Grow Your Own Magazine

Lived in Australia most of my adult life in Sydney. There I trained in horticulture and ran a small Nursery business for 10 years. It was successful in some respects but not financially so eventually I took off for UK to be with family.
I took on a small allotment in Histon Cambridge in 2006 that was just grass and is now shaping up quite well.
I was blessed with the donation of a second hand 10 x 6 greenhouse in late 2006 from some friends and after some teething problems have learned how to use it.
whilst I have some training in horticulture there is no substitute for other people's advice and experience and I have much to learn.
This site is not only good for advice but humour and I enjoy it immensely. An excellent resource and I love having my two bob's worth so bear with me spouting off at times.

Sweet potato etc Posted 21-06-2008 at 11:37 AM by Glasshousevirgin Everything keeping me going on every visit. Most recently the sweet potatoes went in to a newly rotovated row with 3 bags of sand mixed into it. Had 7 plants to put in (2 T65 and all 5 Beauregard) that had been in GH a month or so to sprout roots. Raked it into a ridge and planted each leaving a small depression to hold water as they evidently need plenty. I have bought a few metres of black cloth to keep the heat in as soil temperature (20C+) is supposed to be critical to success with them. ... Continue reading... Glasshousevirgin Sprouter

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Trying to keep up Posted 05-06-2008 at 10:55 PM by Glasshousevirgin Still a bit slow on my legs and starting a new job has meant hard to keep up with all jobs required. Lots of rain has meant everything well watered but slowing without sun or warmth - fortunately. Grass around the plots has become 6" deep and looking forward to someone being able to mow it. Would like to clear out the GH to get more grobags in and plant up with peppers/chilli and aubs. Also to get shade curtains up and outside painted to limit heat build up which is still a problem.... Continue reading... Glasshousevirgin Sprouter

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Invalided Posted 19-05-2008 at 11:14 PM by Glasshousevirgin Struggling to keep up with everything during my knee problem of last few weeks but having had arthroscopy last week hoping to be more capable soon. Plants powering away on all fronts since 10 days of sun and a few of rain. Glasshouse plants doing well too but many finding it too hot already so put outside to cope. Quite a few self seeded plants going well too. A nice crop of coriander very aromatic and ready ahead of sown ones. Also potatoes and fennel / dill too and hoards of sunflowers.... Continue reading... Glasshousevirgin Sprouter

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In earnest Posted 07-05-2008 at 06:48 PM by Glasshousevirgin Checking the allotment on week end I see a lot going on and here's the progress report; Potatoes: Accent showing as are some of the later planted. Peas: 2 nd batch showing, 1st batch 3 inches high Carrots: 2 var which are small but progressing Parsnips: not many up Beetroot: a few showing Onions: 2 var which are small but establishing ok Cabbage and Broccoli? Cauli : mulched ones ravaged by slugs rest growing well = don't mulch! In GH Fennel... Continue reading... Glasshousevirgin Sprouter

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sort of Spring Posted 12-04-2008 at 01:00 PM by Glasshousevirgin Updated 12-04-2008 at 01:02 PM by Glasshousevirgin (categorization) Variable weather but its sort of Spring now and progress on the tomato capsicum and aubergine department is hopeful although late enough to be frustrating at times. I am on to my third round with tomato seeds doing what I did last year but not getting more than fast growing spindly plants when they do sprout at all. I don't know if it is a valid observation (on top of all previous ones lol) that those from free packets are not so hot on germination or producing sustainable healthy plants... Continue reading... Glasshousevirgin Sprouter

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