SarahJo Posted May 4, 2005 Share Posted May 4, 2005 Lesley has shamed me into trying something NEW ... so I acquired an Aubergine plant today .. which I will plant next to the courgettes, and hopefully UP the canes. The back of the garage where I plant most things as it is south facing ... so they should be ok there, and will let you know if I manage to get any purple fruits . I treated the runner beans .... well established now, to some gourmet poo soup, and the pumpkins are at the base of the beans, so no doubt they were tucking in too . I tend to have to be more selective as Graham does not eat much in the way of exotic veg ... so asparagus, etc are no good for us .. at least with the aubergine and courgettes I can make up a rattatoui (spelling ) and as long as this is served with some kind of animal protein, I am ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen Posted May 4, 2005 Share Posted May 4, 2005 I grew the most beautiful aubergine plants last year in my greenhouse, they flowered well but never set any fruit. They were next to the toms which fruited really well, so I'm a little confused as to what went wrong. None of the gardening books I've read throw any light on the subject and if the toms fruited why didn't the aubergines? Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 I grew an aubergine a few years ago. It flowered and had aubergines on but they were incredibly small. I waited for them to grow big enough to eat and they rotted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 I grew the most beautiful aubergine plants last year in my greenhouse, they flowered well but never set any fruit. I grew an aubergine a few years ago. It flowered and had aubergines on but they were incredibly small. I waited for them to grow big enough to eat and they rotted! GREAT ... am I destined for aubergine failure then . One of the mums at school this morning said they are really pretty plants, and hers flowered and fruited, but only a few fruits. I now have a challenge ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 Me too Sarah I ordered 5 plants and as of yet they haven't arrived I thought it would be lovely to have aubergines growing in the garden, we will have to see how they go, plenty of poo soup and I think we will be OK...................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 I now have a challenge ...... It's amazing what happens when challenges arise! You'll probably have wonderful aubergines - go on, just do your best and show us how it's done ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 at least with the aubergine and courgettes I can make up a rattatoui (spelling ) and as long as this is served with some kind of animal protein, I am ok. Sarah - we just call it Rat - much easier! We've never had much luck with aubergines until last year when we had quite a few off five plants. We didn't do anything different though so I think they are a temperamental plant They are pretty though so just enjoy them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 Wow how spooky is that Sarah - we just call it Rat ... so do Graham and I . Did not think anyone would know what I was talking about though, if I just put "use the aubergines and courgettes to make a Rat" . Will give the old Aubergines a go anyway ... like you say prob a bit tempermental to grow, would be better if we lived in S.Africa maybe. So far the other veg have not been "killed" by my poo soup, so heres hoping for a good crop this year. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 I'm with Karen on the beginer gardener. I have managed to get some strawberries and runner beans going and have grown my own bedding plants from seed, which i was amazed at! I have a question, that I hope people will not think is too silly. When you grow some veggies - say leeks - when they are mature enough and you pull them out the ground to eat them....is that it? Will anymore grow back? Oh dear, I think it is a silly question! You see, I have a tiny veggie patch with only a few things in it, which will last us a couple of weeks at the most. Once we've munched our way through them, will that be it for the year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 I grow loads of things in pots on the ground and hanging on the walls. You can also cram veggies much closer in small beds if you fertilise and water them well - poo soup should do the job nicely. I'm going to take some pictures tomorrow (weather obliging) so you'll be able to see them. My favourite pots are the thermal ones you make out of wine bottles - problem is I'm out of empties - must get drinking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Sorry it made me smile ... not laughing at you .. just with you really, . When you grow some veggies - say leeks - when they are mature enough and you pull them out the ground to eat them....is that it? Will anymore grow back? Gina ... some things once they are out are, most definately OUT, and finished. Having said that its not really a silly , as you can stagger the planting and get supplies over a longer period of time. Also ... lettuces can be harvested from the "outside so you leave the growing centre to continue .. and basically pick the largest outer leaves over a longer period of time. . Your runner beans will flower ...bees will pollinate and little beans will form from the flower, so do not pick these of the plant ie.deadhead . The beans will grow and you can pick these over several weeks, and any size you like .... don't let them get too big though as they get "tough". Any over size beans .. leave on the stalk, let mature, then at the end of the season remove and get the beans out of the pod ... keep in a dry place and plant again next year. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 I always pick the middle out of my lettuce and then they grow about four new ones in the middle. As for collecting bean seeds - shouldn't that read "keep in a dry place..... and then forget where you put them!" or is that just me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Thank you Glad you're laughing with me!! I knew it kind of made sense, sort-of! Am going to give it my best shot anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Good for you Gina .... most of its have a go ... and see what happens in my book anyway ... Lesley is obviously more qualified, getting her lettuces to divide into many more ..... wonder if she can turn water into wine . Actually ... YES, I forgot, Lesley also grows a vine and hops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 See you at Lesleys in 5 then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 Go for it Gina. I've reallyonly taken an interest in gardening for about 9 months and after a shaky start I've got a small but productive veg plot and some flowering plants starting to have a go. If you fancy veg I can heartily recommend the "Square foot gardening" book by Mel Bartholemew. He shows a clear and easy method of getting a veg bed going and more importantley for me how to keep it going over months rather than 57 lettuces all ready at once Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Thanks Trish...will check it out on Amazon. You see, that was what I couldn't understand. How do you get through all those veggies before they go off. I could just see me and my husband eating leeks for breakfast, lunch and super for 3 weeks! I've got a spot in my garden, which I am clearing out in my spare time, so I'm not sure I will be ready this year. It's quite a shady spot so at the top of the garden and only really gets the sun in the morning. Do you think this will be a problem? The veggie patch we used to have was smashing. Right near the house with the sunshine on it all day long....but we gave it up for the chooks as I wanted them close to us and not miles away at the top of garden. We've only just moved in, so there's lots of stuff going on at the same time. The garden is very mature, but the old boy who lived here before got too old to keep it in trim, so I've lots of hard work ahead sorting it all out. It's amazing how much hard work it takes just to de-weed. Am feeling very excited and positive though and can't wait to get the garden looking full and tasty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 I've got a leaflet for the Square Foot gardening book where you can try it first and only buy if you like it. I can pop it in the post Gina if you'd like it? I've already got the book. Trish - I couldn't remember who it was who was also doing Square Foot (now to be known as Square 30 ) - how is it going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven2902 Posted June 10, 2005 Share Posted June 10, 2005 I've got a veggie patch too and a plastic green house and am learning as I go along. Fence the lot off. The girls love new leaves. In the last year I've had butternut squash, chillies, aubergines, peppers potatoes tomatoes, lettuce, rocket, sorrel, broccoli and loads of herbs. It's all hit and miss. And the soil loves the compost (as do the chickens) and the poo. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katie Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Hello! we are thinking of getting one of those mini free standing plastic greenhouses. what are the best things to grow in them that are relitively easy? i don't know much about growing veg, but i'd just like a go at it! thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Try some tomatoes if you're into veggies! They're easy and the results are lovely too. I've got chilli and sweet peppers in the greenhouse at the moment and it's one of those plastic jobs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 ... have a go at runner beans, they grow really quickly and can climb up any old wall, or bamboo canes strung together in a wigwam shape .. even in a tub. . I start all my stuff off in the house, on window ledges etc, then move out into my mini greenhouse ( same as yours) .. then plant out. This year I've got courgettes, pumpkins, runner beans, sweet peas and aubergines. With tomatoes in baskets and patio pots, along with lettuces in baskets and troughs under the bench.(they tend to wilt in the south facing heat). Have a go at tomatoes though ... and try stuff like Kate, which benefits from added protection. Then next year you can grow from seed and bring on in the wee house too. . I have actually taken mine down now, and stored in the garage roof for next year, and all my crops are well and truly OUT. Great things for gardening small scale though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 I do that too usually Sarah (take the green house down!) but now it's full of peppers I'm making the most of the heat inside instead. I usually take all the shelves out and use the frame to support tomatoes over the summer but this time I've got so many that they're all over the garden in growbags instead! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Wanted to do the pepper thing this year ... have you got the sweet ones growing ... like green, yellow, orange and red, depending on how long you let them ripen. . Chickened out though ... especially after various comments on aubergines. . Having said that the aubergines are ok, so far, outside. And the courgettes have flowered and the 1st little courgies are growing . Pumpkins need a few more weeks and then there should be little golden globes appearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
