Chicken Licken Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I am just starting to think about what I would like to grow over the coming year. Only things I like this year - no jerusalem artichokes and fewer courgettes for sure. Any suggestions? I have ordered some heritage seeds from Thomas Etty - I couldn't resist the nun's belly button!! (a runner bean) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Hi, I have just placed my first seed order & have got - Carrots - really do well in my soil Little round carrots too, 'cos they look cute Toms - I got my usual Sungolds,plus a black skinned one & a cherry plum Beetroot - I love the stuff Red Spring Onions - so much nicer than the plain white ones Radishes - easy peasy And I will also grow Courgettes,Pots, Parsnips & Swede & I already have Garlic,Winter Peas,Broad beans & some red onions on the go I am skipping all lettucy things this year,and Sweetcorn too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 We've got plans to start growing veg & herbs for the first time (apart from a half-hearted attempt nearly 20 years ago ). Bit nervous about it all really (don't know why ) but hope to start with easy ones (I hope) so possibly: spuds, carrots, onions coriander, parsley, chives We just have a tiny strip of land at the end of the garden which needs rotivating (any advice on preparing a weed-ridden veg patch gratefully received!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 any advice on preparing a weed-ridden veg patch gratefully received! Yes! Let the hens loose on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I think it would take 20 hens a year to clear it (or maybe not ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I couldn't resist the nun's belly button!! (a runner bean) Am off to google that one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 any advice on preparing a weed-ridden veg patch gratefully received! Yes! Let the hens loose on it! Can you borrow a pig? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Can you borrow a pig? The neighbours would love that . (I'm sitting here listening to sqwaaarking from Maisie - if I can hear it, I'm sure they can ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 We have an allotment on which we will be growing enough potaoes, onions and carrots to keep us in these staples without having to buy any. We usually do ok sometimes like this year we buy a few baking potatoes because ours are a bit small. We also grow peas, broad beans (these were a real failure last year),climbling fench bean Cobra which are fantastic and grow upto 8 in ling without going stringy. Parsnips do pretty well for us and last year we grew some fantastic swedes first time we had managed to get any (we grew them in pots then transplanted them so the flea beetle didn't get at them) Brassicas are a problem for us because we have sandy soil and clubroot on our plot but we did manage some cabbages one cauliflower and a few sprouts last year. Leeks we laways forget to plant early enough but we do end up with a lot of small tender ones and it makes me laugh when i see baby leeks being sold in the shops for silly money We also have quite a bit of soft fruit. We have a big problem with bind weed which has got mixed up with out asparagus bed, strawberries and raspberries this has been made worse by rotovating because it has broekn it into loads of pieces which have been spread about but we just don't have the time to dig the whole plot by hand. Growing your own is rewarding and frustrating in about equal parts, but there is nowhere nicer than a peaceful allotment or garden on a warm summer evening Good luck to all for the new season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I forgot to plant my broad beans in November. Is it too late to remedy the situation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I forgot to plant my broad beans in November. Is it too late to remedy the situation? Mine are about 4" high now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisnrob Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I have just placed my first seed order Can I ask where you ordered your seeds from? Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I forgot to plant my broad beans in November. Is it too late to remedy the situation? Mine are about 4" high now! Grrrrr! I wonder if they will sell established plants at the garden centre? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Sarah, those broad beans you sent me are doing well now... thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Harrumph. I'd never tasted a broad bean until last year!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Sarah, those broad beans you sent me are doing well now... thanks Great - mine are about the same size too. Trouble is I don't like Broad beans much,but there is so little to grow this time of year Chrisnrob,I can't remember,sorry! It might have been Marshalls - I got a catalogue in the mail & there was a 2 packs free offer & free delivery too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 My sons new school has sent out Suttons fundraiser catalogues, they have a limited range of fruit, veg & flowers, but enough for a decent start on seed ordering and the school make 20% on all sales. I thought it was a great idea for fundraising and encouraging kids and their families to grow their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 On the subject of broad beans, we usually plant ours in Feb in deep trays in the greenhouse, then plant them out in April time and then plant some direct as well and they are usually only a little behind the people who overwinter them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisnrob Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Trouble is I don't like Broad beans much,but there is so little to grow this time of year Chrisnrob,I can't remember,sorry! It might have been Marshalls - I got a catalogue in the mail & there was a 2 packs free offer & free delivery too. I can remember being forced to eat broad beans as a child and I hated them. Consequently, I haven't eaten them since. Maybe it's time to give them another go...? No worries about the catalogue. When I was a kid I was quite interested in gardening and used to pore over catalogues but over the years I lost interest. However, I remember the Marshalls name now that you've said it. Suttons that chickencam mentioned also rings a bell. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Rob, slip along to Ryton Organic gardens (google for details) it's between you and I, and has loads of lovely seeds. We're family members and try to get up there when we can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Well I'm planning to gorw lots of vegetables, including, Leeks, Potatoes, Runner beans, Peas, Purple sprouting brocolli, Radishes, Lettuces, Tomatoes, Sweetcorn, Courgettes, Pumpkins... And hopefully a mini herb garden in pots!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 [I can remember being forced to eat broad beans as a child and I hated them. Consequently, I haven't eaten them since. Maybe it's time to give them another go...? Rob Freshly picked young broadbeans are fragrant and tender and a total delight with new potatoes. The flowers also smell really lovely but apparently not everyone can smell them I can hubby can't. Loads of people are put off by old tough beans that you need to take the skins off too fiddly by half. Give them another try when you grow your own you can eat them at their best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisnrob Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Rob, slip along to Ryton Organic gardens (google for details) it's between you and I, and has loads of lovely seeds. We're family members and try to get up there when we can. Oooh - have just looked it up. It's 45 miles away, so the right distance for a day out Will have to suggest to Chris that we go there... Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Let m eknow when you're going, we can always meet up. Best wait until the weather is better and things are growing. You could always pose as my sons and get in on the family ticket. Seriously, they really don't check up on it... Rosie usually skips up to the counter and they give her a sticker when she flashes the card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I can remember being forced to eat broad beans as a child and I hated them. Consequently, I haven't eaten them since. Ditto . Maybe it's time to give them another go...? I don't think there's any need for that . They'll still be horrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
