newish grower

[kittyk]

I've grown tomatoes, peppers, herbs and other bits and bobs before and I'm branching out this year but in containers as the garden is full of shrubs. I'm a bit worried about when to do what though!

My potatoes are in recycling containers but no sprouts yet as they've only been in a couple of weeks or so.

I've been growing salad leaves in a couple of trays indoors and don't know when to plant out into pots and also which type of containers-larger pots or troughs?

I planted some carrot and radish seeds stright into pots outside last week which was probably wrong but I'm running out of window ledges! Should I invest in a mini greenhouse next year?

Garlic is sprouting up fine from a few weeks ago-is is too late to plant more?

I tried just one courgette which I bought as a plant last year but it shrivelled away-I think I put it in too early. Should I buy courgette as plants again? Are they ok just from the local garden centre.

The problems with growing from seed is that I don't have the space indoors and it is the wrong temperature probably and I will end up with too many! that goes for all veg really.

Sorry about the jumble of questions...any suggestions will be most welcome!

x

[Cutecumber]

1. Your salad leaves will be fine wherever you choose to put them. It's up to you. They don't need a lot of depth.

2. Your carrot and radish seeds should be ok - mine have germinated fine outdoors.

3. It's too late to plant garlic now.

4. Buy a strong looking courgette plant from a garden centre in Mid-May but don't plant it until you are sure there won't be any more frosts. They can't stand the cold. Pot it up when you get it home if necessary and keep it warm (this would be a good use for a mini-greenhouse). In theory, it'll be lovely and warm by mid-May and you can plant it straight in the ground or a pot, but you might need a back-up plan!

[Flummery]

I keep salad leaves - sown thinly - in a seed tray. I use them as 'cut-and-come-again' leaves. Are Cutecumber says, they don't need much depth of soil.

I've only just sown my courgettes - one day last week - and they are through already. They are very vigorous, but only if they get the warmth they need. I think yours perished of cold! Good luck with it all.

[petlor]

I am a newby as well, and have just bought one of those 6x4 walk in plastic green house. So far they seem very useful as i want to decide if I am any good at it and then buy a metal one perhaps next year. The price of �30 for the green house does not break the bank and you can see how useful it can be. I just planted a range of vegies in growbags and containers using this year as an experiment. Also i will find out when to plant and what, and try and spread planting over a period of time

Good luck

[Lavenderblue]

Mini greenhouses are great! I grew loads of tomatoes in mine last year when most other people's crops failed. Sadly, it bit the dust in the storms this winter but, thanks to a cunning idea from a grapviner, i am going to turn it into a coldframe.

I've not sown courgettes yet either. Will do in the next couple of weeks. I will start mine off indoors in a warm place and then put them on the windowsill, gradually hardening off as they grow.

It is too late to plant garlic for garlic bulbs but you could plant it to eat the green tops - in salads and suchlike, they are really tasty.

If you have room, you could try some runner beans. They are quite easy to grow, are very tasty and are really pretty when they flower.

Good luck, enjoy your bounty of veggies.

[JO,JO]

i bought a heated propagator from ebay for 20.00 its great for starting seeds off.

[kittyk]

Thanks everyone......

Cutecumber, I planted some garlic a few weeks ago in pots outside as an experiment and they shot up quickly-will plant more in autumn if they work out.

Flummery, I've been growing the leaves in the plastic containers that veg come in from the supermarket which works well but will plant out soon.

Petlor, I may copy you and get a plastic greenhouse-I can always stand in it when it keeps raining!

Lavenderblue, I am definitely trying runner beans too this year and will try again with courgettes.

Jo,Jo, I might try that too.


I am still in a dilemma-if you go dwn the seeds route, you end up with far too many and while I realise you can give some away, if you are buying loads of packets, it gets very expensive if you only have container space for a few of each thing you are growing.

Also, while I am waiting for my own compost to mature, such great quantities of compost are needed. I am re-using a lot from last year and freshening it up but I've bought quite a lot already and I need a fair bit more. These veg are going to be pricey but I guess you learn as you go!

[Peanut]

I am still in a dilemma-if you go dwn the seeds route, you end up with far too many and while I realise you can give some away, if you are buying loads of packets, it gets very expensive if you only have container space for a few of each thing you are growing.

Also, while I am waiting for my own compost to mature, such great quantities of compost are needed. I am re-using a lot from last year and freshening it up but I've bought quite a lot already and I need a fair bit more. These veg are going to be pricey but I guess you learn as you go!

I know what you mean Kittyk, I'm only growing for me, but I would still recommend seeds, they last years! so even if you only used up half a packet it's still cheaper than buying in plants, plus you have the fun of watching them grow all by your own fair hand and only sow as many seeds as you need plants, plus a couple of spares!!!

I've been using the same Cucumber seeds for 4 yrs now!!!!

I agree about the cost if compost....I'm on a 45 mile round trip to Wickes today as they are doing 4x75ltr multi purpose compost for �10!!!!
Bargain...going to fill the car up with 8 bags!!! and probably wheely all the way home !!!!!!

[kittyk]

Peanut, I have been sewing quite a few seeds-I wasn't sure how well they last if you save them for next year but I will try that.

That gives me the excuse to buy more-yippee!

I may also go to Wickes and join you in the wheelie-ing.

[Lavenderblue]

a top tip, B&Q are doing 4 25KG bags of peat free compost for a tenner. Thats a lot of compost and it seems OK. Have managed to get stuff to germinate in it as well for normal potting on. going to try it with my hanging baskets and see how it goes with those too.

I am using seed from last year so it is perfectly possible. Just keep them dry and out of the light and they seem fine.
-
Oh - with runner beans - I have lots of spare seed - if you like i can post some off to you. Let me have your address and I will drop some in the box when i am passing.

[stormin97]

More Veg

Have you tried the seed company More Veg ? They sell packets of seed containing usable amounts cheaply (price start at about 50p, I think)

HTTP://moreveg.net

Ive usrd them and they are great.

[kittyk]

Thank you-will p.m you!

I've been looking at your blog-your lottie is gigantic-good luck with it!

[kittyk]

Thank you-that looks great!

[Peanut]

Have you tried the seed company More Veg ? They sell packets of seed containing usable amounts cheaply (price start at about 50p, I think)

HTTP://moreveg.net

Ive usrd them and they are great.

Just had a look Stormin97....they look really good.

I've also used:

eBay UK Shop - Premier Seeds Direct: Italian Selection, G-N, Tomatoes

They are excellent too.