This little lot of pictures from my garden where taken today after what was my last mega mission in the garden for 2010. From now on its a little planting here, a little weeding there and just alot of minor stuff from week to week. The morning started early with me cutting back the weeds behind the fence, hoeing the weeds on the various plots and more weeding, got to love the weeding. Its really nice to see clear soil but  I just cant stand doing it. After weeding I planted some of my shallots, lettuce, monge tout, radishes, (red, white, lisbon) onions and cucumbers. I think there was more but its been a long day and I cant be bothered to think any more. I know there is no need for poly tunnels in June but due to the cats pooping on my plot I have had to do this so that they dont dig up my lovely little seedlings / seeds when covering it up.

Well this is all the trees, bushes and plants in there green wonderfully state for you viewing pleasure:

1. weeding.
2. planting of tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, leeks, salsify, potatoes, chilli’s, pepers,berry bushes, beans, lettuce, radish and a few other seeds and herbs.
3. supports and netting erected to protect strawberries and to grow my bean and monge tout.
4. compost attacked and eaten by ratty, which has now been batted, I hope.
5. Irrigation system in place.

So quite alot going on, I am planning some pics and a new way of showing some of the classic fruit and veg and how they are looking throughput the growing season to help others see what they should look like & when, I hope this will help you if its your first time growing your own so you know your going in the right direction!

Next year I will be starting a little gardening advice application that will be online via this blog or it will be via a new site with a nice little iPad / iPhone app, depends on time really.

Please use this list as a guide to get you on the right paw, not a strict guide but a one stop resource for a novice gardener (like myself, its why I wrote it all out).

PS. if you think its grossly wrong, give me some comments and I will update it as I am sure copy paste will provide a few errors.

Asparagus Argenteuil

Packet end: March 2011.

Sow: late winter / spring about 2.5cm deep to harden off.

Grow: Plant in weed free well drained soil, 30cm between rows and plants or in 35-45cm pots

Good source of info: http://www.jamieoliver.com/foodwise/article-view.php?id=1925

Asparagus Connover’s colossal

Packet end: Feb 2011.

Sow: late winter / spring about 2.5cm deep to harden off.

Grow: Plant in weed free well drained soil, 30cm between rows and plants or in 35-45cm pots

Good source of info: http://www.jamieoliver.com/foodwise/article-view.php?id=1925

Melon Ogen

Packet end: March 2011.

Sow: In spring place in modules or pots in greenhouse or window ledge leave till they have four proper leaves.

Grow: Plant in 30cm pots and attach string to roofing of greenhouse to the pot or using cains / trellis to support the heavy fruit.

Good source of info: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Container-Gardens-714/watermelon.htm

Melon Hales best jumbo

Packet end: March 2011.

Sow: In spring place in modules or pots in greenhouse or window ledge leave till they have four proper leaves.

Grow: Plant in 30cm pots and attach string to roofing of greenhouse to the pot or using cains / trellis to support the heavy fruit.

Good source of info: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Container-Gardens-714/watermelon.htm

Melon Fast Break F1

Packet end: March 2011.

Sow: In spring place in modules or pots in greenhouse or window ledge leave till they have four proper leaves.

Grow: Plant in 30cm pots and attach string to roofing of greenhouse to the pot or using cains / trellis to support the heavy fruit.

Good source of info: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Container-Gardens-714/watermelon.htm

Shallots Matador F1

Packet end: March 2011.

Sow: In April / May, space them every 1 cm in deep rows about 30cm between rows.

Grow: Thin to every 5-10cm when big enough to tease out.

Good source of info: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Container-Gardens-714/watermelon.htm

Chilli’s Jalapeno

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In March/April, plant them into small modules and then transplant them to 3 inch pots in greenhouse or window ledge.

Grow: In pots 8/10 inches or in the ground with 25cm apart.

Good source of info: http://www.gardeningpatch.com/herbs/growing-chillies.aspx

Capisicum peppers “California Wonder”

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In March/April, plant them into small modules and then transplant them to 3 inch pots in greenhouse or window ledge.

Grow: In pots 8/10 inches or in the ground with 25cm apart.

Good source of info: http://www.recipes4us.co.uk/Growing%20Capsicums.htm

Capisicum peppers “Worldbeater”

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In March/April, plant them into small modules and then transplant them to 3 inch pots in greenhouse or window ledge.

Grow: In pots 8/10 inches or in the ground with 25cm apart.

Good source of info: http://www.recipes4us.co.uk/Growing%20Capsicums.htm

Tomatoes Tumbling toms

Packet end: June 2011.

Sow: In March-April, plant them into small modules and then transplant them to 3 inch pots in greenhouse or window ledge.

Grow: Plant into hanging baskets, 1 plant per hanging basket

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-tomatoes.html

Tomatoes Moneymakers

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Jan-April, plant them into small modules and then transplant them to 3 inch pots in greenhouse or window ledge.

Grow: In pots 10 inches or in the ground with 45cm apart.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-tomatoes.html

Tomatoes Gardener’s Delight

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Jan-April, plant them into small modules and then transplant them to 3 inch pots in greenhouse or window ledge.

Grow: In pots 10 inches or in the ground with 45cm apart.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-tomatoes.html

Tomatoes 100’s and 1000’s (Micro)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Jan-April, plant them into small modules and then transplant them to 3 inch pots in greenhouse or window ledge.

Grow: In pots 10 inches or in the ground with 45cm apart.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-tomatoes.html

Tomatoes F1 Incas

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Jan-April, plant them into small modules and then transplant them to 3 inch pots in greenhouse or window ledge.

Grow: In pots 10 inches or in the ground with 45cm apart.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-tomatoes.html

Tomatoes Pomodoro Costoluto

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Jan-April, plant them into small modules and then transplant them to 3 inch pots in greenhouse or window ledge.

Grow: In pots 10 inches or in the ground with 45cm apart.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-tomatoes.html

Tomatoes Roma

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Jan-April, plant them into small modules and then transplant them to 3 inch pots in greenhouse or window ledge.

Grow: In pots 10 inches or in the ground with 45cm apart.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-tomatoes.html

Tomatoes Alicante

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Jan-April, plant them into small modules and then transplant them to 3 inch pots in greenhouse or window ledge.

Grow: In pots 10 inches or in the ground with 45cm apart.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-tomatoes.html

Cucumber Crystal Lemon

Packet end: March 2011.

Sow: April / May place in modules or pots in greenhouse or window ledge leave till they have four proper leaves.

Grow: Harden off for two weeks in bigger pots before planting in ground. They can grow along ground or up sturdy cains or trellis

Good source of info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingbeans1.shtml

Cucumber Market more

Packet end: Various, mainly 2012.

Sow: April / May place in modules or pots in greenhouse or window ledge leave till they have four proper leaves.

Grow: Harden off for two weeks in bigger pots before planting in ground. They can grow along ground or up sturdy cains or trellis

Good source of info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingbeans1.shtml

Lettuce (Mixed)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In March-July.

Grow: Sow thinly apart 1/2” deep in rows. Thin every 30cm’s and allow 30cm’s between rows

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-lettuce.html

Lettuce (Cos)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In March-July.

Grow: Sow thinly apart 1/2” deep in rows. Thin every 15-20cm’s and allow 20cm’s between rows

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-lettuce.html

Lettuce (May queen)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In March-July.

Grow: Sow thinly apart 1/2” deep in rows. Thin every 15-20cm’s and allow 20cm’s between rows

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-lettuce.html

Lettuce (Great Lakes)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In March-July.

Grow: Sow thinly apart 1/2” deep in rows. Thin every 15-20cm’s and allow 20cm’s between rows

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-lettuce.html

Betroot (Detroit)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In March-July.

Grow: Sow thinly apart 1” deep in rows. Thin every 10cm’s and allow 20cm’s between rows

Good source of info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingbeetroot1.shtml

Betroot (Boltardy)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In March-July.

Grow: Sow thinly apart 1” deep in rows. Thin every 10cm’s and allow 20cm’s between rows

Good source of info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingbeetroot1.shtml

Betroot (Cylindra)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In March-July.

Grow: Sow thinly apart 1” deep in rows. Thin every 10cm’s and allow 20cm’s between rows

Good source of info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingbeetroot1.shtml

Broccoli (Purple Sprouting)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In April-May.

Grow: Sow thinly apart 1/2” deep in seeding beds. Transplant when large enough to handle leaving 15” between each plant.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/growing-broccoli.html

Broccoli (Calabrese)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In April-May.

Grow: Sow thinly apart 1/2” deep in seeding beds. Transplant when large enough to handle leaving 15” between each plant.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/growing-broccoli.html

Cauliflower

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Jan/Feb in propagator or 3” pots about 6mm (1/4”) deep.

Grow: Plant out in march / mid June, 18” apart in each direction when large enough.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-cauliflower.html

Cabbage (Golden Acre)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Feb/March in propagator till large enough to place in 3” pots for a few weeks before they get planted outside.

Grow: Plant out late spring, place them 18” apart with 15” between rows.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/growing-cabbage.html

Cabbage (Kalibos)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Feb/March in propagator till large enough to place in 3” pots for a few weeks before they get planted outside.

Grow: Plant out late spring, place them 12” apart with 12” between rows.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/growing-cabbage.html

Cabbage (April)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Feb/March in propagator till large enough to place in 3” pots for a few weeks before they get planted outside.

Grow: Plant out late spring, place them 12” apart with 12” between rows.

OR

Sow: In July/August in to a seedbed about 1/2” deep.

Grow: Transplant to final position after they are large enough to move (12-20 days) . Allow 15” between plants.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/growing-cabbage.html

Cabbage (Greyhound)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Feb/March in propagator till large enough to place in 3” pots for a few weeks before they get planted outside.

Grow: Plant out late spring, place them 12” apart with 12” between rows.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/growing-cabbage.html

Cabbage (Golden Acre Primo 2)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Feb/March in propagator till large enough to place in 3” pots for a few weeks before they get planted outside.

Grow: Plant out late spring, place them 12” apart with 12” between rows.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/growing-cabbage.html

Cabbage (F1 Spring hero)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In July/August in to a seedbed about 1/2” deep.

Grow: Transplant to final position after they are large enough to move (12-20 days) . Allow 15” between plants.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/growing-cabbage.html

Carrots (Early Nattes)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Jan/July sow about 1/2” deep.

Grow: 15cm’s between row’s and thin to every 2/3”s.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-carrots.html

Carrots (Autumn king)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In March/July sow about 1/2” deep.

Grow: 15cm’s between row’s and thin to every 2/3”s.

Good source of info: http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-carrots.html

Leeks (Musselburgh)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Feb/April sow about 1/2” deep.

Grow: 25cm’s between row’s and thin to 15cm apart.

Good source of info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingleeks1.shtml

Leeks (Autumn Giants 3)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In Feb/April sow about 1/2” deep.

Grow: 25cm’s between row’s and thin to 23cm apart.

Good source of info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingleeks1.shtml

Spinach (Beet perpetual)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In March/May or March/June sow about 1/2” deep and about 8cm apart.

Grow: 30cm’s between row’s and thin to 23cm apart.

Good source of info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingspinachchardandbeet1.shtml

Brussels sprouts (Fill Basket)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: In March/May sow about 1/2” deep and about 8cm apart.

Grow: 40cm’s between row’s and thin to 40cm apart.

Good source of info:http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/8576.shtml

Spring onions (White Lisbon)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: Outdoors between March/July.

Grow: 20cm’s between row’s half an inch down and thin as needed.

Good source of info:http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-onions.html

Onions (Ailsa Craig)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: Outdoors between Feb/April.

Grow: 25cm’s between row’s and onions half an inch deep.

Good source of info:http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-onions.html

Onions (Sweet Spanish Yellow)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: Outdoors between Feb/April.

Grow: 25cm’s between row’s and 3/4” between plants.

Good source of info:http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-onions.html

Onions (Bedfordshire Champion)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: Outdoors between Feb/April.

Grow: 25cm’s between row’s and onions half an inch deep.

Good source of info:http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-onions.html

Onions (Red F1 Kamal)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: Outdoors between Feb/April.

Grow: 25cm’s between row’s and 3/4” between plants.

Good source of info:http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-onions.html

Onions (Red Brunswick)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: Outdoors between Feb/April.

Grow: 25cm’s between row’s and 3/4” between plants.

Good source of info:http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-onions.html

Radish (French Breakfast)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: Outdoors between April/May.

Grow: 15cm’s between row’s and 1” between plants.

Good source of info:http://uktv.co.uk/home/stepbystep/aid/585754

Radish (Scarlet Globe)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: Outdoors between April/May.

Grow: 15cm’s between row’s and 1” between plants.

Good source of info:http://uktv.co.uk/home/stepbystep/aid/585754

Sweetcorn (F1 Appolause)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: Indoors April/June in 2/3inch pots or propagators or in greenhouse in same manor.

Grow: Plant out when quite tall and leave around 8/12” between each one.

Good source of info:http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingsweetcorn1.shtml

Sweetcorn (F1 Minipop)

Packet end: Various.

Sow: Indoors April/June in 2/3inch pots or propagators or in greenhouse in same manor.

Grow: Plant out when quite tall and leave around 8/12” between each one.

Good source of info:http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingsweetcorn1.shtml

Salsify

Packet end: 2010.

Sow: Outdoors in March.

Grow: Plant in drills 1cm deep spacing rows 20cm apart. Thin to 10cm apart.

Good source of info:http://www.nvsuk.org.uk/growing_show_vegetables_1/scorzonera.php

Parsnips (White Gem)

Packet end: 1/2010.

Sow: Outdoors in Feb/May.

Grow: Plant in drills 1/2inch deep spacing rows 25cm apart. Thin to 15cm apart. Frosts sweeten the snips so leave in till year two if possible.

Good source of info:http://www.gardeningpatch.com/vegetable/growing-parsnip.aspx

Parsnips (Lisbonnais)

Packet end: 1/2010.

Sow: Outdoors in Feb/May.

Grow: Plant in drills 1/2inch deep spacing rows 25cm apart. Thin to 15cm apart. Frosts sweeten the snips so leave in till year two if possible.

Good source of info:http://www.gardeningpatch.com/vegetable/growing-parsnip.aspx

Cougettes (Zucchini)

Packet end: 2012.

Sow: Indoors around March/April.

Grow: Plant out side with 90cm between bushes.

Good source of info:http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingcourgettes1.shtml

Cougettes (Black Beauty)

Packet end: 2012.

Sow: Indoors around March/April.

Grow: Plant out side with 90cm between bushes.

Good source of info:http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingcourgettes1.shtml

Marrow (Green Bush 2)

Packet end: 6/2010.

Sow: Outdoors around April/June.

Grow: Plant 1inch deep in rows allowing 2 seeds per station 24inches between stations each way, plant out June.

Good source of info:http://www.gardeningdata.co.uk/vegetables/sowing_how_to_l.php#marrow

Climbing french bean cosse violette

Packet end: Feb 2011.

Sow: April place in modules or pots in greenhouse or window ledge.

Grow: Plant out when atleast 15cm tall. Place next to other in a row or in a circle to form a teepee using canes.

Good source of info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingbeans1.shtml

Climbing french bean blue lake

Packet end: Feb 2011.

Sow: April place in modules or pots in greenhouse or window ledge.

Grow: Plant out when atleast 15cm tall. Place next to other in a row or in a circle to form a teepee using canes.

Good source of info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingbeans1.shtml

Climbing french bean COBRA

Packet end: Feb 2011.

Sow: April place in modules or pots in greenhouse or window ledge.

Grow: Plant out when atleast 15cm tall. Place next to other in a row or in a circle to form a teepee using canes.

Good source of info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingbeans1.shtml

Beans (Bush Beans borlotto)

Packet end: 2010.

Sow: Outdoors around April/May.

Grow: Plant every 2inches in a flat bottom trench 13cm wide and 7cm deep in rows 40cm apart.

Good source of info:http://www.vegetableexpert.co.uk/GrowingBeans.html

Beans (Climbing French Beans)

Packet end: 2010.

Sow: Outdoors around April/June.

Grow: Plant 2inches deep every 6inches rows 40cm apart using canes to support.

Good source of info:http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingbeans1.shtml

Beans (Climbing French Beans)

Packet end: 2010.

Sow: Outdoors around April/June.

Grow: Plant 2inches deep every 6inches rows 40cm apart using canes to support.

Good source of info:http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingbeans1.shtml

Beans (Dwarf Tendergreen)

Packet end: 2010.

Sow: Outdoors around April/June.

Grow: Plant 2inches deep every 6inches rows 40cm apart using canes to support.

Good source of info:http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingbeans1.shtml

Beans (Broad, Bunyards Exhibition)

Packet end: 2012.

Sow: Outdoors around April/June.

Grow: Plant 1inches deep every 6inches rows 20cm apart using canes to support, pinch top of plant when pods are 10cm long.

Good source of info:http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingbeans1.shtml

Peas (Early Onwards)

Packet end: 2012.

Sow: Outdoors around April/June.

Grow: Plant 1inches deep every 3inches rows 40cm apart using canes to support.

Good source of info:http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingpeas1.shtml

Mushroom (Agaricus)

Packet end: 2012.

Sow: Any time.

Grow: Make a compost bed 8-10inches, scatter the grains all over the box, mix in with compost to about 8cm deep.
Cover with damp newspaper. Remove newspaper after 10-14days and cover with 1inch of moist garden soil.

Good source of info:http://www.channel4.com/food/on-tv/jamie-oliver/jamie-at-home/how-to-grow-mushrooms_p_1.html

Garlic (Normal)

Packet end: 2012.

Sow: Ideally in October but Spring time will do .

Grow: Plant clove upright 1inch below the soil, plant 4 inches apart in rows 18inches apart. Feed in late march and mid may. Twice a month will be a good pattern.

Good source of info:http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_april_3_garlic_2.asp

*** HERBS STILL TO BE DONE ***

Herbs

Rocket
Sweet basil
Dill
Sweet Marjoram
Coriander
Parsley
Mint

Saturday

During the week I got my delivery of trees and berry bushes, oh and 4 variates of potato with their own grow pods. So that meant my weekends fait was sealed with a lot of hard work in the garden and a trip to BnQ / Wilkinson to stock up on yet more compost, blood, fish and bone and not forgetting some more large pots for the berry bushes.

First thing that I did was was put all the trees in water to reactivate the roots which takes around 4- 6 hours and then the same again for the berry bushes.

While the bushes and trees soak away, I got all the pots in place. and put rocks and crockery in the berry bushes pots and the citrus trees pots to aid in drainage. All the pots apart from the citrus trees had their pots filled 1/4 full with compost. Then we added a handful of fish and bone powder to the compost to aid the growth / support our new additions. Next step might need two people to get the trees and bushes upright. Hold the tree in place and Add more compost to the pots shaking the trees and bushes gently to get the compost in every little area under the plants roots. Keep poring it in till nearly at the top and firm the compost down so there is a 2inch gap at the top of the pot. Back to the citrus trees, well they are slightly different. They need to have a mixture of 50% top soil and 50% ericaceous compost. In the same way you did the other trees, 1/4 full, place, hold, fill, firm. Last job is to water them like mad. Make sure that you do this a few litres at a time and let the water drain down and out the drainage holes! Its so important in the first two years of a trees life to water it every other day till soaking wet as trees are surprisingly thirsty bugger.

So thats my step by step Saturday afternoon. You may have noticed from the pictures below that I have invested in watering pods, they are great way to slow water multiple pots! the only issue I have is the length of the child hoses as they are only 1 metre long and this could do with doubling but I imagine this is a deliberate thing to make you buy more pods! which I will be doing so from that point of view its successful for a certain party, not me by the way.

Sunday

Today saw slightly less work but a few important changes. During a hectic Mothers day I made a little pit stop in to my local Asda, I picked up 30 eggs and 50 small party glasses and 50 pint party plastic glasses (clear not white plastic glasses). So why am I telling you about my shopping? Well this is why, the eggs we are not really interested in but the lovely cardboard they sit in. I will be using that to place the potatoes on for chitting, shitting as I kept saying for a while, its meant to be said like chhhhhhitting but hey, I like shitting, sounds funny. Chitting is basically allowing nice potatoes to go wrinkly and then start producing lovely shoots which will be what grows into a lovely bush one end and roots for which more pots grow on the other end. The potatoes must be left in a cool light place but not in direct sunlight. This should be done two weeks or so before planting in the pods or the ground. I will be using grow pods and will give more details on how they work later on when I actually start planting them in the pods.

The plastic cups are for my new idea, I was wondering how I could move little fragile seedlings to their own pots with out loosing alot of them due to extreme temperature changes! So I got normal sized and pint sized cups that are clear to go on top to act as propagator lids. They fit well, the bigger ones sit just inside the pots and for the very small 3inch pots they sit on the rim which is not ideal but to be honest they are good enough for what we want. Don’t forget when moving the seedlings if possible get the soil in the pots with the cups on top a few days before you transfer the seedlings. Doing this will mean that the seedling moves into nice warm soil. Just make sure you give it a watering the night before so its not to dry and when the seedling is in place give it another watering to help it bed in.

Once home, I placed the potatoes up in the spare room, chucked the cups on to our pots and did some watering indoors and out. Next up was to plant our new strawberry plugs. They need to be placed into the ground leaving about 10 inches around each plug for them to grow into that space. once planted chuck down a good helping of blood, fish and bone then watered them in really well so that they have a great start. I soaked my plugs in water for a couple of minutes before planting to get their roots nice and hydrated and wide awake, which should help them to establish them selfs nice and fast. Last job was to water all the bushes and trees again, as a rule I will do it every other day but they are new to their pots so I wanted to make sure they got a really good start and two days of soaking should help them no end, over watering is bad but if you have set up good drainage they will be fine as the excess just runs away.

Tasks for this week

Well this week I need to get some more of the little seedlings out of the propagators and into the mini pots. They are hard work and need some sunlight to make sure they get the best start after being moved. So I want to do that process in the morning one day when working from home. Thats called lunch break, I do the best things with my spare time. Actually I would swap lunch for doing my seedlings as its actually quite relaxing to spend some time thinking about other stuff other than work. Then either at the weekend or in the evening I am going to dig in my watering system so it waters the ground and not the fences like last year. Another task for the weekend is to think about planting some seeds straight outside into the propagator tunnel and in the greenhouse. March and April are busy months for the green fingered people of this country.

Pictures from this weeks growth and activities

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The seedlings are doing really well, the cucumbers so well infact that they have had to be put into their very own little 3 inch pots already. The rest of the seedlings have been watered and next week either given some feed or will be moved into individual pots and placed in the cold frame.

Progress

The seedlings on the whole are doing well. Some of the pots are now showing growth and we are looking good apart from one area! the herbs. I struggled last year with them and this year its proving even harder as they are all doing really badly, just dying so much. The spring onions are following suite pretty quickly so I hope the ones I plant straight into the soil outside do the business for me! The cucumbers, tomatoes, chillies and courgettes are all doing really well and last years speedy growers the sweetcorn are having a slow start this year. We wont panic as I planted them quite early so we still have time to use the heated propagators with a new batch if any thing really struggles!

TOP tip

After looking around on the net I found a few good little tips that will save you some money and get you some good guides at the same time. After looking around I found a magazine subscription that gives you free seeds and a book worth £25. Its called GROW YOUR OWN and is really cheap, its £17.50 for 6 months so with the book, mag and free seeds and vouchers you will be quids in!

Tip 2, go to allotment.org.uk and buy either or both “Veg Growing Month by Month” and “Essential Allotment Guide UK” you get about £10’s of Sutton’s seeds and also the books! they are £7.49 each including delivery so you get two books and £20’s of seeds for £15! perfect way to start your green fingering future.

Tip 3, want to get cheap seeds and fruit / veg feed? well go to the 99p store and you get 4 packets of seeds with the longest dates I could find with 2/3 years and they grow well. The feed is really good, it works as good as anything else you can buy from places like BnQ. Obviously the more expensive stuff is alot better but for the first timer or semi-pro gardener you wont need the posh stuff any how.

Today’s pictures

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So enough of the chit chat, remember to water them all really well but not over the top! plus the pots are not featured in these images as there is no growth yet but week two images might just have a few little gems to show!

1 Week and this is what we have got to show for it.

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Day three growth

** Use picture lense to view photos as its better than clicking on them! its a nice little slide-show / viewer

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The first thing to remember is that if you water, feed and look after the soil, plants and seedlings you will get plenty of crops! Last year was my first year and I had way too much. During the summer and warm days you must water every day! if in the ground it does not matter if the ground is soaked. The plants, weeds and everything in the surrounding areas will suck it up before the next mornings sun was fully risen.

BTW the week that I started planting I also weeded and prepare the ground outside for this years crop. Will place compost and feed in the ground a couple of week before sowing seeds and seedlings outside.

My top tips:

1. Weed all the time, make sure the plants are not fight for water, nutrition and most importantly sun. If you leave them they will win and its alot hard to get rid of them when they are big with huge roots.
2. Make sure you water every day during the summer and every other day on the mild days where you can get away with doing it a little less.
3. Always use plant food. Not too much but every three weeks will keep the plants growing and happy. Its not expensive and if you go to the 99p store you can get it for a £1 a bottle. A small plot will only need one of two for the summer so you will not spend alot of money on that! but remember that if you grow toms that they love tomato food so buy some of that too in the 99p store.
4. Always harvest the fruit and veg as soon as you can, beans, tomatoes and cucumbers all grow lots of products and the more you pick the more the bush / plant can grow.
5. Look out for pests and insects, they are usually slow to move on in but when they do they can really mess up your crop so make sure you have treatment at home or can get it quick to stop the little buggers taking over.
6. Plant the crops inside in heated propagators or non-heated for slower results but make sure you plant them with plenty of time to get them established for the summer and stagger them going outside to get crops week after week and not in one go.
7. Enjoy it, its really easy and not every thing will work but if you follow my tips and step on time and in good time you will have a love crop and will get them “Green fingers” I cant shift!

So what did I do in week one (20th of Feb 2010)

1. Got my heated and non-heated propagators and 3/4inch pots ready in my spare room. I then filled them all up with compost (must be John Innes).
2. Read each packet of seeds to make sure you give them the right spacing and depth.
3. Plant them a little deeper and firm the soil! Gemma did not do some rows to deep and did not firm the soil making some seedlings die as they did not have enough root in the soil before they grew out the top soil.
4. Firm firm and top up soil where needed.
5. Water them very lightly and place in warm, bright and safe areas away from pets and children!
6. Keep them warm and at a constant temperature!
7. Tidy up the mess thats if you are like me.
8. Oh and label the seedlings!

Lets see what I did

** Use picture lense to view photos as its better than clicking on them! its a nice little slide-show / viewer

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Well tonight or tomorrow I will write my beginner’s guide to gardening! trust me, it will be great for beginner’s as this is my second year so I am the blind leading the blind with my advice

Not really, I got it right last year and had an amazing crop. So I hope with the experiences of last years season and this years improvements I can help more people get it right in their first year.

No one really has looked at my blog yet so might be talking to myself but hey, I have not actually posted much interesting stuff any how!