Finally introducing myself!

[TheSpectacledBear]

Hello,

I've been lurking for a while, and I decided it was finally time to introduce myself. I love it here - so friendly and fun. There's always something to read!

After living in a house with a garden for five years, and being completely uninterested in gardening, I've got the grow-your-own bug. Unfortunately we're now living in an old quarryman's cottage with no garden - just a small concrete yard. So my garden consists of containers, both indoors and out.

I'm growing sweet peppers and chillis indoors - various varieties. They're flowering now so I'm hoping to start getting some peppers soon! Outside, I have two courgette plants - one an unknown variety I got from a friend and one I grew from seed, three other pepper plants, spring onions, radishes, beetroot, carrots and alpine strawberries. I also various herbs (mint, rosemary, lemon balm, parsley, sweet basil) on the windowsill and outside.

I'm loving watching my plants grow, though I don't think most of them will come to much this year - I'm definitely learning as I go, even little things like how much compost to put in the pots and how to water.

I have lots and lots of questions, so you'll be seeing my name around a lot, I think!

Bear

[seasprout]

Howdy

Welcome The spectacledbear, you sound like you have loads growing & watering to do.

[HayleyB]

Well hello to the lurking bear, and a warm welcome to our mad world affectionately known as 'The Vine' ask away any questions you like, not that I'm the one to ask

[cheery tree]

hi welcome to the vine you will definately get plenty of answers on here

[NOG]

Wlcome to the Vine.

[BumbleB]

Hiyah there bear
Welcome. Have you seen the container veggies thread?

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...read_5662.html

Lots of ideas for container growing for patios etc. I am sure that your bug will grow along with your peppers and you will soon be looking out suitable containers for more crops next year!

[bluemoon]

Welcome, Bear. I'm about to pass on advice which, after a lifetime's veg growing, you'd think I'd have discovered long before now, but actually only found out about last Tuesday. Get one of those curly hose-pipes - you know, the ones which look like big, green phone wires? - and one of those watering lances which are supposed to be for hanging baskets. Completely useless for a large garden or allotment, but absolutely perfect for things outdoors in pots and for watering in the greenhouse and you don't have to muck about with, or waste space on, reels. The lance allows you to direct water right at the soil under the leaves, perfect. Now, all I need is for it to stop raining and my investment in said equipment will have been worth it. And to think I've spent 45 years lugging a watering can about.

[Lottieval]

Hi Speccybear and welcome, whereabouts in Ceredigion are you? I'm a bit further south in beautiful Pembrokeshire.

Val

[Izi]

welcome to the vine Mr Bear.
Izi.

[ohbeary]

Ciao Orso! ha fame`?, right thats the extent of my Italian conversation. Hello Bear are you hungry?, us bears get peckish, speshuly now, all the good stuff is ripening with more to come time to start fattening up for hibernation!!, well thats my excuse an I'm sticking to it

[TheSpectacledBear]

Welcome, Bear. I'm about to pass on advice which, after a lifetime's veg growing, you'd think I'd have discovered long before now, but actually only found out about last Tuesday.

<snipped>

Thankyou, Bluemoon - that's good advice. I hadn't realised how much time watering even a few containers can take up!

Bear

[TheSpectacledBear]

To Lottieval - I'm in the Cambrian Hills, about 14 miles inland and southeast from Aberystwyth. Very rural, very pretty, and very sheepy! Lucky you, being in Pembrokeshire - it's so beautiful! Went to St David's for a day out last year and it was gorgeous. I definitely want to spend more time down there.

To ohbeary - Ciao! I don't think the hibernation excuse will work on my hubby, unfortunately. Still, everything I'm growing is healthy, so eating a lot of it will be good for me. Won't it?

Thanks for all the replies - I'm looking forward to being more involved on the vine!

Bear