What I did today - 2016

[Martin H]

Martin, does this 'fridge' overnight stay, apply to all types of lettuce seed?

Yes. It's especially useful for later sowings, because lettuce can be really stubborn when it's warm.

And if you sow direct, (yes, yes I know I can't put the raised bed in the fridge .....! ) does it help to put the seed packet in the fridge first??

Dunno, never tried it. But I'd assume it's the combination of cold and damp that does the trick, so think it wouldn't help.

Why not try an experiment, take some seed out of the packet and refrigerate, then sow half a row with refrigerated seed and half without?

[1Bee]

Planted out some strawberries, cultivated a freshly dug patch that's thick with perennial weed roots and rusty nails, laid another bit of weed-membrane-and-cardboard path. Despaired at how late I am on plot.

[Small pumpkin]

Thanks Martin that's really helpful. I always have trouble with my iceberg. Going to try that tomorrow. I've got plants everywhere else in the house so why not in the fridge as well

[Small pumpkin]

And I've done nothing today it's been to flipping cold

[vixylix]

Dunno, never tried it. But I'd assume it's the combination of cold and damp that does the trick, so think it wouldn't help.

Could you chit them in the fridge in some damp kitchen roll?

[hamamelis]

Bought a new oca variety.

Not online, not even from a garden centre... From the fruit and veg section of a local shop! That's a first for me!

The box said they were grown in France, let's see how they do here.

[Cadalot]

After dropping a tray of tomato seedling, I have re sown today Alans Allotment: Sowing Time 04 - More Tomatoes & Replacement

[hamamelis]

Bought a new oca variety.

Not online, not even from a garden centre... From the fruit and veg section of a local shop! That's a first for me!

The box said they were grown in France, let's see how they do here.

[Containergardener]

I bought lots of seeds , does that count hehe.

[veggiechicken]

Buying seeds "counts" far more than buying a toaster, which is what I did today

[Containergardener]

But you need toast before you can garden

[Martin H]

It was too cold to do much today. But I did get around to fitting a new tap to my water butt. The old one was so stiff the handle was at risk of snapping off.

Now I've got to go out to the greenhouse and cover things up in case the temperature gets down towards zero.

[Florence Fennel]

After some more patching up (Heath Robinson style) on the stayput, potted on aubergines, toms and chillis. The Tigerellas are sulking at the moment and back on the windowsill.

[Gillykat]

Now I've got to go out to the greenhouse and cover things up in case the temperature gets down towards zero.

Yes, the forecast is for a bit of a frost tomorrow morning. Bit of a high pressure expected next week too so sunny days with cold nights so I'm holding off seed sowing for a few more days yet and will concentrate on getting my veggie beds ready

Today I had a quick check of the plot at 9am after finishing work but then, whilst watching Gardeners World at 5.30pm today, I decided to nip back up and cover any tender stuff with bubble wrap just in case the forecast frost is harder than my youngsters can cope with. Dahlias, fuchsias, Lavender and Pelargoniums are now tucked into bed all cosy under bubblewrap and newspaper sheets *ran out of bubblewrap* I'm only doing a short morning shift tomorrow so will be back on the plot by 10am at the latest so will uncover them whilst I do a few odd jobs.

[Snadger]

Went to the plot early to pick up my hammer and spirit level so i could work on my house. I pulled up the last of my brussel sprouts and fed them to the chooks whilst i was there.
It was lucky that I called back into the plot on the way home as I was met at the plot gate by my flock of chooks with the cockerel leading them to me. I managed to get them all back into the run by shaking a bucket of mixed corn at them and throwing it into the run.
I must have left the run gate open earlier and beacuse my plot is enclosed they hadn't ventured far. I am missing one small white bantam though which has a habit of flying high into trees. Hopefully it will roost in a tree tonight away from the foxes and will make its way back tomorrow?

Intend having a full day at the plot tomorrow, planting tatties and building summerhouse so will have a look for it then.