Sowing the First Seeds of 2023

[MikeJhn]

I do have a PH meter and will test the soil this afternoon in various places around the plant.

 

[John Brown]

I planted a lot of sprouted fenugreek seeds earlier this year, because I love methi curries. They grew like crazy, yet the leaves were totally tasteless. Is this because I didn't thin them out, and they all bolted somewhat?

 

[Grandad455]

Our courgettes have been sparse this year, as have the carrots for some reason, but the Hydrangea has gone mad, note the two different colours on the same plant, without any intervention on my part, guess why?

Try giving the hydrangeas a feed of iron, that should turn them all blue.

 

[MikeJhn]

Try giving the hydrangeas a feed of iron, that should turn them all blue.

I will try that, think I have some for my grapes?

 

[J-G]

I've been responding based upon my memory of the time - some years ago - when I ran a small chain (2!) of 'Garden & DIY shops' - I've now done a little research and see that memory cannot be totally relied upon (who knew!)

Yes pH has an influence but (as you will no doubt expect) it isn't as simple as it may seem. Here is a link to a site that gives much better advice that I can possibly provide - - - - Hydranger Colour

 

[Cordy]

Mega haul from ring culture !!
Two seed potatoes -- 17.8 pounds
We cut the bottom out of 30 litre Plastic container
Lifted today, cooked Potato/Onion/flour combo; delicious !!

 

[Tris]

Mega haul from ring culture !!
Two seed potatoes -- 17.8 pounds
We cut the bottom out of 30 litre Plastic container
Lifted today, cooked Potato/Onion/flour combo; delicious !!


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Desiree? Grew those a few years ago, had such large spuds we made 10 inch chips

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I had a nice little load of cayenne peppers and Razmattaz chillies ripening and drying out - my wife binned them all because she thought I didn't want them as I'd stopped watering them. My little calamondin orange is doing well -

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Half of a pot grown basil bought from Tesco four or five months ago. My neighbour has the other half. It's been picked several times.

 

[Bingy man]

I must of missed this thread but thought I’d post a few pics of some of my in bread carrots, not sure why -possibly didn’t thin out enough but my neighbours 10 daughter was seriously impressed ( can’t think why) while the carrots went a bit crazy the tomatoes and cucumbers must of got hold of some steroids
I had to tie up the trusses as both the size or the quantity was causing the trusses to rip off the main branch.

 

[Bingy man]

The cucumbers were f1 minis and the tomatoes were a mix of money maker gardeners delight and Alisa Craig.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Some years ago I had 4 1/2lb truss of Shirleys - the following year they were unspectacular.

 

[rob1693]

I'm just about to turn these into a courgette and tomato chutney

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I suppose that's one way of making courgettes edible.

 

[rob1693]

Good job I like them probably had 60lb off mine

 

[John Brown]

Half of a pot grown basil bought from Tesco four or five months ago. My neighbour has the other half. It's been picked several times.
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I've never had much luck with herbs in pots from supermarkets. What's the secret?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I don't really know. I've grown parsley like it as well. I just pull the clumps in half and plant the two halves in compost, I don't try to grow individual plants on. That one's had a dose of fertilizer a couple of times. I suspect the amount of nutrients in the original compost is controlled - they're not meant to grow forever - so I pot them on immediately on delivery.

 

[John Brown]

Thanks, maybe that's where I've been going wrong - expecting the thing to flourish in the provided pot.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Quite probably.

 

[rob1693]

Yesterday effort smoky tomato and chilli chutney and pickling last of cucumbers and some cucumber chilli and ginger jam