Once you have the fluorescent's on, keep them on. As it is much more energy efficient in the long-run, and thence greener and planet-saving.
pungent compost too!
lp
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Any Gardening Tips
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Sex God
Root veg often prefer to be sown straight out where they are to grow. They don't like being disturbed.
Cabbages (and all their relatives) hate loose soil so need to be planted well in and firmed down really well (with the hands)
Climbing Peas and Beans are ok up canes but prefer something more to climb up - like pea/bean netting which has 4-6" holes rather than a finer mesh, stretched between canes.
It's better to swo thinly than do a lot of thinning as that loosens the soil. Mixing small seeds with some sand can make it easier to sow them thinly.
Cabbages (and all their relatives) hate loose soil so need to be planted well in and firmed down really well (with the hands)
Climbing Peas and Beans are ok up canes but prefer something more to climb up - like pea/bean netting which has 4-6" holes rather than a finer mesh, stretched between canes.
It's better to swo thinly than do a lot of thinning as that loosens the soil. Mixing small seeds with some sand can make it easier to sow them thinly.
Sex God
My garlic has started to grow!! as have the sweetpeas, runner beans, broad beans, various flowers etc......... 
Its been a mild week and things have come on. but its still a bit early for getting it all out, I'd say.
It was easy this week as the ground had dried out and all the preparation I did last year has given me a much more workable plot. I had put down 2 tons of sharp sand and rotavated it in with compost. this year I may only need to fork it over. weeds come free of the ground easily. its a much more enjoyable thing to do.
some of the 'old boys' on the plots grow some really good stuff. a lot of them are italian and have a real knack for it. they make a mild wine, and have a right old cook up in the summer with fresh herbs and stuff.
It was easy this week as the ground had dried out and all the preparation I did last year has given me a much more workable plot. I had put down 2 tons of sharp sand and rotavated it in with compost. this year I may only need to fork it over. weeds come free of the ground easily. its a much more enjoyable thing to do.
some of the 'old boys' on the plots grow some really good stuff. a lot of them are italian and have a real knack for it. they make a mild wine, and have a right old cook up in the summer with fresh herbs and stuff.
Sex God
Quote by TheLovelyOne
Does anyone have any idea why one of my hosts of daffodils has only leaves and not a flower stalk in sight? Every plant in one clump has leaves only - they used to flower ...
It could just be the weather - loads are late. But I would expect to be able to see buds coming up by now.
But, if they have been in for a few years they could be cramped. There is a stretch of road in Derby used to have a gorgeous load of daffs all they way down the grassy middle. Haven't had many flowers now for years. But thet are clearly thriving with loads of leaves.
Give them a feed with a granular feed for flowers or good old Growmore. Then this autumn, dig them up. Gently separate them and replant all the ones that have a decent bit of root. make sure you don't plant them too deep - a good rule of thumb is have the top of the bulb twice it's own depth under the soil - or 3-4 inches if you prefer.
This digging up gives you the chance to clear out any prennial weeds like couch grass at the same time.
If you do all this digging and replanting now you would probably damage leaves and leave the plants open to disease.
Quote by foxylady2209
Does anyone have any idea why one of my hosts of daffodils has only leaves and not a flower stalk in sight? Every plant in one clump has leaves only - they used to flower ...
It could just be the weather - loads are late. But I would expect to be able to see buds coming up by now.
But, if they have been in for a few years they could be cramped. There is a stretch of road in Derby used to have a gorgeous load of daffs all they way down the grassy middle. Haven't had many flowers now for years. But thet are clearly thriving with loads of leaves.
Give them a feed with a granular feed for flowers or good old Growmore. Then this autumn, dig them up. Gently separate them and replant all the ones that have a decent bit of root. make sure you don't plant them too deep - a good rule of thumb is have the top of the bulb twice it's own depth under the soil - or 3-4 inches if you prefer.
This digging up gives you the chance to clear out any prennial weeds like couch grass at the same time.
If you do all this digging and replanting now you would probably damage leaves and leave the plants open to disease.
Thank you foxy
Sex God
Oddly, I've got 2 tulips out in the garden, no sign yet of the daff but they are now starting to grow.
Sex God
Growing on I would put 1 of each plant in a pot UNLESS they have grown together and pulling them apart will damage them. In which case 2 or 3 would be ok - but you may need a slightly larger pot in that case.
Plant the little plants a bit deeper than they were originally, but without burying any leaves. And firm them in well, that way they won't collapse all over the place as they get bigger. You might even want to give them little sticks to cling to.
Some flowers (bedding plants like French Marigolds but not climbers like Sweet Peas) benefit from the growing tip getting pinched out. Only do this if it leaves at least 2 full sets of leaves. Nip down almost to the first remaining set of leaves. The plant then sprouts extra stems and you get loads more flowers.
Plant the little plants a bit deeper than they were originally, but without burying any leaves. And firm them in well, that way they won't collapse all over the place as they get bigger. You might even want to give them little sticks to cling to.
Some flowers (bedding plants like French Marigolds but not climbers like Sweet Peas) benefit from the growing tip getting pinched out. Only do this if it leaves at least 2 full sets of leaves. Nip down almost to the first remaining set of leaves. The plant then sprouts extra stems and you get loads more flowers.
Thanx Foxy for that info I did that last week and carnt belive how much better they have grown lol,got my spuds in today as someone said do it on good friday well its my second lot did do some few weeks ago lol,I also asked in room about broc seeds wow didnt they grow fast inch tall in 4 days, but they had white bits of fluff on em so as I was told I opened them up and dryed them out seems to have done the trick thanx lupin xx More tips always good thanx again for your replys x
Sex God
Just been on an inspection of my green house,
My peppers have at last started to grow about 4mm :lol:
Lettuce, rocket, marrows, cucumbers, toms, corgettes, carrots, spuds all doing well.
Just waiting for the arrival of the chillis.
My peppers have at last started to grow about 4mm
:lol: Lettuce, rocket, marrows, cucumbers, toms, corgettes, carrots, spuds all doing well.
Just waiting for the arrival of the chillis.
Sex God
I've had mixed results so far, most sweetcorn seeds rotted off (too cold I think), french beans (Montana) only half came up and the butternut squash are very slow to take off.
On a happier note, I have actually started my allotment. Been on it about 4 hours so far (in 2 sessions) and cleared 2 areas and planted them with onions (very healthy looking) and 7 courgette plants.
I have loads of stuff to go in very very soon, so I have pressure to get the rest cleared.
It is gorgeous soil: dark, rich, crumbly and holds moisture. Perfect - especially in comparison to the soil in the garden which is clay with rocks in it.
Fingers crossed that I can get everything planted before they die in their pots.
On a happier note, I have actually started my allotment. Been on it about 4 hours so far (in 2 sessions) and cleared 2 areas and planted them with onions (very healthy looking) and 7 courgette plants.
I have loads of stuff to go in very very soon, so I have pressure to get the rest cleared.
It is gorgeous soil: dark, rich, crumbly and holds moisture. Perfect - especially in comparison to the soil in the garden which is clay with rocks in it.
Fingers crossed that I can get everything planted before they die in their pots.
Sex God
Quote by Kaznkev
Question time.
i am growing our peppers on the kitchen widowsill this year and they are doing well,but there is a circular white pattern on some leaves that i assume is fungal,the plant is healthy and producing peppers and flowers.
Should i be worried?
It could be fungal or possibly red spider mite. Have a look under the leaves for tiny red spiders. They damage the leaves and reduce the vitality of the plant. If the white circles are fluffy or slimy it may well be fungal - I think you can get sprays for it. I'd keep your plants healthy with some baby-bio or similar feed when you water them unles you have used those slow release granules which should be enough.
If you could post an image I might be able to match it with something from my books. (Damn just outed the source of my info - my obscenely large collection of gardening books, LOL)
Can ayone tell me what you do with Daffodils once they have flowered and died off, I have read mixed reports as to whether or not you cut them back cos leaving them drains the bulb or leave them to put goodness back into the bulb, any help would be gratefully recieved.
Oh and whilst I am here, bloody Dandelions!! any idea how to get rid of the buggers out of a rather large flower bed?
Gillian
Oh and whilst I am here, bloody Dandelions!! any idea how to get rid of the buggers out of a rather large flower bed?
Gillian
Quote by Kaznkev
Can ayone tell me what you do with Daffodils once they have flowered and died off, I have read mixed reports as to whether or not you cut them back cos leaving them drains the bulb or leave them to put goodness back into the bulb, any help would be gratefully recieved.
Oh and whilst I am here, bloody Dandelions!! any idea how to get rid of the buggers out of a rather large flower bed?
Gillian
i tie my daffs with gardening string then let them die back fine here.
Dandelions , only digging works without lots of nasty chemicals,im looking for a good dandelion and burdock recipie!
Thank you for the reply, I shall leave them to their own devices and tidy them up when they start to look untidy.
I thought that digging might be the only option, I love gardening but unfortunately my back doesnt lol
Sex God
A frost is due tonight, according to the local weather girl, so cover or get in your tender plants!
Orgasminator
not been in forums for ages but R.I.P swinging heaven long live
Sex God
Quote by Kaznkev
ty foxy i was hoping you would see my plea,will check the plant in daylight tommorrow,one more question,we only garden organicly,are there any organic methods to get rid of the mites or fungus?
I don't know about any organic options. My methods fall into a) prevention b) kill 'em with chemicals.
Have a google for any Bob Flowerdew sites or books - he is totally organic (pees on his compost and everything). If he doesn't know a fix, there probably isn't one. Or the Soil Association? Sex God
Potatoes earth up
Peppers and chillis have started to grow.
Toms potted on.
Peppers and chillis have started to grow.
Toms potted on.
