like beer. You can buy ready made ones or just use a small dish or bowl - the slugs crawl in and then can't get out. I have had modest success and they don't work with snails. I have to rely on a combination of slug pellets and keeping an eye out for them. As I said before slug pellets are frowned upon because of the potential damage to birds and other wildlife.
Apart from seagulls I generally welcome birds but not to the point of feeding them. We have regular visits from a magpie and also robins. Our new neighbours have bird-feeders and don't seem to have twigged yet that all the contents get eaten by squirrels rather than birds. Now that half-wits have stopped throwing bread on to the communal lawn there are fewer squirrels around but they are still a nuisance.
Poison seems to have dealt with the rats but we are still wary of leaving the patio doors open unattended.
We have Lyme disease locally in the New Forest and it is mostly transmitted by tics on deer. Walking in long grass isn't a good idea but we don't visit the forest very often.
We used to have foxes passing through the garden but they seemed to have moved on. They didn't cause any problems but some people don't like them. They occasionally attacked the squirrels but they were usually too agile to be caught and the foxes were mainly nocturnal.
How are things doing in your garden so far folks? The weather has been all over this summer: hot cold, hot cold, cold moderate now heading back up to the 90's later on this week. Hard on plants but they're hanging in there.
Speaking of hanging in there, I am trying a bush cucumber variety: one in a hanging basket and another in a pretty large clay pot with a three-hoop cage sunk into the pot. First time trying bush cucumbers. Has anyone tried these before? If so, have you tried them in a pot or hanging basket? And how were your results?
Think that I may have a recently fledged red-tail hawk hanging out in my backyard; can't see it, but I hear some sounds that I think are ones that could come from a RTH. Hope that he/she sticks around.
Eggplants have started flowering (a few days ago): such pretty purple/lavendeer blooms! Tomatoes are starting to flower. One, which I was told was a popular British dwarf variety called 'Cyril's Choice' already has 6 small tomatoes on it! And a few of my pepper plants are showing baby bell peppers. I did have an issue with aphids and also with (I believe) some flea beetles, but they seem to have sorted themselves out on their own. If not, I have some neem oil concentrate and a couple of other organic things that I can use. Squash plants are also blooming and herbs are doing well, so knock-on-wood, all is well for the moment! Did catch a few striped cucumber beetles on potatoes, or elsewhere but quickly picked those off and did the beetle stomp.
The larger of my rose bushes put out a great show this year, so I'm considering myself quite lucky and grateful.
The harder parts coming ahead: keeping up with the weeding and deadheading, etc., with increasing temps. The areas where one can bring yard waste to are opening up in my town though you do have to make an appointment ahead of time. Will be interesting to see how it works: they're asking lots of questions as to what type and how much yard waste you have; will you need to be able to make multiple visits; if so, how far away are you, etc.
Take care all and enjoy the fresh air!
Best,
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 15, 2020, 04:41:31 AM
How are things doing in your garden so far folks? The weather has been all over this summer: hot cold, hot cold, cold moderate now heading back up to the 90's later on this week. Hard on plants but they're hanging in there.
Speaking of hanging in there, I am trying a bush cucumber variety: one in a hanging basket and another in a pretty large clay pot with a three-hoop cage sunk into the pot. First time trying bush cucumbers. Has anyone tried these before? If so, have you tried them in a pot or hanging basket? And how were your results?
Think that I may have a recently fledged red-tail hawk hanging out in my backyard; can't see it, but I hear some sounds that I think are ones that could come from a RTH. Hope that he/she sticks around.
Eggplants have started flowering (a few days ago): such pretty purple/lavendeer blooms! Tomatoes are starting to flower. One, which I was told was a popular British dwarf variety called 'Cyril's Choice' already has 6 small tomatoes on it! And a few of my pepper plants are showing baby bell peppers. I did have an issue with aphids and also with (I believe) some flea beetles, but they seem to have sorted themselves out on their own. If not, I have some neem oil concentrate and a couple of other organic things that I can use. Squash plants are also blooming and herbs are doing well, so knock-on-wood, all is well for the moment! Did catch a few striped cucumber beetles on potatoes, or elsewhere but quickly picked those off and did the beetle stomp.
The larger of my rose bushes put out a great show this year, so I'm considering myself quite lucky and grateful.
The harder parts coming ahead: keeping up with the weeding and deadheading, etc., with increasing temps. The areas where one can bring yard waste to are opening up in my town though you do have to make an appointment ahead of time. Will be interesting to see how it works: they're asking lots of questions as to what type and how much yard waste you have; will you need to be able to make multiple visits; if so, how far away are you, etc.
Take care all and enjoy the fresh air!
Best,
PD
Hi PD
You mention eggplants, I am growing them for the first time, five plants in my greenhouse. Possibly not suited to our UK climate but they seem happy and you are right, the flowers are nice. I love them as an accompaniment to a hot curry.
Today at allotment planting 45 leeks. Allium leaf miner has ruined my crop for the last two years so this year invested in insect mesh at a cool £30, expensive leeks! But guaranteed for ten years so should see me out.
Toms growing well. 15 "Crimson Crush" which I grow every year as blight resistant and nice flavour. Also a French beefsteak variety, that I extract seeds from the previous year's crop. Six plants, along with a couple of "cherry" type.
Like yours, our weather all over the place. During an unusually hot spell early last week my brassicas were literally infested overnight. I had a fit! Sprayed the blighters and I think the plants are coming back but they were hit hard.
Only one cucumber plant in the greenhouse which is about four times bigger then two at the allotment protected by a discarded shower door. No action yet from either far as crops are concerned. Do not know of the bush type you mention.
Picked strawberries today, and tomorrow will be harvesting blackcurrants which is our favourite.
You mention Neem oil P. I have just purchased some. Does it work and what crops do you use it on? I mentioned it to my allotment friends and they have no idea what I'm talking about! Neem what!
Enjoy your garden.
Quote from: Irons on June 15, 2020, 08:26:53 AM
Hi PD
You mention eggplants, I am growing them for the first time, five plants in my greenhouse. Possibly not suited to our UK climate but they seem happy and you are right, the flowers are nice. I love them as an accompaniment to a hot curry.
Today at allotment planting 45 leeks. Allium leaf miner has ruined my crop for the last two years so this year invested in insect mesh at a cool £30, expensive leeks! But guaranteed for ten years so should see me out.
Toms growing well. 15 "Crimson Crush" which I grow every year as blight resistant and nice flavour. Also a French beefsteak variety, that I extract seeds from the previous year's crop. Six plants, along with a couple of "cherry" type.
Like yours, our weather all over the place. During an unusually hot spell early last week my brassicas were literally infested overnight. I had a fit! Sprayed the blighters and I think the plants are coming back but they were hit hard.
Only one cucumber plant in the greenhouse which is about four times bigger then two at the allotment protected by a discarded shower door. No action yet from either far as crops are concerned. Do not know of the bush type you mention.
Picked strawberries today, and tomorrow will be harvesting blackcurrants which is our favourite.
You mention Neem oil P. I have just purchased some. Does it work and what crops do you use it on? I mentioned it to my allotment friends and they have no idea what I'm talking about! Neem what!
Enjoy your garden.
Hi Irons!
Great stuff neem oil! My understanding is that it is derived from the seed of neem trees (found in Africa I believe). I recently purchased some (concentrate vs. ready spray version) of Bonide's. Here's a link to it. If you click on the label, you will see some of the things that it helps to control plus application directions (There should be something on your label on the bottle, non?). https://www.bonide.com/products/garden-naturals/view/024/neem-oil-conc You do have to read the directions carefully. The nice thing about neem is that it helps deal with a variety of issues (as in besides insects).
I think that I have to get something different (will check supplies first) to deal with some striped cucumber beetles that I've found on a few plants (have so far just inspected and tried to remove them and then squish).
Hope that your eggplants pollinate well in your greenhouse (do you open things up to allow pollinators inside?).
Yes, gardening is certainly an investment...particularly organic! Things like your insect cloth and my floating row cover last for years, can be re-used and I think are fairly cost-effective in the end.
Trying to envisage what your shower door/cucumber setup looks like? :)
Best wishes,
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 15, 2020, 01:51:20 PM
Hi Irons!
Great stuff neem oil! My understanding is that it is derived from the seed of neem trees (found in Africa I believe). I recently purchased some (concentrate vs. ready spray version) of Bonide's. Here's a link to it. If you click on the label, you will see some of the things that it helps to control plus application directions (There should be something on your label on the bottle, non?). https://www.bonide.com/products/garden-naturals/view/024/neem-oil-conc You do have to read the directions carefully. The nice thing about neem is that it helps deal with a variety of issues (as in besides insects).
I think that I have to get something different (will check supplies first) to deal with some striped cucumber beetles that I've found on a few plants (have so far just inspected and tried to remove them and then squish).
Hope that your eggplants pollinate well in your greenhouse (do you open things up to allow pollinators inside?).
Yes, gardening is certainly an investment...particularly organic! Things like your insect cloth and my floating row cover last for years, can be re-used and I think are fairly cost-effective in the end.
Trying to envisage what your shower door/cucumber setup looks like? :)
Best wishes,
PD
Thanks for link, P. There are some mixed messages. Neem oil is from the Azadirachta tree - thankfully writing, not saying it! My purchase was from G.E.T based in Canada, no instructions on label for type of crops to use it on, but clearly states
do not use in the 5 weeks before harvest. One of the allotment videos on YT discusses the product saying be careful with dosage as excess can burn the leaves.
Quote from: Irons on June 15, 2020, 11:44:51 PM
Thanks for link, P. There are some mixed messages. Neem oil is from the Azadirachta tree - thankfully writing, not saying it! My purchase was from G.E.T based in Canada, no instructions on label for type of crops to use it on, but clearly states do not use in the 5 weeks before harvest. One of the allotment videos on YT discusses the product saying be careful with dosage as excess can burn the leaves.
Hi Irons.
Interesting! I had never heard that before about the 5 weeks. I just did a quick look online and saw one site that sells it and says that it could cause a bad taste if used within 5 weeks before harvest. Hadn't heard that before now. I should think, though, that if you used it on something that hadn't yet developed fruit or veg or avoided spraying it directly on fruit or veg (if possible) that that wouldn't be an issue? What do you think? Perhaps it's more noticeable re fruit?
Also, of course one should be careful mixing things. And being careful re what time of day one is spraying too. They do also have further warnings and suggestions there (as you probably read).
I don't (currently anyway) have any strawberry or other fruit in my garden (except tomatoes...as far as I can think of botanically).
Must admit, I don't do much spraying. Last year, I did use this on some plants with good results: https://www.bonide.com/assets/Products/Labels/l252.pdf
I suspect that I'll be using Capt. Jack's soon: this morning, whilst watering, I noticed a few more striped cucumber beetles on my cukes! I physically removed them (missed one which flew away) and squished. I have one of my cucumber plants near my peppers which are also close to my potatoes and summer squash and zucchini...all things which they love if my memory is serving me properly. :(
Best,
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 16, 2020, 04:45:52 AM
Hi Irons.
Interesting! I had never heard that before about the 5 weeks. I just did a quick look online and saw one site that sells it and says that it could cause a bad taste if used within 5 weeks before harvest. Hadn't heard that before now. I should think, though, that if you used it on something that hadn't yet developed fruit or veg or avoided spraying it directly on fruit or veg (if possible) that that wouldn't be an issue? What do you think? Perhaps it's more noticeable re fruit?
Also, of course one should be careful mixing things. And being careful re what time of day one is spraying too. They do also have further warnings and suggestions there (as you probably read).
I don't (currently anyway) have any strawberry or other fruit in my garden (except tomatoes...as far as I can think of botanically).
Must admit, I don't do much spraying. Last year, I did use this on some plants with good results: https://www.bonide.com/assets/Products/Labels/l252.pdf
I suspect that I'll be using Capt. Jack's soon: this morning, whilst watering, I noticed a few more striped cucumber beetles on my cukes! I physically removed them (missed one which flew away) and squished. I have one of my cucumber plants near my peppers which are also close to my potatoes and summer squash and zucchini...all things which they love if my memory is serving me properly. :(
Best,
PD
If you do not like using chemicals P and many gardeners do not, a spray of water mixed with washing up liquid is effective.
Took a pic this morning of a shower door with a new role. For some strange reason refuses to stay upright!
Quote from: Irons on June 16, 2020, 10:11:07 AM
If you do not like using chemicals P and many gardeners do not, a spray of water mixed with washing up liquid is effective.
Took a pic this morning of a shower door with a new role. For some strange reason refuses to stay upright!
Wow, Irons! I'm so impressed by your gardening skills! Seriously! Is the role of your former shower door to provide additional heat to the plants inside? A bit hard to tell from the photo what you've planted and what your overall setup is. In any event, good for you for finding ways to recycle! :)
I've tried using dishwashing soap (the foam) on plants before to get rid of pests, but didn't have much luck with that. It was years ago...I remember making up some suddsie water and applying it to some potted plants. As I recall, it didn't help much. :( I'm o.k. with spraying things but sometimes don't because timing is hard (either seriously early or late to avoid pollinators and possible damage from sunlight)....plus if it's a large area, it can get rather expensive. Are many of your fellow allotment holders good about spraying and/or insect control? It's hard if there is a lot of veggies and fruit in any area and you're the only one taking pest control seriously. I suspect that most of my neighbors (those who have a veg garden and also those with a lot of perennials, etc.) don't do much in terms of pest control. Then again, from what I recall, both pests and various airborne diseases can travel quite a ways, so it takes a lot of people being vigilant!
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 16, 2020, 04:25:19 PM
Wow, Irons! I'm so impressed by your gardening skills! Seriously! Is the role of your former shower door to provide additional heat to the plants inside? A bit hard to tell from the photo what you've planted and what your overall setup is. In any event, good for you for finding ways to recycle! :)
I've tried using dishwashing soap (the foam) on plants before to get rid of pests, but didn't have much luck with that. It was years ago...I remember making up some suddsie water and applying it to some potted plants. As I recall, it didn't help much. :( I'm o.k. with spraying things but sometimes don't because timing is hard (either seriously early or late to avoid pollinators and possible damage from sunlight)....plus if it's a large area, it can get rather expensive. Are many of your fellow allotment holders good about spraying and/or insect control? It's hard if there is a lot of veggies and fruit in any area and you're the only one taking pest control seriously. I suspect that most of my neighbors (those who have a veg garden and also those with a lot of perennials, etc.) don't do much in terms of pest control. Then again, from what I recall, both pests and various airborne diseases can travel quite a ways, so it takes a lot of people being vigilant!
PD
Thanks for info, P. I have not tried soapy spray myself. I often hear it said that insect invaders and slugs attack stressed plants rather then healthy ones. Doesn't make sense to me as I would rather eat a healthy crisp lettuce then one on it's last legs! But then again I'm not a slug. :)
Quote from: Irons on June 17, 2020, 01:11:55 AM
Thanks for info, P. I have not tried soapy spray myself. I often hear it said that insect invaders and slugs attack stressed plants rather then healthy ones. Doesn't make sense to me as I would rather eat a healthy crisp lettuce then one on it's last legs! But then again I'm not a slug. :)
Doesn't make sense to me either and doesn't fit with my experience. Slugs will attack plants as soon as they have shooted. Also, they are fussy. I have given up trying to grow tulips and dahlias as they are invariably destroyed by slugs, often over one night. For some reason they leave daffodils alone.
Quote from: Biffo on June 17, 2020, 01:16:12 AM
Doesn't make sense to me either and doesn't fit with my experience. Slugs will attack plants as soon as they have shooted. Also, they are fussy. I have given up trying to grow tulips and dahlias as they are invariably destroyed by slugs, often over one night. For some reason they leave daffodils alone.
Yes, we have lots of snails. Lupins have all been eaten but native flowers such as poppies, daffodils, violets, snowdrops, bluebells, foxgloves and a few other things do just fine, so our garden is now full of those.
Quote from: Biffo on June 17, 2020, 01:16:12 AM
Doesn't make sense to me either and doesn't fit with my experience. Slugs will attack plants as soon as they have shooted. Also, they are fussy. I have given up trying to grow tulips and dahlias as they are invariably destroyed by slugs, often over one night. For some reason they leave daffodils alone.
Hostas provide a good meal for slugs. I have three in my garden, two are usually covered in holes by July and looking sad and the third they leave well alone. I have no idea why. I stocked up with slug pellets last year ahead of the proposed ban which although temporally reprieved outlets have not restocked.
Quote from: Irons on June 17, 2020, 08:09:30 AM
Hostas provide a good meal for slugs. I have three in my garden, two are usually covered in holes by July and looking sad and the third they leave well alone. I have no idea why. I stocked up with slug pellets last year ahead of the proposed ban which although temporally reprieved outlets have not restocked.
One old gardener's trick is to sow some lettuce near the hostas, the theory is that the slugs will eat the lettuce instead of the hostas. Another idea is to grow them in containers so they're off the ground. They can look really spectacular in a big container.
A third idea is not to grow the evil things at all.
There is a variety of hosta which is slug resistant, it has crinkly leaves, I can't remember the name. As you can see, I'm not keen on hostas because of the horrid flowers - if you pull them off they just come back again!
When I used to grow salad I used slug pellets, and they worked.
Anyway, one beautiful summer's day, I had a garden party, it was full of stylish people making sparking conversation, sipping Champagne and crying "oh how beautiful!" as they wondered round.
Then suddenly, at the back of the garden, near the pond, I heard a woman's scream, very loud and very scared. I rushed over fearing the worst.
She was pointing with a terrified look at the pond, on the surface three dead frogs were calmly floating.
Presumably they'd eaten some of the slug poison and snuffed it.
Never again.
Do you gents think that your slug issues are due to damper and cooler conditions? I rarely see them here, but if growing greens do have to keep an eye out for them. I do have some hosta plants but don't recall ever seeing issues with them eating lots of holes on them. They are very pretty and a lovely way to add some color and form to shade (from blue-green to a whiteish lime). I personally don't mind their flowers. They are quite hardy and reliable; just need to divide them every so often.
Steve,
Regarding leaving daffs alone, I know that daffs and iris are poisonous to a number of animals (like squirrels and deer and I suspect also chipmunks), so would not be surprised that they could also be poisonous to slugs.
Mandryka,
A hard and very sad lesson to learn (re slug pellets). :( So sorry to hear that....must have been a horrible experience. It's hard trying to figure out the best ways to deal with pests....finding a way to only hurt (or deterring/prevention) 'the enemy' and inadvertently hurting other creatures/the environment in our efforts.
Quote from: Irons on June 15, 2020, 08:26:53 AM
Hi PD
You mention eggplants, I am growing them for the first time, five plants in my greenhouse. Possibly not suited to our UK climate but they seem happy and you are right, the flowers are nice. I love them as an accompaniment to a hot curry.
Today at allotment planting 45 leeks. Allium leaf miner has ruined my crop for the last two years so this year invested in insect mesh at a cool £30, expensive leeks! But guaranteed for ten years so should see me out.
Toms growing well. 15 "Crimson Crush" which I grow every year as blight resistant and nice flavour. Also a French beefsteak variety, that I extract seeds from the previous year's crop. Six plants, along with a couple of "cherry" type.
Like yours, our weather all over the place. During an unusually hot spell early last week my brassicas were literally infested overnight. I had a fit! Sprayed the blighters and I think the plants are coming back but they were hit hard.
Only one cucumber plant in the greenhouse which is about four times bigger then two at the allotment protected by a discarded shower door. No action yet from either far as crops are concerned. Do not know of the bush type you mention.
Picked strawberries today, and tomorrow will be harvesting blackcurrants which is our favourite.
You mention Neem oil P. I have just purchased some. Does it work and what crops do you use it on? I mentioned it to my allotment friends and they have no idea what I'm talking about! Neem what!
Enjoy your garden.
Meant to ask, what varieties of eggplant did you plant Irons...always curious about things like that. ;D And I don't recall every having eaten fresh black currants before? Or due you turn them straight into things like jams?
PD
I thought as daffodils are so early slugs are not active.
I agree that flowers are not the greatest attraction of hosta, it is all about the leaves. Pots didn't work for me as the onset of flowering is far advanced then in open ground. May try the lettuce trick, I have far too many seedlings so nothing to lose.
Quote from: Irons on June 18, 2020, 01:33:22 AM
I thought as daffodils are so early slugs are not active.
I agree that flowers are not the greatest attraction of hosta, it is all about the leaves. Pots didn't work for me as the onset of flowering is far advanced then in open ground. May try the lettuce trick, I have far too many seedlings so nothing to lose.
Slugs are about as early as daffodils and they do not attack daffs at any stage. Tulips, which start shooting later than daffs, get attacked as soon as they appear.
I had forgotten about Hostas. I did grow them for a time but eventually gave up. Growing them in pots makes no difference, they still get devoured by slugs. The foliage is very attractive but as others have pointed out the flowers are non-descript.
I stumbled across this website and wondering whether or not anyone here has tried it? Haven't seen any reviews of it though I didn't google for them: http://www.pestproducts.com/sluggo.htm Ooh! And "Sluggo Plus" on Amazon...a number of good reviews there. https://www.amazon.com/Monteray-Monterey-Sluggo-Plus-2-5lb/dp/B000WB02DC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
and also found this about daffodils which I found to be quite interesting: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/daffodils-dangerous-69188.html
Need to go outside soon and weed and cut down some brush...not looking forward to it this morning I must confess! Yesterday I worked on repotting my lemon verbena (which had outgrown it's pot) and also my sage plant (same thing there) and potted up my last plant (golden lemon thyme)...hurrah! No more 6-packs or 4" pots staring at me and 'making me' feel guilty every time I go into my house via the front door. ;D
Best,
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 17, 2020, 02:04:36 PM
Meant to ask, what varieties of eggplant did you plant Irons...always curious about things like that. ;D And I don't recall every having eaten fresh black currants before? Or due you turn them straight into things like jams?
PD
I do apologise, P. Don't know how I missed your post but I did. The type of eggplant, or what we call them aubergine, is
Long Purple. I am surprised you have not sampled the delights of blackcurrants. Delicious boiled with custard or ice cream or even better in the form of a pie.
This talk of eggplant varieties reminds me of this dinner I had back in my USA days, 25 years ago, with a group of fellow writers, none of them native English speakers - and some of them pretty bad English speakers.
This was Chicago. A fancy Italian restaurant. Some alcoholic beverages had been consumed before sitting down to dinner (where more quaffing occurred) and one of the guests insisted eggplants grew actual eggs. Why, otherwise, would they be called eggplants?
Saying that in other locales they are called aubergines did not help.
In this same group was a guy, bless his heart, who spoke of a 'umbrello,' which I have since used as the male variant of the word.
Quote from: Irons on June 20, 2020, 10:48:40 AM
I do apologise, P. Don't know how I missed your post but I did. The type of eggplant, or what we call them aubergine, is Long Purple. I am surprised you have not sampled the delights of blackcurrants. Delicious boiled with custard or ice cream or even better in the form of a pie.
Irons,
I did a tiny bit of googling yesterday and found out that the growing of black currants had been banned in many states in the US; it seems that this is changing though. Here's one article here: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2006/07/welcome-back-black-currants-forbidden-fruit-making-ny-comeback
Quote from: Herman on June 21, 2020, 01:55:57 AM
This talk of eggplant varieties reminds me of this dinner I had back in my USA days, 25 years ago, with a group of fellow writers, none of them native English speakers - and some of them pretty bad English speakers.
This was Chicago. A fancy Italian restaurant. Some alcoholic beverages had been consumed before sitting down to dinner (where more quaffing occurred) and one of the guests insisted eggplants grew actual eggs. Why, otherwise, would they be called eggplants?
Saying that in other locales they are called aubergines did not help.
In this same group was a guy, bless his heart, who spoke of a 'umbrello,' which I have since used as the male variant of the word.
:laugh: Quite funny Herman! Oh, I know that common names makes things so confusing for discussion purposes! And Irons, when I googled the variety that you are growing, it listed it as an Italian variety rather than an Asian one--which surprised me as the photo looked to be to me of an Asian variety. ::)
These are the ones that I'm growing this year: 2 X Orient Express (a dark purple, long Asian variety), 2 X Nadia (a dark purple and oval I believe Italian variety) and hopefully, if the seedlings get big enough in time, a few of a beautiful and very tasty old Spanish variety called Listada de Gandia: https://www.seedsavers.org/listada-de-gandia-organic-eggplant
(https://www.seedsavers.org/site/img/seo-images/1196-listada-de-gandia-eggplant-organic.jpg)
I was late planting the seeds...plus chippies digging at the soil didn't help the seeds to germinate either!
Was going to spray with Captain Jack's last night but pooped out as was hot and tired and taking forever for the sun to start going down (and for the pollinators to go to bed for the night); I should have prevailed as even more cucumber beetles on plant along with a Colorado potato beetle I think! Will have to do it tonight! Zucchinis and summer squash plants also being hit, so time to fight back! And another hot day here: supposed to get back into the nineties....too hot for me!
EDIT: I forgot to say that either yesterday or this morning (heat is getting to me!), I noticed that my Orient Express is developing its first eggplants (about 1 inch long at the moment)....yeah! :)
Thanks for link, P. I had no idea. Do not recommend redcurrants as best used for jam.
I was going to challenge you - who grows the biggest eggplant. Then had second thoughts as I think you will win. >:(
Quote from: Irons on June 21, 2020, 10:55:06 AM
Thanks for link, P. I had no idea. Do not recommend redcurrants as best used for jam.
I was going to challenge you - who grows the biggest eggplant. Then had second thoughts as I think you will win. >:(
LOL Now Irons, you must certainly be joking considering your gardening expertise and result rates! :) And I thought that it was only us silly Americans who had competitions as to who can grow the biggest_______(whatever)? I certainly don't care about that at my end--just want to grow good-tasting, healthy and preferably attractive food. Some years ago, I went to a dermatologist and we started yakking about both enjoying gardening. And when it came to eggplants, she asked me in all seriousness if I really enjoyed and cooked with eggplants? I was rather puzzled and answered in the affirmative and asked her why that question? She said that she knew people who just liked to grow it because they loved the look of it. The eggplants are really beautiful to look at, I do agree there. And you? I know that you like to eat them, but are you also enamored with their beauty? By the way, I have seen at least one site (probably more) who when talking about the differences between Italian types and Asian ones that the Asian ones have a more tender skin.
And, no, I also was unaware of the problem with currants in the US! Glad that things are changing.
And, I did do a bit of spraying today...praying that we don't get overnight thunder showers but I was desperate! Please keep your fingers crossed for me!
Best wishes,
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 21, 2020, 03:48:12 PM
LOL Now Irons, you must certainly be joking considering your gardening expertise and result rates! :) And I thought that it was only us silly Americans who had competitions as to who can grow the biggest_______(whatever)? I certainly don't care about that at my end--just want to grow good-tasting, healthy and preferably attractive food. Some years ago, I went to a dermatologist and we started yakking about both enjoying gardening. And when it came to eggplants, she asked me in all seriousness if I really enjoyed and cooked with eggplants? I was rather puzzled and answered in the affirmative and asked her why that question? She said that she knew people who just liked to grow it because they loved the look of it. The eggplants are really beautiful to look at, I do agree there. And you? I know that you like to eat them, but are you also enamored with their beauty? By the way, I have seen at least one site (probably more) who when talking about the differences between Italian types and Asian ones that the Asian ones have a more tender skin.
And, no, I also was unaware of the problem with currants in the US! Glad that things are changing.
And, I did do a bit of spraying today...praying that we don't get overnight thunder showers but I was desperate! Please keep your fingers crossed for me!
Best wishes,
PD
Firmly crossed! You are right eggplants not only taste good. A beautiful rich colour and a shiny skin, you feel the urge to caress them, least I do. :D Never entered, but competitions for the biggest and perfectly shaped vegetable are rife this side of the pond. Apparently the sunflower challenge is a big one - so is the sunflower! The judges need scaffolding to inspect them - that is a joke. ;)
I need to get some sort of sack truck for moving large and heavy pots - more than 50L, terracotta, JI, and some of them with quite large plants.
Anyone had any good experiences, or bad experiences? Advice appreciated!
Quote from: Irons on June 22, 2020, 08:08:16 AM
Firmly crossed! You are right eggplants not only taste good. A beautiful rich colour and a shiny skin, you feel the urge to caress them, least I do. :D Never entered, but competitions for the biggest and perfectly shaped vegetable are rife this side of the pond. Apparently the sunflower challenge is a big one - so is the sunflower! The judges need scaffolding to inspect them - that is a joke. ;)
Your finger must have worked Irons! No rain overnight (there was a 30% chance of thundershowers); I feel rather guilty as I know that we need it! I did notice this morning whilst watering that I had startled a cucumber beetle...I single-handedly managed to squish it against some screening with one hand whilst watering with the other. ;D I didn't spray my pepper plants (which was what it was on...may have to rethink that). I did spray my cukes, squash/zucchini, potato and eggplants. And, yes, their beautiful shiny skin is lovely! I do also fondly remember growing this variety (haven't for a few years)--https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/eggplant/italian-eggplants/rosa-bianca-organic-eggplant-seed-2605G.html Love the ribbing! :)
So you also have the 'Grow the biggest' comps too?! lol
Another really hot day here...humidity a bit on the rise too. Hope to work outside for a bit late this afternoon.
Quote from: Mandryka on June 22, 2020, 09:47:43 AM
I need to get some sort of sack truck for moving large and heavy pots - more than 50L, terracotta, JI, and some of them with quite large plants.
Anyone had any good experiences, or bad experiences? Advice appreciated!
Boy, I'd take some measurements of your tallest and maybe also widest pots firstly. I moved a huge rosemary plant outside this spring using an old luggage carrier of my parents believe it or not! I folded down the bottom part (where you would set your suitcase) and used some bungie cords to tie my plant onto it. Mind you, I was only moving it from a room in the first floor of the house to the front door and then (and this was the hardest part) onto the front porch--had to go down a step. Big 'kaboom' here but it landed fine and even the luggage rack survived it! I also have a quite old metal (think like mover's or delivery guy) one with a wooden platform on it which you can use a couple of different ways too.
Do you have to move the plants just on the same floor? Or are you trying to move them outside for the summer? If so, what kind of stairs are involved? If so, you might also think of getting some wooden planks (and a friend or two to help) and use them to navigate stairs.
In terms of brands and shops, I suspect that your European friends might be of more use here than myself. Good luck!
PD
Quote from: Mandryka on June 22, 2020, 09:47:43 AM
I need to get some sort of sack truck for moving large and heavy pots - more than 50L, terracotta, JI, and some of them with quite large plants.
Anyone had any good experiences, or bad experiences? Advice appreciated!
I purchased three of these at Lidl two or three years ago. The wheels swivel and they have been up to the job at whatever I have wished to shift. If you are stuck you are welcome to borrow them.
Quote from: Irons on June 23, 2020, 07:35:59 AM
I purchased three of these at Lidl two or three years ago. The wheels swivel and they have been up to the job at whatever I have wished to shift. If you are stuck you are welcome to borrow them.
Oh clever Irons! Any idea up to what weight they might hold? About how big are they?
PD
p.s. Confession: Have retreated from garden heat into room with A/C!
I did also just find these online--rather more limited than your...not quite certain what you call them Irons. These are listed as 'plant caddies' though your dollies? could be used for other things too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfwVAj6qmQA
These supposedly hold up to 450 lbs. Don't know what they cost but they look nice. You are also limited to how big of a pot would fit into them.
PD
p.s. I see that Lidl has a number of stores in the south/southeastern US? Couldn't find yours listed there though.
Quote from: Irons on June 23, 2020, 07:35:59 AM
I purchased three of these at Lidl two or three years ago. The wheels swivel and they have been up to the job at whatever I have wished to shift. If you are stuck you are welcome to borrow them.
That's a very kind offer. Here's the pot I need to move, I put a chair near it so you can get a feeling for the Herculean nature of the task. It's filled with loam based compost. Do you think that tool would be up to it?
(https://i.ibb.co/160fTQx/A8-A05-B9-C-B746-4-DFA-B304-EDD4324358-A9.jpg)
What is that pretty shrub Mandryka?
Hydrangea quercifolia.
Quote from: Mandryka on June 23, 2020, 07:33:11 PM
Hydrangea quercifolia.
It's a funny one. I could tell it's a hydrangea (ubiquitous in the Neths) but the leaf shape (I'd rather say it looks like maple as in the Canadian flag) is new to me.
Quote from: Herman on June 23, 2020, 10:44:26 PM
It's a funny one. I could tell it's a hydrangea (ubiquitous in the Neths) but the leaf shape (I'd rather say it looks like maple as in the Canadian flag) is new to me.
Oak leafed hydrangea. It's a good one. It tolerates dryness and sun better than other hyderangeas, when the flowers fade they don't go all manky and most autumns the foliage turns red, sometimes spectacularly. Semi-evergreen in fact, I find it grows best in containers presumably because it gets coddled with lots of nutrients and water - but it needs a big one. There are many varieties.
Quote from: Mandryka on June 23, 2020, 10:29:57 AM
That's a very kind offer. Here's the pot I need to move, I put a chair near it so you can get a feeling for the Herculean nature of the task. It's filled with loam based compost. Do you think that tool would be up to it?
(https://i.ibb.co/160fTQx/A8-A05-B9-C-B746-4-DFA-B304-EDD4324358-A9.jpg)
In fact - and to answer PD's question - heavier the better. Lighter objects tend to slide off when you push them. Steps can be a problem, and of course will not work on grass. If you wish a loan send a PM.
Quote from: Irons on June 24, 2020, 02:12:09 AM
In fact - and to answer PD's question - heavier the better. Lighter objects tend to slide off when you push them. Steps can be a problem, and of course will not work on grass. If you wish a loan send a PM.
Looking at it today I decided that it's best to know your own limitations in life, and it looks so big and heavy I just don't think I could do it even with your wheelie tool. I'm going to call in a pro.
Thanks for the offer though, much appreciated.
Quote from: Mandryka on June 24, 2020, 05:21:58 AM
Looking at it today I decided that it's best to know your own limitations in life, and it looks so big and heavy I just don't think I could do it even with your wheelie tool. I'm going to call in a pro.
Thanks for the offer though, much appreciated.
Your back will thank you. Good luck.
I think that that pot could take 2-3 people lifting it just to get it onto a dolly! :o Good luck!
It looks like a great spot to sit and have a quiet moment with some coffee or tea.
Quote from: Herman on June 27, 2020, 09:56:28 AM
It looks like a great spot to sit and have a quiet moment with some coffee or tea.
Agreed! Very serene. Do you sit out there often Mandryka?
PD
p.s. Finally, we're getting some rain...yippee! And it arrived just as I was about done with cutting back some brush for the day too..excellent timing! ;D
There was a terrific thunder and lighning rainstorm last night, so all the grass is green again here.
Quote from: Herman on June 27, 2020, 12:32:37 PM
There was a terrific thunder and lighning rainstorm last night, so all the grass is green again here.
Yeah!! :)
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 27, 2020, 11:40:03 AM
Agreed! Very serene. Do you sit out there often Mandryka?
PD
p.s. Finally, we're getting some rain...yippee! And it arrived just as I was about done with cutting back some brush for the day too..excellent timing! ;D
Where you choose to be in the garden is where the shade is best, and that varies from season to season and from hour to hour. The garden faces South West, and can get uncomfortably hot. There's also a pond which attracts everyone because of the reflections of sunlight on water - it draws you in like an open fire. The space in the pic has a huge table, so it gets used for eating most.
Quote from: Mandryka on June 27, 2020, 10:55:52 PM
Where you choose to be in the garden is where the shade is best, and that varies from season to season and from hour to hour. The garden faces South West, and can get uncomfortably hot. There's also a pond which attracts everyone because of the reflections of sunlight on water - it draws you in like an open fire. The space in the pic has a huge table, so it gets used for eating most.
South-west: good for a lot of plants, but hard on the gardener! That's right, I remember you talking about your pond. Trust that you have some new frogs to replace the ones who had died and that they are doing a good job of keeping the mosquito population down?
Will be harvesting my first eggplant of the season today and maybe a cucumber too. Hope to make some pesto out of my basil today too. Do you grow any tomatoes or herbs in your garden Mandryka?
The main rose show is over for the year (cut back most of the old blooms...a bit more to do. Hard to get in there to do it as peony in front of them was HUGE this year). I do have a few of David Austin's repeat blooming roses in my garden...need to give them some more food. Are others here familiar with this rosarian?
Best,
PD
p.s. Enjoyed a short stroll around my garden this morning with a cup of coffee: feels nice and fresh and cool after yesterday's rain. :)
Set up a small water garden and seeded it with some silt from a nearby creek to breed dragonflies, now always have 3 or 4 flying around the pool, and saw a 4-5" giant darner yesterday (but that is not the photo which I think is a blue darner
(https://share.icloud.com/photos/0h8Bi-KcP7kx3kvv2Q05_g3FQ)
Edit - why don't iCloud or Shutterfly links work?
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0h8Bi-KcP7kx3kvv2Q05_g3FQ (https://share.icloud.com/photos/0h8Bi-KcP7kx3kvv2Q05_g3FQ)
Quote from: BWV 1080 on June 28, 2020, 08:49:44 AM
Set up a small water garden and seeded it with some silt from a nearby creek to breed dragonflies, now always have 3 or 4 flying around the pool, and saw a 4-5" giant darner yesterday (but that is not the photo which I think is a blue darner
(https://share.icloud.com/photos/0h8Bi-KcP7kx3kvv2Q05_g3FQ)
Edit - why don't iCloud or Shutterfly links work?
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0h8Bi-KcP7kx3kvv2Q05_g3FQ (https://share.icloud.com/photos/0h8Bi-KcP7kx3kvv2Q05_g3FQ)
Hello BWV! And welcome!
Sorry that we can't see your pictures; perhaps someone else here can help? I think also that there is a thread about how to upload pictures here under (sorry, not certain of the name....)something like forums news? I'll try and find it for you and edit this posting. Just read a tiny bit about all of the insects that dragonflies eat...neat! I see them (one?) every so often in my garden. I don't have a pond though. How does silt help?
PD
EDIT: Perhaps you might look here (or at least until someone else has better ideas...or, if you don't find it, you might post your query there?): https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,302.0.html
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 28, 2020, 04:23:51 PM
Hello BWV! And welcome!
Sorry that we can't see your pictures; perhaps someone else here can help? I think also that there is a thread about how to upload pictures here under (sorry, not certain of the name....)something like forums news? I'll try and find it for you and edit this posting. Just read a tiny bit about all of the insects that dragonflies eat...neat! I see them (one?) every so often in my garden. I don't have a pond though. How does silt help?
PD
EDIT: Perhaps you might look here (or at least until someone else has better ideas...or, if you don't find it, you might post your query there?): https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,302.0.html
The link does not work? Dragonflies lay eggs in water, taking some silt from a nearby creek was an attempt to transplant some eggs /larvae to my pond
Quote from: BWV 1080 on June 29, 2020, 06:38:22 AM
The link does not work? Dragonflies lay eggs in water, taking some silt from a nearby creek was an attempt to transplant some eggs /larvae to my pond
Never mind...my mistake: your link does work! I think that my brain was fried from dealing with computer troubles...still trying to sort them out (almost there I hope!).
Wonder how it is then that I see dragonflies in my garden? I guess that there must be enough moisture around for them? I did/am trying put out an upturned bin lid with some water from my hose as it's been hot and I hope that it would keep the birds happy..though I don't wish to encourage mosquitos! Need to get a new bird bath at some point (my old one I think is beyond repair).
Delighted to report that we're now getting some decent rainfalls (a few downpours yesterday) and have chances for showers off and on over the next few days. They had instituted water restrictions since it had been so dry lately.
Harvested my first Asian-type eggplant today (passed it along to some friends). Cucumbers will be coming in very soon...all at once in the next few days, so I'll have to figure out what to do with them. A good problem to have though.
What do you like to grow in your garden BWV?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 29, 2020, 07:24:43 AM
Never mind...my mistake: your link does work! I think that my brain was fried from dealing with computer troubles...still trying to sort them out (almost there I hope!).
Wonder how it is then that I see dragonflies in my garden? I guess that there must be enough moisture around for them? I did/am trying put out an upturned bin lid with some water from my hose as it's been hot and I hope that it would keep the birds happy..though I don't wish to encourage mosquitos! Need to get a new bird bath at some point (my old one I think is beyond repair).
Delighted to report that we're now getting some decent rainfalls (a few downpours yesterday) and have chances for showers off and on over the next few days. They had instituted water restrictions since it had been so dry lately.
Harvested my first Asian-type eggplant today (passed it along to some friends). Cucumbers will be coming in very soon...all at once in the next few days, so I'll have to figure out what to do with them. A good problem to have though.
What do you like to grow in your garden BWV?
PD
Dragonflies need oxygenated water (a water garden with underwater plants will do the trick), while mosquitos want un-oxygenated water (nothing living in them to eat the larvae I guess), which is why water gardens don't breed mosquitos. I grow herbs mostly
Quote from: BWV 1080 on June 29, 2020, 07:27:14 AM
Dragonflies need oxygenated water (a water garden with underwater plants will do the trick), while mosquitos want un-oxygenated water (nothing living in them to eat the larvae I guess), which is why water gardens don't breed mosquitos. I grow herbs mostly
A neighbor of mine has I think a very tiny water feature/garden (I remember that he said that there were frogs in it...my cat used to be fascinated by them apparently). I wonder whether or not they might be homing there? I haven't seen the garden, so no idea what it's like. How far do they travel? Any idea?
Herbs are wonderful to grow too. I have several types of basil, flat-leaf parsley, tarragon, oregano (Greek), sage, chives, golden-lemon thyme, German thyme, rosemary, lemon verbena, and a tiny bit of dill which keeps reseeding itself but in the wrong area. Need to plant some more seeds of cilantro as first batch didn't take. Which herbs do you enjoy? :)
And, I forgot to say, nice picture of a dragonfly! Surprised that you were able to get such a good one...so tiny, and fast movers!
PD
I used to have a wonderful big rosemary bush in the backyard of the house where I used to live until 2004.
I stood close to a brick wall facing the south (where I have moved since).
That's the only way to have good strong rosemary: many sun hours and good warmth.
On my fourth attempt to get rosemary growing after I remodeled my back yard a few years ago. Alot of trees, so sun is an issue plus it can get too wet in Houston, but this one is on its second summer, so a good sign. Have peppermint that keeps coming back every year, but for some reason spearmint fares poorly. Also planted alot of basil, and will have some good pesto in a few weeks
One nice herb to grow is fennel -- very good flowers and tasty leaves. It's a short lived perennial but seeds itself about a bit.
At the moment I have rosemary, winter savoury, thyme, marjoram and an ugly old sage. The savoury and marjoram make excellent summer flowering bushes, flowers which bees love.
Quote from: Mandryka on June 29, 2020, 11:20:07 AM
One nice herb to grow is fennel -- very good flowers and tasty leaves. It's a short lived perennial but seeds itself about a bit.
At the moment I have rosemary, winter savoury, thyme, marjoram and an ugly old sage. The savoury and marjoram make excellent summer flowering bushes, flowers which bees love.
Quote from: Herman on June 29, 2020, 10:14:02 AM
I used to have a wonderful big rosemary bush in the backyard of the house where I used to live until 2004.
I stood close to a brick wall facing the south (where I have moved since).
That's the only way to have good strong rosemary: many sun hours and good warmth.
Nice to see that you gentlemen enjoy growing herbs. :) I should try some savory (haven't in ages)...where, I'm not certain...hmmm. I have learned over the years that one can overwinter rosemary in a pot inside. Tricks that I've learned: have a decent-sized saucer underneath it. Put some gravel in the bottom of the saucer. Water it via the saucer in the wintertime (to avoid that lovely fungus!); a bit less water, put in a room that is sunny but on the colder side...no fertilizer. Don't water often, but well. And if the gods are feeling kind, it will overwinter fine. Possibly add a fan in the springtime when it's getting warmer but still not warm enough to put outside.
I haven't grown that type of fennel before -- for flowers. The kind of fennel that I grow is for the bulbs. At least, if the rabbits and butterfly caterpillars let me (the caterpillars like the foliage....need to get some queen anne's lace or something else that they like and can keep them away from or shift them to vs. my food). What variety of fennel are you growing Mandryka?
Best wishes,
PD
p.s. I forgot to mention that I also have some spearmint and pineapplemint; the pineapple mint is more delicate and I'll probably bring some inside for the wintertime just to make sure that it survives.
Quote from: Mandryka on June 29, 2020, 11:20:07 AM
One nice herb to grow is fennel -- very good flowers and tasty leaves. It's a short lived perennial but seeds itself about a bit.
and an ugly old sage.
I always try to have sage, too. It's a great combo with salmon.
I did get a new plant, though. At some point it just doesn't work anymore.
Fennel is very pretty.
I suspect Mandryka that we're talking about different kinds of fennel here. I grow the type that has a bulb (according to Wiki) and is known as Florence Fennel.
(https://www.burpee.com/dw/image/v2/ABAQ_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Burpee/default/dw7ea98d77/Images/Product%20Images/prod000473/prod000473.jpg?sw=322&sh=380&sm=fit) The type that I hope that I'm growing has a more rounded bulb and is more compact. Will have to ask the farmer re variety.
(https://www.burpee.com/dw/image/v2/ABAQ_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Burpee/default/dwb7062ec2/Images/Product%20Images/prod001629/prod001629_alt1.jpg?sw=322&sh=380&sm=fit)
Sage is lovely...wonderful to cook with fresh and nice to have some dried on hand too. And love those purple flowers/bracts! It does like drier and well-drained conditions though, so it's probably not the happiest in hot and steamy Houston. Marjoram (I have some in a pot) is great with eggs and mushrooms in particular. :)
Don't know enough of the differences between mints to help you BWV. I can say that my spearmint was struggling in my garden this year as it was so hot, sunny and dry. It was doing better in areas where it received some shade. With all of the current rain that we have been having, I predict that it will be much happier! :)
Best wishes,
PD
Quote from: Herman on June 29, 2020, 11:55:54 PM
I always try to have sage, too. It's a great combo with salmon.
I did get a new plant, though. At some point it just doesn't work anymore.
Fennel is very pretty.
In the Bordeaux region there's a saying,
sauge dans le jardin, jamais besoin du medcin.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 30, 2020, 04:19:03 AM
I suspect Mandryka that we're talking about different kinds of fennel here. I grow the type that has a bulb (according to Wiki) and is known as Florence Fennel.
(https://www.burpee.com/dw/image/v2/ABAQ_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Burpee/default/dw7ea98d77/Images/Product%20Images/prod000473/prod000473.jpg?sw=322&sh=380&sm=fit) The type that I hope that I'm growing has a more rounded bulb and is more compact. Will have to ask the farmer re variety.
(https://www.burpee.com/dw/image/v2/ABAQ_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Burpee/default/dwb7062ec2/Images/Product%20Images/prod001629/prod001629_alt1.jpg?sw=322&sh=380&sm=fit)
Sage is lovely...wonderful to cook with fresh and nice to have some dried on hand too. And love those purple flowers/bracts! It does like drier and well-drained conditions though, so it's probably not the happiest in hot and steamy Houston. Marjoram (I have some in a pot) is great with eggs and mushrooms in particular. :)
Don't know enough of the differences between mints to help you BWV. I can say that my spearmint was struggling in my garden this year as it was so hot, sunny and dry. It was doing better in areas where it received some shade. With all of the current rain that we have been having, I predict that it will be much happier! :)
Best wishes,
PD
I can't grow that here, at least not without a greenhouse. But thanks for posting because it's given me an idea of what to cook for tonight -- a mixture of fennel, tomatoes, butternut squash and celeriac slow roasted.
The one I used to grow is this (it's vanished now, but I may well put some in next year. I love just picking a leaf and a bit of stem and eating it.)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Foeniculum_July_2011-1a.jpg)
My mom used to have fennel in her kitchen garden. Those stalks and flowers are just amazing, otherworldly.
I want to grow a curry tree, save me trips to the Indian grocer, but not sure where to find one
The soil in my garden is heavy clay which is far from ideal for herbs - funnily enough my allotment soil, just a ten minute drive, is the complete opposite. I grow a few herbs in an old sink. Located in a sunny spot and planted in a stony well drained soil which they love.
Yes, very pretty! And I bet that butterflies love it too!
Quote from: Mandryka on June 30, 2020, 05:04:36 AM
I can't grow that here, at least not without a greenhouse. But thanks for posting because it's given me an idea of what to cook for tonight -- a mixture of fennel, tomatoes, butternut squash and celeriac slow roasted.
The one I used to grow is this (it's vanished now, but I may well put some in next year. I love just picking a leaf and a bit of stem and eating it.)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Foeniculum_July_2011-1a.jpg)
Your dinner sounds yummy! Will you be using some of your garden fennel or be purchasing a fennel bulb? And what will you be serving with it? :) Speaking of which, I haven't had much to eat yet today and need to rectify that now!
Herman,
I'll bet that your mother's kitchen garden was lovely. :)
Quote from: BWV 1080 on June 30, 2020, 06:45:03 AM
I want to grow a curry tree, save me trips to the Indian grocer, but not sure where to find one
I haven't tried growing one of those before now...never used the leaves. Perhaps try calling around some local garden/plant stores and ask for suggestions?
Quote from: Irons on June 30, 2020, 06:46:34 AM
The soil in my garden is heavy clay which is far from ideal for herbs - funnily enough my allotment soil, just a ten minute drive, is the complete opposite. I grow a few herbs in an old sink. Located in a sunny spot and planted in a stony well drained soil which they love.
Irons,
Would love to see pictures of your herb sink! Bet that it looks great!
Best wishes,
PD
Quote from: BWV 1080 on June 30, 2020, 06:45:03 AM
I want to grow a curry tree, save me trips to the Indian grocer, but not sure where to find one
The seeds seem to be readily available (eg. from Amazon), if you can wait that long. I used to buy the leaves from my local Asia Shop but I ended up throwing most of them away as they only sold them in big bags and most recipes only needed a couple of leaves.
The plants seem to be widely available in the UK (on the internet).
Quote from: Irons on June 30, 2020, 06:46:34 AM
The soil in my garden is heavy clay which is far from ideal for herbs - funnily enough my allotment soil, just a ten minute drive, is the complete opposite. I grow a few herbs in an old sink. Located in a sunny spot and planted in a stony well drained soil which they love.
Thanks for the pic Irons! Wow! How beautiful! Did you build all that I see there (not the sink)? The wall and the cold frame bed? :) Is that a stone sink too? Think that I see something for compost tea??? I'm currently trying to figure out what to do with my yard waste now (think kitchen scraps mostly) since my composter died. Suggestions anyone? I don't need a big one by any means.
PD
Quote from: Biffo on June 30, 2020, 07:35:23 AM
The seeds seem to be readily available (eg. from Amazon), if you can wait that long. I used to buy the leaves from my local Asia Shop but I ended up throwing most of them away as they only sold them in big bags and most recipes only needed a couple of leaves.
The plants seem to be widely available in the UK (on the internet).
What do you use curry leaves in by the way? I've never used them before. And what kind of flavor do they impart?
PD
Quote from: Biffo on June 30, 2020, 07:35:23 AM
The seeds seem to be readily available (eg. from Amazon), if you can wait that long. I used to buy the leaves from my local Asia Shop but I ended up throwing most of them away as they only sold them in big bags and most recipes only needed a couple of leaves.
The plants seem to be widely available in the UK (on the internet).
Might try that - that is the reason, make curry a few times a month and would be nice to have fresh leaves without going to the Indian grocer. We do get an occasional freeze in Houston, so don't know if that would be a problem
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 30, 2020, 08:54:39 AM
What do you use curry leaves in by the way? I've never used them before. And what kind of flavor do they impart?
PD
Not related to curry powder, which is a spice mix, curry leaves are used in some Indian curries and I would compare it to lemongrass. You have to fry them in oil to release the flavor
Quote from: BWV 1080 on June 30, 2020, 09:07:47 AM
Might try that - that is the reason, make curry a few times a month and would be nice to have fresh leaves without going to the Indian grocer. We do get an occasional freeze in Houston, so don't know if that would be a problem
Not related to curry powder, which is a spice mix, curry leaves are used in some Indian curries and I would compare it to lemongrass. You have to fry them in oil to release the flavor
BWV,
Out of curiosity, I did a bit of googling and found this informative website. The person posting it is in Australia, but there are some very helpful tips there in the replies section...particularly by a poster who lives in Richmond, Virginia. Others have tips for freezing fresh curry leaves. https://gardendrum.com/2014/06/04/how-to-grow-curry-leaf-tree/
And, thanks, yes, I did know that about curry powder. I've made my own at times in the past...and also know that there are all different variations too. Do you have a favorite one(s) BWV? :)
Speaking of lemongrass, I've been tempted to purchase a plant to grow myself. Would need to grow it in a pot and move it indoors come the fall though.
Let us know if you decide to grow one and how it turns out.
PD
Herb Sink or Cink would be a great name for a pianist in a bar / restaurant where old men bring their young dates for a bite. The kind of place where no one ever talks.
Quote from: Herman on June 30, 2020, 10:23:15 AM
Herb Sink or Cink would be a great name for a pianist in a bar / restaurant where old men bring their young dates for a bite. The kind of place where no one ever talks.
:D
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 30, 2020, 08:50:57 AM
Thanks for the pic Irons! Wow! How beautiful! Did you build all that I see there (not the sink)? The wall and the cold frame bed? :) Is that a stone sink too? Think that I see something for compost tea??? I'm currently trying to figure out what to do with my yard waste now (think kitchen scraps mostly) since my composter died. Suggestions anyone? I don't need a big one by any means.
PD
If I built a wall, P, it would not be still standing! The cold frame believe it or not, is all my own work and most useful it is too.
I had a bad experience with a compost bin in the back garden. So bad, I now take all kitchen waste to a bin at the allotment. I'm fine with all creepy-crawlies, snakes and the like but have a problem with rodents, in fact they freak me out! Took a bucket of waste to the bin at the end of the garden, taking off the lid I was greeted by the sight of a huge rat feeding on the vegetable food waste. I don't know who moved quicker, the rat or me!
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 30, 2020, 08:54:39 AM
What do you use curry leaves in by the way? I've never used them before. And what kind of flavor do they impart?
PD
As far as I can remember I only have one recipe that called for curry leaves so I ended up throwing away most of them. I am not sure what they added to the flavour but I found a recipe that suggested using a pinch of garam masala if curry leaves weren't available.
Quote from: Irons on June 30, 2020, 11:46:54 PM
If I built a wall, P, it would not be still standing! The cold frame believe it or not, is all my own work and most useful it is too.
I had a bad experience with a compost bin in the back garden. So bad, I now take all kitchen waste to a bin at the allotment. I'm fine with all creepy-crawlies, snakes and the like but have a problem with rodents, in fact they freak me out! Took a bucket of waste to the bin at the end of the garden, taking off the lid I was greeted by the sight of a huge rat feeding on the vegetable food waste. I don't know who moved quicker, the rat or me!
I had forgotten that story! Shudder. Do you guys share in the compost at the allotment? I used to have one...think that it was called "The Tumbler"....big barrel with two doors (one at each end) which was mounted on kind of a u-frame (flat on bottom though) and you could flip it end over end (rather hard when it was full--heavy!). Thinking of getting one with a crank handle...possibly one which has two compartment too. Not cheap though. It does keep out critters though! Probably not bears, but they've never bothered mine in the past.
Did you design the cold frame all on your own Irons? Or find a plan somewhere? Looks very nice! You're oregano, sage and chives all look very happy in your sink! :) I was able to weed for a short while, then it started raining again. Might try to do some more in a bit since it seems to have stopped for the time being.
PD
p.s. And thanks for the further comments and suggestions re curry leaves Biffo. :-)
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 01, 2020, 10:32:57 AM
I had forgotten that story! Shudder. Do you guys share in the compost at the allotment? I used to have one...think that it was called "The Tumbler"....big barrel with two doors (one at each end) which was mounted on kind of a u-frame (flat on bottom though) and you could flip it end over end (rather hard when it was full--heavy!). Thinking of getting one with a crank handle...possibly one which has two compartment too. Not cheap though. It does keep out critters though! Probably not bears, but they've never bothered mine in the past.
Did you design the cold frame all on your own Irons? Or find a plan somewhere? Looks very nice! You're oregano, sage and chives all look very happy in your sink! :) I was able to weed for a short while, then it started raining again. Might try to do some more in a bit since it seems to have stopped for the time being.
PD
p.s. And thanks for the further comments and suggestions re curry leaves Biffo. :-)
I think they are primarily a South Indian thing, the recipe I use that calls for them is Chettinadu Curry. This is not the exact recipe, but its close:
https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/chicken-chettinad/
Thanks BWV. I'll check it out. :)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 01, 2020, 10:32:57 AM
I had forgotten that story! Shudder. Do you guys share in the compost at the allotment? I used to have one...think that it was called "The Tumbler"....big barrel with two doors (one at each end) which was mounted on kind of a u-frame (flat on bottom though) and you could flip it end over end (rather hard when it was full--heavy!). Thinking of getting one with a crank handle...possibly one which has two compartment too. Not cheap though. It does keep out critters though! Probably not bears, but they've never bothered mine in the past.
Did you design the cold frame all on your own Irons? Or find a plan somewhere? Looks very nice! You're oregano, sage and chives all look very happy in your sink! :) I was able to weed for a short while, then it started raining again. Might try to do some more in a bit since it seems to have stopped for the time being.
PD
p.s. And thanks for the further comments and suggestions re curry leaves Biffo. :-)
I have three plastic bins at allotment, P. The big advantage is that they are in direct sunlight unlike the garden one which is hidden away in a shady corner. I am always surprised what difference this makes to the rate of composting.
The cold frame is nothing fancy but does the job. I made it out of decking purchased at B&Q the lid is polycarbonate which unlike glass is easy to work and surprisingly tough.
Picked first marrow this afternoon which will go with shepherds pie this evening.
I'm always surprised how similar the weather between the US East Coast and SE England. We have had heavy showers today too as I have been basking in our unexpected victory over Chelsea last night - I trust Jeffrey doesn't read this thread! ;)
Quote from: Irons on July 02, 2020, 06:49:29 AM
I have three plastic bins at allotment, P. The big advantage is that they are in direct sunlight unlike the garden one which is hidden away in a shady corner. I am always surprised what difference this makes to the rate of composting.
The cold frame is nothing fancy but does the job. I made it out of decking purchased at B&Q the lid is polycarbonate which unlike glass is easy to work and surprisingly tough.
Picked first marrow this afternoon which will go with shepherds pie this evening.
I'm always surprised how similar the weather between the US East Coast and SE England. We have had heavy showers today too as I have been basking in our unexpected victory over Chelsea last night - I trust Jeffrey doesn't read this thread! ;)
Do you do much in terms of stirring them up Irons? Or adding a compost starter? Did you poke any holes in them?
Enjoy your marrow...and your victory! ;)
Best,
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 02, 2020, 07:44:14 AM
Do you do much in terms of stirring them up Irons? Or adding a compost starter? Did you poke any holes in them?
Enjoy your marrow...and your victory! ;)
Best,
PD
No, let nature take its course, P. I did enjoy the win, doesn't happen very often, not this season anyway. How your eggplants doing?
Quote from: Irons on July 02, 2020, 01:37:32 PM
No, let nature take its course, P. I did enjoy the win, doesn't happen very often, not this season anyway. How your eggplants doing?
I've given away the first two (Orient Express) as I had other things in the fridge to attend to (plus a bit of trying to be nice to special people ;) ).
Best,
PD
(https://i.ibb.co/h2GXXhG/IMG-0511.jpg)
Herbs staring to look good, certainly a magnet for insects. There's savoury with the white flowers at the front, marjoram with pink flowers behind, and at the very back an ornamental hedge of Teucrium lucidrys. You can see see the ugly old sage and a prostrate rosemary. Thyme is in a trough near the agave. Other ornamentals in the pic are Phlomis russeliana, which leaves architectural seed heads until February almost, and that blue thing whose name I forget.
Just back from a short walk to the pathway connecting two streets, where I pick blackberries. They are plentiful this year. I brought back over a pound in 20 minutes. In the freezer they go. In the same pathway an elderberry tree is still flowering. I expect i to yield fruits in a couple of weeks (pic below). I'll mix them with the blackberries and make jam for the winter.
(http://dev.xgestion.com/sites/803/imgUpload/Arbuste-sureau.jpg)
Quote from: Irons on July 02, 2020, 06:49:29 AM
I have three plastic bins at allotment, P. The big advantage is that they are in direct sunlight unlike the garden one which is hidden away in a shady corner. I am always surprised what difference this makes to the rate of composting.
The cold frame is nothing fancy but does the job. I made it out of decking purchased at B&Q the lid is polycarbonate which unlike glass is easy to work and surprisingly tough.
Picked first marrow this afternoon which will go with shepherds pie this evening.
Irons,
Out of curiosity, did you drill any holes into your bins? And how do you secure them to keep critters out? Here, I had contemplated trying to make my own or use a trash bin and drill some holes into it. In the end I purchased this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46imsOKKwyQ I liked the idea that it had two separate chambers, you can rotate it easily and the platform on the underside actually holds 5 gallons of compost tea/leachate. Not certain whether or not tea and leachate are the same thing? Do you know (or anyone else here)? I'm hoping that I can use it to spread/fertilize my plants. It receives a ton of sun where it is now; I might have to shift it to an area that gets some shade. I've heard that you need some (depending upon where you live) for things to break down well. Have you had any issues with it breaking down well? I also include eggshells...curious here as to whether or not others do too and if you bother to crush them up; I haven't.
Quote from: Mandryka on July 10, 2020, 09:26:02 AM
(https://i.ibb.co/h2GXXhG/IMG-0511.jpg)
Herbs staring to look good, certainly a magnet for insects. There's savoury with the white flowers at the front, marjoram with pink flowers behind, and at the very back an ornamental hedge of Teucrium lucidrys. You can see see the ugly old sage and a prostrate rosemary. Thyme is in a trough near the agave. Other ornamentals in the pic are Phlomis russeliana, which leaves architectural seed heads until February almost, and that blue thing whose name I forget.
Looks gorgeous Mandryka! Also, that's a neat statue in the background. Yes, this time of year is a bit of a balance...trying to use the herbs and/or dry them...preferably before they start flowering since once that starts to happen, the growth slows down...though the bees are happy. Marjoram is lovely--particularly with eggs, mushrooms or cheese mixtures. How do you like to use it? Also, is that summer savory? And what do you like to do with it?
Quote from: André on July 10, 2020, 09:47:56 AM
Just back from a short walk to the pathway connecting two streets, where I pick blackberries. They are plentiful this year. I brought back over a pound in 20 minutes. In the freezer they go. In the same pathway an elderberry tree is still flowering. I expect i to yield fruits in a couple of weeks (pic below). I'll mix them with the blackberries and make jam for the winter.
(http://dev.xgestion.com/sites/803/imgUpload/Arbuste-sureau.jpg)
Nice André! Wish that I had all of those wild plants growing around me. Don't know elderberries well; what is their flavor like?
Here, well I just made my first batch of baba ghanoush...though I didn't have quite enough eggplants in the garden, so I had to supplement it with one from the grocery store. Next year, I'll try planting more of one-to-two varieties. I also have some Asian-types growing but not a good match for baba g. I also have some other ones coming up from seed that I hope to have some late summer harvests from. It's been very hot lately so all of my nightshades are happy and doing well. :)
Fennel has also been doing surprising well this year...I suspect that this is due to me watering them more deeply.
Lots of chippies in the garden, but they don't seem to be doing much harm other than digging some holes and sometimes knocking some soil out of potted plants.
Happy gardening and eating,
PD
Hi, PD ! Elderberry is very juicy, tastes very sweet, with a hint of bitterness. It ripens in late August, long after all other berries. That's why I wait for them to be ready to start making jams. It's perfect when mixed with other fruits like raspberries or blackberries. The tree is grown on lawns, in backyards or even in orchards. The flowers are quite fragrant. In many countries elderberry tea and syrup are a staple.
Pics from the net: the first is from Switzerland, the second from Québec:
(https://media.plantes.ch/14099-large_default/plantes-indigenes-sambuscus-nigra-sureau-noir.jpg)
(http://dev.xgestion.com/sites/803/imgUpload/Fleurs-de-sureau-Elderberry.jpg)
Quote from: André on July 10, 2020, 01:09:16 PM
Hi, PD ! Elderberry is very juicy, tastes very sweet, with a hint of bitterness. It ripens in late August, long after all other berries. That's why I wait for them to be ready to start making jams. It's perfect when mixed with other fruits like raspberries or blackberries. The tree is grown on lawns, in backyards or even in orchards. The flowers are quite fragrant. In many countries elderberry tea and syrup are a staple.
Pics from the net: the first is from Switzerland, the second from Québec:
(https://media.plantes.ch/14099-large_default/plantes-indigenes-sambuscus-nigra-sureau-noir.jpg)
(http://dev.xgestion.com/sites/803/imgUpload/Fleurs-de-sureau-Elderberry.jpg)
André,
Do many people have to cover the elderberries with some sort of bird netting? They do sound lovely. :) Do they grow in the wild near you as you had mentioned 'pathways' or are people there happy to share?
Any favorite recipes that you'd care to share? ;D
Best wishes,
PD
Well, it's not as bucolic as you think :P: the 'pathway' is a paved connection for pedestrians connecting two streets. Wedged between two houses, just a few feet wide. No scooters or motorbikes allowed, as they are closed with bollards at both ends. In this particular instance edelberry branches from one of the adjacent backyards overhang the passage... ;)
Recipe: take any jam recipe that uses berries and use the edelberries for half of the amount of fruits required. No other trick, addition or substitution required. I usually end up with 4 medium size jars that last me a good 6 months. It's really delicious on morning toasts !
We're eating a few wild cherries and raspberries on our walks at the moment. There aren't that many ripe ones though, I think the birds are scoffing the majority :P.
Quote from: André on July 10, 2020, 04:20:39 PM
Well, it's not as bucolic as you think :P: the 'pathway' is a paved connection for pedestrians connecting two streets. Wedged between two houses, just a few feet wide. No scooters or motorbikes allowed, as they are closed with bollards at both ends. In this particular instance edelberry branches from one of the adjacent backyards overhang the passage... ;)
Recipe: take any jam recipe that uses berries and use the edelberries for half of the amount of fruits required. No other trick, addition or substitution required. I usually end up with 4 medium size jars that last me a good 6 months. It's really delicious on morning toasts !
Ah, I see..."public domain". ;) Wonder whether or not I might be able to grow one here? Should look into it.
Quote from: steve ridgway on July 10, 2020, 08:13:34 PM
We're eating a few wild cherries and raspberries on our walks at the moment. There aren't that many ripe ones though, I think the birds are scoffing the majority :P.
Yup, those darn birds...eating all of the fruit! ;)
So, does anyone here have any good recipes to use up cucumbers that are being very bountiful? Am looking for more!
I sometimes make a Swedish-style one using white vinegar, a bit of water, a bit of sugar, a small amount of salt, dash of black pepper and dill. Slice some onion thinly (about 6 slices), thinly slice two large cukes (peeled). Mix all liquids and sugar, salt & pepper together. Pour dressing over cukes and onions, mix well and refrigerate until wilted. Garnish with fresh chopped dill. One variation on this: use rice wine vinegar to give it an Asian feel and live out dill. Wonder how a bit of fresh chopped cilantro would taste on top instead here? :-\
Note: I also made a variation on this using thinly sliced green zucchini instead.
Just finished off the remains (about 2/3) of a fairly large cucumber today with some baba ghanoush. Then, a few hours later, picked three more cucumbers! I hope that I don't have any more lurking somewhere in my fridge! ??? Did manage to pawn off two on a friend over the weekend; he seemed to enjoy them. ;)
Best,
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 13, 2020, 12:27:50 PM
So, does anyone here have any good recipes to use up cucumbers that are being very bountiful? Am looking for more!
Lime juice, cumin, chopped chiles of some sort (I use jalapenos or serranos w/o seeds) and maybe some cilantro and tomato - a basic Indian thing I picked up somewhere
Quote from: BWV 1080 on July 14, 2020, 07:38:54 PM
Lime juice, cumin, chopped chiles of some sort (I use jalapenos or serranos w/o seeds) and maybe some cilantro and tomato - a basic Indian thing I picked up somewhere
BWV,
Is this similar to what you were thinking of? https://www.saveur.com/indian-chopped-salad-recipe/
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 15, 2020, 03:23:03 AM
BWV,
Is this similar to what you were thinking of? https://www.saveur.com/indian-chopped-salad-recipe/
PD
Yes, although it works with just cucumbers, lime juice and cumin
Quote from: BWV 1080 on July 15, 2020, 04:45:29 AM
Yes, although it works with just cucumbers, lime juice and cumin
Do you use ground cumin or cumin seeds? Sometimes recipes call for toasting the whole seeds in a pan for a bit, cool, and then grind them.
PD
p.s. Seems like I finish one cuke and there are three more outside! ??? A better problem to have, certainly, then plants destroyed by bugs and/or viruses!
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 15, 2020, 06:47:18 PM
Do you use ground cumin or cumin seeds? Sometimes recipes call for toasting the whole seeds in a pan for a bit, cool, and then grind them.
PD
p.s. Seems like I finish one cuke and there are three more outside! ??? A better problem to have, certainly, then plants destroyed by bugs and/or viruses!
Ground cumin, which is I guess, less fresh version of what you describe above
This weekend I picked ripe staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) and made syrup for the next year. Been doing that for the last 35 years. This year's harvest was early by at least 2 weeks. The syrup is extremely tannic, giving it a very astringent taste. Needs lots of sugar to sweeten it. Stops dry cough in an instant.
The tree:
(https://static.aujardin.info/cache/th/img10/rhus-typhina-600x450.jpg)
The fruits:
(https://i.etsystatic.com/9817393/r/il/e4dac5/1447175068/il_1588xN.1447175068_p1rz.jpg)
Quote from: André on August 02, 2020, 01:49:23 PM
This weekend I picked ripe staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) and made syrup for the next year. Been doing that for the last 35 years. This year's harvest was early by at least 2 weeks. The syrup is extremely tannic, giving it a very astringent taste. Needs lots of sugar to sweeten it. Stops dry cough in an instant.
The tree:
(https://static.aujardin.info/cache/th/img10/rhus-typhina-600x450.jpg)
The fruits:
(https://i.etsystatic.com/9817393/r/il/e4dac5/1447175068/il_1588xN.1447175068_p1rz.jpg)
I hadn't heard of it before now...quite interesting! :)
PD
This is a lovely plant for the flowers and the autumn leaf colour though I think it can be a bit invasive and it is a can be late in leaf here. It would be "interesting" to grow something through it which is blue in summer - for example Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin' It's such a shame lilac doesn't flower at the same time as Stags Horn Sumac.
I make a sumac condiment called za'atah - a mixture of sesame seeds, sumac, salt, thyme. You can buy it ready blended but for me it's too salty. You just dip some bread and oil and into it. Muslim dish but lovely with drinks.
Quote from: Mandryka on August 03, 2020, 12:03:24 AM
This is a lovely plant for the flowers and the autumn leaf colour though I think it can be a bit invasive and it is a can be late in leaf here. It would be "interesting" to grow something through it which is blue in summer - for example Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin' It's such a shame lilac doesn't flower at the same time as Stags Horn Sumac.
I make a sumac condiment called za'atah - a mixture of sesame seeds, sumac, salt, thyme. You can buy it ready blended but for me it's too salty. You just dip some bread and oil and into it. Muslim dish but lovely with drinks.
Mandryka and André,
I was wondering whether or not it was the same sumac as is used in Middle Eastern cuisine. I do have in my kitchen a mixture which I bought somewhere a few months ago (maybe at my co-op?), but would love to make some fresh as I imagine that it would have more flavor. Do you collect the sumac berries yourself Mandryka? If so, how do you treat them to make your za'atah?
André, intrigued by your posting I found this blog in which she talks about making a cold-brewed lemonade. I see that it's also full of vitamin C too.
https://practicalselfreliance.com/staghorn-sumac/
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 03, 2020, 02:00:23 AM
Do you collect the sumac berries yourself Mandryka?
No! I'm not sure it's the same plant.
Quote from: Mandryka on August 03, 2020, 02:19:55 AM
No! I'm not sure it's the same plant.
I'm wondering that too. So, do you buy a dried ground up spice to make your own blend? Or can you buy it whole and then grind it up yourself?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 03, 2020, 02:47:04 AM
I'm wondering that too. So, do you buy a dried ground up spice to make your own blend? Or can you buy it whole and then grind it up yourself?
PD
I buy it ground and mix it with time and sesame seeds, then get a big wedge of good bread, dip it in the best and most expensive olive oil, and then dip in some of the za'atah. Accompany with a beer or a wine.
A friend of mine likes to use sumac as a seasoning for fish - grilled mackerel, for example. I prefer smoked paprika for that.
Quote from: Mandryka on August 03, 2020, 04:54:16 AM
I buy it ground and mix it with time and sesame seeds, then get a big wedge of good bread, dip it in the best and most expensive olive oil, and then dip in some of the za'atah. Accompany with a beer or a wine.
A friend of mine likes to use sumac as a seasoning for fish - grilled mackerel, for example. I prefer smoked paprika for that.
Any salt or anything else in it? And, roughly, what proportions do you use. :)
PD
Rhus typhina is indeed slightly invasive. It thrives in the same places that lilac trees do. Both love edge of woods clearings and open spaces and need lots of light. Both reproduce mainly through roots sprouting new branches outwardly. Sumac seeds can be planted. The fruits are ised to colour and flavour lemonade (pink lemonade). Check article and recipe here:
https://www.onearmedmama.com/2019/11/foraged-pink-staghorn-sumac-lemonade.html (https://www.onearmedmama.com/2019/11/foraged-pink-staghorn-sumac-lemonade.html)
And yes, their leaves in the fall season turn a beautiful bright red :)
(http://img.over-blog-kiwi.com/0/55/06/94/20141014/ob_ea9c28_img-7971.JPG)
The spice referred to is from a different species of Rhus: Rhus coriaria, which resembles typhina, but with different fruits. Typhina has typical velvety drupes, coriaria's are bright, non-hairy drupes. A small pinch of dried fruit is enough to enhance salad dressing. It is native from Mediterranean Europe and Western Asia, but I suppose it can be grown elsewhere in similar climes.
Coriaria:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Sumac_automne.JPG)(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Sumac_fruit.JPG)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Sumac.jpg)
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 03, 2020, 04:58:18 AM
Any salt or anything else in it? And, roughly, what proportions do you use. :)
PD
One and a half tablespoons of Sumac, one of dried time, good pinch of salt and good pinch of sesame. You need good dried thyme, preferably wild and from a mountain in Iran -- though maybe there are good American sources.
Quote from: Mandryka on August 03, 2020, 06:51:40 AM
One and a half tablespoons of Sumac, one of dried time, good pinch of salt and good pinch of sesame. You need good dried thyme, preferably wild and from a mountain in Iran -- though maybe there are good American sources.
[/quote]Thanks, I'll check into the thyme. I grow my own: German thyme (as French thyme is too tender fo my area...I even bring my German in to protect it); I also have golden lemon thyme too.
PD
(https://i.ibb.co/f0Y1CnG/IMG-0502.jpg)
The above herbaceous perennial in Mandryka Towers is called Datisca cannabina.
I love it, not least because nobody knows what it is, but it's ridiculously enormous and unruly. Does anyone have a good system for stopping it flopping all over the place? Hopefully one that doesn't make it look as though it's in a corset.
Quote from: Mandryka on August 16, 2020, 06:11:04 AM
(https://i.ibb.co/f0Y1CnG/IMG-0502.jpg)
The above herbaceous perennial in Mandryka Towers is called Datisca cannabina.
I love it, not least because nobody knows what it is, but it's ridiculously enormous and unruly. Does anyone have a good system for stopping it flopping all over the place? Hopefully one that doesn't make it look as though it's in a corset.
New one on me. Looked it up on RHS here https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/5352/Datisca-cannabina/Details being a perennial I would let it have it's way and prune hard at end of season. Like your rustic table. I have just finished a project using shingle in my garden which looks similar.
Indeed I've just cut it down. In the end I tied it up with some string for a while, but it looked like a big plant tied up with string.
The table was bought from amazon a few years ago, sold for indoor use but made of teak, so why not use it outside?!
Shingle looks great at first but somehow after a few years it loses its lustre, even if you're meticulous about keeping it weed free.
Quote from: Mandryka on August 16, 2020, 07:21:18 AM
Indeed I've just cut it down. In the end I tied it up with some string for a while, but it looked like a big plant tied up with string.
The table was bought from amazon a few years ago, sold for indoor use but made of teak, so why not use it outside?!
Shingle looks great at first but somehow after a few years it loses its lustre, even if you're meticulous about keeping it weed free.
That is what I would do.
Table looks nice.
I am interested in your experience with shingle. I cleared the area as best I could and then covered with membrane which allows water through but blocks out light. The area covered is roughly 6m x 4m and I am shocked how much shingle was required. I'm thinking I need to put some more down. I use a blower for fallen dead leaves.
Quote from: Irons on August 17, 2020, 07:14:35 AM
That is what I would do.
Table looks nice.
I am interested in your experience with shingle. I cleared the area as best I could and then covered with membrane which allows water through but blocks out light. The area covered is roughly 6m x 4m and I am shocked how much shingle was required. I'm thinking I need to put some more down. I use a blower for fallen dead leaves.
What is the shingle that you are referring to Irons? I think of shingles as what one puts on ones roof!
And, yes, Mandryka, I love your table and chairs! Trust that you oil them every so often to protect them from drying out/the elements?
PD
Quote from: Irons on August 17, 2020, 07:14:35 AM
I am interested in your experience with shingle. I cleared the area as best I could and then covered with membrane which allows water through but blocks out light. The area covered is roughly 6m x 4m and I am shocked how much shingle was required. I'm thinking I need to put some more down. I use a blower for fallen dead leaves.
You need to weed it. The membrane stops weeds coming up from the ground but it doesn't stop seedlings growing in the gravel itself. An annual treatment with Pathclear at the start of April is mostly all you need as it contains an anti-germination agent, but you will need to keep an eye out for airborne seedlings which manage to get away.
It is hard to remove leaves. I rake them off and pick them up, I have a special picker uppper tool, but I collect some gravel in the process, but I haven't found a better way. I have a hoover/blower (Monica Lewinsky she's known as), but frankly it is such a faff - heavy, you have to plug it in, it picks up gravel, you have to empty out the bag - I haven't used it for a couple of years
The wind will make it move, possibly exposing some of your membrane. I think you just have to learn to live with it, push it back.
This is very effective cleaning stuff on hard paving -- next spring I'll try it on the shingle and see what it does.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41h2dFx0HvL._AC_SY400_.jpg)
And this is worth its weight in gold
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61jldctgevL._AC_SS350_.jpg)
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 17, 2020, 08:10:43 AM
What is the shingle that you are referring to Irons? I think of shingles as what one puts on ones roof!
And, yes, Mandryka, I love your table and chairs! Trust that you oil them every so often to protect them from drying out/the elements?
PD
Thanks -- I'm very lax about oiling I'm afraid. If you had to sit in the chairs you maybe would love them less!
Quote from: Mandryka on August 17, 2020, 09:04:53 AM
Thanks -- I'm very lax about oiling I'm afraid. If you had to sit in the chairs you maybe would love them less!
Would cushions help?
PD
p.s. And by shingle do you gents mean small stones?
Today's omelette was cooked with mushrooms I picked yesterday:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Chanterelle_Cantharellus_cibarius.jpg)
Chanterelles
and:
(https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58e7cca8414fb5b577b55ebe/1536951210616-MWUQ6YI7D2125T862DG5/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kEP-37KnmG3OtobdW5vn0fF7gQa3H78H3Y0txjaiv_0fDoOvxcdMmMKkDsyUqMSsMWxHk725yiiHCCLfrh8O1z5QPOohDIaIeljMHgDF5CVlOqpeNLcJ80NK65_fV7S1UWykaBgWTnYA1Ow75OkeZLWWGwpd9LzmmWDshNGXBeoJm7cT0R_dexc_UL_zbpz6JQ/Turbinellus+floccosus?format=2500w)
Turbinellus floccosus, not to be confused with the common chanterelle despite their passing resemblance. Its english name is the woolly (or scaly) chanterelle.
Both mushrooms are rather similar in taste, but the chanterelle is fleshier. Some say it smells and tastes like apricot, but I think a carrot is a closer match. Slightly pungent with a hint of bitterness. The chanterelle is a choice edible, but turbinellus floccosus can cause gastro-intestinal disturbances for some people. In any case, it was a good omelette :D.
Quote from: Mandryka on August 17, 2020, 09:03:45 AM
You need to weed it. The membrane stops weeds coming up from the ground but it doesn't stop seedlings growing in the gravel itself. An annual treatment with Pathclear at the start of April is mostly all you need as it contains an anti-germination agent, but you will need to keep an eye out for airborne seedlings which manage to get away.
It is hard to remove leaves. I rake them off and pick them up, I have a special picker uppper tool, but I collect some gravel in the process, but I haven't found a better way. I have a hoover/blower (Monica Lewinsky she's known as), but frankly it is such a faff - heavy, you have to plug it in, it picks up gravel, you have to empty out the bag - I haven't used it for a couple of years
The wind will make it move, possibly exposing some of your membrane. I think you just have to learn to live with it, push it back.
This is very effective cleaning stuff on hard paving -- next spring I'll try it on the shingle and see what it does.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41h2dFx0HvL._AC_SY400_.jpg)
And this is worth its weight in gold
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61jldctgevL._AC_SS350_.jpg)
Thanks, most helpful. Bit of a worry re weeds though. My blower is not a good one which in this case is no bad thing - a rechargeable battery type. Exposed membrane is annoying but trying to not get obsessive about it.
The area I worked on we called "the jungle" for good reason, so an improvement (hopefully). Only completed about three weeks ago.
That looks good - is that bamboo? If so, you'll have to watch out for shoots from the running root. The turf will try to take over the gravel unless you build a barrier, if not, you'll just have to have a battle with nature.
Yes, Ps Daughter, we are talking about small stones. And if I got cushions I know I'd leave them out in the rain!
I shall have to get some wild mushrooms now - I see a risotto on the agenda.
André,
I'm so impressed by your foraging skills! Well done you! Would love to be able to identify and pick wild (and pricey!!) mushrooms.
And thanks Mandryka for the clarification regarding shingles. And, yes, I'm now salivating at the thought of a wild mushroom risotto! Yummmm!
Irons, what is the story behind that stone statue in your garden? At first it made me think of something from Easter Island but then I noticed that it looked like it was smiling. :)
PD
Quote from: Mandryka on August 17, 2020, 11:48:40 AM
That looks good - is that bamboo? If so, you'll have to watch out for shoots from the running root. The turf will try to take over the gravel unless you build a barrier, if not, you'll just have to have a battle with nature.
Yes, Ps Daughter, we are talking about small stones. And if I got cushions I know I'd leave them out in the rain!
I shall have to get some wild mushrooms now - I see a risotto on the agenda.
Not bamboo. A Corkscrew Willow which is actually a shrub. I attacked it with secateurs to make it resemble a tree.
Edit: On right is Mock Orange.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 17, 2020, 12:27:01 PM
André,
I'm so impressed by your foraging skills! Well done you! Would love to be able to identify and pick wild (and pricey!!) mushrooms.
And thanks Mandryka for the clarification regarding shingles. And, yes, I'm now salivating at the thought of a wild mushroom risotto! Yummmm!
Irons, what is the story behind that stone statue in your garden? At first it made me think of something from Easter Island but then I noticed that it looked like it was smiling. :)
PD
You are right, P. Easter Island man with a soppy grin. :)
Quote from: Irons on August 18, 2020, 01:23:53 AM
You are right, P. Easter Island man with a soppy grin. :)
Must be very happy to be in your garden Irons! ;)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 18, 2020, 02:54:05 AM
Must be very happy to be in your garden Irons! ;)
PD
It could be so much better, P. Spend too much time growing stuff at the allotment that we have trouble giving away.
Quote from: Irons on August 18, 2020, 07:58:47 AM
It could be so much better, P. Spend too much time growing stuff at the allotment that we have trouble giving away.
It's hard when things start coming in all at once! Is there a food bank or soup kitchen that would accept some occasional donations of fresh produce? Or possibly make some spaghetti sauce out of excess tomatoes? Or salsa? I haven't done much canning before (barely any really). Been thinking of putting up some corn recipes (I have a couple of books with pickling recipes in them). I don't grow it, but it's the time of year! I have a favorite farm stand that grows THE BEST corn (seriously!). :) Always sweet, juicy, and tasty...nice full ears too. I'm lucky!
Speaking of corn, are you still trying that soda bottle over the cob trick? I love corn chowder too and want to make some of that to freeze up...maybe freeze some fresh corn too to use later on in the fall/winter....love it!
Best wishes,
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 18, 2020, 09:10:55 AM
It's hard when things start coming in all at once! Is there a food bank or soup kitchen that would accept some occasional donations of fresh produce? Or possibly make some spaghetti sauce out of excess tomatoes? Or salsa? I haven't done much canning before (barely any really). Been thinking of putting up some corn recipes (I have a couple of books with pickling recipes in them). I don't grow it, but it's the time of year! I have a favorite farm stand that grows THE BEST corn (seriously!). :) Always sweet, juicy, and tasty...nice full ears too. I'm lucky!
Speaking of corn, are you still trying that soda bottle over the cob trick? I love corn chowder too and want to make some of that to freeze up...maybe freeze some fresh corn too to use later on in the fall/winter....love it!
Best wishes,
PD
Irons,
I just thought of an idea...with all of the increased unemployment and even more folks struggling to feed their families during Covid, I'm wondering whether or not there is a way to contact a place or two to see if 1) They would accept fresh produce; 2) If they have a way of picking it up?; 3) Or if they know someone who is going around to stores and/or allotments already to pick up food? I know that you live in a nice area and there may not be soup kitchens (Do you call them that too in the UK or by another term?) nearby, but there may be some not so far away? I suspect that you could contact whatever agency in the UK handles things like helping people with food shortages (maybe they could direct you to someone locally?)? What I'm trying to get at, is perhaps there is a way for food to be picked up from you...and maybe others at your allotment (and possibly at other ones too)..figure out a way to gather together the donations and a time when someone (you could take turns?) could pick up the food? This could turn out to be quite a lot of food...particularly if folks in other towns did this too? There might already be something like this going on? Or perhaps call a few churches to see if they can help you get food to where it will be of most good. Just some thoughts. :)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 18, 2020, 09:40:38 AM
You are a most kind and thoughtful person. ;) We have them alright, called Food banks.
Quote from: Irons on August 18, 2020, 11:52:50 PM
You are a most kind and thoughtful person. ;) We have them alright, called Food banks.
Nah, not really, but thank you! :)
What do you call soup kitchens? Places that offer free (or cheap) meals to folks? Anyway, just some thoughts. I hate to see food wasted. Trying to keep up with my own garden at this end too! ::) Easier said than done.
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 19, 2020, 02:04:22 AM
Nah, not really, but thank you! :)
What do you call soup kitchens? Places that offer free (or cheap) meals to folks? Anyway, just some thoughts. I hate to see food wasted. Trying to keep up with my own garden at this end too! ::) Easier said than done.
PD
Courgette plants keep on giving, they are a joke at the allotment. We found a recipe for courgette chutney which my wife is currently following this afternoon and bubbling away as I type.
4 lb courgettes
2 lb 8oz onions
2lb 8oz brown sugar
Large piece of fresh ginger
1/2 tspn pepper
2 pints vinager
2 heads of garlic
2 lb 8 oz tomatoes
1 tspn cayenne pepper
2 tspn salt
1/ Chop all vegetables, add vinegar, sugar and spices and bring slowly to the boil, stirring now and again. If the courgettes have tough skin, you can peel them and compost the skin (we didn't).
2/ Simmer for about two hours, don't forget to stir as it will stick, until thick.
3/ Pour into heated jars and seal.
Quote from: Irons on August 19, 2020, 07:39:18 AM
Courgette plants keep on giving, they are a joke at the allotment. We found a recipe for courgette chutney which my wife is currently following this afternoon and bubbling away as I type.
4 lb courgettes
2 lb 8oz onions
2lb 8oz brown sugar
Large piece of fresh ginger
1/2 tspn pepper
2 pints vinager
2 heads of garlic
2 lb 8 oz tomatoes
1 tspn cayenne pepper
2 tspn salt
1/ Chop all vegetables, add vinegar, sugar and spices and bring slowly to the boil, stirring now and again. If the courgettes have tough skin, you can peel them and compost the skin (we didn't).
2/ Simmer for about two hours, don't forget to stir as it will stick, until thick.
3/ Pour into heated jars and seal.
Sounds nice! Do you use smaller-sized courgettes Irons, as I know that the larger they get, that they can get rather seedy? Or do you scoop out the centers of the large ones?
PD
courgettes you need to pick in time, when they are mid-sized.
This is a nice thing to do with courgettes, an old River Cafe recipe
https://www.hokeystokey.com/spaghetti-with-courgettes-and-capers-4/
Thanks Mandryka; I'll give it a shot and soon.
PD
Yesterday's catch (not my photos, I yet have to master this trick :():
(https://i.redd.it/t18g04h98y531.jpg)
(https://i2.wp.com/ngxchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/1.20200714_153156_resized_11-scaled.jpg?w=1620)
Quite a sight in situ. The bright orange/red cap stands out from its surroundings. Amanita jacksonii grows near oak trees but only after heavy rains. It is edible and quite tasty.
Quote from: Herman on August 19, 2020, 10:43:55 PM
courgettes you need to pick in time, when they are mid-sized.
Very true.
Quote from: Irons on August 20, 2020, 07:11:15 AM
Very true.
Yes, pre-baseball bat (or cricket-bat) size. :)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 20, 2020, 07:29:53 AM
Yes, pre-baseball bat (or cricket-bat) size. :)
PD
There maybe some confusion as in the US a courgette is called a zucchini. What about marrow though? A courgette/zucchini is not an overgrown marrow but maybe in the US it is?
The pic is of a courgette - which I have allowed to get too big, ideally half that size - and a marrow.
Quote from: André on August 20, 2020, 06:12:39 AM
Yesterday's catch (not my photos, I yet have to master this trick :():
(https://i.redd.it/t18g04h98y531.jpg)
(https://i2.wp.com/ngxchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/1.20200714_153156_resized_11-scaled.jpg?w=1620)
Quite a sight in situ. The bright orange/red cap stands out from its surroundings. Amanita jacksonii grows near oak trees but only after heavy rains. It is edible and quite tasty.
Too priapic for comfort.
Nahhh. THAT is priapic:
(https://i.redd.it/hujq4eufh5g11.jpg)
Quote from: Irons on August 21, 2020, 07:41:12 AM
There maybe some confusion as in the US a courgette is called a zucchini. What about marrow though? A courgette/zucchini is not an overgrown marrow but maybe in the US it is?
The pic is of a courgette - which I have allowed to get too big, ideally half that size - and a marrow.
Is a marrow, in the United Kingdom, always a specific variety and striped like that? And are the skins a lot tougher? Here, I've used some big (overgrown) zucchini (your dark green courgette) for stuffing at times. I want to experiment more with a Middle Eastern type, called kousa, for stuffing. It's pale green and plumper at the bottom end. This article will give you an idea: https://thelemonbowl.com/lebanese-stuffed-kousa-squash/
I don't recall hearing anyone around my area refer to them as marrows before; I normally associated marrow with bone marrow and things like osso buco. :)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 21, 2020, 08:21:53 AM
Is a marrow, in the United Kingdom, always a specific variety and striped like that? And are the skins a lot tougher? Here, I've used some big (overgrown) zucchini (your dark green courgette) for stuffing at times. I want to experiment more with a Middle Eastern type, called kousa, for stuffing. It's pale green and plumper at the bottom end. This article will give you an idea: https://thelemonbowl.com/lebanese-stuffed-kousa-squash/
I don't recall hearing anyone around my area refer to them as marrows before; I normally associated marrow with bone marrow and things like osso buco. :)
PD
I am getting the feeling something is lost in translation, P. Great recipe by the way, love Middle East food. Stuffed marrows are an option but we just slice and serve with mince. Courgettes are on the menu this evening, again sliced with chorizo and pasta.
Quote from: Irons on August 22, 2020, 06:22:57 AM
I am getting the feeling something is lost in translation, P. Great recipe by the way, love Middle East food. Stuffed marrows are an option but we just slice and serve with mince. Courgettes are on the menu this evening, again sliced with chorizo and pasta.
What time shall I arrive for dinner? And can I bring anything? :)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 22, 2020, 06:28:14 AM
What time shall I arrive for dinner? And can I bring anything? :)
PD
Yourself, and a bottle of Italian plonk.
Growing large marrows for competitions is popular here in the UK. The Wallace and Gromit film The Curse of the Were-Rabbit was made by Aardman but financed from the USA. One of the US producers wanted to change 'marrow' to 'squash' (I think) as US viewers wouldn't understand 'marrow' . I am not sure what the outcome was but the film released in the UK used 'marrow'.
Here is Gromit's competition marrow.
Quote from: Biffo on August 22, 2020, 07:26:25 AM
Growing large marrows for competitions is popular here in the UK. The Wallace and Gromit film The Curse of the Were-Rabbit was made by Aardman but financed from the USA. One of the US producers wanted to change 'marrow' to 'squash' (I think) as US viewers wouldn't understand 'marrow' . I am not sure what the outcome was but the film released in the UK used 'marrow'.
Here is Gromit's competition marrow.
I wonder if Gromit put it in his barrow?
Quote from: Irons on August 23, 2020, 12:40:50 AM
I wonder if Gromit put it in his barrow?
;D
To be thorough, I'd borrow a narrow barrow of marrow in peterborough tomorrow... And return it to Barrow, in fairness :blank:
TD: i struggle keeping herb pots alive on a balcony so i am not really much use to this thread :laugh:
I remember watching that film (years ago); can't remember which term was used, but I was able to keep up with what was going on! ;D
There are also those in the US who like to enter in such competitions. Personally, I've never known anyone who has entered in them; we all do it by accident! :(
PD
Quote from: Papy Oli on August 23, 2020, 12:58:39 AM
;D
To be thorough, I'd borrow a narrow barrow of marrow in peterborough tomorrow... And return it to Barrow, in fairness :blank:
;D
TD: i struggle keeping herb pots alive on a balcony so i am not really much use to this thread :laugh:
Even though it's 9 degrees F. here at the moment and snow is covering the ground, the seed catalogs are showing up in the mail and thoughts are turning to gardening.
I was lucky to have been able to purchase a piece of land adjacent to mine which I was able to clear for my vegetable garden. I am a lover of trees and didn't have too many sunny areas prior to that, so my vegetable garden was smaller than I would have liked. I do have lots of shade-loving plants in the original yard, as well as a perennial garden in the corner.
The new land, unfortunately, was covered with Japanese Knotweed. No one can appreciate how terribly awful that plant is until you try to get rid of it. It is the coronavirus of the plant world. It seems the UK is much more aware of how bad it is because most of the research I've found on it comes from there. The picture below shows me holding some of the roots I dug up. After spending an entire summer digging and realizing I didn't make a dent in it, I decided the best thing to do was to just get along with it. So, I regularly fire up the lawnmower and weed whacker and chop it up as it emerges. Pulling it up as it pops up while picturing someone's face that I don't like on it as I do so can be cathartic. (I named a lot of them "Donald" for some reason over the last couple of years :P ).
At any rate, the second picture shows it as it now appears in the growing season. I plant all of my vegetables in large 10-gallon pots for the time being. I grow mostly tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.
(Not sure why I can't get the photos to appear rightside up)
Impressive and nice looking. I like the way you made the path non-linear. Very pleasing to the eye !
Quote from: Szykneij on January 31, 2021, 04:39:49 AM
Even though it's 9 degrees F. here at the moment and snow is covering the ground, the seed catalogs are showing up in the mail and thoughts are turning to gardening.
I was lucky to have been able to purchase a piece of land adjacent to mine which I was able to clear for my vegetable garden. I am a lover of trees and didn't have too many sunny areas prior to that, so my vegetable garden was smaller than I would have liked. I do have lots of shade-loving plants in the original yard, as well as a perennial garden in the corner.
The new land, unfortunately, was covered with Japanese Knotweed. No one can appreciate how terribly awful that plant is until you try to get rid of it. It is the coronavirus of the plant world. It seems the UK is much more aware of how bad it is because most of the research I've found on it comes from there. The picture below shows me holding some of the roots I dug up. After spending an entire summer digging and realizing I didn't make a dent in it, I decided the best thing to do was to just get along with it. So, I regularly fire up the lawnmower and weed whacker and chop it up as it emerges. Pulling it up as it pops up while picturing someone's face that I don't like on it as I do so can be cathartic. (I named a lot of them "Donald" for some reason over the last couple of years :P ).
At any rate, the second picture shows it as it now appears in the growing season. I plant all of my vegetables in large 10-gallon pots for the time being. I grow mostly tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.
(Not sure why I can't get the photos to appear rightside up)
Like you, I
hate Japanese knotweed! I have heard though that one can cook the young shoots--grilling them at least; have yet to try it.
Regarding your comments about seed catalogues arriving now, you might appreciate this. It's a print done by a friend of mine:
(https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5effb497a2146372f8e9de93/1593872506048-R2PJO7DBXARYLMBZIY1N/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kKHSkiYEXNIwwErvM88EQj57gQa3H78H3Y0txjaiv_0fDoOvxcdMmMKkDsyUqMSsMWxHk725yiiHCCLfrh8O1z5QPOohDIaIeljMHgDF5CVlOqpeNLcJ80NK65_fV7S1UQWcyf0pGsMxLC6hFzNKCVWNSxZMgLxQXFdvfpme4kZ_b4vHD5mk5cXjOUXPs31drw/Seed+Catalogues_ss.jpg?format=750w)
Her name is Ann Eldridge. I think that you might enjoy them. They are mostly having to do with nature, animals, plants, bugs, gardening....This image/print is called "Seed Catalogues Arrive In January". https://www.jaeldridge.com
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on January 31, 2021, 08:47:48 AM
Like you, I hate Japanese knotweed! I have heard though that one can cook the young shoots--grilling them at least; have yet to try it.
Her name is Ann Eldridge. I think that you might enjoy them. They are mostly having to do with nature, animals, plants, bugs, gardening....This image/print is called "Seed Catalogues Arrive In January". https://www.jaeldridge.com
PD
Very nice website. Beautiful prints!
Quote from: Szykneij on January 31, 2021, 09:57:02 AM
Very nice website. Beautiful prints!
Glad that you enjoyed looking around. I've purchased a few of them over the years. :)
PD
Quote from: Szykneij on January 31, 2021, 04:39:49 AM
Even though it's 9 degrees F. here at the moment and snow is covering the ground, the seed catalogs are showing up in the mail and thoughts are turning to gardening.
I was lucky to have been able to purchase a piece of land adjacent to mine which I was able to clear for my vegetable garden. I am a lover of trees and didn't have too many sunny areas prior to that, so my vegetable garden was smaller than I would have liked. I do have lots of shade-loving plants in the original yard, as well as a perennial garden in the corner.
The new land, unfortunately, was covered with Japanese Knotweed. No one can appreciate how terribly awful that plant is until you try to get rid of it. It is the coronavirus of the plant world. It seems the UK is much more aware of how bad it is because most of the research I've found on it comes from there. The picture below shows me holding some of the roots I dug up. After spending an entire summer digging and realizing I didn't make a dent in it, I decided the best thing to do was to just get along with it. So, I regularly fire up the lawnmower and weed whacker and chop it up as it emerges. Pulling it up as it pops up while picturing someone's face that I don't like on it as I do so can be cathartic. (I named a lot of them "Donald" for some reason over the last couple of years :P ).
At any rate, the second picture shows it as it now appears in the growing season. I plant all of my vegetables in large 10-gallon pots for the time being. I grow mostly tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.
(Not sure why I can't get the photos to appear rightside up)
Are you managing to grow any vegetables in it?
Quote from: Mandryka on January 31, 2021, 12:21:28 PM
Are you managing to grow any vegetables in it?
For the time being, I'm using large pots for my vegetables. Ultimately, I might build raised beds, but I'm hesitant to put vegetables or flowers directly in the ground before the knotweed is better under control. I have put in a number of trees, though.
Quote from: Szykneij on January 31, 2021, 12:37:28 PM
For the time being, I'm using large pots for my vegetables. Ultimately, I might build raised beds, but I'm hesitant to put vegetables or flowers directly in the ground before the knotweed is better under control. I have put in a number of trees, though.
I am pretty sure you will have to get someone to poison it. The roots go very deep. It'll be interesting to see if the trees establish.
Quote from: Mandryka on January 31, 2021, 08:09:22 PM
I am pretty sure you will have to get someone to poison it. The roots go very deep. It'll be interesting to see if the trees establish.
Herbicides are out of the question. I won't use anything that would endanger my pets, the birds, squirrels, and rabbits that roam through there, or any humans. Even to go that route, it takes heavy doses at particular growing stages over the course of years.
You're right about how deep the roots go. I discovered first hand that once a layer is removed, there always seems to be another network even deeper. The most effective control is to bring in a bulldozer, remove all the dirt 8 to 10 feet deep as if you were putting in a building foundation, and refill with new soil. That's not something I'm willing to attempt either.
For me, I'll just go with the flow and maybe try cooking some of the new shoots like PD mentioned. :)
Quote from: Szykneij on February 01, 2021, 02:02:01 AM
Herbicides are out of the question. I won't use anything that would endanger my pets, the birds, squirrels, and rabbits that roam through there, or any humans. Even to go that route, it takes heavy doses at particular growing stages over the course of years.
You're right about how deep the roots go. I discovered first hand that once a layer is removed, there always seems to be another network even deeper. The most effective control is to bring in a bulldozer, remove all the dirt 8 to 10 feet deep as if you were putting in a building foundation, and refill with new soil. That's not something I'm willing to attempt either.
For me, I'll just go with the flow and maybe try cooking some of the new shoots like PD mentioned. :)
Wow, I hadn't realized that they went so deep! I had thought that they were more on the shallow side? :(
What varieties of tomatoes, etc. do you grow in your containers? I've been doing a combo of growing some veggies in pots and others in the ground. From what I've seen and heard over the years, container growing of veggies (or using bags) is much more popular in the UK vs. the US. Would love to hear of favorites from you and others here.
I did bring in some of my herbs to overwinter them here: my (too big) lemon verbena plant sits in front of a window; I have a two-tier plant growing stand which has a oregano plant, a golden lemon thyme plant, some flat-leafed parsley and some chives. Upstairs in an attic room (with low windows and facing south), are a sage plant, some German thyme and a marjoram plant. The trick is remembering to water the plants up in the attic and regularly! ::)
PD
p.s. What about cutting down all of the knotweed and then covering over the area with black tarps for awhile? Do you think that that would help much?
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on February 01, 2021, 04:15:59 AM
Wow, I hadn't realized that they went so deep! I had thought that they were more on the shallow side? :(
What varieties of tomatoes, etc. do you grow in your containers? I've been doing a combo of growing some veggies in pots and others in the ground. From what I've seen and heard over the years, container growing of veggies (or using bags) is much more popular in the UK vs. the US. Would love to hear of favorites from you and others here.
I did bring in some of my herbs to overwinter them here: my (too big) lemon verbena plant sits in front of a window; I have a two-tier plant growing stand which has a oregano plant, a golden lemon thyme plant, some flat-leafed parsley and some chives. Upstairs in an attic room (with low windows and facing south), are a sage plant, some German thyme and a marjoram plant. The trick is remembering to water the plants up in the attic and regularly! ::)
PD
p.s. What about cutting down all of the knotweed and then covering over the area with black tarps for awhile? Do you think that that would help much?
I start tomato seedlings in my cellar (where I take my plants in as you do to your attic) under lights early. My favorite variety to grow is Sungold, and I save seeds from year to year for those plants. This year I have Old German, Oxheart, Tiny Tim, Black Krim, Abe Lincoln, Giant Belgium, Polish Paste, Cherokee Purple, Costoluto Genovese, Paul Robeson, Manitoba, Pruden's Purple, and others on tap. In the past, I've started 200+ seedlings, bringing a tray of plants into work each day for people to take home. I have to force myself to cut back this year since I'm now retired (although I could still bring plants in on visits.)
When we had a bathroom put in a few years ago, the plumbers put a faucet in near where I keep my plants, so watering inside is much easier than it was.
I did cover the area where I grow the veggies with black tarp, which has been helpful.
Quote from: Szykneij on February 01, 2021, 02:02:01 AM
Herbicides are out of the question. I won't use anything that would endanger my pets, the birds, squirrels, and rabbits that roam through there, or any humans. Even to go that route, it takes heavy doses at particular growing stages over the course of years.
You're right about how deep the roots go. I discovered first hand that once a layer is removed, there always seems to be another network even deeper. The most effective control is to bring in a bulldozer, remove all the dirt 8 to 10 feet deep as if you were putting in a building foundation, and refill with new soil. That's not something I'm willing to attempt either.
For me, I'll just go with the flow and maybe try cooking some of the new shoots like PD mentioned. :)
This plant was introduced into the UK in Victorian times and was much prized as an ornamental. Somehow they managed to control it, live with it, in the 19th century. It may well be worth investigating old techniques - in London there's a museum of Garden History which should be able to help - closed now of course.
Quote from: Mandryka on February 01, 2021, 04:39:09 AM
This plant was introduced into the UK in Victorian times and was much prized as an ornamental. Somehow they managed to control it, live with it, in the 19th century. It may well be worth investigating old techniques - in London there's a museum of Garden History which should be able to help - closed now of course.
Same here, in the U.S.
It is a very attractive plant when in bloom in the late summer, so it's understandable why it was originally planted on purpose. I believe where it was native in Japan, on the sides of mountains with hard, rocky soil and natural insect predators, its potential invasiveness wasn't evident.
Set my curry tree outside to get some sun
Quote from: BWV 1080 on February 02, 2021, 11:11:43 AM
Set my curry tree outside to get some sun
It looks happy! I'm planning to order a curry dish at a nearby Asian restaurant tonight. How old is your tree, and did you grow it from seed?
Quote from: Szykneij on February 02, 2021, 11:58:12 AM
It looks happy! I'm planning to order a curry dish at a nearby Asian restaurant tonight. How old is your tree, and did you grow it from seed?
It was a cutting sold by a local Indian market, got it late last summer. I think they take a long time from seed
As in the past I have gone too early - lesson not learned! One change, I have invested in a heating tube for the greenhouse. It should be pointed out that I inherited the greenhouse over forty years ago when we moved in. Well past it's sell-by and using much bubble-rap to fill in gaps and holes as previously it leaked like a sieve. Planted seeds of the onion family - spring onion White Lisbon, leeks Lyon, red onion, Red Barron and white onion, the name escapes me. Also a tray of lettuce and sweet peas planted in the cardboard innards of toilet rolls. Leeks, white onion and lettuce (Artic King) planted first and already germinated. I am slightly concerned as temperatures are predicted to fall like a stone this weekend. Lovely and sunny today.
Quote from: Irons on February 05, 2021, 08:00:55 AM
As in the past I have gone too early - lesson not learned! One change, I have invested in a heating tube for the greenhouse. It should be pointed out that I inherited the greenhouse over forty years ago when we moved in. Well past it's sell-by and using much bubble-rap to fill in gaps and holes as previously it leaked like a sieve. Planted seeds of the onion family - spring onion White Lisbon, leeks Lyon, red onion, Red Barron and white onion, the name escapes me. Also a tray of lettuce and sweet peas planted in the cardboard innards of toilet rolls. Leeks, white onion and lettuce (Artic King) planted first and already germinated. I am slightly concerned as temperatures are predicted to fall like a stone this weekend. Lovely and sunny today.
That was a clever idea to use bubblewrap Irons!
Did you do something like this: (https://i.pinimg.com/originals/10/71/82/10718232063598663735a3477695a309.png)
Hadn't heard of a heating tube before, but then again, I don't have a greenhouse. Is yours something like this? https://www.cropking.com/catalog/convection-tube
PD
I don't do seeds any more, but when I did I tried things like toilet roll containers because they are biodegradable, so you can plant out the whole container without disturbing the roots of the seedling. The big problem is that they were prone to dry out.
For a long time I prided myself on my sweet peas! I used to grow them to quite a good standard, starting them off in a cold frame and then planting out. They look great in early summer and late spring, a dog's dinner after that.
Quote from: Mandryka on February 05, 2021, 08:41:20 AM
I don't do seeds any more, but when I did I tried things like toilet roll containers because they are biodegradable, so you can plant out the whole container without disturbing the roots of the seedling. The big problem is that they were prone to dry out.
For a long time I prided myself on my sweet peas! I used to grow them to quite a good standard, starting them off in a cold frame and then planting out. They look great in early summer and late spring, a dog's dinner after that.
I'll bet that your sweet peas were lovely! Did you plant a tall variety or one of the shorter ones?
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on February 05, 2021, 09:46:16 AM
I'll bet that your sweet peas were lovely! Did you plant a tall variety or one of the shorter ones?
Tall. Always tall. You have to keep cutting them to get them to flower a second or even a third time, but the stems get shorter and shorter. By mid summer the foliage looks terrible. It's the sort of thing which is great in a bit of the garden you don't actually have to look at - like vegetables.
Any chillli growers? I always like to grow a selection of weird and wonderful chillies and mix it up each year to try new - some for taste, some because they are stunningly beautiful.
For example last year I grew a variety called Zimbabwe Black which had purple chillies and stems but with stunning dark green leaves variegated with flecks of cream and purple, and purple flowers. It was spectacular.
This year I have ordered a variety of plugs...
Pimenta Puma (gorgeous purple fruits that ripen to a bronze yellow)
Pink Tiger (this one is still quite rare and the fruits appear to be weirdly shrivelled and pink-purple)
The Kraken (cross between Bhut Jolokia Assam and Trinidad Chocolate Scorpion... What was I thinking!)
Wraith (hot and sour, good for pickling)
Those are the oddballs for 2021, these are the functional ones...
Piri Piri - for marinades
Habanero, Chocolate - superior hab taste for cooking and hot sauce
Chang Rai - for any kind of Asian cuisine
Biqhuinho - my fave chilli, very unique sweet taste and addictive pinch of heat
As last year's summer in the UK was a washout and I had poor crops, I plan to experiment by treating them akin to my sun loving houseplants. By that I mean I will give them the sunny windowsill and ferry them outside on the warmer drier days, inside for the miserable days. Maybe an LED grow strip - they seem to be very cheap now.
Quote from: Benji on February 05, 2021, 11:51:34 AM
Any chillli growers? I always like to grow a selection of weird and wonderful chillies and mix it up each year to try new - some for taste, some because they are stunningly beautiful.
For example last year I grew a variety called Zimbabwe Black which had purple chillies and stems but with stunning dark green leaves variegated with flecks of cream and purple, and purple flowers. It was spectacular.
This year I have ordered a variety of plugs...
Pimenta Puma (gorgeous purple fruits that ripen to a bronze yellow)
Pink Tiger (this one is still quite rare and the fruits appear to be weirdly shrivelled and pink-purple)
The Kraken (cross between Bhut Jolokia Assam and Trinidad Chocolate Scorpion... What was I thinking!)
Wraith (hot and sour, good for pickling)
Those are the oddballs for 2021, these are the functional ones...
Piri Piri - for marinades
Habanero, Chocolate - superior hab taste for cooking and hot sauce
Chang Rai - for any kind of Asian cuisine
Biqhuinho - my fave chilli, very unique sweet taste and addictive pinch of heat
As last year's summer in the UK was a washout and I had poor crops, I plan to experiment by treating them akin to my sun loving houseplants. By that I mean I will give them the sunny windowsill and ferry them outside on the warmer drier days, inside for the miserable days. Maybe an LED grow strip - they seem to be very cheap now.
Yes, chilli plants are slow to germinate and need an early start when in the UK the light levels are low. They require both heat and light.
I was forced to stop growing chilli a couple of years ago due to over-production. We like hot curries so I always grew the hot varieties. Tried without great success drying the fruits, chilli freeze brilliantly and most importantly they retain their heat. We are using chilli grown up to four years ago and have to be careful on usage as Vindaloo is our level and many times exceeded that, one is enough. Below is a snap of the bottom draw of our freezer.
Quote from: Benji on February 05, 2021, 11:51:34 AM
Any chillli growers? I always like to grow a selection of weird and wonderful chillies and mix it up each year to try new - some for taste, some because they are stunningly beautiful.
For example last year I grew a variety called Zimbabwe Black which had purple chillies and stems but with stunning dark green leaves variegated with flecks of cream and purple, and purple flowers. It was spectacular.
This year I have ordered a variety of plugs...
Pimenta Puma (gorgeous purple fruits that ripen to a bronze yellow)
Pink Tiger (this one is still quite rare and the fruits appear to be weirdly shrivelled and pink-purple)
The Kraken (cross between Bhut Jolokia Assam and Trinidad Chocolate Scorpion... What was I thinking!)
Wraith (hot and sour, good for pickling)
Those are the oddballs for 2021, these are the functional ones...
Piri Piri - for marinades
Habanero, Chocolate - superior hab taste for cooking and hot sauce
Chang Rai - for any kind of Asian cuisine
Biqhuinho - my fave chilli, very unique sweet taste and addictive pinch of heat
As last year's summer in the UK was a washout and I had poor crops, I plan to experiment by treating them akin to my sun loving houseplants. By that I mean I will give them the sunny windowsill and ferry them outside on the warmer drier days, inside for the miserable days. Maybe an LED grow strip - they seem to be very cheap now.
In 2019 I bought a single plant and it produced a bumper crop of chillies all the way through to November. Last year was a washout for me also but someone I gave a couple of plants to is still harvesting them but she grew them indoors on a window sill.
I have a pack to start planting soon. It has Jalapeno, Cayenne and Habanero chillies.
Last year was also a bit of a disaster for herbs with only basil putting in a moderate showing.
Quote from: Irons on February 06, 2021, 02:28:50 AM
Yes, chilli plants are slow to germinate and need an early start when in the UK the light levels are low. They require both heat and light.
I was forced to stop growing chilli a couple of years ago due to over-production. We like hot curries so I always grew the hot varieties. Tried without great success drying the fruits, chilli freeze brilliantly and most importantly they retain their heat. We are using chilli grown up to four years ago and have to be careful on usage as Vindaloo is our level and many times exceeded that, one is enough. Below is a snap of the bottom draw of our freezer.
That's brilliant and very relatable - I have half a freezer drawer full of chillies too! Some are from 2 years past. My plan is to make a huge batch of hot sauce, it keeps well and you I can gift it to my chilli head family. I'll probably do two varieties - a Tabasco style ferment and a cooked vinegar-base sauce. I also have a dehydrator so I might attempt a powder.
Quote from: Biffo on February 06, 2021, 02:44:19 AM
In 2019 I bought a single plant and it produced a bumper crop of chillies all the way through to November. Last year was a washout for me also but someone I gave a couple of plants to is still harvesting them but she grew them indoors on a window sill.
I have a pack to start planting soon. It has Jalapeno, Cayenne and Habanero chillies.
Last year was also a bit of a disaster for herbs with only basil putting in a moderate showing.
Funny that, or scary. Many people I've spoken to about growing last year have described how they got pitiful crops. My tomatoes usually do well but out of three large vines I got next to nothing and the fruits that got to a decent size got nibbled on by squirrels whilst I took a weeks' roadtrip to Skye. #thats2020 😖
But one chilli plant, sensible but I can't limit myself. I just find them fascinating, it's not even so much about eating them. I will grow the ultra hot ones for fun even though habanero is about as hot as I can handle. If I had to limit myself to one plant it would be the chocolate habanero - it has a smoky, fruity, very perfumed aroma and taste - half of one in a soup or chillli really makes it pop.
You're not alone with having an over abundance of chilis: dried and frozen here! lol
One variety which I'm having fun exploring the usage of lately is the (now popular) shishito pepper. Here's a bit about them: https://www.paleoscaleo.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-shishito-peppers/
They started showing up at my local farmers' market several years ago.
That chocolate habanero one sounds intriguing!
I also love growing bell peppers, jalapeños, and serranos. Don't seem to have the greatest of luck growing anchos. :(
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on February 06, 2021, 04:06:37 AM
You're not alone with having an over abundance of chilis: dried and frozen here! lol
One variety which I'm having fun exploring the usage of lately is the (now popular) shishito pepper. Here's a bit about them: https://www.paleoscaleo.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-shishito-peppers/
They started showing up at my local farmers' market several years ago.
That chocolate habanero one sounds intriguing!
I also love growing bell peppers, jalapeños, and serranos. Don't seem to have the greatest of luck growing anchos. :(
PD
Oh yeah the shishito is known as padron here - they are very common in Spanish tapas grilled until a bit charred and with a sprinkle of salt. Great stuff! They're increasingly common in UK supermarkets too. I grew them last year but they didn't do well.
Quote from: Irons on February 06, 2021, 02:28:50 AM
Yes, chilli plants are slow to germinate and need an early start when in the UK the light levels are low. They require both heat and light.
Same here in New England. I grow most of my vegetables from seed, but I buy my pepper plants for the garden.
One of the biggest mistakes I've ever made was rubbing my eyes after picking Jalapenos. I can understand why pepper spray works so well.
Quote from: Benji on February 06, 2021, 05:07:44 AM
Oh yeah the shishito is known as padron here - they are very common in Spanish tapas grilled until a bit charred and with a sprinkle of salt. Great stuff! They're increasingly common in UK supermarkets too. I grew them last year but they didn't do well.
Nice to know--thanks!
Quote from: Szykneij on February 06, 2021, 06:07:56 AM
Same here in New England. I grow most of my vegetables from seed, but I buy my pepper plants for the garden.
One of the biggest mistakes I've ever made was rubbing my eyes after picking Jalapenos. I can understand why pepper spray works so well.
oooh! I recall from college days, I was at a friend's home and he put some tabasco sauce on a sweet onion--then touched one of his eyes.... ???
I keep some rubber medical-type gloves in my house; good to wear when dealing with hot peppers.
PD
So just before the beast from the east snowstorm descended over London this morning I surveyed the remains of last year's chillies - I really only meant to find some old pods to harvest seeds however six of the plants still seemed to be hanging on for dear life. I took a selection of cuttings and then some drastic steps... I took the plants from their pots and removed all the soil, have them a good wash in warmish water and cut the plants right back to a few inches of stem. Then I've re-potted them in smallish terracotta pots with some nice fresh houseplant mix.
Im not expecting much but if one or two pull through the next few months indoors they'll have a massive headstart over this year's seed grown bunch. If anyone is remotely interested I'll post updates on my little Lazarus project. 😎
Quote from: Benji on February 07, 2021, 10:34:41 AM
So just before the beast from the east snowstorm descended over London this morning I surveyed the remains of last year's chillies - I really only meant to find some old pods to harvest seeds however six of the plants still seemed to be hanging on for dear life. I took a selection of cuttings and then some drastic steps... I took the plants from their pots and removed all the soil, have them a good wash in warmish water and cut the plants right back to a few inches of stem. Then I've re-potted them in smallish terracotta pots with some nice fresh houseplant mix.
Im not expecting much but if one or two pull through the next few months indoors they'll have a massive headstart over this year's seed grown bunch. If anyone is remotely interested I'll post updates on my little Lazarus project. 😎
I'd love to hear your updates!
My Lazarus project: I kept my lemon verbena plant on the front porch (nice and sunny there)....until we had a few inches of snow! I should have brought it in earlier, but it was quite heavy. Looked cute covered with snow, but boy did it later show its displeasure with me losing most of its leaves. I nursed it along as best as I could inside and it's looking much better, but not quite like in its glory days. I'm hoping that once it starts getting warm again outside that it will finish 'recovering'. :-[
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on February 07, 2021, 10:43:19 AM
I'd love to hear your updates!
My Lazarus project: I kept my lemon verbena plant on the front porch (nice and sunny there)....until we had a few inches of snow! I should have brought it in earlier, but it was quite heavy. Looked cute covered with snow, but boy did it later show its displeasure with me losing most of its leaves. I nursed it along as best as I could inside and it's looking much better, but not quite like in its glory days. I'm hoping that once it starts getting warm again outside that it will finish 'recovering'. :-[
Oh yeah, I love that plant but normally get a small new one in the spring. Perhaps you could take a cutting in case the parent takes a turn. It's such a shame when an overwintered plant kicks the bucket a week before the last frost ... 😑
Quote from: Benji on February 07, 2021, 10:52:13 AM
Oh yeah, I love that plant but normally get a small new one in the spring. Perhaps you could take a cutting in case the parent takes a turn. It's such a shame when an overwintered plant kicks the bucket a week before the last frost ... 😑
Oh, I hate when the happens!!
Measuring from the base of the plant up and also widthwise, it's roughly 2' by 2'. Probably a good idea though to take a cutting. My German sage plants are also a decent size (am trying to be careful re watering) and a nice-sized sage plant too (though much smaller than the l.v.).
How do you like to use yours (the lemon verbena) one?
PD
EDIT: I had meant my German thyme plants--not my sage one.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on February 07, 2021, 12:19:51 PM
Oh, I hate when the happens!!
Measuring from the base of the plant up and also widthwise, it's roughly 2' by 2'. Probably a good idea though to take a cutting. My German sage plants are also a decent size (am trying to be careful re watering) and a nice-sized sage plant too (though much smaller than the l.v.).
How do you like to use yours (the lemon verbena) one?
PD
I like it mixed in with some peppermint in an iced infusion.
Quote from: Benji on February 07, 2021, 10:34:41 AM
So just before the beast from the east snowstorm descended over London this morning I surveyed the remains of last year's chillies - I really only meant to find some old pods to harvest seeds however six of the plants still seemed to be hanging on for dear life. I took a selection of cuttings and then some drastic steps... I took the plants from their pots and removed all the soil, have them a good wash in warmish water and cut the plants right back to a few inches of stem. Then I've re-potted them in smallish terracotta pots with some nice fresh houseplant mix.
Im not expecting much but if one or two pull through the next few months indoors they'll have a massive headstart over this year's seed grown bunch. If anyone is remotely interested I'll post updates on my little Lazarus project. 😎
Good luck! I see no reason it will not work.
Quote from: Benji on February 07, 2021, 01:02:17 PM
I like it mixed in with some peppermint in an iced infusion.
That sounds nice! I've used mine making various types of herbal teas in the summertime. Haven't tried baking with it though I have run across some recipes using it. Do you ever use lemon balm? I have a *goodly-sized patch of that. It's supposed to be a calming herb.
*Warning, it's
really good at spreading!
PD
Quote from: Benji on February 07, 2021, 10:34:41 AM
Im not expecting much but if one or two pull through the next few months indoors they'll have a massive headstart over this year's seed grown bunch. If anyone is remotely interested I'll post updates on my little Lazarus project. 😎
Yes, please update. I've had some success overwintering smaller pepper plants indoors, but taking cuttings would save space and allow for perpetuating some of the more successful and favored varieties.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on February 08, 2021, 01:17:54 AM
That sounds nice! I've used mine making various types of herbal teas in the summertime. Haven't tried baking with it though I have run across some recipes using it. Do you ever use lemon balm? I have a *goodly-sized patch of that. It's supposed to be a calming herb.
*Warning, it's really good at spreading!
PD
Oh yeah I have lemon balm essentially wild in my garden now along with other types of mint - I know they're very vigorous but don't mind these being a bit feral as it's good ground cover and nice for the bees. I used to drink an infusion of it but I found I got headaches.
I am considering letting some perilla/shiso loose - that's a herb I never have enough of in pots - the leaves stay so small but I expect it'll be a different story if i plant them in the ground. I know they're a mint family plant but I think they're more along the lines of basil, ie no spreading rhizome roots. 🤞
Quote from: Szykneij on February 08, 2021, 03:57:49 AM
Yes, please update. I've had some success overwintering smaller pepper plants indoors, but taking cuttings would save space and allow for perpetuating some of the more successful and favored varieties.
One cutting I took two weeks ago is sprouting new leaves but hasn't rooted so fingers crossed that is coming.
Quote from: Benji on February 08, 2021, 04:55:30 AM
Oh yeah I have lemon balm essentially wild in my garden now along with other types of mint - I know they're very vigorous but don't mind these being a bit feral as it's good ground cover and nice for the bees. I used to drink an infusion of it but I found I got headaches.
I am considering letting some perilla/shiso loose - that's a herb I never have enough of in pots - the leaves stay so small but I expect it'll be a different story if i plant them in the ground. I know they're a mint family plant but I think they're more along the lines of basil, ie no spreading rhizome roots. 🤞
I haven't tried using shiso before...will have to experiment with it some time!
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on February 08, 2021, 06:33:55 AM
I haven't tried using shiso before...will have to experiment with it some time!
I have found shiso to be super invasive. I planted some in a pot several years ago and I still get new plants showing up in various other places every summer. (The lemon balm, too.)
Quote from: Benji on February 08, 2021, 04:55:30 AM
Oh yeah I have lemon balm essentially wild in my garden now along with other types of mint - I know they're very vigorous but don't mind these being a bit feral as it's good ground cover and nice for the bees. I used to drink an infusion of it but I found I got headaches.
I am considering letting some perilla/shiso loose - that's a herb I never have enough of in pots - the leaves stay so small but I expect it'll be a different story if i plant them in the ground. I know they're a mint family plant but I think they're more along the lines of basil, ie no spreading rhizome roots. 🤞
The shiso I planted was a heavy seed producer, but yes, thankfully not by rhisomes.
Great to plant for the bees! I add a lot of annuals to my garden specifically for that purpose. I found our native bumblebees were really enjoying the begonias I planted a few years back, so I grow more every summer.
I did have a honeybee hive a couple of years ago which I really enjoyed, but a lot of work involved and the colony swarmed on me one day. On top of it, they chose to go when I wasn't around, so I didn't even get to appreciate the sight. I have ordered a few replacement parts that were needed, so I might try again this summer. Last time I had a friend help me get started, but I'm not sure I'm confident enough to populate the hive on my own. I'd like to get on a list to get a relocated colony.
Quote from: Szykneij on February 08, 2021, 06:54:58 AM
I have found shiso to be super invasive. I planted some in a pot several years ago and I still get new plants showing up in various other places every summer. (The lemon balm, too.)
The shiso I planted was a heavy seed producer, but yes, thankfully not by rhisomes.
Great to plant for the bees! I add a lot of annuals to my garden specifically for that purpose. I found our native bumblebees were really enjoying the begonias I planted a few years back, so I grow more every summer.
I did have a honeybee hive a couple of years ago which I really enjoyed, but a lot of work involved and the colony swarmed on me one day. On top of it, they chose to go when I wasn't around, so I didn't even get to appreciate the sight. I have ordered a few replacement parts that were needed, so I might try again this summer. Last time I had a friend help me get started, but I'm not sure I'm confident enough to populate the hive on my own. I'd like to get on a list to get a relocated colony.
I haven't even tried cooking with shiso, so I would start there first. ;)
Honeybees! Cool! So sorry that it didn't work out. I wonder why they left? That must have been scary to have them swarm on you! I trust that you had all of the appropriate gear on to protect you? :(
I have lots of flowering perennials around here which insects seem to like pollinate--including butterflies. ;D
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on February 08, 2021, 06:33:55 AM
I haven't tried using shiso before...will have to experiment with it some time!
It's great for Asian cooking - it has a taste that is unique but somewhere along the basil/mint lines. I stir fry it with Korean ingredients or add it to kimchi. It's also used to colour ume plum pickles in Japan.
Even if you don't like the taste it is a beautiful plant. The leaves look like a fancy nettle - they can be all purple, all green or green on top and purple underneath! And they have gorgeous flowers very much like basil.
Quote from: Szykneij on February 08, 2021, 06:54:58 AM
I have found shiso to be super invasive. I planted some in a pot several years ago and I still get new plants showing up in various other places every summer. (The lemon balm, too.)
The shiso I planted was a heavy seed producer, but yes, thankfully not by rhisomes.
Great to plant for the bees! I add a lot of annuals to my garden specifically for that purpose. I found our native bumblebees were really enjoying the begonias I planted a few years back, so I grow more every summer.
I did have a honeybee hive a couple of years ago which I really enjoyed, but a lot of work involved and the colony swarmed on me one day. On top of it, they chose to go when I wasn't around, so I didn't even get to appreciate the sight. I have ordered a few replacement parts that were needed, so I might try again this summer. Last time I had a friend help me get started, but I'm not sure I'm confident enough to populate the hive on my own. I'd like to get on a list to get a relocated colony.
Ok good - I like the idea of a self seeding patch! Thankfully my soil is heavy clay so they hopefully won't spread much further than the raised areas I keep mulched.
I'd love to have some bees - I think it's wonderful that people keep hives - anything we can do to give back to nature rather than take take take. All I have time for is the bug hotels though - I've set up a couple. Not sure of the occupancy rate, I am not a good hotelier. Forget about room service. 😄
Quote from: Benji on February 08, 2021, 09:25:26 AM
It's great for Asian cooking - it has a taste that is unique but somewhere along the basil/mint lines. I stir fry it with Korean ingredients or add it to kimchi. It's also used to colour ume plum pickles in Japan.
Even if you don't like the taste it is a beautiful plant. The leaves look like a fancy nettle - they can be all purple, all green or green on top and purple underneath! And they have gorgeous flowers very much like basil.
Thanks. I'll look around for recipes once it gets closer to farmers' market season. :)
Quote from: Benji on February 08, 2021, 09:30:58 AM
Ok good - I like the idea of a self seeding patch! Thankfully my soil is heavy clay so they hopefully won't spread much further than the raised areas I keep mulched.
I'd love to have some bees - I think it's wonderful that people keep hives - anything we can do to give back to nature rather than take take take. All I have time for is the bug hotels though - I've set up a couple. Not sure of the occupancy rate, I am not a good hotelier. Forget about room service. 😄
I hadn't heard of a bug hotel before now! Interesting!
PD
So did anyone else go a bit crazy buying houseplants over lockdowns, or just me? 😕
I had maybe 5 this time last year. Now I'm afraid to admit how many I have total but the growth has been exponential. All I'll say is that it's healthily into the triple digits. 😳
Quote from: Benji on February 08, 2021, 10:13:34 AM
So did anyone else go a bit crazy buying houseplants over lockdowns, or just me? 😕
I had maybe 5 this time last year. Now I'm afraid to admit how many I have total but the growth has been exponential. All I'll say is that it's healthily into the triple digits. 😳
You sound like James Wong on BBC 4 Gardeners Question Time. He sits on a panel of experts offering advice on house plants and freely admits not owning a garden. Entering his flat is reported to be like stepping into a tropical forest.
The warm weather yesterday motivated me to start some vegetable seeds indoors. Probably way too early for this part of the country, but we'll see how things go. The trick is to faithfully bring them outside for increasing periods of time to get them hardened off. Otherwise, they grow too weak and stringy to survive until planting time.
Quote from: Szykneij on March 12, 2021, 03:15:35 AM
The warm weather yesterday motivated me to start some vegetable seeds indoors. Probably way too early for this part of the country, but we'll see how things go. The trick is to faithfully bring them outside for increasing periods of time to get them hardened off. Otherwise, they grow too weak and stringy to survive until planting time.
Good advice. A lesson I have learnt to my cost. I have two module trays of beetroot, one multi-sown the other a single seed per module. I have noticed in past years that when transplanting seedlings to raised beds they are checked. They do recover but the shock of moving from greenhouse to open ground stunts growth and two or three weeks of growing are lost. All advantage of sowing early in ideal conditions is wasted. This year I will pay particular attention to hardening off.
Quote from: Irons on March 12, 2021, 07:41:25 AM
Good advice. A lesson I have learnt to my cost. I have two module trays of beetroot, one multi-sown the other a single seed per module. I have noticed in past years that when transplanting seedlings to raised beds they are checked. They do recover but the shock of moving from greenhouse to open ground stunts growth and two or three weeks of growing are lost. All advantage of sowing early in ideal conditions is wasted. This year I will pay particular attention to hardening off.
Then there is the added 'trick' of not letting them get dried out so that they then wilt on a sunny day when you've set them outside on your porch! ??? ::)
Another thing that's helpful, I found, is to have a fan blowing on the seedlings when they're inside. It helps avoid fungus and strengthens the stems.
Quote from: Szykneij on March 12, 2021, 11:26:02 AM
Another thing that's helpful, I found, is to have a fan blowing on the seedlings when they're inside. It helps avoid fungus and strengthens the stems.
Yep! Good point! :)
Besides snow drops now being open, I went outside today to see my small (botanical) crocuses up and in bloom...yeah! Need to start raking soon!
PD
Watching too many YT allotment channels but they are most informative and you can pick up some good ideas. The latest is line the inside of a cold frame with silver foil with the aim of making the maximum use of available light. Simple, costs next to nothing and works.
Quote from: Irons on March 13, 2021, 07:04:15 AM
Watching too many YT allotment channels but they are most informative and you can pick up some good ideas. The latest is line the inside of a cold frame with silver foil with the aim of making the maximum use of available light. Simple, costs next to nothing and works.
Interesting. Would you mind posting a link to one of those? Curious as to what they are doing.
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on March 13, 2021, 01:54:52 PM
Interesting. Would you mind posting a link to one of those? Curious as to what they are doing.
PD
I think you will find this of interest, PD.
https://youtu.be/m_Sf1c3wg7o
I am currently impatiently waiting for a rose bush to show signs of life.
My girlfriend saved this white rose from perdition, when her ex (divorced nine years ago) restructured his back yard last month. It was her favorite. So I offered to give it another lease on life and put it in a nice big terracotta container hoping it will be happy at my place.
Quote from: Herman on March 14, 2021, 09:04:43 AM
I am currently impatiently waiting for a rose bush to show signs of life.
My girlfriend saved this white rose from perdition, when her ex (divorced nine years ago) restructured his back yard last month. It was her favorite. So I offered to give it another lease on life and put it in a nice big terracotta container hoping it will be happy at my place.
London must be warmer than Amsterdam, mine are full of shoots ready to burst forth. You know this poem, obvs. That force that Dylan Thomas talks about is exactly what you perceive, sense, when you see the shoots.
QuoteThe force that through the green fuse drives the flower
Drives my green age; that blasts the roots of trees
Is my destroyer.
And I am dumb to tell the crooked rose
My youth is bent by the same wintry fever.
The jobs are mostly cutting. I cut some Cotinus down to the ground today because it makes them produce giant foliage, and it left a sticky sap on my hands which smelt nice, but the smell was unwanted, and was hard to wash off. I knew it would do this but was too lazy to find gloves.
A cold snap, down to -3 or less, a few weeks ago ravaged some Teucrium and some Rosemary. Some leaves look alive and as they say, where there's green there's hope.
Thanks to a conversation here last year I'm going to try some bronze fennel in a huge container. I have the plants and they are happy.
Quote from: Mandryka on March 14, 2021, 11:12:43 AM
London must be warmer than Amsterdam, mine are full of shoots ready to burst forth. You know this poem, obvs. That force that Dylan Thomas talks about is exactly what you perceive, sense, when you see the shoots.
The temperatures between London and The Hague are not that different. I see red shoots in lucky rose bushes, too. I think it's just that this rose bush we saved needs to pretty much to start from scratch, under and above ground.
If my girlfriend's white rose is dead, demised and has ceased to be, I'll get her another one.
Quote from: Herman on March 15, 2021, 02:31:32 AM
If my girlfriend's white rose is dead, demised and has ceased to be, I'll get her another one.
Not Madame Hardy -- in case she knows this
QuoteO, beware, my lord, of jealousy;
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on; that cuckold lives in bliss
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger;
But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er
Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves!
(https://img.crocdn.co.uk/images/products2/pl/00/00/00/11/pl0000001116.jpg?width=940&height=940)
The weather was terrific today, so I took the opportunity to spread some topsoil and assess the rabbit damage that occurred over the winter. I never had a problem with rabbits before, so I didn't prepare properly and several small trees were completely girdled and will be lost. The creatures also did some interesting topiary work on a few of my evergreens by eating off all of the lower branches. This Norway Spruce should survive, but I'm not sure of what its eventual shape will be.
Quote from: Szykneij on March 22, 2021, 11:09:45 AM
The weather was terrific today, so I took the opportunity to spread some topsoil and assess the rabbit damage that occurred over the winter. I never had a problem with rabbits before, so I didn't prepare properly and several small trees were completely girdled and will be lost. The creatures also did some interesting topiary work on a few of my evergreens by eating off all of the lower branches. This Norway Spruce should survive, but I'm not sure of what its eventual shape will be.
Oh dear! So sorry to hear that! Besides the one in your pot there, did you buy and plant the others? That could smart moneybelt-wise. :( I wish that I had more space to plant tall-growing trees. I like having a pretty sunny yard though, so there are compromises to be made. I wonder if perhaps you were able to keep rabbits at bay for a while longer, whether or not lower branches might still grow? Hard part though, I suspect that they won't catch up to the more mature branches above unless you did some pruning. Even then.... :( Like you, wondering what it will look like in the end? Depending upon where you wanted it to end up, you might want to start again? Good question for a nursery! Let us know how it goes too. :)
PD
On the weather thread, the subject of bees came up. Today, I saw our first bumblebee of the season and activity has started at the bug hotels.
Question for gardeners having to deal with ticks. Any favorite sprays, etc. that you like to apply to you and or your clothing to keep these nasty things off of you? And any special tips/suggestions where to spray, etc.?
I was a bit surprised when I found one (an adult) on the outside of a long sleeved shirt after working outside for several hours. Thankfully, I had on an old long-sleeved shirt which was light colored and it was over another long-sleeved shirt. I quickly flicked it off. Must admit, it still unnerved me though! I've known several people who got Lyme disease from them (One, a close friend, who sadly wasn't diagnosed in time for some damage to already be done).
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on April 20, 2021, 07:39:44 AM
Question for gardeners having to deal with ticks. Any favorite sprays, etc. that you like to apply to you and or your clothing to keep these nasty things off of you? And any special tips/suggestions where to spray, etc.?
I was a bit surprised when I found one (an adult) on the outside of a long sleeved shirt after working outside for several hours. Thankfully, I had on an old long-sleeved shirt which was light colored and it was over another long-sleeved shirt. I quickly flicked it off. Must admit, it still unnerved me though! I've known several people who got Lyme disease from them (One, a close friend, who sadly wasn't diagnosed in time for some damage to already be done).
PD
Try not to think about it. Sorry to hear of your friend, PD. Saw a very large rat at the allotment last year that freaked me out.
Quote from: Irons on April 21, 2021, 12:14:02 AM
Try not to think about it. Sorry to hear of your friend, PD. Saw a very large rat at the allotment last year that freaked me out.
Thank you! And rats: shudder!
I did buy another can of this (should have sprayed myself with it the other day): https://off.com/en/product/deep-woods/deep-woods-insect-repellent-v
PD
p.s. I had been doing a lot of pulling up of tall grasses/weeds plus bending over picking up leaves and dumping them into trash barrels and then into a tarp.
I don't have a good suggestion for humans, but for dogs, the Seresto collars are great. I just put new ones on our two pups.
Has anyone here tried wearing clothing that has been treated with permethrin?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on April 22, 2021, 04:47:59 AM
Has anyone here tried wearing clothing that has been treated with permethrin?
PD
If the bugs don't get you the chemicals will. :-\
Quote from: Irons on April 22, 2021, 07:09:07 AM
If the bugs don't get you the chemicals will. :-\
I know, I hate wearing 'stuff'; hard to figure out what to do. I do know, however that there's been an uptick (forgive me!) in the amount and range of various tick species here in the US. What about in the UK?
PD
Permit me to say that I do HATE ticks. I'll do anything, roaches (slept with them in college), spiders (biters or not, no prob), snakes (had a few dates with a woman who kept them as pets), rodents of every persuasion (no fears), mosquitoes (don't like them, but I have the impression they don't like vegetarians as well as carnivores) but I revile ticks and if they all burnt in hell I'd be a happy man.
On a happier note, I have made much progress in removing from my herb garden the many varieties of mint I'd foolishly let rule the roost for years. (I'm sure they will spring back up again but I do have the situation in hand, literally). Love them in my tea, but as they were intent on global domination I've consigned them to containers, as suggested by Monty Don, the amicable and accomplished host of the BBC's Gardeners' World.
I have my mint in a metal double sink planted at ground level. I noted only last week that some had escaped and soon will be on the rampage.
Monty Don's dog, Nigel is sorely missed. A four legged TV star. Nellie is lovely but she hasn't the charisma of Nigel.
Quote from: Irons on May 10, 2021, 11:55:54 PM
I have my mint in a metal double sink planted at ground level. I noted only last week that some had escaped and soon will be on the rampage.
Monty Don's dog, Nigel is sorely missed. A four legged TV star. Nellie is lovely but she hasn't the charisma of Nigel.
It's mounted a daring escape from prison, has it? :laugh: :laugh: Well, if mine tries the same it will meet with a dour reception: stone patio pavers.
We miss Nige, too. He seemed the canine equivalent of Monty. Love that show, calm, informative, tranquil, kindly.
Beechgrove tries hard but just can't compare...
Quote from: Stürmisch Bewegt on May 11, 2021, 04:43:38 AM
It's mounted a daring escape from prison, has it? :laugh: :laugh: Well, if mine tries the same it will meet with a dour reception: stone patio pavers.
We miss Nige, too. He seemed the canine equivalent of Monty. Love that show, calm, informative, tranquil, kindly. Beechgrove tries hard but just can't compare...
I find it mind-blowing that someone from your part of the world watches
Beechgrove. Next you will be telling me you listen to
Gardeners Question Time on BBC Radio 4. :laugh:
Quote from: Irons on May 11, 2021, 06:50:46 AM
I find it mind-blowing that someone from your part of the world watches Beechgrove. Next you will be telling me you listen to Gardeners Question Time on BBC Radio 4. :laugh:
No, no mind-blowing, please - it's quite simple, my wife and I subscribe to the BritBox. And in fact, I have listened to the
Gardeners' Question Time on my Kindle, which is quite good, but I'm always compelled to move over to BBC3; your classical programming is way more venturesome and varied than ours. We are also fond of the
Shipping Forecast on 4.
Quote from: Stürmisch Bewegt on May 10, 2021, 03:20:35 PM
... but I revile ticks and if they all burnt in hell I'd be a happy man.
I'm not sure hellfire is strong enough to destroy the nasty critters! :o :)
I've been taking some of the tomato and cucumber plants I started from seed outside this week to harden them off, anxiously awaiting a stretch of warm enough weather to get them in the ground.
Quote from: Stürmisch Bewegt on May 11, 2021, 08:33:15 AM
We are also fond of the Shipping Forecast on 4.
You may have to be British to appreciate this
https://www.youtube.com/v/G9QumF93PpY&ab_channel=PatTynanMediae
Quote from: Stürmisch Bewegt on May 11, 2021, 08:33:15 AM
No, no mind-blowing, please - it's quite simple, my wife and I subscribe to the BritBox. And in fact, I have listened to the Gardeners' Question Time on my Kindle, which is quite good, but I'm always compelled to move over to BBC3; your classical programming is way more venturesome and varied than ours. We are also fond of the Shipping Forecast on 4.
A late friend who had not the slightest interest in gardening listened religiously to
Gardeners Question Time . I asked him why but never got a satisfactory reply.
It is not that you are able to watch
Beechgrove, more that actually you do!
Quote from: Szykneij on May 11, 2021, 11:47:22 AM
I'm not sure hellfire is strong enough to destroy the nasty critters! :o :)
I've been taking some of the tomato and cucumber plants I started from seed outside this week to harden them off, anxiously awaiting a stretch of warm enough weather to get them in the ground.
A good tip I picked up recently, never subject tomato plants to less then 10 degrees. I lost two cucumber plants last week planted in growbags in a greenhouse. Coldest Spring night-time temperatures on record here.
Quote from: Irons on May 10, 2021, 11:55:54 PM
I have my mint in a metal double sink planted at ground level. I noted only last week that some had escaped and soon will be on the rampage.
Monty Don's dog, Nigel is sorely missed. A four legged TV star. Nellie is lovely but she hasn't the charisma of Nigel.
Quote from: Stürmisch Bewegt on May 11, 2021, 04:43:38 AM
It's mounted a daring escape from prison, has it? :laugh: :laugh: Well, if mine tries the same it will meet with a dour reception: stone patio pavers.
We miss Nige, too. He seemed the canine equivalent of Monty. Love that show, calm, informative, tranquil, kindly. Beechgrove tries hard but just can't compare...
My lemon balm (which is in the mint family) tried to take over too. :)
Ticks and mosquitos could both disappear as far as I'm concerned; they're both spreaders of diseases.
Making some headway in the garden. I must admit, though, that my quads and hamstrings are feeling the effects of so much squatting! ::) Rather glad that I didn't get a delivery of more plants today as I've spent a good chunk of the day trying to order parts for my old (but very good) multi cutter. Boy are replacement parts expensive! Plenty of other work to do in the meantime (plants arriving next Wednesday), but I'll miss not having the use of my string trimmer in the meantime.
As a side note: I swore that I wouldn't grow cucumbers again as it was a battle against pests and disease, but I gave in and order one plant of a vining type. Please keep your fingers crossed for me!
PD
Quote from: Irons on May 12, 2021, 07:35:55 AM
A good tip I picked up recently, never subject tomato plants to less then 10 degrees. I lost two cucumber plants last week planted in growbags in a greenhouse. Coldest Spring night-time temperatures on record here.
Yes, nighttime temperatures around here have been hovering around a low of 50 degrees F. (10 C.), so I was a bit worried about leaving my tomato and cucumber plants out overnight. Luckily, they look fine this morning.
Quote from: Irons on May 12, 2021, 07:35:55 AM
A good tip I picked up recently, never subject tomato plants to less then 10 degrees. I lost two cucumber plants last week planted in growbags in a greenhouse. Coldest Spring night-time temperatures on record here.
Sorry to hear that Irons. The weather has been all over the place between late winter and early spring. It seems to be calming down now. Gorgeous day here a day or two ago: sunny and in the 60's; I was in heaven! :)
I've done o.k. lately re plants. I picked up a 4-pack of shishito peppers last Sunday and they've been doing fine sitting out on my front porch (24 hours). I need to pot up two of them and then find somebody who will take the other too as they are quite prolific!
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 13, 2021, 04:44:16 AM
Sorry to hear that Irons. The weather has been all over the place between late winter and early spring. It seems to be calming down now. Gorgeous day here a day or two ago: sunny and in the 60's; I was in heaven! :)
I've done o.k. lately re plants. I picked up a 4-pack of shishito peppers last Sunday and they've been doing fine sitting out on my front porch (24 hours). I need to pot up two of them and then find somebody who will take the other too as they are quite prolific!
We seem to follow you PD for weather I have noticed, so here's hoping. Planted in modules today Ishikura spring onions. I planted out yesterday the first batch I sowed early in the year.
Quote from: Irons on May 13, 2021, 07:28:02 AM
We seem to follow you PD for weather I have noticed, so here's hoping. Planted in modules today Ishikura spring onions. I planted out yesterday the first batch I sowed early in the year.
Interesting! Well, it's been lovely here lately....so, good weather thoughts your way! Must admit, I was beat after yesterday's efforts outside. More to do before Wednesday when I'll be (hopefully) receiving a bunch of plants. I prepped some pots yesterday working in some compost, a bit more potting soil, etc. More to get ready today plus need to work a couple of beds over the next few days. Decided to put a couple of tomato plants directly into a bed and try, once again, to figure out a way to keep chipmunks from getting at them. They are so small and so crafty! ::) Do you have any special tricks for keeping them from biting into your just-ripening tomatoes? Also, I'm wanting to organize my garden tools and pots better..lots of projects!
Happy gardening!
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 14, 2021, 05:56:56 AM
Interesting! Well, it's been lovely here lately....so, good weather thoughts your way! Must admit, I was beat after yesterday's efforts outside. More to do before Wednesday when I'll be (hopefully) receiving a bunch of plants. I prepped some pots yesterday working in some compost, a bit more potting soil, etc. More to get ready today plus need to work a couple of beds over the next few days. Decided to put a couple of tomato plants directly into a bed and try, once again, to figure out a way to keep chipmunks from getting at them. They are so small and so crafty! ::) Do you have any special tricks for keeping them from biting into your just-ripening tomatoes? Also, I'm wanting to organize my garden tools and pots better..lots of projects!
Happy gardening!
PD
Chipmunks rare in my neck of the woods, PD. Absolutely knackered after planting far too many leeks today. Here in the southeast we have been hit with the leek mining fly which will destroy the whole crop. I have covered them with insect protective mesh which kept the blighters out last year. We love leeks cooked in a cheese sauce.
Quote from: Irons on May 14, 2021, 07:03:57 AM
Chipmunks rare in my neck of the woods, PD. Absolutely knackered after planting far too many leeks today. Here in the southeast we have been hit with the leek mining fly which will destroy the whole crop. I have covered them with insect protective mesh which kept the blighters out last year. We love leeks cooked in a cheese sauce.
Lucky you! I'd be more than happy to share some of mine with you? Alvin and friends perhaps? How much trouble could these guys be?
(http://www.pixelstalk.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Cool-Alvin-and-The-Chipmunks-Picture.jpg)
Love leeks! Yum! Haven't had them with cheese sauce before. What kind of cheese do you like to use? I've made a decadent recipe in the past. If I'm recalling correctly, it's just salt, pepper & lots of heavy cream. You bake it in a gratin dish. The cream thickens as it cooks into a wonderful, thick and slightly sweet sauce. :D If interested, I'll double-check the recipe for you.
PD
Irons,
I went to a farmers' market this morning. Guess what I came away with? Leeks! And you're to blame! ;) I did, however, only buy a pound to eat vs. to plant.
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 15, 2021, 04:57:21 AM
Irons,
I went to a farmers' market this morning. Guess what I came away with? Leeks! And you're to blame! ;) I did, however, only buy a pound to eat vs. to plant.
PD
:D
A "full English" breakfast is about the limit to my cooking prowess, PD. I grow it and Paul cooks it! Instead of cauliflower cheese try leek in a cheese sauce. I finished planting the leeks this morning I'm pleased to report - too many by far. After hammering a 6" hole in the soil you pop the seedling in and then fill the whole with water. Backbreaking!
Enjoy your leeks.
Quote from: Irons on May 15, 2021, 06:15:21 AM
:D
A "full English" breakfast is about the limit to my cooking prowess, PD. I grow it and Paul cooks it! Instead of cauliflower cheese try leek in a cheese sauce. I finished planting the leeks this morning I'm pleased to report - too many by far. After hammering a 6" hole in the soil you pop the seedling in and then fill the whole with water. Backbreaking!
Enjoy your leeks.
Interesting! I'm familiar with a king of trench/hill method. So you bury your seedlings six inches down and cover it up from the get-go? Do you then also later on hill it or put straw or something else on top?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 15, 2021, 07:08:30 AM
Interesting! I'm familiar with a king of trench/hill method. So you bury your seedlings six inches down and cover it up from the get-go? Do you then also later on hill it or put straw or something else on top?
PD
A strange and laborious process. Using a sawn-off end of a wooden spade handle a hole is driven in the soil by a mallet 6" deep. The leek seedling is then dropped into the hole. Holes are spaced 6" apart. The part of the leek we eat is the white stem, if this is above ground photosynthesis would take place and the whole stem would be green. In most parts of the country covering is unnecessary, but here we have the leek minor - imported from Hungary, I think - which will ruin a crop without protection.
Quote from: Irons on May 16, 2021, 01:10:42 AM
A strange and laborious process. Using a sawn-off end of a wooden spade handle a hole is driven in the soil by a mallet 6" deep. The leek seedling is then dropped into the hole. Holes are spaced 6" apart. The part of the leek we eat is the white stem, if this is above ground photosynthesis would take place and the whole stem would be green. In most parts of the country covering is unnecessary, but here we have the leek minor - imported from Hungary, I think - which will ruin a crop without protection.
Interesting Irons. I did know that you need to severely limit the exposure to the sun (otherwise, as you mentioned, you would get way too much of the tough green leaves). I guess thought that if you put it that far down into the ground that it would rot? Is any of the seedling that you plant still above ground when you planted them? Or does a tiny bit break through to the surface eventually? And do you plant them into very sandy/loose soil?
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 16, 2021, 02:53:49 AM
Interesting Irons. I did know that you need to severely limit the exposure to the sun (otherwise, as you mentioned, you would get way too much of the tough green leaves). I guess thought that if you put it that far down into the ground that it would rot? Is any of the seedling that you plant still above ground when you planted them? Or does a tiny bit break through to the surface eventually? And do you plant them into very sandy/loose soil?
Rain permitting I plan to go to allotment tomorrow. A picture is worth a thousand words so I will take one to post and all will be clear.
Quote from: Irons on May 16, 2021, 06:03:39 AM
Rain permitting I plan to go to allotment tomorrow. A picture is worth a thousand words so I will take one to post and all will be clear.
Thanks!
From She-of-a-thousand-questions,
PD
p.s. Just inside from transferring a previously potted sage plant into the ground, doing a bit of digging up tree saplings to do that, and a few other chores. :)
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 16, 2021, 06:29:29 AM
Thanks!
From She-of-a-thousand-questions,
PD
p.s. Just inside from transferring a previously potted sage plant into the ground, doing a bit of digging up tree saplings to do that, and a few other chores. :)
No problem PD. Thanks for interest.
As promised -
Quote from: Irons on May 17, 2021, 06:32:58 AM
No problem PD. Thanks for interest.
As promised -
Thanks! It looks very nice and tidy and orderly. :) I suspect that you put at least a little bit of soil in the bottom of the holes to keep them upright? And do you add more soil to the holes as the leeks grow?
A rather frustrating day here. I woke up with shoulder killing me (from vaccine) and then had to sort out computer problems. If I'm lucky, I'll get outside for a bit later on...want to get more cleaned up/prepped before all of my veggie starts get delivered on Wednesday! ???
Enjoy your dinner and sweet dreams of leeks!
PD
Snap on PC problems, PD. Drives me up the wall, I have had enough error messages to last a lifetime! ???
No, bung the leeks in the pre-prepared hole, water, then let them get on with it.
Overslept today....urgh! I suspect (at least in part) that that was due to working outside in the heat for a good chunk of the day. ::)
I did get my tomatoes planted (one each of Early Girl, Jet Star and moved my Sungold to a bed after planting it in a large clay pot the day before---what was I thinking! SG is a big sprawler of a plant, but does give one copious amounts of lovely yellow, sweet cherry size tomatoes). Need to find another dwarf variety for that pot now.
Also potted up the rest of my pepper plants (planted a combo of sweet to moderately hot peppers)--was smart here as the ones that I potted up yesterday, I did mostly by mixing up the soil, compost, etc. in the shade inside a screened-in porch. Am trying Hungarian peppers for the first time as well as Anaheim, one poblano (would love to get another of that one), a serrano, jalapeño and two shishitos as well as some bell peppers. Also planted some Italian-type basil...progress!
A friend was also very helpful in tying up a very vigorous (but beautiful) rose bush. It's an older variety by the English rosarian David Austin. It's a one-time bloomer called Constance Spry. It was getting to the point where I would have to carefully walk around it trying not to step into my beds! :D
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0250/2151/3807/products/b66af1e4632a0a91c01007655dcf7647_6c1223c8-cdce-4c2d-9e39-0833d391fdc2_720x.jpg?v=1595521842)
How are the rest of you doing? :)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 21, 2021, 07:14:23 AM
Overslept today....urgh! I suspect (at least in part) that that was due to working outside in the heat for a good chunk of the day. ::)
I did get my tomatoes planted (one each of Early Girl, Jet Star and moved my Sungold to a bed after planting it in a large clay pot the day before---what was I thinking! SG is a big sprawler of a plant, but does give one copious amounts of lovely yellow, sweet cherry size tomatoes). Need to find another dwarf variety for that pot now.
Also potted up the rest of my pepper plants (planted a combo of sweet to moderately hot peppers)--was smart here as the ones that I potted up yesterday, I did mostly by mixing up the soil, compost, etc. in the shade inside a screened-in porch. Am trying Hungarian peppers for the first time as well as Anaheim, one poblano (would love to get another of that one), a serrano, jalapeño and two shishitos as well as some bell peppers. Also planted some Italian-type basil...progress!
A friend was also very helpful in tying up a very vigorous (but beautiful) rose bush. It's an older variety by the English rosarian David Austin. It's a one-time bloomer called Constance Spry. It was getting to the point where I would have to carefully walk around it trying not to step into my beds! :D
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0250/2151/3807/products/b66af1e4632a0a91c01007655dcf7647_6c1223c8-cdce-4c2d-9e39-0833d391fdc2_720x.jpg?v=1595521842)
How are the rest of you doing? :)
PD
David Austin roses are more expensive but worth every penny.
Man upstairs having a laugh weather-wise. First, a month of rain every day without fail, followed by frost each night and now gale-force wind! Foolishly I planted runner beans out yesterday only to have the wind decimate them. If there is sun in the sky in my part of the world I have yet to see it!
I have 52 "leggy" tomato plants to plant out but with a night time temp of 4c (39.2 f) forecast for Saturday that is not an option.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 21, 2021, 07:14:23 AM
Overslept today....urgh! I suspect (at least in part) that that was due to working outside in the heat for a good chunk of the day. ::)
I did get my tomatoes planted (one each of Early Girl, Jet Star and moved my Sungold to a bed after planting it in a large clay pot the day before---what was I thinking! SG is a big sprawler of a plant, but does give one copious amounts of lovely yellow, sweet cherry size tomatoes). Need to find another dwarf variety for that pot now.
Also potted up the rest of my pepper plants (planted a combo of sweet to moderately hot peppers)--was smart here as the ones that I potted up yesterday, I did mostly by mixing up the soil, compost, etc. in the shade inside a screened-in porch. Am trying Hungarian peppers for the first time as well as Anaheim, one poblano (would love to get another of that one), a serrano, jalapeño and two shishitos as well as some bell peppers. Also planted some Italian-type basil...progress!
A friend was also very helpful in tying up a very vigorous (but beautiful) rose bush. It's an older variety by the English rosarian David Austin. It's a one-time bloomer called Constance Spry. It was getting to the point where I would have to carefully walk around it trying not to step into my beds! :D
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0250/2151/3807/products/b66af1e4632a0a91c01007655dcf7647_6c1223c8-cdce-4c2d-9e39-0833d391fdc2_720x.jpg?v=1595521842)
How are the rest of you doing? :)
PD
Thanks for the beautiful picture of
Constance Spry.
I am jealous of your heat, Here in the UK May continues to be cold and wet. High winds have been added to that causing some havoc on my patio. The tree peony has a couple of magnificent blooms and they have survived so far, usually they get blown to shreds. The camellia had a record number of flowers on it but most of them have been stripped of by the wind over the last few days. No sign of the weather improving any time soon.
Quote from: Irons on May 21, 2021, 07:43:04 AM
David Austin roses are more expensive but worth every penny.
Man upstairs having a laugh weather-wise. First, a month of rain every day without fail, followed by frost each night and now gale-force wind! Foolishly I planted runner beans out yesterday only to have the wind decimate them. If there is sun in the sky in my part of the world I have yet to see it!
I have 52 "leggy" tomato plants to plant out but with a night time temp of 4c (39.2 f) forecast for Saturday that is not an option.
Yes, he's come up with some wonderful and very fragrant varieties. Most of them (last I saw anyway) are fragrant and repeat bloomers. For those who aren't familiar with his name, he bred some old world roses with modern stock to create varieties (many of them double-petaled) which have wonderful scents.
So sorry to hear of your lousy weather! Did the wind break the stems? If not, hopefully they will recover? Lately, it's been in the 70's or 80's. Personally, I don't like it that hot, but the tomatoes, peppers and eggplants will love it!
52 tomato plants!! ??? I'm guessing a combo of slicers, romas and cherries? So does your wife make lots of sauce and salsa to put up for the winter? That's still a lot of plants; do you give a lot of them away--either to your kids and/or the neighbors?
Quote from: Biffo on May 21, 2021, 07:49:28 AM
Thanks for the beautiful picture of Constance Spry.
I am jealous of your heat, Here in the UK May continues to be cold and wet. High winds have been added to that causing some havoc on my patio. The tree peony has a couple of magnificent blooms and they have survived so far, usually they get blown to shreds. The camellia had a record number of flowers on it but most of them have been stripped of by the wind over the last few days. No sign of the weather improving any time soon.
What are the temps like and weather normally in May in the UK? And very sorry to hear of the damage to your lovely plants. :(
You're welcome re the photo. I'd love to say that it's from my garden, but it's from David Austin's website. I just wanted to give you guys an idea what it looks like. Mine is budding. Need to feed it and my other rose bushes; I'm behind this year! It really does put on a lovely display though. :)
PD
For what it's worth I recently contacted two big rose nurseries here with a question about whether they had a plant suitable for a hot sunny location. Peter Beales and David Austin. Beales were much much better to deal with.
Quote from: Mandryka on May 21, 2021, 09:42:54 AM
For what it's worth I recently contacted two big rose nurseries here with a question about whether they had a plant suitable for a hot sunny location. Peter Beales and David Austin. Beales were much much better to deal with.
I have Beales'
Classic Roses book. :)
I just took a better look at DA's website. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they will ship to the US. The times that I've bought his roses were at nurseries. Sorry to hear that you had an unpleasant experience. What happened?
Taking a short break from the garden. Will go back out in a few minutes and at least finish one project for today. I'm thankful that it's been partly overcast at times...easier on the body and also on newly planted seedlings. :)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 21, 2021, 11:37:53 AM
I have Beales' Classic Roses book. :)
I just took a better look at DA's website. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they will ship to the US. The times that I've bought his roses were at nurseries. Sorry to hear that you had an unpleasant experience. What happened?
Taking a short break from the garden. Will go back out in a few minutes and at least finish one project for today. I'm thankful that it's been partly overcast at times...easier on the body and also on newly planted seedlings. :)
PD
The difference was just this. Beales took a lot of time and trouble to come up with a list of roses which may be suitable for my location, they referred me from one person to another, who they felt had better experience with my particular sort of problem. I felt as though I was speaking to an expert who had taken the time to think about the issues (which are to do with roses for hot and sunny locations.) Austen had a support person with a script who came up with an answer just based on my preferred colour and clearly had given it no thought at all beyond that. I suspect he was using a chart with arrows which just said something like « prospect wants red climber - say Rose R, prospect wants yellow small shrub - say Rose Y . . . Don't forget to close the deal. »
Quote from: Mandryka on May 22, 2021, 12:39:00 AM
The difference was just this. Beales took a lot of time and trouble to come up with a list of roses which may be suitable for my location, they referred me from one person to another, who they felt had better experience with my particular sort of problem. I felt as though I was speaking to an expert who had taken the time to think about the issues (which are to do with roses for hot and sunny locations.) Austen had a support person with a script who came up with an answer just based on my preferred colour and clearly had given it no thought at all beyond that. I suspect he was using a chart with arrows which just said something like « prospect wants red climber - say Rose R, prospect wants yellow small shrub - say Rose Y . . . Don't forget to close the deal. »
Nothing beats personal experience.
I fail miserably growing roses. I have clay soil which I believe is ideal but they don't flourish. Trying to divert blame from myself I have picked up from somewhere that after decades of growing them a garden can become "rose sick". When we moved into our house forty years ago, we have since dropped it, but the house was called "Rose Bay". If named for a reason could explain the failure today, maybe. :-\
Quote from: Mandryka on May 22, 2021, 12:39:00 AM
The difference was just this. Beales took a lot of time and trouble to come up with a list of roses which may be suitable for my location, they referred me from one person to another, who they felt had better experience with my particular sort of problem. I felt as though I was speaking to an expert who had taken the time to think about the issues (which are to do with roses for hot and sunny locations.) Austen had a support person with a script who came up with an answer just based on my preferred colour and clearly had given it no thought at all beyond that. I suspect he was using a chart with arrows which just said something like « prospect wants red climber - say Rose R, prospect wants yellow small shrub - say Rose Y . . . Don't forget to close the deal. »
Interesting! Well, I'm glad that you ended up getting the help that you needed.
Quote from: Irons on May 22, 2021, 01:20:13 AM
Nothing beats personal experience.
I fail miserably growing roses. I have clay soil which I believe is ideal but they don't flourish. Trying to divert blame from myself I have picked up from somewhere that after decades of growing them a garden can become "rose sick". When we moved into our house forty years ago, we have since dropped it, but the house was called "Rose Bay". If named for a reason could explain the failure today, maybe. :-\
I remember reading something years ago that if you attempt to dig up a rose bush (say to move it) that it can release something 'toxic' into the soil. Wonder how much truth there is in this? Some of my roses have done better than others here. The ones over the years that have done best are in a south-facing garden with nice fertile and crumbly soil.
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 21, 2021, 08:59:44 AM
Yes, he's come up with some wonderful and very fragrant varieties. Most of them (last I saw anyway) are fragrant and repeat bloomers. For those who aren't familiar with his name, he bred some old world roses with modern stock to create varieties (many of them double-petaled) which have wonderful scents.
So sorry to hear of your lousy weather! Did the wind break the stems? If not, hopefully they will recover? Lately, it's been in the 70's or 80's. Personally, I don't like it that hot, but the tomatoes, peppers and eggplants will love it!
52 tomato plants!! ??? I'm guessing a combo of slicers, romas and cherries? So does your wife make lots of sauce and salsa to put up for the winter? That's still a lot of plants; do you give a lot of them away--either to your kids and/or the neighbors?
What are the temps like and weather normally in May in the UK? And very sorry to hear of the damage to your lovely plants. :(
You're welcome re the photo. I'd love to say that it's from my garden, but it's from David Austin's website. I just wanted to give you guys an idea what it looks like. Mine is budding. Need to feed it and my other rose bushes; I'm behind this year! It really does put on a lovely display though. :)
PD
The average May temperature in the UK is 16 degrees centigrade but you can usually expect it to be a bit warmer than that here on the South Coast. Last May was exceptionally sunny and warmer than average. This May has been cool; today it is 14C, tomorrow is forecast to be 12C with rain. Over the past three weeks it has rained just about every day - light rain, heavy rain, torrential rain and hail. The weather is forecast to get warmer towards the end of next week. I hope so, I want to plant out my pepper seedlings and generally clean up the mess.
Forgot to mention the high winds (see Irons' posting above).
Back from a farmers' market. Guess what I picked up--leeks! And, yes, this time the plants. I'm blaming you Irons! ;)
Also, picked up two plum tomatoes to go in a big pot in which I planted and then yanked out sun gold tomatoes. It's a variety called Plum Regal. And picked up a six-pack of marigolds and a couple of sixes of some various colored alyssum (purple, blue and white shades). Tomatoes are now planted but need to figure out staking.
Was good and got outside early to water and also attempted to fix a leaking bird bath (will see whether or not it works later).
Supposed to get quite hot outside this weekend, so I'll head back out there now whilst it's still cool and the sun isn't too strong.
Happy gardening!
PD
p.s. Mandryka, what variety of Beales' roses did you end up picking out?
Quote from: Biffo on May 22, 2021, 04:44:49 AM
The average May temperature in the UK is 16 degrees centigrade but you can usually expect it to be a bit warmer than that here on the South Coast. Last May was exceptionally sunny and warmer than average. This May has been cool; today it is 14C, tomorrow is forecast to be 12C with rain. Over the past three weeks it has rained just about every day - light rain, heavy rain, torrential rain and hail. The weather is forecast to get warmer towards the end of next week. I hope so, I want to plant out my pepper seedlings and generally clean up the mess.
Forgot to mention the high winds (see Irons' posting above).
Hail too?! Burr! :(
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 22, 2021, 04:47:54 AM
Su
p.s. Mandryka, what variety of Beales' roses did you end up picking out?
Hail too?! Burr! :(
I haven't, I'm not even sure I will plant a rose in the spot. This is the email they sent me
QuoteThank you for your call earlier today. As promised, I provide a list below of suggestions for those roses that will be fine within the particularly hot corner of two walls we discussed earlier. The success of this rose does depend a lot on your own commitment to very heavy watering (particularly in the first couple of summers when the roots are young) and even watering over the foliage on shady, cooler days can be beneficial.
Aimee Vibert
Sombreuil
Devoniensis
Bouquet D'Or
Duchesse d'Auderstadt
Celine Forestier
City of York
Alister Stella Gray
Adam
Lady Hillingdon Climber
Marechal Niel
Reve D'Or
Gloire de Dijon
Belle Vichysoise
Blush Noisette
New Dawn
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 22, 2021, 04:47:54 AM
Back from a farmers' market. Guess what I picked up--leeks! And, yes, this time the plants. I'm blaming you Irons! ;)
Also, picked up two plum tomatoes to go in a big pot in which I planted and then yanked out sun gold tomatoes. It's a variety called Plum Regal. And picked up a six-pack of marigolds and a couple of sixes of some various colored alyssum (purple, blue and white shades). Tomatoes are now planted but need to figure out staking.
Was good and got outside early to water and also attempted to fix a leaking bird bath (will see whether or not it works later).
Supposed to get quite hot outside this weekend, so I'll head back out there now whilst it's still cool and the sun isn't too strong.
Happy gardening!
PD
p.s. Mandryka, what variety of Beales' roses did you end up picking out?
Hail too?! Burr! :(
If you have any marigolds left over plant them among the tomato plants. Whitefly hate the smell of French marigolds
Good luck with leeks. Don't forget 6" holes 6" apart. Pop leek in and then fill hole with water. Simples. :D
Quote from: Mandryka on May 22, 2021, 12:03:02 PM
I haven't, I'm not even sure I will plant a rose in the spot. This is the email they sent me
I checked out some of the roses....very pretty! And, so you were thinking of a climber for there? Are you concerned about their comments re watering?
Quote from: Irons on May 23, 2021, 01:18:13 AM
If you have any marigolds left over plant them among the tomato plants. Whitefly hate the smell of French marigolds
Good luck with leeks. Don't forget 6" holes 6" apart. Pop leek in and then fill hole with water. Simples. :D
I was thinking of maybe putting the marigolds (at least a couple of them) into some pots and putting them on my porch to encourage pollinators to come around (near my tomato plants in pots).
And re leeks: will do! :-)
PD
Quote from: Irons on May 23, 2021, 01:18:13 AM
If you have any marigolds left over plant them among the tomato plants. Whitefly hate the smell of French marigolds
Good luck with leeks. Don't forget 6" holes 6" apart. Pop leek in and then fill hole with water. Simples. :D
Slugs and snails, on the other hand, seem to love them. I have given up on tulips, marigolds and dahlias.
Quote from: Biffo on May 23, 2021, 04:31:29 AM
Slugs and snails, on the other hand, seem to love them. I have given up on tulips, marigolds and dahlias.
Sorry to hear that! I imagine with all of the rain and cooler temps that you've been getting in the UK, that the slugs are having a field day! The only time that I recall having much of any issue with them was when I planted collard greens. The slugs liked to hide (and eat) on the underside of the leaves. :( I think that I'll try putting a marigold into each of my tomato pots on the porch and maybe also one each of flat-leafed parsley. I don't want to over-crowd the pots though. I did (while it was still relatively cool outside) stake all three of the tomatoes in their pots and also added some tomato (hoop-style) cages to each of them too.
And, yes, I see the forecast for Surrey in any event, looks to be much better on Thursday and Friday of the coming week. And if your weather follows mine, soon you will be roasting! It should be a fair bit cooler here Monday and Tuesday--which means that I can get some more work done outside without feeling like I'm about ready to keel over! :)
By the way Biffo, which kind of peppers do you like to grow? And what else do you grow in your garden (or is this at an allotment?)?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 23, 2021, 06:09:31 AM
Sorry to hear that! I imagine with all of the rain and cooler temps that you've been getting in the UK, that the slugs are having a field day! The only time that I recall having much of any issue with them was when I planted collard greens. The slugs liked to hide (and eat) on the underside of the leaves. :( I think that I'll try putting a marigold into each of my tomato pots on the porch and maybe also one each of flat-leafed parsley. I don't want to over-crowd the pots though. I did (while it was still relatively cool outside) stake all three of the tomatoes in their pots and also added some tomato (hoop-style) cages to each of them too.
And, yes, I see the forecast for Surrey in any event, looks to be much better on Thursday and Friday of the coming week. And if your weather follows mine, soon you will be roasting! It should be a fair bit cooler here Monday and Tuesday--which means that I can get some more work done outside without feeling like I'm about ready to keel over! :)
By the way Biffo, which kind of peppers do you like to grow? And what else do you grow in your garden (or is this at an allotment?)?
PD
I have a patio and grow everything in pots, mainly flowers and shrubs. Herbs and peppers are the most successful non-floral things I grow. I have numerous pepper seedlings still indoors and I desperately need to re-pot them. It is probably just about warm enough to put them outside but I don't want them to be flattened or blown to bits (more high winds and rain today). I have Jalapeno, Cayenne and Habanera seedlings; some of the Cayenne are starting to flower.
Quote from: Biffo on May 23, 2021, 06:53:32 AM
I have a patio and grow everything in pots, mainly flowers and shrubs. Herbs and peppers are the most successful non-floral things I grow. I have numerous pepper seedlings still indoors and I desperately need to re-pot them. It is probably just about warm enough to put them outside but I don't want them to be flattened or blown to bits (more high winds and rain today). I have Jalapeno, Cayenne and Habanera seedlings; some of the Cayenne are starting to flower.
Oh nice! :) I have (in pots) 1 each of the following: jalapeño, serrano, 4 bell peppers (one each yellow, red, green), 1 X ancho, 1 X Hungarian and 2 X shishito. I've grown cayenne in the past (and Scotch bonnet) but never really used them. Also several years ago, I planted a Thai bird-type chili which I then dried using a food dehydrator. Most of my herbs are in the ground (so far, Italian basil, flat-leafed parsley, fennel (bulb), Greek oregano and tarragon. Also to go into the ground (knock on wood) tomorrow, some dill and also some cilantro (in an area that gets some shade).
Yesterday, I potted up a 6-pack of summer savory (new herb to me). Also, moved chives and sage into a bed (out of their pots). I also have big pots of German thyme, rosemary, and lemon verbena. And some lemon balm that would happily take over my garden! :D A small patch of English mint (reminds me that I need to water it!). And purchased another 6-pack of flat-leafed parsley as mine was tiny-tiny!
What else? Planted 4 Asian-long eggplants and will eventually plant 4 traditional Italian globe-shaped type. Interspersed with the Asian long, I put some Thai basil and also some red basil And knock on wood, some leeks too--God willing! Oh, and some marjoram in a pot too.
What herbs do you like to use? :)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 23, 2021, 07:16:22 AM
Oh nice! :) I have (in pots) 1 each of the following: jalapeño, serrano, 4 bell peppers (one each yellow, red, green), 1 X ancho, 1 X Hungarian and 2 X shishito. I've grown cayenne in the past (and Scotch bonnet) but never really used them. Also several years ago, I planted a Thai bird-type chili which I then dried using a food dehydrator. Most of my herbs are in the ground (so far, Italian basil, flat-leafed parsley, fennel (bulb), Greek oregano and tarragon. Also to go into the ground (knock on wood) tomorrow, some dill and also some cilantro (in an area that gets some shade).
Yesterday, I potted up a 6-pack of summer savory (new herb to me). Also, moved chives and sage into a bed (out of their pots). I also have big pots of German thyme, rosemary, and lemon verbena. And some lemon balm that would happily take over my garden! :D A small patch of English mint (reminds me that I need to water it!). And purchased another 6-pack of flat-leafed parsley as mine was tiny-tiny!
What else? Planted 4 Asian-long eggplants and will eventually plant 4 traditional Italian globe-shaped type. Interspersed with the Asian long, I put some Thai basil and also some red basil And knock on wood, some leeks too--God willing! Oh, and some marjoram in a pot too.
What herbs do you like to use? :)
PD
I grew scotch bonnet in 2019 and got dozens of peppers from one plant, had to freeze a lot of them - kept me going for nearly a year. Last year was less successful with jalapeno.
Quote from: Biffo on May 23, 2021, 07:27:09 AM
I grew scotch bonnet in 2019 and got dozens of peppers from one plant, had to freeze a lot of them - kept me going for nearly a year. Last year was less successful with jalapeno.
What kind of dishes did you make with them Biffo?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 23, 2021, 02:29:32 AM
Are you concerned about their comments re watering?
There's an irrigation system so that could be managed, but it does sound as though there should be better options than roses, where I have to fight against nature to get the plants established!
Quote from: Mandryka on May 23, 2021, 09:11:52 AM
There's an irrigation system so that could be managed, but it does sound as though there should be better options than roses, where I have to fight against nature to get the plants established!
Perhaps some sort of semi-desert variety of a tree or other plant? :-\ If you have a favorite nursery nearby, perhaps go and visit them (not on a weekend though!) and try and pick their brains?
PD
Quote from: Irons on May 22, 2021, 01:20:13 AM
Nothing beats personal experience.
I fail miserably growing roses. I have clay soil which I believe is ideal but they don't flourish. Trying to divert blame from myself I have picked up from somewhere that after decades of growing them a garden can become "rose sick". When we moved into our house forty years ago, we have since dropped it, but the house was called "Rose Bay". If named for a reason could explain the failure today, maybe. :-\
Irons,
I did a bit of googling on this. I found an article on Fine Gardening's website (they're a well-respected magazine here in the US). You might be interested in giving it a quick read and also checking out the comments. https://www.finegardening.com/article/planting-roses-where-roses-used-to-be-do-you-have-to-remove-all-the-old-soil
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 23, 2021, 08:19:44 AM
What kind of dishes did you make with them Biffo?
PD
They mostly went into curries but I also used them to make the filling (along with tomato paste) for chicken breasts wrapped in serrano ham.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 24, 2021, 04:12:51 AM
Irons,
I did a bit of googling on this. I found an article on Fine Gardening's website (they're a well-respected magazine here in the US). You might be interested in giving it a quick read and also checking out the comments. https://www.finegardening.com/article/planting-roses-where-roses-used-to-be-do-you-have-to-remove-all-the-old-soil
PD
Thanks PD, a most interesting article which I think backs up my suspicions on the poor results of rose growing in my garden. I am not prepared to wholesale change of soil. But I am aware of mycorrhizal fungi powder which is readily available, worth a try without a doubt.
Just had hailstones hammering down followed by sun peeping through the clouds.
Quote from: Irons on May 22, 2021, 01:20:13 AM
Nothing beats personal experience.
I fail miserably growing roses. I have clay soil which I believe is ideal but they don't flourish. Trying to divert blame from myself I have picked up from somewhere that after decades of growing them a garden can become "rose sick". When we moved into our house forty years ago, we have since dropped it, but the house was called "Rose Bay". If named for a reason could explain the failure today, maybe. :-\
I have London clay. I've found that all roses sit there moribund for about three years. They then either kick the bucket or seriously take off like Jack's beanstalk.
I don't think it's likely that you have a rose sick garden but you may have a garden where all rosaceous plants don't flourish. Fruit trees, flowering cherry, potentilla, cistus . . . . they're all a rose by a different name.
Quote from: Biffo on May 24, 2021, 05:16:10 AM
They mostly went into curries but I also used them to make the filling (along with tomato paste) for chicken breasts wrapped in serrano ham.
Ooh, sounds tasty. Hopefully not too too hot of a filling?
Quote from: Irons on May 24, 2021, 06:25:33 AM
Thanks PD, a most interesting article which I think backs up my suspicions on the poor results of rose growing in my garden. I am not prepared to wholesale change of soil. But I am aware of mycorrhizal fungi powder which is readily available, worth a try without a doubt.
Just had hailstones hammering down followed by sun peeping through the clouds.
When you tried to plant roses (where they had been growing previously), did you work in a lot of compost? I imagine that that could be hard if it's heavy clay soil. Or do you save all of your 'good stuff' from your veggie garden for your veggie garden? And, God, no I would certainly not try and change out all of the soil...what a nightmare! Wonder if possibly mixing in some sand would help in terms of drainage?
I bought a new composter last year which I like pretty well. It is separated into two bins (so when one is full, you then start filling the other). It also has a tank underneath to catch leachate and has rollers on the tubular tumbler and handles so that you can spin it to mix the ingredients. https://www.amazon.com/Good-Ideas-CW-2X12-Tumbler-Compost/dp/B00QVCZA6K
And MORE hail?! Oh, brother! ::) Here: blessedly cooler (woke up and it was in the 50's)...lovely! Well, I hope that you get our heatwave soon!
PD
Quote from: Mandryka on May 24, 2021, 07:07:54 AM
I have London clay. I've found that all roses sit there moribund for about three years. They then either kick the bucket or seriously take off like Jack's beanstalk.
I don't think it's likely that you have a rose sick garden but you may have a garden where all rosaceous plants don't flourish. Fruit trees, flowering cherry, potentilla, cistus . . . . they're all a rose by a different name.
Ah, clay soil in London too? Do you work in a lot of compost Mandryka?
PD
Quote from: Mandryka on May 23, 2021, 09:11:52 AM
There's an irrigation system so that could be managed, but it does sound as though there should be better options than roses, where I have to fight against nature to get the plants established!
Mandryka,
I did a bit of further googling, and you might get some ideas here: https://www.gardenguides.com/95388-plants-trees-against-hot-stucco-wall.html
I particularly like the idea of either a fig or pomegranate tree there. :) Again, I'd still incorporate a lot of compost even getting some manure/mixed barn 'stuff' delivered in if possible or some bags of it. If you're not up to the hard-on-your back work, you could always hire someone. Once, I added some greensand which helped I think (It was a small area where I planted some daffs, tulips, etc.). And you might also need to adjust the ph (I used finely powdered ground lime) too.
Good luck and let us know what you decide upon!
PD
Went outside to water my plants (mostly veggie garden) after taking a break from working out there for a few days (did water Monday morning) and found out that someone had been digging in four of my pepper pots! The two that I had already inserted those three ring metal hoops into were not badly off but the other two! One of my little guys was lying on its side with a huge amount of digging in the pot..thankfully still alive. >:( :( We have a local fox in the area....I wonder whether or not it might have been him/her smelling the compost that I had worked into the soil? Or a raccoon? Or just a voracious chipmunk?? In any event, I gave everyone a good watering and will soon insert some stakes to tie the plants to and also provide them with their own cages. Hope that I have enough this year for everyone. We may get some nasty weather moving through today, so I am asking you to please keep your fingers crossed for me and 'my little ones'.
PD
EDIT: Found some short stakes (about 2' long) which I inserted into the two afflicted pots; even though the plants weren't yet tall enough to fit into the hoop I used some garden twist ties to attach it to the stake to encourage them to grow upright and straight. Then put some hoops over them...meaning that if the critter wants to try and go crazy in their pots again, they'll find it to be much more frustrating and will either then decimate the plants, or hopefully, decide to go elsewhere. :)
Took a look today at the weather forecast for Surrey, as predicted last week, it looks to be a much nicer week for you! I hope that the same is going on across the rest of the UK? Meanwhile, there's a good chance that I'll be getting your hail, thunderstorms, fire-breathing dragons, plagues, etc. here.
Quote from: Biffo on May 26, 2021, 06:26:23 AM
You seem to have a variety of wildlife, here there is usually only one culprit - grey squirrels. Some people think they are cute, I think they are destructive vermin. They haven't been active recently, I think it is because our new neighbour has a dog, a dachshund and it keeps them away, if only with its scent.
Fingers crossed for you; the weather is improving slowly here though there has been more rain.
Looks like we were posting at the same time! I just went to modify this one. ;D Happy for hawks and I think also for a local red fox--as they like squirrels and chipmunks in their diets! ;)
And, yet more rain for you! Hope that it stops for awhile for you. :(
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 26, 2021, 05:02:13 AM
Went outside to water my plants (mostly veggie garden) after taking a break from working out there for a few days (did water Monday morning) and found out that someone had been digging in four of my pepper pots! The two that I had already inserted those three ring metal hoops into were not badly off but the other two! One of my little guys was lying on its side with a huge amount of digging in the pot..thankfully still alive. >:( :( We have a local fox in the area....I wonder whether or not it might have been him/her smelling the compost that I had worked into the soil? Or a raccoon? Or just a voracious chipmunk?? In any event, I gave everyone a good watering and will soon insert some stakes to tie the plants to and also provide them with their own cages. Hope that I have enough this year for everyone. We may get some nasty weather moving through today, so I am asking you to please keep your fingers crossed for me and 'my little ones'.
PD
You seem to have a variety of wildlife, here there is usually only one culprit - grey squirrels. Some people think they are cute, I think they are destructive vermin. They haven't been active recently, I think it is because our new neighbour has a dog, a dachshund and it keeps them away, if only with its scent.
Fingers crossed for you; the weather is improving slowly here though there has been more rain.
Quote from: Biffo on May 26, 2021, 06:26:23 AM
You seem to have a variety of wildlife, here there is usually only one culprit - grey squirrels. Some people think they are cute, I think they are destructive vermin. They haven't been active recently, I think it is because our new neighbour has a dog, a dachshund and it keeps them away, if only with its scent.
Fingers crossed for you; the weather is improving slowly here though there has been more rain.
Please see my above modified posting (we were typing at the same time!). :)
Quote from: Mandryka on May 24, 2021, 07:07:54 AM
I have London clay. I've found that all roses sit there moribund for about three years. They then either kick the bucket or seriously take off like Jack's beanstalk.
I don't think it's likely that you have a rose sick garden but you may have a garden where all rosaceous plants don't flourish. Fruit trees, flowering cherry, potentilla, cistus . . . . they're all a rose by a different name.
Fruit trees! The houses of our location were built on the site of a damson orchard and named accordingly. I think I'm just rubbish at growing roses or buy inferior ones in the first place.
Quote from: Irons on May 26, 2021, 08:01:14 AM
Fruit trees! The houses of our location were built on the site of a damson orchard and named accordingly. I think I'm just rubbish at growing roses or buy inferior ones in the first place.
The area(s) where, if you could....plant some roses, in which direction would they face? And would they be able to get at least...say...8 good hours of sunshine? Just guessing here!
I suspect that you have been outside planting all of your tomatoes Irons? How's it going? And how are your beans recovering?
Just in for a bit of a break from the heat for some water and eventually to fix some lunch. :)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 26, 2021, 08:10:51 AM
The area(s) where, if you could....plant some roses, in which direction would they face? And would they be able to get at least...say...8 good hours of sunshine? Just guessing here!
I suspect that you have been outside planting all of your tomatoes Irons? How's it going? And how are your beans recovering?
Just in for a bit of a break from the heat for some water and eventually to fix some lunch. :)
PD
Apart from the patio my garden is mainly shady, PD. We are in the process of a revamp of the main border ripping everything out and going for a different look. Two banana plants are in (Musa Basjoo) and another, Musella Lasiocarpa is on order. Planted a Fatsia Japonica "Spider Plant" yesterday and have a couple of red spikey plants, the name I have forgotten.
Planting at the allotment after typing this, two marrow and four courgette plants - far too many. The great tom plant out is definitely tomorrow, no matter what! Beans are very sad :(. I have some spares but not enough to replace them all.
An exotic garden in deepest Surrey!
Sounds like you'll have quite a relaxing and shady garden there Irons! :)
Any chance that your beans will recover now that the weather is improving if you are patient and give them some time?
Good luck with the tomato planting. Need to get outside here soon myself (finishing a second load of laundry here, will make a quick breakfast and then outside for me). I did stake all of my tomatoes and peppers yesterday (needed doing anyway but we were at risk for strong winds and possible hail...lucky, a bit windy, some rain--could have used more--and no hail).
Mandryka,
Have you thought more about what you want to plant in that hot spot?
PD
Quote from: Mandryka on May 27, 2021, 12:30:38 AM
An exotic garden in deepest Surrey!
And out with the bubble wrap in autumn! :)
Quote from: Irons on May 27, 2021, 07:47:11 AM
And out with the bubble wrap in autumn! :)
I've been wondering how much covering up you'll be doing (meaning of your garden). ;)
Doing more stuff inside today; rather frustrating. At least I've ordered the replacement parts for my multi-cutter (mostly used for weed whacking). Boy, though, even repairing it myself, it won't be cheap! :(
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 27, 2021, 05:48:37 AM
Mandryka,
Have you thought more about what you want to plant in that hot spot?
PD
One of these
(https://i.ibb.co/gJNw4R8/echium-pink-a9cd38d9-0b6c-45f4-bdb0-57fc13c24eba-740x.jpg)
Quote from: Mandryka on May 27, 2021, 12:07:17 PM
One of these
(https://i.ibb.co/gJNw4R8/echium-pink-a9cd38d9-0b6c-45f4-bdb0-57fc13c24eba-740x.jpg)
So, you're thinking of a tower of jewels plant?
I found this info:
How to Grow Echium The tower of jewels plant can survive temperatures below 20 F. (-6 C.) if given some protection but is generally a warm to temperate weather specimen. Cooler areas should try to grow the plant in a solarium or greenhouse. The best soil is sandy to gritty and a cactus soil works well for potted plants. Site the Echium tower of jewels in full sun with some protection from the wind. These plants are quite drought tolerant but superior tower of jewels care will include regular watering in summer to help produce a strong spire that doesn't tip over.
Link (auto-provided) Read more at Gardening Know How: Echium Tower of Jewels Flower: Tips For Growing Tower Of Jewels Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/tower-of-jewels/echium-tower-of-jewels-info.htm
How cold does it get on average during winter for you?
And apparently it grows on average from 5-8 feet tall. Is this a different variety? Or given really good conditions? :)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 27, 2021, 05:48:37 AM
Mandryka,
Have you thought more about what you want to plant in that hot spot?
PD
Just bought a Buddleja colvilei
(https://garden.org/pics/2018-06-18/kniphofia/260e34.jpg)
Quote from: Mandryka on June 11, 2021, 05:58:33 AM
Just bought a Buddleja colvilei
(https://garden.org/pics/2018-06-18/kniphofia/260e34.jpg)
Neat! Beautiful looking shrub! I suspect that hummingbirds would like the flowers too. :) Now are you going to be good and either you or someone else work in a lot of compost to loosen up your clay soil for it? ;D >:D A pain, I know, but it will be happier in the long run.
Blissfully cooler here today. I know, I know. My peppers, eggplants and tomatoes prefer it hotter but I needed this break! And less humid too. :)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 11, 2021, 06:27:42 AM
Neat! Beautiful looking shrub! I suspect that hummingbirds would like the flowers too. :) Now are you going to be good and either you or someone else work in a lot of compost to loosen up your clay soil for it? ;D >:D A pain, I know, but it will be happier in the long run.
Blissfully cooler here today. I know, I know. My peppers, eggplants and tomatoes prefer it hotter but I needed this break! And less humid too. :)
PD
Tomatoes are surprisingly fussy for ideal growing temperatures. Anything above 27c (81f) they struggle, greenhouses go way above that. I am coming to the conclusion that even for moderate temperatures in SE England it is best to grow a blight resistant variety without cover.
Quote from: Irons on June 26, 2021, 06:42:41 AM
Tomatoes are surprisingly fussy for ideal growing temperatures. Anything above 27c (81f) they struggle, greenhouses go way above that. I am coming to the conclusion that even for moderate temperatures in SE England it is best to grow a blight resistant variety without cover.
The weather has been so screwy around here lately--either really warm or really cold--I'm hoping that I don't get both early
and late tomato blight! ::) So far, they're looking pretty good (knock on wood) with possible exception of one that is in a pot...due possibly to not enough water for a short spell? Looks pretty good but has a few (lower)yellow leaves. I'll go out early tomorrow and pinch them off and then apply some liquid organic fertilizer (and maybe some more compost). More weeding to do.
How are your tomatoes doing so far Irons? And what are you going to do with all of them?
PD
My tomato plants started off slowly, but after a heatwave a few weeks back, they took off. Most of mine are in pots and many have yellowing lower leaves because they're too close together at the moment so the bottom branches aren't getting enough sun. I'll be relocating them shortly. The ones in the smaller pots are plants I'll be giving away to friends and family.
Quote from: Szykneij on June 27, 2021, 03:31:01 AM
My tomato plants started off slowly, but after a heatwave a few weeks back, they took off. Most of mine are in pots and many have yellowing lower leaves because they're too close together at the moment so the bottom branches aren't getting enough sun. I'll be relocating them shortly. The ones in the smaller pots are plants I'll be giving away to friends and family.
I cut off the lower leaves to allow the air to circulate through the plants.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 27, 2021, 01:29:51 AM
The weather has been so screwy around here lately--either really warm or really cold--I'm hoping that I don't get both early and late tomato blight! ::) So far, they're looking pretty good (knock on wood) with possible exception of one that is in a pot...due possibly to not enough water for a short spell? Looks pretty good but has a few (lower)yellow leaves. I'll go out early tomorrow and pinch them off and then apply some liquid organic fertilizer (and maybe some more compost). More weeding to do.
How are your tomatoes doing so far Irons? And what are you going to do with all of them?
PD
Same here PD. Weather all over the place. My favourite "make" is Crimson Crush and they make up the main crop. As an experiment I am trialling other varieties - Black Russian, Moneymaker and Gardener's Delight. In the greenhouse Black Russian shot up like a rocket, I have already pinched out the growing tip! At the allotment Gardener's Delight is twice the size of all the others including Crimson Crush, but oddly in the greenhouse nothing special.
In theory the greenhouse plants should crop first, but doesn't work out like that for me. At present they are running neck and neck.
From early August through to October I have grilled tomatoes on toast for breakfast each morning. :P
Quote from: Irons on June 27, 2021, 08:03:55 AM
Same here PD. Weather all over the place. My favourite "make" is Crimson Crush and they make up the main crop. As an experiment I am trialling other varieties - Black Russian, Moneymaker and Gardener's Delight. In the greenhouse Black Russian shot up like a rocket, I have already pinched out the growing tip! At the allotment Gardener's Delight is twice the size of all the others including Crimson Crush, but oddly in the greenhouse nothing special.
In theory the greenhouse plants should crop first, but doesn't work out like that for me. At present they are running neck and neck.
From early August through to October I have grilled tomatoes on toast for breakfast each morning. :P
I'll have to look into your varieties Irons. :) Grilled tomatoes sounds yummy! Do you add any herbs, special seasonings, etc., to your breakfast dish? And do you use plum tomatoes or slicers?
PD
Quote from: Szykneij on June 27, 2021, 03:31:01 AM
My tomato plants started off slowly, but after a heatwave a few weeks back, they took off. Most of mine are in pots and many have yellowing lower leaves because they're too close together at the moment so the bottom branches aren't getting enough sun. I'll be relocating them shortly. The ones in the smaller pots are plants I'll be giving away to friends and family.
And wow! That's a whole lot of tomato plants! What do you do with them when they are coming in and inundating your kitchen Tony? :)
And how nice of you to give some of your plants away too! Very thoughtful!
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 27, 2021, 12:03:04 PM
And wow! That's a whole lot of tomato plants! What do you do with them when they are coming in and inundating your kitchen Tony? :)
And how nice of you to give some of your plants away too! Very thoughtful!
PD
Tomato sandwiches and salad on the patio, so a lot of tomatoes (and cucumbers and peppers) never get through the door. My wife also makes a great sauce with them.
Before I retired, I used to bring in a tray of plants to work every morning and most were gone by the end of the day. I didn't adjust my planting this year, so I have a bit of an overload :-[ Old habits die hard 8)
Quote from: Szykneij on June 27, 2021, 01:23:31 PM
Tomato sandwiches and salad on the patio, so a lot of tomatoes (and cucumbers and peppers) never get through the door. My wife also makes a great sauce with them.
Before I retired, I used to bring in a tray of plants to work every morning and most were gone by the end of the day. I didn't adjust my planting this year, so I have a bit of an overload :-[ Old habits die hard 8)
Oh, sweet! And, oh dear! One year I was able to give away a few plants to a local program for kids. It was run in a town nearby and was for inner-city school kids in the summertime to teach them about how to grow plants, where there food comes from--and hopefully nutrition too. :) You might try calling around. Maybe calling your town or city hall? Or YMCA, etc.?
Tomato Sandwichs sounds good! What all do you like to add to it besides tomatoes?. Once in a while, I love to have a BLT. Another favorite--more for at dinnertime really, I love to make a platter full of some nice lettuce leaves, slices of fresh mozzarella topped with slices of various tomatoes, s&p, basil and sometimes fresh oregano and drizzle it with some good olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Let marinate at room temp for about half an hour before serving.
The local hothouse and heirloom tomatoes are quite good, so I've been using some of them to get an early tomato fix. :) I'm starting to see some growing on my plants but it will still be a while.
PD
Salt and pepper, PD.
About five years ago a chap at the allotment spent a holiday in the South of France and came across a strange looking tomato plant. He cultivated it here in the UK and offered seeds to anyone who wanted them. All I do is take seeds from a fruit place them on a tissue and the following year they germinate without fail. The plant itself although large appears to be on its last legs, a weeping habit. The fruits are massive. I believe they are known in France as "Le Boeuf". If anybody would like some seeds drop me a PM and I will pop some in the post about September time.
Quote from: Irons on June 28, 2021, 07:57:19 AM
Salt and pepper, PD.
About five years ago a chap at the allotment spent a holiday in the South of France and came across a strange looking tomato plant. He cultivated it here in the UK and offered seeds to anyone who wanted them. All I do is take seeds from a fruit place them on a tissue and the following year they germinate without fail. The plant itself although large appears to be on its last legs, a weeping habit. The fruits are massive. I believe they are known in France as "Le Boeuf". If anybody would like some seeds drop me a PM and I will pop some in the post about September time.
Am having trouble locating a French tomato just called "Le Boeuf". Do you have any photos and/or further descriptions of it? I did find one called "Coeur de Boeuf".
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 28, 2021, 12:18:33 PM
Am having trouble locating a French tomato just called "Le Boeuf". Do you have any photos and/or further descriptions of it? I did find one called "Coeur de Boeuf".
PD
That's the one, I think. We have them here, too. They can be spectacular.
(https://cdn4.fermedesaintemarthe.com/I-Autre-28893_1200x1200-tomate-cuor-di-bue-rose-coeur-de-boeuf-ab.net.jpg)
Quote from: André on June 28, 2021, 01:40:05 PM
That's the one, I think. We have them here, too. They can be spectacular.
(https://cdn4.fermedesaintemarthe.com/I-Autre-28893_1200x1200-tomate-cuor-di-bue-rose-coeur-de-boeuf-ab.net.jpg)
Thanks, that is the one.
Cool! Thanks for confirming it. I've grown one or two of those heavily "ribbed" varieties and another one that was heart shaped (with pointed end) before.
It's hotter than Hades here (supposed to get close to 100 F today). As a friend of mine likes to say: "It's the surface of the sun outside now". Glad that it's cooler in the UK....Roger's warming up now on Centre Court (Wimbledon). 😍 Yippee! So happy here. 😁
PD
My garden this morning
(https://i.ibb.co/CwqXwKt/fox.jpg)
Everyone looks cute when they're asleep!
Quote from: Mandryka on July 02, 2021, 01:36:13 AM
My garden this morning
(https://i.ibb.co/CwqXwKt/fox.jpg)
Everyone looks cute when they're asleep!
Oh, sweet! 😆
Quote from: Mandryka on July 02, 2021, 01:36:13 AM
My garden this morning
(https://i.ibb.co/CwqXwKt/fox.jpg)
Everyone looks cute when they're asleep!
Do not feed! Sod that! I chuck a lamb bone over the fence with the thought "enjoy" Mr/Mrs Fox. :)
Nice paving.
Quote from: Irons on July 02, 2021, 07:33:22 AM
Do not feed! Sod that! I chuck a lamb bone over the fence with the thought "enjoy" Mr/Mrs Fox. :)
Nice paving.
Mandryka and Irons,
Next thing you know, you'll be doing this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVqhnsHOo2U
And, no I wouldn't suggest trying this as these two in the video were rescues and are in a special facility. :)
PD
Quote from: Mandryka on July 02, 2021, 01:36:13 AM
Everyone looks cute when they're asleep!
;D
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--K4ifgpi9kY/XdlAZL5YxYI/AAAAAAAGc0Q/Fkz4ntAKErwhKJgP1Bdv3E2u-1CAUxvxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/WeMustntPanicPANCI.gif)
Quote from: mabuse on July 02, 2021, 12:47:23 PM
;D
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--K4ifgpi9kY/XdlAZL5YxYI/AAAAAAAGc0Q/Fkz4ntAKErwhKJgP1Bdv3E2u-1CAUxvxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/WeMustntPanicPANCI.gif)
:laugh: Cute! I really enjoyed Chicken Run. :)
It was coming and arrived with a vengeance, the dreaded blight! With the climate disasters in Germany and Japan, which are truly awful, it seems churlish to complain but we have gone from a month of rain to at present temperatures exceeding the Caribbean. Perfect for blight! To save the potato crop I am cutting to the ground. The sense of panic and sheer hard work made me think of the poor souls of the Irish potato famine. Most of my tomato plants are blight resistant, but not all. It is a sad sight to see other plot holders entire crop of plants turning black overnight.
The chap who brought the Coeur de Boeuf seeds to our allotment lost 57 plants, his entire crop!
Quote from: Irons on July 21, 2021, 06:50:45 AM
It was coming and arrived with a vengeance, the dreaded blight! With the climate disasters in Germany and Japan, which are truly awful, it seems churlish to complain but we have gone from a month of rain to at present temperatures exceeding the Caribbean. Perfect for blight! To save the potato crop I am cutting to the ground. The sense of panic and sheer hard work made me think of the poor souls of the Irish potato famine. Most of my tomato plants are blight resistant, but not all. It is a sad sight to see other plot holders entire crop of plants turning black overnight.
The chap who brought the Coeur de Boeuf seeds to our allotment lost 57 plants, his entire crop!
I had tried to reply to this yesterday, but was having site problems. So very sorry to hear of your blight problems. It's truly heartbreaking I know. And that poor guy who lost all of his tomato plants! :'( For the most part, I've given up on growing heirloom tomatoes as much as I love their tastes, colors, the variety...due to issues with diseases. Even with the best of growing conditions, if Mother Nature is against you, you can have failures such as those. I dread to read reports about similar issues here. I had heard something briefly in the news (re locally), so will have to check into it further. With prices for everything appearing to be on the rise, this could hurt a lot of people. Please keep us abreast of the news Iron. And good luck!
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 22, 2021, 02:12:00 AM
I had tried to reply to this yesterday, but was having site problems. So very sorry to hear of your blight problems. It's truly heartbreaking I know. And that poor guy who lost all of his tomato plants! :'( For the most part, I've given up on growing heirloom tomatoes as much as I love their tastes, colors, the variety...due to issues with diseases. Even with the best of growing conditions, if Mother Nature is against you, you can have failures such as those. I dread to read reports about similar issues here. I had heard something briefly in the news (re locally), so will have to check into it further. With prices for everything appearing to be on the rise, this could hurt a lot of people. Please keep us abreast of the news Iron. And good luck!
PD
Thanks, PD. I am in a quandary. One of the Coeur de Boeuf tomato plants was in the early stages of blight. Before digging the plant up I rescued some unripe fruit - see pic. I'm aware of meticulous husbandry after blight, burn all the plants and don't use the same site for following years. I think some of this is a bit OTT, but on the other hand I do not want a repeat next year! Will it be OK to ripen the fruit and extract the seeds to use next year or am I asking for trouble?
Quote from: Irons on July 22, 2021, 07:25:17 AM
Thanks, PD. I am in a quandary. One of the Coeur de Boeuf tomato plants was in the early stages of blight. Before digging the plant up I rescued some unripe fruit - see pic. I'm aware of meticulous husbandry after blight, burn all the plants and don't use the same site for following years. I think some of this is a bit OTT, but on the other hand I do not want a repeat next year! Will it be OK to ripen the fruit and extract the seeds to use next year or am I asking for trouble?
Good questions Irons. 1) Can you burn plants, refuse at community plots? 2) Could you take a break on the sites/plots effected and clear them well and then put down some plastic to solarize the soil? I'm not certain how well that would work against things like blight, how long you would have to do it for etc.? I've heard that it's good killing weed seeds. Haven't tried it myself before. 3) Hmm...regarding using seeds from those tomatoes, well, firstly I hope that they are able to ripen so that you can eat them....and, well, I would consult with an agricultural expert. In the States, there are universities and colleges that have agricultural extensions (I believe is the term). You can send them soil samples for example. They also have articles about things like blight and other diseases. If not them, maybe your RHS? Let me know what you find out.
PD
a p.s.
I just went outside because I heard a hawk chick asking for a prey drop and looked at the tomato plants that I have on my porch. I noticed that one of the plum tomatoes (still quite green) had fallen off of its stem...picked it up: brown fuzzy mess at the top of it. :( Well, the good news: just went outside again. This time thought that I heard two hawk chicks asking for food; saw either one of them or an adult flying over and around my house and is now in a tree nearby; can't get a good enough view of the tail to figure out whether or not it's an adult or a chick.
PD
A couple of weeks ago there was a lot of squawking in the car park. It turned out to be mature sea gulls attacking an adolescent gull. We have noticed this in previous years. The adolescent did a good job of fighting them off and after a couple of days disappeared. The row started again at the weekend, this time it was gulls attacking a much younger gull, it still had grey downy feathers. The poor thing hadn't yet managed to fly but eventually took refuge on our patio, hiding amongst the shrubbery. By the following morning it had gone, hopefully flown off to safety.
The gulls are very aggressive - saw one kill a squirrel - not sure why they attack young gulls
Quote from: Biffo on July 22, 2021, 08:05:41 AM
A couple of weeks ago there was a lot of squawking in the car park. It turned out to be mature sea gulls attacking an adolescent gull. We have noticed this in previous years. The adolescent did a good job of fighting them off and after a couple of days disappeared. The row started again at the weekend, this time it was gulls attacking a much younger gull, it still had grey downy feathers. The poor thing hadn't yet managed to fly but eventually took refuge on our patio, hiding amongst the shrubbery. By the following morning it had gone, hopefully flown off to safety.
The gulls are very aggressive - saw one kill a squirrel - not sure why they attack young gulls
I tried googling a bit and saw various answers, so don't really know: protecting their nests? shortage of food? or???
Went back outside a few more times and saw, probably an adult, circling overhead I suspect looking for food for his/her chicks and a few minutes later, heard a chick squawking in a tree nearby (might have seen him her but pretty high up so hard to tell). Went back inside to get out of the sun and also not frighten off mom or dad from feeding them.
PD
I can't complain considering the situation in Europe, but it looked like I had waterfront property last week after our torrential rains. Luckily, the water subsided once the rain stopped and my tomatoes were left unscathed.
Quote from: Szykneij on July 22, 2021, 09:19:30 AM
I can't complain considering the situation in Europe, but it looked like I had waterfront property last week after our torrential rains. Luckily, the water subsided once the rain stopped and my tomatoes were left unscathed.
Aw, man! ??? Hope that they continue to do well Tony. By the way, is that black landscaping cloth that you have on the ground under your tomatoes? A bit surprised also that you have so many plants in pots--not the tomatoes. Are those flowers and herbs or?? Is your ground pretty hard? Like rocky or clay?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 22, 2021, 09:50:51 AM
Aw, man! ??? Hope that they continue to do well Tony. By the way, is that black landscaping cloth that you have on the ground under your tomatoes? A bit surprised also that you have so many plants in pots--not the tomatoes. Are those flowers and herbs or?? Is your ground pretty hard? Like rocky or clay?
PD
Hi, PD -
Yes, that's landscaping cloth. This is the section of land I purchased that had the Japanese knotweed infestation. I spent an entire summer digging it up, but new sprouts continue to pop up, so I've only made permanent plantings around the perimeter. The ground is also rocky with clay soil (one of the contributing reason for the poor drainage) and root covered. Luckily, the grass and clover I planted are thriving.
Most of the flowers you see in pots are annuals, primarily there for the polinators. (There's an amazing number and variety of bees that show up.) Elsewhere on the property I have a "tall" perennial garden (goldenrods, asters, bee balm, Jersulam artichoke, Joe-pye weed, etc.), a separate garden for shorter growing plants, a couple of shade gardens, and various shrubs, trees, and hostas wherever I can squeeze them in.
Quote from: Szykneij on July 22, 2021, 10:14:34 AM
Hi, PD -
Yes, that's lanscaping cloth. This is the section of land I purchased that had the Japanese knotweed infestation. I spent an entire summer digging it up, but new sprouts continue to pop up, so I've only made permanent plantings around the perimeter. The ground is also rocky with clay soil (one of the contributing reason for the poor drainage) and root covered. Luckily, the grass and clover I planted are thriving.
Most of the flowers you see in pots are annuals, primarily there for the polinators. (There's an amazing number and variety of bees that show up.) Elsewhere on the property I have a "tall" perennial garden (goldenrods, asters, bee balm, Jersulam artichoke, Joe-pye weed, etc.), a separate garden for shorter growing plants, a couple of shade gardens, and various shrubs, trees, and hostas wherever I can squeeze them in.
You must be busy. I sympathise for your knotweed problem. I have scaled back on pots this year, they look nice but are hard work. Watering twice a day in hot weather but worse of all when plants outgrow their pot. I spent a whole morning sweating blood extracting a
Phoenix shrub from a pot and have stab wounds as proof. As can be seen in photo below, not before time! The poor thing is now happy in open ground.
Quote from: Irons on July 22, 2021, 11:48:45 PM
You must be busy. I sympathise for your knotweed problem. I have scaled back on pots this year, they look nice but are hard work. Watering twice a day in hot weather but worse of all when plants outgrow their pot. I spent a whole morning sweating blood extracting a Phoenix shrub from a pot and have stab wounds as proof. As can be seen in photo below, not before time! The poor thing is now happy in open ground.
Yes, it keeps me busy, but it's what I enjoy doing most during the warm weather. You're correct about the need for extra watering, but the advantage is being able to move things around when different plants grow at different rates, as well as having something on hand when another plant needs replacing in the ground.
Your Phoenix shrub was a bit rootbound, wasn't it? :) I'm not familiar with that plant. at least by that name. Can you tell me more about it? I'm not sure it would thrive in my climate zone, but I like growing things that aren't the norm. I have some seedling monkey puzzle trees I started after seeing the original "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" film, although they're not technically cold hardy enough for where I live. They take a long time to grow, though, and with climate change going on, things might be warm enough here when they're ready to go in the ground :o .
Quote from: Irons on July 22, 2021, 11:48:45 PM
You must be busy. I sympathise for your knotweed problem. I have scaled back on pots this year, they look nice but are hard work. Watering twice a day in hot weather but worse of all when plants outgrow their pot.
You should investigate a hozelock irrigation system. They work. I have found that many plants do better in large containers than in the ground, maybe because they have no competition, maybe because it's easier for me to ensure that they have all the water and nutrients they need. Hydrangea species, grasses, ferns, Trachelospermum, Ceratostigma are all examples.
Quote from: Szykneij on July 23, 2021, 02:49:25 AM
Yes, it keeps me busy, but it's what I enjoy doing most during the warm weather. You're correct about the need for extra watering, but the advantage is being able to move things around when different plants grow at different rates, as well as having something on hand when another plant needs replacing in the ground.
Your Phoenix shrub was a bit rootbound, wasn't it? :) I'm not familiar with that plant. at least by that name. Can you tell me more about it? I'm not sure it would thrive in my climate zone, but I like growing things that aren't the norm. I have some seedling monkey puzzle trees I started after seeing the original "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" film, although they're not technically cold hardy enough for where I live. They take a long time to grow, though, and with climate change going on, things might be warm enough here when they're ready to go in the ground :o .
"Phoenix" here https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/pre-order-xxl-giant-phoenix-canariensis-canary-island-date-palm-large-6-7ft-patio-palm-trees-170-200cms?fee=6&fep=18147&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0emHBhC1ARIsAL1QG
Like you, I like a challenge. Stripped a border and filled with banana plants and cannas. I plan to bubble wrap the banana stems - I successfully did the same with a tree fern for the last two years. Also, have arranged a builders bag of forest bark for delivery in the Autumn which I will liberally spread through the bed. There is a risk, but if they burst into life come next Spring I will be chuffed and relieved.
Quote from: Irons on July 23, 2021, 08:00:55 AM
"Phoenix" here https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/pre-order-xxl-giant-phoenix-canariensis-canary-island-date-palm-large-6-7ft-patio-palm-trees-170-200cms?fee=6&fep=18147&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0emHBhC1ARIsAL1QG
Like you, I like a challenge. Stripped a border and filled with banana plants and cannas. I plan to bubble wrap the banana stems - I successfully did the same with a tree fern for the last two years. Also, have arranged a builders bag of forest bark for delivery in the Autumn which I will liberally spread through the bed. There is a risk, but if they burst into life come next Spring I will be chuffed and relieved.
Awesome looking tree! Unfortunately, it's rated U.S. Hardiness Zones 9-11 and I'm in zone 6, so it likely won't survive our winters and I don't have enough room to bring any more plants inside. Good luck with your bananas and cannas!
Quote from: Irons on July 23, 2021, 08:00:55 AM
"Phoenix" here https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/pre-order-xxl-giant-phoenix-canariensis-canary-island-date-palm-large-6-7ft-patio-palm-trees-170-200cms?fee=6&fep=18147&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0emHBhC1ARIsAL1QG
Like you, I like a challenge. Stripped a border and filled with banana plants and cannas. I plan to bubble wrap the banana stems - I successfully did the same with a tree fern for the last two years. Also, have arranged a builders bag of forest bark for delivery in the Autumn which I will liberally spread through the bed. There is a risk, but if they burst into life come next Spring I will be chuffed and relieved.
So do you think that you can get some healthy bananas where you live?
Quote from: Irons on July 23, 2021, 08:00:55 AM
"Phoenix" here https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/pre-order-xxl-giant-phoenix-canariensis-canary-island-date-palm-large-6-7ft-patio-palm-trees-170-200cms?fee=6&fep=18147&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0emHBhC1ARIsAL1QG
Like you, I like a challenge. Stripped a border and filled with banana plants and cannas. I plan to bubble wrap the banana stems - I successfully did the same with a tree fern for the last two years. Also, have arranged a builders bag of forest bark for delivery in the Autumn which I will liberally spread through the bed. There is a risk, but if they burst into life come next Spring I will be chuffed and relieved.
The problem I had with cannas is that they flowered for me very late, September. The older they were, the more reluctant they were to flower. In the end I bought fresh once's every year, ones which were already in flower in the nursery, effectively treating them as bedding. Now I don't bother, largely because I'm not keen on the monocot foliage.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 23, 2021, 03:27:25 PM
So do you think that you can get some healthy bananas where you live?
Absolutely no chance. Purely decorative, a blousy statement. The one on the right started life last summer in a pot. The other I planted this Spring.
(https://i.imgur.com/Anu4m3x.jpg)
Quote from: Mandryka on July 23, 2021, 08:23:17 PM
The problem I had with cannas is that they flowered for me very late, September. The older they were, the more reluctant they were to flower. In the end I bought fresh once's every year, ones which were already in flower in the nursery, effectively treating them as bedding. Now I don't bother, largely because I'm not keen on the monocot foliage.
Interesting, we have three green and one red, all planted this year. Not too worried about late flowering as looking more for the architectural statement of canna. I have noticed something is having a nibble at them.
Quote from: Irons on July 24, 2021, 02:27:39 AM
Absolutely no chance. Purely decorative, a blousy statement. The one on the right started life last summer in a pot. The other I planted this Spring.
(https://i.imgur.com/Anu4m3x.jpg)
Interesting, we have three green and one red, all planted this year. Not too worried about late flowering as looking more for the architectural statement of canna. I have noticed something is having a nibble at them.
Drat! Well, they are cool looking in any event. :) And I like the trellis that you made for your lovely clematis too!
PD
Great looking plants!
I've had this banana plant for many years. I take it inside every winter and it survives, but doesn't do very well. When I move it to the back deck for the summer, it usually thrives. This year, it's off to a slow recovery.
Edit: Maybe because it's on it's side :o :)
Quote from: Szykneij on July 24, 2021, 03:16:17 AM
Great looking plants!
I've had this banana plant for many years. I take it inside every winter and it survives, but doesn't do very well. When I move it to the back deck for the summer, it usually thrives. This year, it's off to a slow recovery.
Edit: Maybe because it's on it's side :o :)
;D
I think your winters maybe colder. Mine are not in pots though I believe you can dig them up for winter months although I do not intend to do this. There are some YT clips giving advice on measures for protection. Apparently water logging is the biggest killer in winter months.
Your specimen looks a different variety and possibly more tender. Mine are
Musa Basjoo.
Quote from: Szykneij on July 24, 2021, 03:16:17 AM
Great looking plants!
I've had this banana plant for many years. I take it inside every winter and it survives, but doesn't do very well. When I move it to the back deck for the summer, it usually thrives. This year, it's off to a slow recovery.
Edit: Maybe because it's on it's side :o :)
Quote from: Irons on July 25, 2021, 01:47:31 AM
;D
I think your winters maybe colder. Mine are not in pots though I believe you can dig them up for winter months although I do not intend to do this. There are some YT clips giving advice on measures for protection. Apparently water logging is the biggest killer in winter months.
Your specimen looks a different variety and possibly more tender. Mine are Musa Basjoo.
Tony and Irons,
I did easily find this article which has some helpful advice: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d442
Oh! I realized that my paste-type tomato plant (one of those that's in the pot) has blossom end rot (vs. knocking on wood while I type this) vs. a blight. Trying to think of an 'instant' type calcium food. Next try day, I'll also add some more compost and Tomato tone. Between being in a pot and all of the rain that we've been getting, it's washing the nutrients out of the pot! Any suggestions?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 25, 2021, 03:06:20 AM
Tony and Irons,
I did easily find this article which has some helpful advice: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d442
Oh! I realized that my paste-type tomato plant (one of those that's in the pot) has blossom end rot (vs. knocking on wood while I type this) vs. a blight. Trying to think of an 'instant' type calcium food. Next try day, I'll also add some more compost and Tomato tone. Between being in a pot and all of the rain that we've been getting, it's washing the nutrients out of the pot! Any suggestions?
PD
Thanks for that info, PD, on Musa basjoo (Japanese Banana). It looks like it would do well where I am, but I'm a little concerned it would join forces with my Japanes knotweed and form some kind of alliance. :)
When I pot my tomatoes in the spring, I usually use about half of the previous year's potting soil and amend it with new soil, manure, and plant food. That's usually sufficient for the year. I worried after my flood of a few weeks back, so I fed all the plants again and they seem to be doing fine. As a matter of fact, the grass is as lush and thick as ever and the mower had to work hard when I cut it yesterday. There is a product called Tomato Rot-Stop that you spay on the fruit that's supposed to be fast-acting. I've never tried it, but it could be worth a shot.
Quote from: Szykneij on July 25, 2021, 03:24:43 AM
Thanks for that info, PD, on Musa basjoo (Japanese Banana). It looks like it would do well where I am, but I'm a little concerned it would join forces with my Japanes knotweed and form some kind of alliance. :)
When I pot my tomatoes in the spring, I usually use about half of the previous year's potting soil and amend it with new soil, manure, and plant food. That's usually sufficient for the year. I worried after my flood of a few weeks back, so I fed all the plants again and they seem to be doing fine. As a matter of fact, the grass is as lush and thick as ever and the mower had to work hard when I cut it yesterday. There is a product called Tomato Rot-Stop that you spay on the fruit that's supposed to be fast-acting. I've never tried it, but it could be worth a shot.
Thanks for this suggestion. I like Bonide products and will try to get ahold of some as we're already well into tomato season here. So far, knock on wood, I've only seen that one tomato with it.
PD
We don't have a large garden, but thanks to the efforts of my wife, it is very attractive. She has been under pressure for some time to include it in the village's 'Open Garden' weekend, when anyone can come round your garden. The weather was bad and I thought that we'd only get one or two visitors but we must have had 100+ over the two days :o
I was a prisoner in my own house - but at least they seemed to enjoy the garden!
Quote from: vandermolen on August 09, 2021, 05:15:03 AM
We don't have a large garden, but thanks to the efforts of my wife, it is very attractive. She has been under pressure for some time to include it in the village's 'Open Garden' weekend, when anyone can come round your garden. The weather was bad and I thought that we'd only get one or two visitors but we must have had 100+ over the two days :o
I was a prisoner in my own house - but at least they seemed to enjoy the garden!
Sounds like she's done a great job! What kind of plants do you have growing in it?
Are folks allowed to wander around your back yard or do they just look from the street or driveway?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 09, 2021, 05:25:11 AM
Sounds like she's done a great job! What kind of plants do you have growing in it?
Are folks allowed to wander around your back yard or do they just look from the street or driveway?
PD
You can't see anything from the front of the house - they can walk right around the garden and can sit down on the garden chairs if they like. Some seemed interested in the 'Man Cave' at the end of the garden!
(//)
Quote from: vandermolen on August 09, 2021, 06:08:36 AM
You can't see anything from the front of the house - they can walk right around the garden and can sit down on the garden chairs if they like. Some seemed interested in the 'Man Cave' at the end of the garden!
(//)
It's lovely! :)
How's the man cave progressing these days?
Or, they could have been wondering "What kind of gardening tools, fertilizers, etc., does she use?" and thinking that it was a gardening shed instead! :D
And, perhaps you were feeling a bit of what is known as "the goldfish in the fish bowl syndrome"? ;)
PD
Quote from: vandermolen on August 09, 2021, 06:08:36 AM
You can't see anything from the front of the house - they can walk right around the garden and can sit down on the garden chairs if they like. Some seemed interested in the 'Man Cave' at the end of the garden!
(//)
Beautiful garden, your wife is to be congratulated.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 09, 2021, 06:18:56 AM
It's lovely! :)
How's the man cave progressing these days?
Or, they could have been wondering "What kind of gardening tools, fertilizers, etc., does she use?" and thinking that it was a gardening shed instead! :D
And, perhaps you were feeling a bit of what is known as "the goldfish in the fish bowl syndrome"? ;)
PD
The Man Cave has a separate section at the back where we keep the gardening stuff. I'll take a photo of the Man Cave interior later.
Quote from: Biffo on August 09, 2021, 07:41:43 AM
Beautiful garden, your wife is to be congratulated.
Thank you for the kind words which I shall pass on.
Lovely cosy garden for a summer evening, Jeffrey :)
...whilst Myaskovsky blares out of the hi-fi in the back garden's mancave :laugh:
Quote from: Papy Oli on August 09, 2021, 08:03:21 AM
Lovely cosy garden for a summer evening, Jeffrey :)
...whilst Myaskovsky blares out of the hi-fi in the back garden's mancave :laugh:
:laugh:
Jeffrey,
I like your intimate seating arrangement. Are you two able to sit out there and enjoy a meal or a glass of something nice? Hopefully, the neighbors aren't too loud?
PD
Quote from: Papy Oli on August 09, 2021, 08:03:21 AM
Lovely cosy garden for a summer evening, Jeffrey :)
...whilst Myaskovsky blares out of the hi-fi in the back garden's mancave :laugh:
Something like that!
Thanks Olivier :)
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 09, 2021, 08:39:56 AM
:laugh:
Jeffrey,
I like your intimate seating arrangement. Are you two able to sit out there and enjoy a meal or a glass of something nice? Hopefully, the neighbors aren't too loud?
PD
We usually only sit out if we have visitors. Unlike me my wife is always 'on the go'. Neighbours are ok on both sides. Our cat is pleased to have the garden back. Here are some Man Cave photos:
Quote from: vandermolen on August 09, 2021, 09:19:51 AM
We usually only sit out if we have visitors. Unlike me my wife is always 'on the go'. Neighbours are ok on both sides. Our cat is pleased to have the garden back. Here are some Man Cave photos:
Nice! It does look though that you are very close to being driven out of the cave by your book and CD collections! ;) Said by someone who is struggling to thin things out herself here.
And, yes, your cat looks very content. :)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 09, 2021, 09:28:07 AM
Nice! It does look though that you are very close to being driven out of the cave by your book and CD collections! ;) Said by someone who is struggling to thin things out herself here.
And, yes, your cat looks very content. :)
PD
Quite true on all fronts!
Quote from: vandermolen on August 09, 2021, 06:08:36 AM
You can't see anything from the front of the house - they can walk right around the garden and can sit down on the garden chairs if they like. Some seemed interested in the 'Man Cave' at the end of the garden!
(//)
A most pleasant garden, Jeffrey. The path actually leads to somewhere which is a plus. Is the red shrub next to the path an Acer?
The annual Bookham Village Day takes place in June and our allotment association set up a stall selling plants with the proceeds denotated to charity.
https://www.iliveinbookham.com/events/village-day-2021/
This year because of Covid instead of June the event took place yesterday. This created a problem as plant sales in September would not be successful. We settled on guess the weight of a pumpkin with the prize being a large crate of mixed vegetables at a £1 a go. Entrants were allowed to pick it up. For the kids I purchased a Bug Hotel kit on ebay for a separate competition for a smaller pumpkin. I did the afternoon shift with one other. I'm pleased to report we were rushed off our feet with a total of 119 having a go. We also did well selling stock from "The Hut" laid out on trestle tables.
The pumpkin weighed in at 18lb and the winner was only 3oz out. She was absolutely delighted with her winnings, which included two of the monster onions I have grown this year. Great day, but exhausting.
Quote from: Irons on August 31, 2021, 12:16:10 AM
The annual Bookham Village Day takes place in June and our allotment association set up a stall selling plants with the proceeds denotated to charity.
https://www.iliveinbookham.com/events/village-day-2021/
This year because of Covid instead of June the event took place yesterday. This created a problem as plant sales in September would not be successful. We settled on guess the weight of a pumpkin with the prize being a large crate of mixed vegetables at a £1 a go. Entrants were allowed to pick it up. For the kids I purchased a Bug Hotel kit on ebay for a separate competition for a smaller pumpkin. I did the afternoon shift with one other. I'm pleased to report we were rushed off our feet with a total of 119 having a go. We also did well selling stock from "The Hut" laid out on trestle tables.
The pumpkin weighed in at 18lb and the winner was only 3oz out. She was absolutely delighted with her winnings, which included two of the monster onions I have grown this year. Great day, but exhausting.
That sounds like you came up with a fine alternate plan, things went smoothly and all ended up happy! :) Well done to all of you! :)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 31, 2021, 02:10:33 AM
That sounds like you came up with a fine alternate plan, things went smoothly and all ended up happy! :) Well done to all of you! :)
PD
Thanks PD. I was sent a couple of photos. Self explanatory, the first of prize and second of the pumpkin.
(https://i.imgur.com/un4F5Y9.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/JYjqeXU.jpg)
Quote from: Irons on August 31, 2021, 11:48:11 PM
Thanks PD. I was sent a couple of photos. Self explanatory, the first of prize and second of the pumpkin.
(https://i.imgur.com/un4F5Y9.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/JYjqeXU.jpg)
Great photos! Your produce and flowers are all arranged quite attractively and look scrumptious! I'd certainly be betting on them. :) How much money were you able to raise in the end and which charity did you decide to donate the proceeds to?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 01, 2021, 02:58:35 AM
Great photos! Your produce and flowers are all arranged quite attractively and look scrumptious! I'd certainly be betting on them. :) How much money were you able to raise in the end and which charity did you decide to donate the proceeds to?
PD
Our stall raised on the day a total of £200.10, much less then past years due to plant sales. All total money raised at the event, it must be thousands, goes into a single pot and donated by the Bookham Village Association. A month earlier there was an open garden day - before you ask, no I definitely did not! - which incredibly raised over £8,000.
Quote from: Irons on September 01, 2021, 07:39:58 AM
Our stall raised on the day a total of £200.10, much less then past years due to plant sales. All total money raised at the event, it must be thousands, goes into a single pot and donated by the Bookham Village Association. A month earlier there was an open garden day - before you ask, no I definitely did not! - which incredibly raised over £8,000.
Excellent!
So, then there must be other groups there? Are they all community allotments and their members?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 01, 2021, 09:42:37 AM
Excellent!
So, then there must be other groups there? Are they all community allotments and their members?
PD
No, loads of stuff. A geriatric pop group, beer tent, surprisingly a line-up by enthusiasts of Corvette Stingray sports cars and loads more. We were very much a sideshow.
Quote from: Irons on September 01, 2021, 11:09:29 PM
No, loads of stuff. A geriatric pop group, beer tent, surprisingly a line-up by enthusiasts of Corvette Stingray sports cars and loads more. We were very much a sideshow.
Oh, o.k. Sounds like a fun day for all! :) And good to hear that so much money was raised by all.
PD
Quote from: ultralinear on December 19, 2021, 05:56:07 AM
I was out this morning cutting back some acers that had got very leggy, when I happened upon this:
Camellia in bloom. This beats the previous record (set about 10 years ago) by 3 days.
And this:
We've become used to rhododendrons flowering a second time in September, but this azalea has now flowered three times in a single year. And not just the odd rogue blossom - it's covered in them. ??? :)
I'm jealous. We had some light snow overnight and the temperature has been hovering around freezing all morning. What part of the world are you in?
My garden is put to bed for the winter, but I did send off my tomato seed orders yesterday and stocked up on seed starting mix, so I'm ready to go once the spring arrives.
Keeping myself busy dismantling pallets and building two raised beds at the allotment. The hardest part is filling them up!
Quote from: Irons on December 20, 2021, 07:50:40 AM
Keeping myself busy dismantling pallets and building two raised beds at the allotment. The hardest part is filling them up!
Wow, yet more raised beds for you Irons?! :o
How are you using/assembling the beds? And where do you get your soil from to add to them?
Ever the curious,
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on December 20, 2021, 09:34:25 AM
Wow, yet more raised beds for you Irons?! :o
How are you using/assembling the beds? And where do you get your soil from to add to them?
Ever the curious,
PD
Yes PD, the Mark 3 GT model. :)
(https://i.imgur.com/oSd82H8.jpg)
Two raised beds constructed from the timber of six pallets. Filling is problematic. As I plan to grow root vegetables in the second all soil has to be free of stones.
Quote from: Irons on December 21, 2021, 06:29:15 AM
Yes PD, the Mark 3 GT model. :)
(https://i.imgur.com/oSd82H8.jpg)
Two raised beds constructed from the timber of six pallets. Filling is problematic. As I plan to grow root vegetables in the second all soil has to be free of stones.
Impressive Irons! Did Madame I. assist in the construction of them? And it looks like you lined them with something?
PD
Quote from: Irons on December 21, 2021, 06:29:15 AM
Yes PD, the Mark 3 GT model. :)
(https://i.imgur.com/oSd82H8.jpg)
Two raised beds constructed from the timber of six pallets. Filling is problematic. As I plan to grow root vegetables in the second all soil has to be free of stones.
Those look awesome! I can appreciate the amount of soil it must take to fill them. My neighbor and a friend have a number of raised beds, but I prefer containers at this point. I like the flexibility of being able to move things around as they grow.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on December 21, 2021, 07:12:44 AM
Impressive Irons! Did Madame I. assist in the construction of them? And it looks like you lined them with something?
PD
Mission control keeps well away from the allotment. I lined the original boxes with plastic sheeting purchased from B&Q. Unfortunately not UV resistant and the area at top exposed to sunlight disintegrates. Slivers of plastic mixing with soil growing what we eat is not ideal. The black lining of the second bin is UV protected.
Quote from: Szykneij on December 21, 2021, 07:28:38 AM
Those look awesome! I can appreciate the amount of soil it must take to fill them. My neighbor and a friend have a number of raised beds, but I prefer containers at this point. I like the flexibility of being able to move things around as they grow.
I agree. I would not have raised beds in my garden for the very same reason. Was fun building them though.
I'm concerned I'll discover a lot of winter kill when spring finally arrives. Last month, we had some torrential rain that subsequently froze. Then, we got a blizzard that covered the ice. Snow cover is good for dormant plants in the winter, but not when it's on top of a layer of ice. On the bright side, the guards I put around the trees and shrubs the rabbits damaged last year seem to be doing the job. I find lots of rabbit scat each morning, but little plant damage. The hay I bought before it snowed and left it out for them might also be helping.
Quote from: Szykneij on February 07, 2022, 08:04:18 AM
I'm concerned I'll discover a lot of winter kill when spring finally arrives. Last month, we had some torrential rain that subsequently froze. Then, we got a blizzard that covered the ice. Snow cover is good for dormant plants in the winter, but not when it's on top of a layer of ice. On the bright side, the guards I put around the trees and shrubs the rabbits damaged last year seem to be doing the job. I find lots of rabbit scat each morning, but little plant damage. The hay I bought before it snowed and left it out for them might also be helping.
A miracle how nature recovers from the most adverse of conditions.
Yes I planted a Teucrium fruticans in September 2020. It really did well, lots of new growth and quite large until February 2021, when two days of frosts -- maybe -2 -- killed it right off, disappeared without trace.
I just went out and it's back with a vengeance -- from absolutely nothing to about 24 inches of growth already.
Quote from: Irons on February 07, 2022, 08:22:45 AM
A miracle how nature recovers from the most adverse of conditions.
Quote from: Mandryka on February 07, 2022, 08:48:05 AM
Yes I planted a Teucrium fruticans in September 2020. It really did well, lots of new growth and quite large until February 2021, when two days of frosts -- maybe -2 -- killed it right off, disappeared without trace.
I just went out and it's back with a vengeance -- from absolutely nothing to about 24 inches of growth already.
I'm glad to hear it came back! Nature
can be remarkable. When I was having tree work done last summer, a huge limb completely crushed a 10-foot black cherry tree. I was about to cut it up for removal, but decided to prop it up instead. So far, it continues to survive.
Quote from: Irons on February 07, 2022, 08:22:45 AM
A miracle how nature recovers from the most adverse of conditions.
Quote from: Mandryka on February 07, 2022, 08:48:05 AM
Yes I planted a Teucrium fruticans in September 2020. It really did well, lots of new growth and quite large until February 2021, when two days of frosts -- maybe -2 -- killed it right off, disappeared without trace.
I just went out and it's back with a vengeance -- from absolutely nothing to about 24 inches of growth already.
Yes, nature is amazing. I had left a plant (tender woody herb) outside (It was snowed upon), but finally brought it inside. Conditions were far from perfect. I had to keep it in a room that was too cold; finally moved it to warmer room after Christmas tree was gone and was able to put it in front of a window. Before that (in cooler room), there were only a couple of leaves showing green....rest of the leaves dried up and fell off. Now, being in front of direct sunlight (again) but also the fact that this room is much warmer, I slowly got to see signs of growth again [Also, I gave it a tiny bit of food since I hadn't fee it in quite some time]. After waiting patiently for some more signs of life, I did a bit of trimming back, and again, more buds and leaf growth (It was getting too unwieldy size-wise to deal with and catching on the curtains, etc., and also needed a bit of shaping too).
It's alive! :) Now just to keep it free from various diseases and spider/bug issues 'til I can get it back outside. It would be hard to spray it for anything where it is. Finger's crossed.
And very happy to hear that your plant survived Mandryka. I've found (and happily surprised) that certain plants--once they have established good root development and particularly if they are in a very favorable place (like your courtyard or in another sunny and somewhat protected conditions) will surprise you by pushing up and developing new growth; it might not be perfect looking (as in as big and full as before), but it you give it a while, you can often get it back to close to as it was before....I've thought that I had lost some butterfly bushes, but they survived (helped to be 'brutal' and really cut back the dead wood); the will to survive is strong, non?
It is spring and it is now clear that a very large drift of nepata, catmint, has died. This leaves an area about 10 feet x 5 feet pretty well bare.
I want to use the next few months to think about how to redesign it, with a view to planting etc in September.
My question is, what should I do with the land over the next 5 months? I could just clear it and hoe off any weeds which appear. But I wonder if anyone has any more interesting suggestions.
Is it too late for any edibles? Or ornamental annuals? What about green manures?
Quote from: Mandryka on April 18, 2022, 01:02:30 PM
It is spring and it is now clear that a very large drift of nepata, catmint, has died. This leaves an area about 10 feet x 5 feet pretty well bare.
I want to use the next few months to think about how to redesign it, with a view to planting etc in September.
My question is, what should I do with the land over the next 5 months? I could just clear it and hoe off any weeds which appear. But I wonder if anyone has any more interesting suggestions.
Is it too late for any edibles? Or ornamental annuals? What about green manures?
Raised bed? From next to nothing, wood from pallets. To more expensive, steel.
Quote from: Irons on April 19, 2022, 07:32:49 AM
Raised bed? From next to nothing, wood from pallets. To more expensive, steel.
Not for veggies, but you've set me thinking. Years ago at Wisley they had a garden of beds raised to eye level, planted with alpines. Like jewels they were, really beautiful, because they were raised you could really see them, and some of them trailed down the walls of the bed nicely too - others went up on little trellises. It would be hard to do in my space, but maybe, just maybe, I can think of a way. Thanks.
Bumblebees have emerged here this past weekend, so it was safe for me to start cleaning up the leaves that accumulated along the property edges. I always wait to do so until I know the bees have ventured out of their underground wintering spots.
While straightening up the vegetable garden area, I discovered a rabbit nest in one of my large planting pots with three small bunnies inside. I put up a makeshift roof over it to protect them from the heavy rains we've been having lately and have been watching out for them from afar (realizing that these cute little guys will probably become my nemesis down the road when the vegetables start to grow.) I set up a webcam nearby and have been fascinated watching how the mother only shows up at dusk to nurse the babies, staying away the rest of the day to avoid attracting predators to the nest.
The temperatures are still relatively cold here and it will be a few weeks before I can consider bringing any tender plants outside. In the meantime, my warm weather plants and the vegetable seedlings I've started are doing well in the cellar under lights.
Is it too late for me to sow Swiss chard in London?
Quote from: Mandryka on April 20, 2022, 04:49:10 AM
Is it too late for me to sow Swiss chard in London?
Not at all. I planted Swiss chard germinated in modules in late summer last year along with perpetual spinach. They have been invaluable during the last month or so "hungry gap". I don't water or anything expecting them to go to seed at any moment but they keep producing. A curry would not be the same without a side dish of lightly boiled chard.
(https://i.imgur.com/Anu4m3x.jpg)
For Banana plants a year is a long time!
(https://i.imgur.com/xO2RDNQ.jpg)
Quote from: Irons on June 20, 2022, 07:14:22 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/Anu4m3x.jpg)
For Banana plants a year is a long time!
(https://i.imgur.com/xO2RDNQ.jpg)
Hey, they survived! Why am I surprised though as I know how good of a gardener you are!
Trying to figure out how I can coexist with some milkweed (which "wandered over" from my neighbors' yard) AND not be inundated with a type of aphid which also loves this plant. I had heard recently that monarch butterflies have been added to the endangered species list. The milkweed is right in amongst my veggies. :( I want to kill the aphids but not hurt any butterfly eggs which might be laid on the plants.
PD
You need ladybugs (or ladybirds as they're called elsewhere). This was the third summer in a row that we've had a ladybug nursery form in a stand of poison sumac that grows near the vegetable garden. Literally thousands of all stages from eggs to larva to adults emerge during late spring and early summer. They devour aphids and spread out all over keeping things pest-free. You can purchase them on line or from some garden centers, too. I'll try to post some pictures.
First, bunches of yellow ladybug eggs appear on the leaves. Then, tiny little creatures emerge. The larva grow and look like little crocodiles (careful not to step on them). A pupa forms and ladybugs emerge in a variety colors and spots.
Then, they get together to continue the process.
Quote from: Szykneij on July 24, 2022, 02:00:42 PM
You need ladybugs (or ladybirds as they're called elsewhere). This was the third summer in a row that we've had a ladybug nursery form in a stand of poison sumac that grows near the vegetable garden. Literally thousands of all stages from eggs to larva to adults emerge during late spring and early summer. They devour aphids and spread out all over keeping things pest-free. You can purchase them on line or from some garden centers, too. I'll try to post some pictures.
Glad that they like your garden--though I'm shuddering at the thought of there being poison sumac near your veggie garden. I've heard of mixed luck with releasing beneficial insects--no guarantee that they will stay in your area. I did do some research yesterday about various ways to get rid of (most) of the critters. Here's one site: https://monarchbutterflygarden.net/control-aphids-milkweed-plants/
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 25, 2022, 01:58:48 AM
Glad that they like your garden--though I'm shuddering at the thought of there being poison sumac near your veggie garden. I've heard of mixed luck with releasing beneficial insects--no guarantee that they will stay in your area. I did do some research yesterday about various ways to get rid of (most) of the critters. Here's one site: https://monarchbutterflygarden.net/control-aphids-milkweed-plants/
PD
Yes, although it has attractive flowers, poison sumac is very dangerous and I'd definitely get rid of it completely if we lived in an agricultural area. I do cut it down (wearing gloves, long sleeves, and a mask) once the ladybugs have finished emerging.
Of the methods mentioned in your link, I highly recommend the one using soap. I always keep a spray bottle of Dawn dish washing solution handy. Spraying it directly on soft-bodied insects like aphids suffocates them, but is harmless to beneficial bugs. It's very effective getting rid of the ugly red aphids that show up on the tips of my Jerusalem artichoke plants.
(Incidentally, I've had milkweed growing on my property for many years without an aphid problem on those particular plants. Hope I didn't just jinx myself.)
Quote from: Szykneij on July 25, 2022, 03:15:59 AM
Yes, although it has attractive flowers, poison sumac is very dangerous and I'd definitely get rid of it completely if we lived in an agricultural area. I do cut it down (wearing gloves, long sleeves, and a mask) once the ladybugs have finished emerging.
Of the methods mentioned in your link, I highly recommend the one using soap. I always keep a spray bottle of Dawn dish washing solution handy. Spraying it directly on soft-bodied insects like aphids suffocates them, but is harmless to beneficial bugs. It's very effective getting rid of the ugly red aphids that show up on the tips of my Jerusalem artichoke plants.
(Incidentally, I've had milkweed growing on my property for many years without an aphid problem on those particular plants. Hope I didn't just jinx myself.)
Just did an inspection check of my eggplant leaves--squishing some more of what I believe to be Colorado potato beetle eggs. Spent a while trying to sort out the differences between the eggs from 1) lady bugs, 2) Colorado p.b., and 3) aphids....confusing and am finding some contradictory info. Augh! Trying not to kill the good with the bad. :( I do believe that I also saw a lady bug on one of my eggplant leaves. I hadn't realized how many different varieties of them there are!
I suspect that your ladybugs have been protecting your milkweed plants. Give them some praise! ;D
PD
After having repeated experiences of "critters" going after my tomatoes, a friend helped me put some netting around them (not much room to maneuver alas, but we did what we could).
And another critter has recently started going after my eggplants! Urgh! I was happily watching one of your traditional-looking Italian types starting to grow and push its way out of the calyx when one day, I went to check on it, and it had been gnawed off by the stem! Then today, I saw more flowers on other eggplants lying on the bed. Phooey!
So, I put some cages carefully around them (those 2 and 3 tiered hoop thingies) and then draped some old bird netting over the top of them and used landscape pins to hold it down (hopefully not allowing too-big of a gap in places). Will be a pain to weed, etc., but hopefully will help. A bit harder for bees and other pollinators to get in there too alas, but I think that it will be o.k.
And another critter chewed a hole into one of my bell pepper plants.
Probably the same critter; I'll post a wanted poster here soon.
PD
p.s. On the good-news side of things: a mystery plant that I was given for free whilst purchasing another plant from one of those big box home improvement stores, does in fact appear to be a jalapeño. It was in a tray labeled "japapeno" but it didn't have an identifying marker in the pot and there was also a strawberry plant in there and I think one other plant that didn't belong there. You could tell that it was a pepper plant of some sort though. As I had room, I thought "What the hay?" and planted it. :)
How are the rest of your gardens doing?
PD
EDIT: I forgot to mention earlier that I was shocked at how low the water pressure was when I was watering my plants earlier today. I thought at first that I must have had a kink in my hose and/or that I hadn't turned it up enough at the spigot. I guess that a lot of other people were out watering plus the usual getting ready for work? :(
Surprised PD, I have never thought the need to protect tomatoes with netting. I do plant marigolds between them as they are supposed to afford some protection. I think it's a bit of old wives tale but does look nice. The crop this year is high but the fruit are small. They resemble bunches of grapes rather then toms but taste sweet.
Bit of a disaster with marrow. We decided to have for dinner last night chilli con carne and marrow. I had two available, I noticed how hard to slice and the second was the same. Dumped both in compost bin as they would not have been nice to eat. I think what has happened is due to watering every day the fruits have grown OK but the high temps we have experienced has baked them. We had chilli con carne with courgettes instead. Oddly they were fine.
This year's onion crop. The red onions were from sets. The white, Bedford Champion and Alisa Craig plus banana shallots were from seed sown around February this year.
Quote from: Irons on August 03, 2022, 07:17:17 AM
Surprised PD, I have never thought the need to protect tomatoes with netting. I do plant marigolds between them as they are supposed to afford some protection. I think it's a bit of old wives tale but does look nice. The crop this year is high but the fruit are small. They resemble bunches of grapes rather then toms but taste sweet.
Bit of a disaster with marrow. We decided to have for dinner last night chilli con carne and marrow. I had two available, I noticed how hard to slice and the second was the same. Dumped both in compost bin as they would not have been nice to eat. I think what has happened is due to watering every day the fruits have grown OK but the high temps we have experienced has baked them. We had chilli con carne with courgettes instead. Oddly they were fine.
This year's onion crop. The red onions were from sets. The white, Bedford Champion and Alisa Craig plus banana shallots were from seed sown around February this year.
Impressive onion haul there Irons! How do you manage to store them so that they don't go bad 'til you're ready to use them? And sorry to hear about your marrows being a flop this year. Surprised to hear that your tomatoes are small. Are you trying a different variety this year? Or doing something differently re fertilizing them?
I only have a few tomato plants, and I think partly because the weather is so hot and dry that more "critters" are being tempted to dig into them (for moisture and seeds) that I've given in and covered them. It's not the best arrangement (due to garden setup, I can't put my metal stakes very far away from the plants. I think that the stakes are 6 feet tall. Used a rubber mallet to pound them in, then used black plastic bird netting to surround the circle (hooking the net onto the hooks on the stakes. I then put a bunch of landscape pins into the ground to (try) and secure the netting at ground level and then flopped the extra netting over the top of the plants into the center of my tomato ring. Will make it a pain to weed, feed, and harvest tomatoes, but so it goes.
Fingers crossed here!
PD
The hot and terribly dry weather here has created a challenge, but the garden is doing well. I had a huge early cucumber harvest that's now slowing down and the tomatoes are currently at their peak. Just recently, I noticed some critter damage and the trailcams I put out show I've got a skunk and a raccoon visiting (as well as a stray cat that I don't think is bothering the vegetables.) Since I tend to plant way more than we can use ourselves (neighbors get frequent deliveries) and the varmints tend to only go after the low hanging fruit, it's not a major concern.
Luckily, our water comes from one of the largest reservoirs in the state, so no watering ban as of yet. I do need to irrigate way more frequently than usual, though. I'm hoping and praying for some rain.
Quote from: Szykneij on August 03, 2022, 11:22:04 AM
The hot and terribly dry weather here has created a challenge, but the garden is doing well. I had a huge early cucumber harvest that's now slowing down and the tomatoes are currently at their peak. Just recently, I noticed some critter damage and the trailcams I put out show I've got a skunk and a raccoon visiting (as well as a stray cat that I don't think is bothering the vegetables.) Since I tend to plant way more than we can use ourselves (neighbors get frequent deliveries) and the varmints tend to only go after the low hanging fruit, it's not a major concern.
Luckily, our water comes from one of the largest reservoirs in the state, so no watering ban as of yet. I do need to irrigate way more frequently than usual, though. I'm hoping and praying for some rain.
So what do you do with all of your cukes? Do you plant any pickling varieties?
And no squirrels and chipmunks visiting?! :o I'm suspecting that they are the culprits in my garden. Do many folks in your local area neighborhood have veggie gardens S? Wondering what the raccoons have in terms of choices: restaurants? homeowners garbage? or?
No watering restrictions--none? That's surprising. I would have thought that there would have been at least some limits in terms of when/how you could water. Glad that your garden is doing o.k. though. And that's very generous of you to share your bounty with your neighbors...lucky folks! :)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 03, 2022, 11:38:01 AM
So what do you do with all of your cukes? Do you plant any pickling varieties?
And no squirrels and chipmunks visiting?! :o I'm suspecting that they are the culprits in my garden. Do many folks in your local area neighborhood have veggie gardens S? Wondering what the raccoons have in terms of choices: restaurants? homeowners garbage? or?
No watering restrictions--none? That's surprising. I would have thought that there would have been at least some limits in terms of when/how you could water. Glad that your garden is doing o.k. though. And that's very generous of you to share your bounty with your neighbors...lucky folks! :)
PD
Yesterday, my wife was dicing up cucumbers to try a new recipe for making sweet relish. The surplus tomatoes are turned into sauce or chili.
We have many squirrels, but they prefer raiding the bird feeders and apple tree and tend to leave the vegetables alone. We have no chipmunks.
The area I live in is somewhere between urban and suburban (the Boston skyline is visible from the end of my street.) There are a number of small gardens in the neighborhood, but few properties are as large as ours. I've created somewhat of a natural enclave in the midst of neighboring houses that pollinators and birds flock to. I have small shade and perennial gardens that provide nectar sources throughout the season. Thistle feeders and regular feeders are located at opposite ends of the property to give the little guys a break from the larger birds. I also have suet feeders and a peanutbutter feeder near the patio that is fascinating to observe.
There are nearby restaurants that raccoons probably find more appealing to raid. Luckily, we heavy heavy-duty trash bins provided by the city that do a good job of keeping scavengers at bay.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 03, 2022, 09:26:58 AM
Impressive onion haul there Irons! How do you manage to store them so that they don't go bad 'til you're ready to use them? And sorry to hear about your marrows being a flop this year. Surprised to hear that your tomatoes are small. Are you trying a different variety this year? Or doing something differently re fertilizing them?
I only have a few tomato plants, and I think partly because the weather is so hot and dry that more "critters" are being tempted to dig into them (for moisture and seeds) that I've given in and covered them. It's not the best arrangement (due to garden setup, I can't put my metal stakes very far away from the plants. I think that the stakes are 6 feet tall. Used a rubber mallet to pound them in, then used black plastic bird netting to surround the circle (hooking the net onto the hooks on the stakes. I then put a bunch of landscape pins into the ground to (try) and secure the netting at ground level and then flopped the extra netting over the top of the plants into the center of my tomato ring. Will make it a pain to weed, feed, and harvest tomatoes, but so it goes.
Fingers crossed here!
PD
Onions grown from seed last longer then sets. They should last for a year at least. I plat them and then hang from hooks in a shed.
I agree conditions can encourage pests. Badgers love juicy worms but with the present bone-dry conditions with worms not to be had, badgers supplement their diet with sweetcorn.
As for toms, I think it is down to climate not anything I do. There is nothing worse then having a crop wiped out by blight so I have a row of my favourite Crimson Crush and another for the first time, Mountain Magic. Both varieties are blight resistant. Also this year growing Tigerella and Golden Surprise. The latter I find impressive, new for 2022 and very sweet. I will grow Golden Surprise next year for sure.
Quote from: Szykneij on August 04, 2022, 05:36:40 AM
Yesterday, my wife was dicing up cucumbers to try a new recipe for making sweet relish. The surplus tomatoes are turned into sauce or chili.
We have many squirrels, but they prefer raiding the bird feeders and apple tree and tend to leave the vegetables alone. We have no chipmunks.
The area I live in is somewhere between urban and suburban (the Boston skyline is visible from the end of my street.) There are a number of small gardens in the neighborhood, but few properties are as large as ours. I've created somewhat of a natural enclave in the midst of neighboring houses that pollinators and birds flock to. I have small shade and perennial gardens that provide nectar sources throughout the season. Thistle feeders and regular feeders are located at opposite ends of the property to give the little guys a break from the larger birds. I also have suet feeders and a peanutbutter feeder near the patio that is fascinating to observe.
There are nearby restaurants that raccoons probably find more appealing to raid. Luckily, we heavy heavy-duty trash bins provided by the city that do a good job of keeping scavengers at bay.
If you like the relish, do share the recipe. :)
Back inside from watering. Looks to be another toasty day here. Tempting to grab a Rubbermaid plastic trash can lid and fill it with water for the birds, etc. I do have a small birdbath that I regularly fill with water. Caught some birds in it lately. Alas, where it's located I can't normally see them in it. By the time that I've heard them in there, they've flitted away. Glad, though, that they are using it.
Quote from: Irons on August 04, 2022, 06:40:19 AM
Onions grown from seed last longer then sets. They should last for a year at least. I plat them and then hang from hooks in a shed.
I agree conditions can encourage pests. Badgers love juicy worms but with the present bone-dry conditions with worms not to be had, badgers supplement their diet with sweetcorn.
As for toms, I think it is down to climate not anything I do. There is nothing worse then having a crop wiped out by blight so I have a row of my favourite Crimson Crush and another for the first time, Mountain Magic. Both varieties are blight resistant. Also this year growing Tigerella and Golden Surprise. The latter I find impressive, new for 2022 and very sweet. I will grow Golden Surprise next year for sure.
I would think that the red onions wouldn't keep as long?
I'll have to look up your tomato varieties.
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 05, 2022, 03:26:52 AM
If you like the relish, do share the recipe. :)
Back inside from watering. Looks to be another toasty day here. Tempting to grab a Rubbermaid plastic trash can lid and fill it with water for the birds, etc. I do have a small birdbath that I regularly fill with water. Caught some birds in it lately. Alas, where it's located I can't normally see them in it. By the time that I've heard them in there, they've flitted away. Glad, though, that they are using it.
PD
I cooked hotdogs on the grill for lunch today and used the relish, which was delicious. Unfortunately, I grow the vegetables and enjoy the end product, but I'm clueless as to what happens in between. :-[
I'm glad you're putting water out for the birds. In weather like this, that's more important than feeding them.
Quote from: Szykneij on August 05, 2022, 09:06:27 AM
I cooked hotdogs on the grill for lunch today and used the relish, which was delicious. Unfortunately, I grow the vegetables and enjoy the end product, but I'm clueless as to what happens in between. :-[
I'm glad you're putting water out for the birds. In weather like this, that's more important than feeding them.
Oh, nice! Glad that you are enjoying the relish. Is it one that you can can (jar) and preserve outside of a fridge? Hint, hint: you could ask the other half for the recipe (or a link to it)? ;) :)
So do you have a bird bath or what do you provide for your birds? Just curious. I've seen all sorts of homemade baths/solutions.
By the way, I'm tempted to joke to one of my neighbors that they go to their house for fine dining (bird feeders) and to mine for spa days. 8)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 05, 2022, 10:10:36 AM
Oh, nice! Glad that you are enjoying the relish. Is it one that you can can (jar) and preserve outside of a fridge? Hint, hint: you could ask the other half for the recipe (or a link to it)? ;) :)
So do you have a bird bath or what do you provide for your birds? Just curious. I've seen all sorts of homemade baths/solutions.
By the way, I'm tempted to joke to one of my neighbors that they go to their house for fine dining (bird feeders) and to mine for spa days. 8)
PD
Here is the recipe she used: https://www.homestead-acres.com/ripe-cucumber-relish/ (https://www.homestead-acres.com/ripe-cucumber-relish/)
If you miss harvesting ripe cucumbers (which is easy to do) they turn yellow and aren't as good for salads. Luckily, they're great for making relish. I've heard if you let a single cucumber go completely to seed, the entire vine dies. I do my best not to discover if that's true firsthand.
I have two birdbaths located together. One is made of concrete and the other is faux terracotta. The concrete one is also a favorite of honeybees who drink from the shallow indentations at the water's edge.
Birdbaths in action.
You can tell by the 91 degree F temperature stamp why it's appreciated by the local feathered creatures.
Quote from: Szykneij on August 06, 2022, 07:48:15 AM
Birdbaths in action.
You can tell by the 91 degree F temperature stamp why it's appreciated by the local feathered creatures.
Looks like the morning coffee group? :D And I see that you are an exponent of using plant saucers for bird baths? :) Heck, the birdies don't care!
Thank you for that recipe; I'll keep it in mind as the season progresses.
Will start my watering soon.
PD
Have pondered (for a while now) as to how long does it take (if ever) for eggshells to break down and also how much calcium they do actually add to the soil and ran across this:
https://www.gardenmyths.com/eggshells-do-they-decompose-in-the-garden/
Any thoughts from others here?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 11, 2022, 08:13:40 AM
Have pondered (for a while now) as to how long does it take (if ever) for eggshells to break down and also how much calcium they do actually add to the soil and ran across this:
https://www.gardenmyths.com/eggshells-do-they-decompose-in-the-garden/
Any thoughts from others here?
PD
I don't eat a lot of eggs, but I've been throwing the shells from hard-boiled eggs that I do eat into my pots of tomatoes. I smash them into much smaller pieces than the author did, but probably not ground up enough to be beneficial as the article indicates.
Quote from: Szykneij on August 11, 2022, 05:54:38 PM
I don't eat a lot of eggs, but I've been throwing the shells from hard-boiled eggs that I do eat into my pots of tomatoes. I smash them into much smaller pieces than the author did, but probably not ground up enough to be beneficial as the article indicates.
Like you, I've been adding eggshells to my compost. Wondering now whether or not I should even bother?
PD
I thought that I'd post this here too (I had posted it under the weather thread), but at least on the UK's South East Water website, it looks like you can water your gardens if you have a fixed drip irrigation system set up (See their website for further details.). It's on their Q&A section. This might be the same in other regions which are imposing a temporary hosepipe ban?
One idea that I had: If folks who have allotments were willing to set up fixed irrigation systems and signup for certain times, perhaps they could use the hosepipes there? Just a thought.
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 16, 2022, 07:23:22 AM
I thought that I'd post this here too (I had posted it under the weather thread), but at least on the UK's South East Water website, it looks like you can water your gardens if you have a fixed drip irrigation system set up (See their website for further details.). It's on their Q&A section. This might be the same in other regions which are imposing a temporary hosepipe ban?
One idea that I had: If folks who have allotments were willing to set up fixed irrigation systems and signup for certain times, perhaps they could use the hosepipes there? Just a thought.
PD
I was expecting a ban at any moment but a good downpour of over two hours today with continual rain along with a storm forecast tomorrow, maybe not.
The use of hosepipes or rather taps has been a problem at the allotments over this dry spell. You can't believe some people, they hook up the hose to a sprinkler and then get along with other stuff.
We sent out an email to all allotment holders that sprinklers cannot be used and hose held by hand only for a maximum of 20 minutes. That way everyone gets a fair crack.
Quote from: Irons on August 16, 2022, 08:13:36 AM
I was expecting a ban at any moment but a good downpour of over two hours today with continual rain along with a storm forecast tomorrow, maybe not.
The use of hosepipes or rather taps has been a problem at the allotments over this dry spell. You can't believe some people, they hook up the hose to a sprinkler and then get along with other stuff.
We sent out an email to all allotment holders that sprinklers cannot be used and hose held by hand only for a maximum of 20 minutes. That way everyone gets a fair crack.
Wow! That's surprising (to me anyway) that folks would use sprinkler. Smart thing for the PTBs at the allotment to send out that email.
Have any folks there tried setting up drip irrigation systems? Though for those to work properly it would require longer than 20 minutes and probably require some sort of a signup system. Just a thought. About how many people have allotments there by the way? And if they do impose a hosepipe ban, how will you water your garden (allotment)? Would you have to haul in water from home, or??
PD
"Wonky-looking vegetables" on the way due to drought: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-62575247
Have any of you (not just in the UK) been noticing any differences in the quality/taste/shape/size of either produce from your garden or locally? Or shortages?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 18, 2022, 02:13:26 AM
"Wonky-looking vegetables" on the way due to drought: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-62575247
Have any of you (not just in the UK) been noticing any differences in the quality/taste/shape/size of either produce from your garden or locally? Or shortages?
PD
I think there may be some problems in wine production this year, someone I know was in the southern Rhône and commented that the vines are in a terrible state because of the dryness. I have a large ornamental vine, Vitis coignetiae, which is suffering terribly and I wouldn't be surprised if it dies.
Apart from that I've noticed that my own fruit crops are excellent this year, I have a huge quantity of pears and apples, and even now, well before they should, they taste good.
Quote from: Mandryka on August 18, 2022, 11:45:19 AM
I think there may be some problems in wine production this year, someone I know was in the southern Rhône and commented that the vines are in a terrible state because of the dryness. I have a large ornamental vine, Vitis coignetiae, which is suffering terribly and I wouldn't be surprised if it dies.
Apart from that I've noticed that my own fruit crops are excellent this year, I have a huge quantity of pears and apples, and even now, well before they should, they taste good.
Have they instituted any sort of water restrictions in your area Mandryka?
Sorry to hear about you ornamental vine. Do you have any mulch under it to help?
Nice to hear that you fruit is doing so well. Wonder if they are maturing early due to drought (as in racing to go to seed as it were)? Any rain come your way lately?
Garden's doing pretty well here. My eggplants are starting to come in and if the weather stays along the same lines as it has been, I expect a bumper crop.
PD
Very little rain, and there are restrictions on water use starting next week.
The past six months have been unusual not only because they have been hot and dry, but also because the spring started off unusually warm in March, and then became very wintry for a week or more, killing off the new growth. You can imagine the stress the plants are under.
Enjoy your eggplants. I don't grow them and I've been a bit reluctant to buy them recently because the last lot I bought were bitter. I hope you know my favourite eggplant dish - caponata.
Quote from: Mandryka on August 18, 2022, 01:34:32 PM
Very little rain, and there are restrictions on water use starting next week.
The past six months have been unusual not only because they have been hot and dry, but also because the spring started off unusually warm in March, and then became very wintry for a week or more, killing off the new growth. You can imagine the stress the plants are under.
Enjoy your eggplants. I don't grow them and I've been a bit reluctant to buy them recently because the last lot I bought were bitter. I hope you know my favourite eggplant dish - caponata.
Yes, we also had a cold spell and, as you mentioned, it really does mess with plants and their health--poor, confused things!
You'll have to share with us what your favorite caponata recipe(s) are and what you like to serve with them...perhaps over in the cooking/food thread? I've made it once (a few years ago)...trying to remember what all I had with it? Probably just a baguette; I remember sharing some of it with a neighbor who liked it.
I've been pretty fortunate re my eggplants being not bitter and tasty overall. This year, I'm trying two plants each of three different varieties: Fairy Tale (which produces very tiny ones--first time growing it); Dusky (which produces your typical grocery-store-dark purple-large-Italian variety); and Beatrice (which is supposedly similar to a favorite of mine heirloom variety called Rosa Bianca). Here's a link to the Beatrice one: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/eggplant/beatrice-eggplant-uses-and-care.htm I believe that I provided a link earlier to Fairy Tale.
Need to get my watering done soon!
PD
Due to the exceedingly dry weather lately, I haven't been able to accomplish the things I'd normally be doing around the garden. Planting and re-potting is out of the question until we get some significant rain.
I had my best cucumber crop ever, but the vines are just about dried out at this point. My wife and I can still enjoy freshly-picked tomato sandwishes on the patio, although those plants are also starting to yellow way earlier than usual.
I watched the radar on the few days rain was predicted and, invariably, the encouraging mass of green would either change direction or fizzle out completely as if there was a force field around our area. I have many plants and shrubs in containers, so watering them by hose is easier and more beneficial than watering those in the ground. The topsoil is so dry, even a thorough soaking dries up quickly and some trees and hedges are starting to show the strain.
I have a lot of non-native as well as native plants on the property. The natives seem to be going dormant early, which is probably a good thing as they'll come back in the spring. I'm wondering if I'll need to alter my future choices if this weather trend continues. We're in U.S. planting zone 6. When I purchase a plant I'll be, at least initially, putting in a container, I play it safe and make sure it's hardy to zone 5. If the warming trend extends into winter, I might be able to grow some varieties I've previously passed on. On the other hand, I should probably think about avoiding anything that's not drought tolerant.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 18, 2022, 02:13:26 AM
"Wonky-looking vegetables" on the way due to drought: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-62575247
Have any of you (not just in the UK) been noticing any differences in the quality/taste/shape/size of either produce from your garden or locally? Or shortages?
PD
Runner beans! Each year we make runner bean chutney from excess pickings which with a chunk of cheese and a bag of crisps is our lunch for most of the winter months. The heat has decimated crops with the flowers unable to set. We have tried tomato and courgette chutney but they are a sloppy mess!
Talking of which, the way it is going a first for tomato to be grounds for divorce. :o
Quote from: Irons on August 19, 2022, 07:27:30 AM
Runner beans! Each year we make runner bean chutney from excess pickings which with a chunk of cheese and a bag of crisps is our lunch for most of the winter months. The heat has decimated crops with the flowers unable to set. We have tried tomato and courgette chutney but they are a sloppy mess!
Talking of which, the way it is going a first for tomato to be grounds for divorce. :o
Looks like you have a nice mix of varieties.
Quote from: Irons on August 19, 2022, 07:27:30 AM
Runner beans! Each year we make runner bean chutney from excess pickings which with a chunk of cheese and a bag of crisps is our lunch for most of the winter months. The heat has decimated crops with the flowers unable to set. We have tried tomato and courgette chutney but they are a sloppy mess!
Talking of which, the way it is going a first for tomato to be grounds for divorce. :o
Sorry to hear of your runner bean problems. :(
I'm back inside and just finished lunch. I spent awhile outside trying to improve my bird netting situation over the eggplants. It's better but not perfect (trying not to squish the tops of the eggplants).
What about trying to make some salsas? You can make a variety of fresh ones and can also have a go at canning some too. Re your courgettes, sometimes I'll cut up some smallish ones and cook them with onions and fresh corn (cut off of the cob)...add some fresh basil and parsley. You could also include some of your peppers into the sauté. You can toss it with some grated parmigiana reggiano and a bit of olive oil, or make a pesto and mix it in with cooked pasta, etc. Courgettes are also great grilled.
Good luck and enjoy your bounty!
PD
Quote from: Szykneij on August 19, 2022, 08:43:45 AM
Looks like you have a nice mix of varieties.
Crimson Crush. A favourite.
Mountain Magic. Like CC blight resistant.
Tigerella. Attractive striped tomato.
Golden Surprise. New variety, very sweet.
Coeur de Boeuf. A beefsteak type.
I was trying to find a link to a news story that I saw about a farmer who has about 600 acres and she spends hours each day going around to fill about 60 water stations up with water for the wildlife. She also has put up some game cameras to catch images of some of the critters who come to drink up. Great story! So far, I haven't been able to find that one, but whilst looking, I did run across a very interesting story about some farming experiments going on in the UK involving planting large numbers of trees on farms and silvofarming/silvopastures--which I hadn't heard of before now.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/16/im-seen-as-the-fool-the-farmers-putting-trees-back-into-the-uks-fields
PD
p.s. Ah! Found it! ;D https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-suffolk-62575058 It's a short video: " Suffolk farmer says heatwave is 'big wake-up call'"
Quote from: Irons on August 20, 2022, 12:58:49 AM
Crimson Crush. A favourite.
Mountain Magic. Like CC blight resistant.
Tigerella. Attractive striped tomato.
Golden Surprise. New variety, very sweet.
Coeur de Boeuf. A beefsteak type.
Nice! I planted over 50 varieties this year and I don't think I've come across any on your list. It's incredible how many different types there are! I'll keep my eye out for Crimson Crush for next year.
Quote from: Szykneij on August 20, 2022, 06:36:12 AM
Nice! I planted over 50 varieties this year and I don't think I've come across any on your list. It's incredible how many different types there are! I'll keep my eye out for Crimson Crush for next year.
Over 50 varieties?! How many tomato plants do you have? :o
I have a total of 5--two of which were some "freebies" that sprouted in another container. I suspect that they are 2 X Plum Regal which are a paste type. How well they come out, I'll find out as, if they are the ones that I think they are, they are F1s--meaning hybrids.....so, how close they come out to their parent, we'll see! I had a bit of extra room and so decided "What the heck, I'll give them a chance".
I was thinking that I had grown Tigerella before, but I'm not seeing it on my garden calendar. I suspect that I was confusing it in my mind with Striped Zebra which is a cool striped green tomato. 8)
Was able to harvest a few more tomatoes today; hard to get at them behind the bird netting! ::)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 20, 2022, 06:59:01 AM
Over 50 varieties?! How many tomato plants do you have? :o
Looks like I ended up with 44. This is a chart of the Tomato section of the garden with a few eggplants included. (I do have a few more in a different area.)
Heinz has 57 varieties.
Quote from: Szykneij on August 20, 2022, 10:02:04 AM
Looks like I ended up with 44. This is a chart of the Tomato section of the garden with a few eggplants included. (I do have a few more in a different area.)
Wow, that's a lot of tomatoes! How do you fit them all in? How big of an area do you have for them and your eggplants? Are they all in the ground or are some in pots? And do you swap seeds with friends and/or save some of the heirloom ones for future planting--as that's a lot of seed packets to buy?
Ever the curious one here. :D
And do you make lots of sauce/salsas, etc.? I recall you saying that your neighbors received some of your bounty. :)
A hawk was squawking at me earlier when I went to water my plants. I told it that I was also going to fill up the bird bath too; however, it didn't seem to care. :(
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 21, 2022, 03:51:51 AM
Wow, that's a lot of tomatoes! How do you fit them all in? How big of an area do you have for them and your eggplants? Are they all in the ground or are some in pots? And do you swap seeds with friends and/or save some of the heirloom ones for future planting--as that's a lot of seed packets to buy?
Ever the curious one here. :D
And do you make lots of sauce/salsas, etc.? I recall you saying that your neighbors received some of your bounty. :)
A hawk was squawking at me earlier when I went to water my plants. I told it that I was also going to fill up the bird bath too; however, it didn't seem to care. :(
PD
All of the tomatoes are in containers. As the season progresses, I can move them around to accommodate different growth rates. When we bought the land adjacent to the back of our original property, it gave me the opportunity to expand the garden. I save a few seeds, but only from favorite varieties and from types I'm reasonably confident will grow true-to-seed. Fortunately, tomato seeds stay viable for a number of years, so those I purchased for the current season will be good for next year.
I give excess vegetables to my neighbors and my wife has been making sauces, relishes, and pickles. I do lose a few to varmints, but there's plenty for all.
Do you know what kind of hawk was giving you a hard time?
The picture with my dog Gilbert was taken early in the season. The other is more recent and shows the tomatoes nearing their inevitable end.
Quote from: Szykneij on August 21, 2022, 05:08:20 AM
All of the tomatoes are in containers. As the season progresses, I can move them around to accommodate different growth rates. When we bought the land adjacent to the back of our original property, it gave me the opportunity to expand the garden. I save a few seeds, but only from favorite varieties and from types I'm reasonably confident will grow true-to-seed. Fortunately, tomato seeds stay viable for a number of years, so those I purchased for the current season will be good for next year.
I give excess vegetables to my neighbors and my wife has been making sauces, relishes, and pickles. I do lose a few to varmints, but there's plenty for all.
Do you know what kind of hawk was giving you a hard time?
The picture with my dog Gilbert was taken early in the season. The other is more recent and shows the tomatoes nearing their inevitable end.
I was thinking that you grew in containers. But, wow, that is a lot of potting up and moving around! How big are those containers? And, yes, I've also kept seeds going for at least several years too. Sometimes I've passed along extra plants (or produce) to other friends and/or neighbors (hate to see them go to waste).
A RTH was the one squawking at me yesterday...I think. I know that blue jays can mimic their calls; could barely see it moving near the tippy-top of a tall tree. Perhaps another bird was harassing it?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 22, 2022, 03:21:35 AM
I was thinking that you grew in containers. But, wow, that is a lot of potting up and moving around! How big are those containers? And, yes, I've also kept seeds going for at least several years too. Sometimes I've passed along extra plants (or produce) to other friends and/or neighbors (hate to see them go to waste).
A RTH was the one squawking at me yesterday...I think. I know that blue jays can mimic their calls; could barely see it moving near the tippy-top of a tall tree. Perhaps another bird was harassing it?
PD
The containers I use are mostly 10 and 20 gallon nursery pots. I don't need to move things around much, but I like having the ability to do so if need be. At the beginning of each season, I remove about a third of last year's soil and amend what's left with fresh soil and manure or compost. This year I also added some granular phosphate and calcium for the vegetables.
The good news is, it rained today!!!
Quote from: Szykneij on August 22, 2022, 01:29:13 PM
The containers I use are mostly 10 and 20 gallon nursery pots. I don't need to move things around much, but I like having the ability to do so if need be. At the beginning of each season, I remove about a third of last year's soil and amend what's left with fresh soil and manure or compost. This year I also added some granular phosphate and calcium for the vegetables.
The good news is, it rained today!!!
Is there an automatic irrigation system? 20 gallons is a big pot - is that one plant. I grow Phyllostachys vivax in a pot which is about 20 gallons! I'll post a pic tomorrow if I can - it's thriving.
Quote from: Mandryka on August 22, 2022, 01:52:12 PM
Is there an automatic irrigation system? 20 gallons is a big pot - is that one plant. I grow Phyllostachys vivax in a pot which is about 20 gallons! I'll post a pic tomorrow if I can - it's thriving.
No automatic irrigation (although I have a family member who owns an irrigation business.) I use a garden hose and resorted to a sprinkler on occasion this summer because the weather has been so dry. It takes a bit of time to water everything, but I don't mind because I find it relaxing (except on those brutally hot days). Luckily, we finally got rain today and have more on the way this evening.
I put more than one plant in some of the bigger pots, the cherry tomatoes in particular.
Do post the picture. I'm curious to see how tall it is. It looks like it's rated as U.S. zones 6-8, so it could do well where I am.
Quite hard to get a good picture, it comes into its own when the eucalyptus is cut down in March.
(https://i.ibb.co/ww6PbRF/D11-B4-D44-F4-A3-4-AA0-95-AA-F49-F317-EF27-C.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/s17fc9v/C8409-E64-7405-482-A-BA56-486839-DFD839.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/XzWHktP/E263-FC04-4-E73-41-BF-B511-6557-C8508302.jpg)
Quote from: Mandryka on August 23, 2022, 09:53:27 AM
Quite hard to get a good picture, it comes into its own when the eucalyptus is cut down in March.
Nice! Do you have to do any kind of mulching/protective coverings for the colder months?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 23, 2022, 10:03:52 AM
Nice! Do you have to do any kind of mulching/protective coverings for the colder months?
PD
No, it's been fine without anything. I prune the roots once or twice a year, that's all.
Quote from: Mandryka on August 23, 2022, 10:07:34 AM
No, it's been fine without anything. I prune the roots once or twice a year, that's all.
Cool! 8)
I just realized that I missed the last picture that you had posted (fish pond, etc.). What a lovely and serene garden. Did you design it all yourself? :)
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 23, 2022, 10:09:34 AM
Cool! 8)
I just realized that I missed the last picture that you had posted (fish pond, etc.). What a lovely and serene garden. Did you design it all yourself? :)
PD
Thanks.
Yes, when I was designing the gardens I tried to find a professional whose work I liked, but failed! So I just had to design them myself. I had a pretty good landscaper who allowed me to experiment and came up with good ideas for implementation.
That particular garden (there are three) is the most used because the water attracts everyone like a magnet!
Quote from: Mandryka on August 23, 2022, 09:53:27 AM
Quite hard to get a good picture, it comes into its own when the eucalyptus is cut down in March.
Very nice! I like the eucalyptus, too. What is it you have growing along the fence? It looks like an espaliered pear tree, but hard to tell.
Quote from: Szykneij on August 23, 2022, 01:16:53 PM
Very nice! I like the eucalyptus, too. What is it you have growing along the fence? It looks like an espaliered pear tree, but hard to tell.
Espalier apple. And there's a Vitis purpurea.
The Eucalyptus is just a gunnii but it's a particularly good one, I once spoke to a Eucalyptus expert about it and he confirmed that there is a considerable amount of species variation. I'd take cuttings, but I was told it's quite hard to propagate - and I can't give it bottom heat etc.
Quote from: Mandryka on August 24, 2022, 12:19:52 AM
Espalier apple. And there's a Vitis purpurea.
The Eucalyptus is just a gunnii but it's a particularly good one, I once spoke to a Eucalyptus expert about it and he confirmed that there is a considerable amount of species variation. I'd take cuttings, but I was told it's quite hard to propagate - and I can't give it bottom heat etc.
I like how that pool has curved sides.
Did your landscaper build that or did you have to hire someone who specializes in water features?
Looks also like you put in some drip irrigation? At least for the in the Phyllostachys vivax in the black container?
PD
The curved sides are a camera effect! When we were making the garden I wanted an elliptical pond, but the landscaper point blank refused!
Drip irrigation is in all containers in the garden, and there are a lot of them. I find that some of my favourite plants do better in containers with irrigation than in the ground. Things like Teuchrium fruticans and Magnolia grandiflora and Hydrangea quircifolia.
Quote from: Mandryka on August 24, 2022, 10:36:47 AM
I find that some of my favourite plants do better in containers with irrigation than in the ground.
I agree. I have many shrubs and trees in pots that do very well. The soil in our upper yard has a lot of clay (our city was famous for brick-making in the past) as well as many tree roots. I have whiskey-barrel type containers in those areas where planting in the ground is less than ideal.
The lower yard is the land we purchased a few years ago that was riddled with Japanese knotweed. After spending an entire summer digging out the roots, I came to the realization there was no way I could get it all. I at least got rid of all of the major crowns and have been able to keep it at bay by removing any sprouts that pop up. Little by little, I've been moving some of the potted shrubs into spots that appear safe.
Quote from: Mandryka on August 24, 2022, 10:36:47 AM
The curved sides are a camera effect! When we were making the garden I wanted an elliptical pond, but the landscaper point blank refused!
Drip irrigation is in all containers in the garden, and there are a lot of them. I find that some of my favourite plants do better in containers with irrigation than in the ground. Things like Teuchrium fruticans and Magnolia grandiflora and Hydrangea quircifolia.
Oh, hadn't thought of that! ;D
With your drip system, how do you have it set up re faucets, etc.? Is it all on one system--as in when one pot/plant gets watered, they all do? Or have you figured a way to just water certain ones at one time?
Quote from: Szykneij on August 24, 2022, 11:34:33 AM
I agree. I have many shrubs and trees in pots that do very well. The soil in our upper yard has a lot of clay (our city was famous for brick-making in the past) as well as many tree roots. I have whiskey-barrel type containers in those areas where planting in the ground is less than ideal.
The lower yard is the land we purchased a few years ago that was riddled with Japanese knotweed. After spending an entire summer digging out the roots, I came to the realization there was no way I could get it all. I at least got rid of all of the major crowns and have been able to keep it at bay by removing any sprouts that pop up. Little by little, I've been moving some of the potted shrubs into spots that appear safe.
I hate Japanese knotweed!!! Ugh, such a pain to deal with! Glad that you have been making progress with yours.
PD
They all get watered at the same time - what I believe is that (assuming good drainage) it's very hard to overwater.
It finally rained cats and dogs here last night, this is the view from my bedroom window, you can see the agonising Vitis coignetiae, which has gone into premature autumn mode. Light a candle for it.
(https://i.ibb.co/VWBQ9MY/C8-DF35-F1-E858-441-D-B6-F9-3715550142-CE.jpg)
Quote from: Mandryka on August 25, 2022, 04:11:05 AM
They all get watered at the same time - what I believe is that (assuming good drainage) it's very hard to overwater.
It finally rained cats and dogs here last night, this is the view from my bedroom window, you can see the agonising Vitis coignetiae, which has gone into premature autumn mode. Light a candle for it.
(https://i.ibb.co/VWBQ9MY/C8-DF35-F1-E858-441-D-B6-F9-3715550142-CE.jpg)
Delighted to hear that you finally got some decent rain. :)
Poor vine! Is there no way that you can water it? Maybe using some waste water? Or setting up a rain barrel?
Thankfully here, we've received a bit of rain off and on over the past few days which has been most welcome.
I believe that you said some time ago that you also grow some fresh herbs? Do you bother with any veggies? I'm trying to find a balance between watering potted plants enough and not overwatering them (which I think that I might have done with my bell peppers....though the hot ones are fine. :-\ Eggplants are looking good though flea beetles did a fair bit of "pin holing" to the leaves. And something is attacking my cucumbers....ah, the never-ending battle!
PD
Your infinity path is very cool by the way. 8)
Quote from: Mandryka on August 25, 2022, 04:11:05 AM
They all get watered at the same time - what I believe is that (assuming good drainage) it's very hard to overwater.
It finally rained cats and dogs here last night, this is the view from my bedroom window, you can see the agonising Vitis coignetiae, which has gone into premature autumn mode. Light a candle for it.
(https://i.ibb.co/VWBQ9MY/C8-DF35-F1-E858-441-D-B6-F9-3715550142-CE.jpg)
What a gorgeous view! The vine adds some nice color and I'm sure it will bounce back as strong as ever.
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 25, 2022, 04:47:31 AM
I'm trying to find a balance between watering potted plants enough and not overwatering them (which I think that I might have done with my bell peppers....though the hot ones are fine. :-\ Eggplants are looking good though flea beetles did a fair bit of "pin holing" to the leaves. And something is attacking my cucumbers....ah, the never-ending battle!
PD
I think it's time for me to start transitioning to an early autumn mode. I had a great cucumber crop, but the vines are just about done. My tomato production has slowed way down, too.
I don't grow vegetables any more, I do grow some herbs - Rosemary, sage, thyme, winter savoury and marjoram. The savoury and marjoram are fabulous ornamentals too.
Quote from: Mandryka on August 25, 2022, 06:14:49 AM
I don't grow vegetables any more, I do grow some herbs - Rosemary, sage, thyme, winter savoury and marjoram. The savoury and marjoram are fabulous ornamentals too.
Nice! I love having fresh herbs around. Don't believe that I've ever grown *winter savory before--I've grown summer savory though it's been some time. Marjoram is wonderful. I've discovered the tasty delights of using it with mushrooms along with tarragon [I had to replace my patch of that this year.]. I have pots of rosemary and thyme which I overwinter inside.
*What dishes do you like making using it?
PD
Quote from: Mandryka on August 25, 2022, 06:14:49 AM
I don't grow vegetables any more, I do grow some herbs - Rosemary, sage, thyme, winter savoury and marjoram. The savoury and marjoram are fabulous ornamentals too.
How has your garden recovered? What has the rainfall been like lately?
Very happy to harvest yet more tomatoes today--not a ton as I don't have a lot of plants and was also a late starter, but happy that they are now rolling in. On the whole, small varieties...wondering if I can make sauce out of them? I have given away some to a friend and am planning on making a tart soon using some of them (also some purchased heirlooms). Mostly, they are used in salads and for sandwiches. As a side note, I am incredulous that my system this year using tall metal fence posts plus bird netting, wooden stakes and hoops, and ground cloth pins actually worked this year in terms of keeping out chipmunks and squirrels. And, for the most part (once I got used to it), it's been fairly quick at removing some of the netting in order to harvest tomatoes (weeding a bit more awkward but still doable). I'll have to make some notes for future gardens. :)
How are the rest of you fairing?
PD
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.
(https://i.ibb.co/f0BKbfJ/0572-F451-3149-456-C-865-F-B3475-C97-AF72.jpg)
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.
(https://i.ibb.co/bKW1P8m/6-FA4-F9-AA-2214-4-F06-862-E-8635548232-E5.jpg)
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.
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.
Quote from: Mandryka on September 21, 2022, 10:32:03 AM
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.
(https://i.ibb.co/f0BKbfJ/0572-F451-3149-456-C-865-F-B3475-C97-AF72.jpg)
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.
(https://i.ibb.co/bKW1P8m/6-FA4-F9-AA-2214-4-F06-862-E-8635548232-E5.jpg)
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?).
Quote from: Szykneij on October 10, 2022, 02:36:03 PM
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. :D
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 11, 2022, 04:20:26 AM
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. :D
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.
Quote from: Szykneij on October 11, 2022, 05:13:13 AM
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
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 11, 2022, 05:39:48 AM
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!
Quote from: Szykneij on October 11, 2022, 06:05:51 AM
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. ;D 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
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 11, 2022, 07:19:45 AM
That's funny that we both thought of the same show/movie. ;D 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.
Quote from: Szykneij on October 11, 2022, 09:00:14 AM
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
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
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on November 14, 2022, 09:37:18 AM
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.
Quote from: Irons on November 15, 2022, 12:14:55 AM
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
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on November 15, 2022, 12:37:03 AM
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.
Quote from: Irons on November 16, 2022, 12:41:12 AM
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
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on November 16, 2022, 04:36:25 AM
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.
(https://i.imgur.com/YqHpChv.jpg)
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.
Quote from: Irons on November 16, 2022, 07:14:03 AM
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.
(https://i.imgur.com/YqHpChv.jpg)
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
My adventure was learning how to use my new lawn tractor. By that I mean learning all the failsafes. ::)
Quote from: DavidW on April 04, 2023, 12:15:18 PMMy 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.
Quote from: Szykneij on April 04, 2023, 02:52:37 PMHow 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.
Quote from: Szykneij on April 04, 2023, 02:52:37 PMHow 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.
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.
Quote from: DavidW on April 16, 2023, 11:48:16 AMI'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
We finally received a bit of need rain over the past day or so. Need more of it though! Hit 80's - 90 also recently (really high for this time of year). It did a number on a bunch of my daffodils. :'( I was looking forward to enjoying them for awhile longer.
Question: has anyone ever had issues with thrips before? I tried spraying my rosemary plant several times (wintered indoors) and they still took it out! Have some on my thyme plant too (which is now outside). Thinking of trying neem oil next.
@DavidW I trust that this wasn't you? "Black bear gets too close to man in his garden in North Carolina"
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-65295704
PD
Ha! Funny enough just yesterday I was thinking that bears were the only animal not to tromp through my backyard. My pet dog always has new smells to experience, which is good since he can no longer go on those long morning walks with me.
Quote from: DavidW on April 17, 2023, 06:17:50 AMHa! Funny enough just yesterday I was thinking that bears were the only animal not to tromp through my backyard. My pet dog always has new smells to experience, which is good since he can no longer go on those long morning walks with me.
The dangers of leaving bird feeders out year round. I read somewhere (reliable source) that bears can remember food sources from the past and may keep coming around (even if it is no longer there) for up to four years. :o
A relative of mine moved their bird feeders due to bear and squirrel problems and thought that they had outwitted both; the now-grown-up bear can still reach them though. I saw video footage of the bear reaching up and swatting at and grabbing them--knocking the food out. :( They had been enjoying watching the birds feed at them from their deck.
PD
Got my tomatoes and herbs planted.
Some Romas, a Manitoba, a Beefsteak and Tiny Tims and Tipsy Toms for tomatoes.
For herbs:
Two types of basil (sweet and Genovese)
Two types of thyme (silver and golden lemon)
Sage
Mint (Spearmint)
Onion Chives
Quote from: Franco_Manitobain on June 08, 2023, 07:31:21 AMGot my tomatoes and herbs planted.
Some Romas, a Manitoba, a Beefsteak and Tiny Tims and Tipsy Toms for tomatoes.
For herbs:
Two types of basil (sweet and Genovese)
Two types of thyme (silver and golden lemon)
Sage
Mint (Spearmint)
Onion Chives
All my tomato plants in the ground although weather not ideal. Blight resistant Crimson Crush for the main crop with Tigerella, a gold which don't have name at hand, Couer De Boeuf and one I have not grown previously Costoluto Fiorentino.
How do you stop basil going to seed?
How do you stop thyme turning woody and ugly after a couple of years?
I've grow mint in large containers now, in a bit which noboddy looks at with the washing line and shed, it's too invasive and ugly for he ground.
I've given up on chives in my soil. Aliums live for about two years and then like old soldiers, they fade away.
I found a wonderful sage recently, very highly recommended -- Salvia officinalis 'Berggarten"
Quote from: Franco_Manitobain on June 08, 2023, 07:31:21 AMGot my tomatoes and herbs planted.
Some Romas, a Manitoba, a Beefsteak and Tiny Tims and Tipsy Toms for tomatoes.
For herbs:
Two types of basil (sweet and Genovese)
Two types of thyme (silver and golden lemon)
Sage
Mint (Spearmint)
Onion Chives
Also, planted marigolds in between my tomatoes to help keep the pests out. I found this has worked well in this regard in the past. Bonus for me, it was my father's favourite flower, so there is a nostalgia component to it. 🙂
A new toy that I am finding more then useful around both garden and allotment. Tying tomato plants to canes for example is tiresome, especially young plants. With this tool job completed in a second. How it works is beyond clever. Half close and the top arm grabs a length of fresh tape, fully close and tape is secured around both plant and support.
If interested shop around! Big variation in purchase price.
Quote from: Irons on June 25, 2023, 01:02:06 AMA new toy that I am finding more then useful around both garden and allotment. Tying tomato plants to canes for example is tiresome, especially young plants. With this tool job completed in a second. How it works is beyond clever. Half close and the top arm grabs a length of fresh tape, fully close and tape is secured around both plant and support.
If interested shop around! Big variation in purchase price.
Oh, cool. May I ask, does your model use staples of some sort? Or how does it stay tied? I saw some mixed reviews and as you said, the price is all over the place. How long/much have you been using yours for and any fiddly bits that you can make us aware of?
PD
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 25, 2023, 03:09:13 AMOh, cool. May I ask, does your model use staples of some sort? Or how does it stay tied? I saw some mixed reviews and as you said, the price is all over the place. How long/much have you been using yours for and any fiddly bits that you can make us aware of?
PD
Staples, which are tiny. My main reason for purchase is kneeling not an option making tying knots close to ground a chore. I have learnt to ease the tape off so not making the tape too tight allowing room for stem thickness growth. The drawback far as I can see although sturdily built an unwieldly shape makes it vulnerable to breakage. All my greenhouse toms and peppers are secured by this method and started using it with the 30 odd toms at the allotment without mishap.
Sweet peppers add such interest to a salad. They are slow growers and what with poor light levels and cool spring in the UK it is frustrating that plants are not really producing a decent crop until September. I decided in an attempt to get around this by investing in grow lights. Instead of weak leggy seedlings in February, I have twenty-odd sweet peppers and three aubergine plants bursting with vigour. So much so, I'm beginning to worry that plants will get too big to handle before summer finally arrives.
Quote from: Irons on February 08, 2024, 07:47:04 AMSweet peppers add such interest to a salad. They are slow growers and what with poor light levels and cool spring in the UK it is frustrating that plants are not really producing a decent crop until September. I decided in an attempt to get around this by investing in grow lights. Instead of weak leggy seedlings in February, I have twenty-odd sweet peppers and three aubergine plants bursting with vigour. So much so, I'm beginning to worry that plants will get too big to handle before summer finally arrives.
They look great!
PD
Quote from: Irons on June 25, 2023, 01:02:06 AMA new toy that I am finding more then useful around both garden and allotment. Tying tomato plants to canes for example is tiresome, especially young plants. With this tool job completed in a second. How it works is beyond clever. Half close and the top arm grabs a length of fresh tape, fully close and tape is secured around both plant and support.
If interested shop around! Big variation in purchase price.
That looks like an awesome tool! Thanks for posting it. I'll definitely look into buying one, and my knees will be grateful for it.
Still way too cold around here for any gardening or seed starting activities, but my pile of mail-order seed and flower catalogs is steadily growing on my desk.
I did just order some bareroot plants that I was enticed to buy from a company email. In the spring, I'll be receiving some Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba), Sweet Fern, and Poke Milkweed. These are all native plants to my area and favorites of mine, except for the Poke Milkweed. It's a type of milkweed I don't have and looked like an interesting addition.
Quote from: Szykneij on February 08, 2024, 08:09:04 AMThat looks like an awesome tool! Thanks for posting it. I'll definitely look into buying one, and my knees will be grateful for it.
Still way too cold around here for any gardening or seed starting activities, but my pile of mail-order seed and flower catalogs is steadily growing on my desk.
I did just order some bareroot plants that I was enticed to buy from a company email. In the spring, I'll be receiving some Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba), Sweet Fern, and Poke Milkweed. These are all native plants to my area and favorites of mine, except for the Poke Milkweed. It's a type of milkweed I don't have and looked like an interesting addition.
Better quality product then expected. In case you are interested -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125099596507?var=426731078243
Quote from: Irons on February 09, 2024, 01:08:31 AMBetter quality product then expected. In case you are interested -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125099596507?var=426731078243
That looks like a nice unit. I have multiple grow lights in my cellar - not as nice as that one, but less expensive.
(I did order the staking tool from Amazon.)