root vegetables
garden looking good
I've caught up a bit in the garden; it's all looking pretty neat. My aim is to have some crops through winter. I planted some chard a while back, that's growing well and should crop through winter. Meanwhile, there's the last of the root vegetables (carrots, beetroot and parsnips). I've planted another row of carrots (autumn king) and cauliflowers (all year round). Unfortunately, the cabbages that I planted all got eaten by catapillers (butterflies can get through fruit netting, apparently). I bought some from the garden center and I'm keeping them in the greenhouse for a while.
Meanwhile, I've taken a load of cutings from curry plants, lavander and box. Let's hope that they take.
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digging and planting
It has been very mild with little
rain. This meant that digging chicken waste into the new potato
plot was hot work. That bed is now ready and I thought about
planting some potatoes in it, but decided against it because
they’re predicting frosts next week. Instead I planted 3 ‘Swift’
potatoes into a bucket in the greenhouse so that I can have some
early potatoes. I also tidied up the small bed and covered it with
netting to keep the cats out. Last year’s spinach is growing nicely
and looked better for a bit of a tidy up.
I did plant some spinach (‘American Giant’) in the bed outside. The propagator got more pepper (‘Sweet Romano’), lettuce (‘Blonde Maraicheri’) and dwarf french bean (‘The Prince’). I moved out the carrots (‘Paris Market’) because nothing seemed to be happening with them and I want to get as much of a throughput as I can through the propagator.
I also bought another gooseberry plant to go with the other one behind the greenhouse. I picked a red one (‘Hinnomaki Red’) which had a lot of shoots showing.
I did plant some spinach (‘American Giant’) in the bed outside. The propagator got more pepper (‘Sweet Romano’), lettuce (‘Blonde Maraicheri’) and dwarf french bean (‘The Prince’). I moved out the carrots (‘Paris Market’) because nothing seemed to be happening with them and I want to get as much of a throughput as I can through the propagator.
I also bought another gooseberry plant to go with the other one behind the greenhouse. I picked a red one (‘Hinnomaki Red’) which had a lot of shoots showing.
digging the new bed
More planting. I’m trying to grow a great variety this year (so, four types of tomato, for example). I also got cracking and dug the new bed. And, yes, it is on a slope (from left to right). I’ve ended up terracing the vegetable plot bit by bit. I put a lot of the turf to the right of the new bed, that used to be a semicircular bed. I’m planning to put potatoes in it (they’re chitting nicely in the greenhouse). I’m pretty confident my back’s going to ache tomorrow.
The tip for the propagator that I read was that once 75% of the seeds are up, take them out. Last year I managed to nearly destroy several plants on sunny days. They also go pretty leggy if left in. The seedlings (as you can see) are fine in the greenhouse, it’s got a heater that prevents it going below about 5C. This weekend the outside temperature has been about 7C, pretty warm.
Yesterday and today, I planted tomatoes (‘Moneymaker’), more Primo cabbages (the first lot have come up and I’ve taken them out of the propagator). I moved last week’s cauliflowers into the propagator and the seeds were sprouting within a day - shows the power of the propagator. I’ve sown some more ‘ring of fire’ chilies and some sunflower seeds (I’m determined to grow some this year, they’re lovely even if they’re not edible). I planted up some more carrots (‘Paris Market’). The first lot (‘Nantes 2’) are in the toilet rolls on the right of the picture - hopefully they’ll not mind growing there until they’re planted out. So far, no sign of the leeks, but I’ve put these into the propagator, so maybe something soon. The beetroot ‘Detroit 2’ are all up, so I’ve taken them out of the propagator (strangely, not much sign of the ‘Boltardy’.
All of the seedlings that are now out of the propagator are doing well - I just have to keep them watered, but not too damp and wait for the right weather to plant them out.
I sowed some lettuce (‘Blonde Maraicheri’) into the cold frame. The mixed lettuce that I sowed earlier is coming up (but no sign of anything else, still, it is an experiment).
sowing after snowing
The snow has almost gone now and the
weather is warming up. This year I want to grow as much from seed
as I can so I want to treat the propagator as a bit of a conveyer
belt, getting stuff out of it and new seed in as fast as I can.
Somewhere I read that when 75% of your seeds have germinated, take
the containers out.
Tomatoes
I’ve taken most of the tomatoes out of the propagator. Both types, Alicante and Gardener’s Delight have sprouted. I sowed a batch of the ‘Garden Pearl’ (which I got from a magazine) into pots (three to a pot) and put those into the propagator. You can grow these in pots or in hanging baskets.
Carrots
I’ve taken the ‘Nante’s 2’ from the propagator as pretty much all of them have come up. I planted these in toilet rolls and, when the weather is warm enough, I plan to put them into the ground as is. I need to sow some more, but the propagator is now full.
Leeks and Beetroot
These have gone into the propagator.
Radish
I’ve sown ‘French Breakfast’ in the cold frame (where mixed salad leaves are starting to sprout. No sign of the carrots in the cold frame yet, but there has been a lot of snow and freezing temperatures.
Cabbage and Cauliflower
Despite last year’s doing really badly (the cauliflowers came late and rotted, caterpillars decimated the cabbage, only Savoy cabbages are left) I bought some more seeds and sowed them today. Cabbages were ‘Primo’ which are apparently ideal for small gardens and the cauliflowers are ‘All Year Round’ (Britain’s most popular). I want summer ones, these grow quickly and you can eat them in June / July. These will be grown under netting!
Tomato ‘Garden Pearl’
An outdoor tomato with big crops of very tasty sweet cherry tomatoes with pink-red fruit. It s (determinate) bush habit makes it ideal for pots tubs window boxes or borders.
Radish ‘French Breakfast’
Elongated, rosy scarlet with a white tip. The crunchy flesh has a pleasant flavour.
Tomatoes
I’ve taken most of the tomatoes out of the propagator. Both types, Alicante and Gardener’s Delight have sprouted. I sowed a batch of the ‘Garden Pearl’ (which I got from a magazine) into pots (three to a pot) and put those into the propagator. You can grow these in pots or in hanging baskets.
Carrots
I’ve taken the ‘Nante’s 2’ from the propagator as pretty much all of them have come up. I planted these in toilet rolls and, when the weather is warm enough, I plan to put them into the ground as is. I need to sow some more, but the propagator is now full.
Leeks and Beetroot
These have gone into the propagator.
Radish
I’ve sown ‘French Breakfast’ in the cold frame (where mixed salad leaves are starting to sprout. No sign of the carrots in the cold frame yet, but there has been a lot of snow and freezing temperatures.
Cabbage and Cauliflower
Despite last year’s doing really badly (the cauliflowers came late and rotted, caterpillars decimated the cabbage, only Savoy cabbages are left) I bought some more seeds and sowed them today. Cabbages were ‘Primo’ which are apparently ideal for small gardens and the cauliflowers are ‘All Year Round’ (Britain’s most popular). I want summer ones, these grow quickly and you can eat them in June / July. These will be grown under netting!
Tomato ‘Garden Pearl’
An outdoor tomato with big crops of very tasty sweet cherry tomatoes with pink-red fruit. It s (determinate) bush habit makes it ideal for pots tubs window boxes or borders.
Radish ‘French Breakfast’
Elongated, rosy scarlet with a white tip. The crunchy flesh has a pleasant flavour.
more seeds sown
Snow covered cold frame
I sowed beetroot; last year’s ‘Boltardy’ (good until 2010, it says on the packet) and ‘Detroit 2’. I also planted leeks ‘Almera’ in a seed tray with a lid. As all my basil has died over winter, I planted some seeds in a single 3” pot.
Leek ‘Almera’
A firm long slim type, ideal for slicing and also for mini leeks. The leaves are very dark green and upright. For autumn and early winter harvest.
chitting
07/02/09 17:36 Categaoriespotatoes
After leaving them in the dark for a
month, the potatoes I ordered have started sprouting. I’ve moved
them into the greenhouse to start chitting. I think that I’ll grow
them in the new bed that I’m planning - that will help break up the
soil.
Swift
(1994) Very early (hence the name). White with large tubers if left to grow. Short foliage so a good variety for growing in planters or under plastic. Good disease resistance.
Anya
(2000) High yields of long, finger shaped tubers with firm waxy texture and a pleasant slightly nutty flavour. High resistance to scab and moderate resistance to blight and slugs.
Swift
(1994) Very early (hence the name). White with large tubers if left to grow. Short foliage so a good variety for growing in planters or under plastic. Good disease resistance.
Anya
(2000) High yields of long, finger shaped tubers with firm waxy texture and a pleasant slightly nutty flavour. High resistance to scab and moderate resistance to blight and slugs.
first seeds sown
I heard about sowing carrots and
lettuce early under a cold frame from the Alternative Kitchen
Garden blog (akg).
Apparently, you can eat them by the end of March. Worth a try, so
I’ve sited my new cold frame on the south wall of the garage (where
I’ve grown tomatoes for the last two years). The carrots came with
the Grow Your Own magazine.
I’ve also sown carrots, chili pepper and tomatoes in the propagator. Good old Gardener’s Delight which was really good last year. The other type were ‘Alicante’. The peppers are ‘Ring of Fire’ (wonder what that means?).
Carrot ‘Paris Market’
One of the best all rounders, as the sphericall ‘baby’ carrots are unlikely to grow more than an inch in length.
Tomatoes Alicante
Cordon (Indeterminate). Ideal variety for beginners. A superior variety possessing all the things we look for in a tomato. Alicante produces a heavy crop of greenback free fruit early in the season and the flavour is excellent.
Chili Pepper Ring of Fire (Heat Level 6)
Cayenne type chilli this is ideal for drying and grinding into powder. 4 inch long thin chillies, red when ripe after 80 days. Very abundant 2 foot plants form a perfect shape. (Capsicum annuum)
The carrots were Nantes 2. I’ve grown these for a couple of years and they grow really well and cook well too.
I’ve also sown carrots, chili pepper and tomatoes in the propagator. Good old Gardener’s Delight which was really good last year. The other type were ‘Alicante’. The peppers are ‘Ring of Fire’ (wonder what that means?).
Carrot ‘Paris Market’
One of the best all rounders, as the sphericall ‘baby’ carrots are unlikely to grow more than an inch in length.
Tomatoes Alicante
Cordon (Indeterminate). Ideal variety for beginners. A superior variety possessing all the things we look for in a tomato. Alicante produces a heavy crop of greenback free fruit early in the season and the flavour is excellent.
Chili Pepper Ring of Fire (Heat Level 6)
Cayenne type chilli this is ideal for drying and grinding into powder. 4 inch long thin chillies, red when ripe after 80 days. Very abundant 2 foot plants form a perfect shape. (Capsicum annuum)
The carrots were Nantes 2. I’ve grown these for a couple of years and they grow really well and cook well too.
eating the blues
27/07/08 07:56 Categaoriespotatoes | green
beans
We ate the first of the Edzell Blues. They look very attractive, but if you boil them in their skins, all the colour goes (it turns the water an odd blue). Mashed they are somewhat floury. Taste wise, they're (I'm sad to report) nothing special. We also had a big portion of the green beans (Rocquencourt, I think). Actually, they're a lovely pale yellow. I steamed them for about 10 minutes and then added a bit of butter.
of cabbages and cauliflower
12/07/08 08:04 Categaoriescabbage | cauliflower
Gill bought me some plants when she
went to the garden center to buy some fish for her new tank. I miss
growing cabbages this year, so I was happy to see two sorts Savoy
Mila F1 and Red Stonehead F1. She also got me some cauliflower -
Nautilus F1 improved.
CABBAGE ROUND -‘STONEHEAD’ F1 Plant April / August. Good quality, uniform with very solid heads. Use for successional plantings. Can be used as baby vegetables. Harvest June to November.
CABBAGE SAVOY -‘MILA’ F1
Plant April / July. Early maturing. Dark green, good standing ability and resistance to bursting. Suitable for successional plantings. Harvest November to February.
White Cauliflower 'Nautilus' F1 improved
A high quality variety with extra white deep curds. Also a vigorous hybrid even in cooler climates and useful for extended autumn crops. Sow Feb for cutting July to November. Remember the trick with cauliflowers is a really rich heavily manured vegetable plot as they will not do well on poor soil.
CABBAGE ROUND -‘STONEHEAD’ F1 Plant April / August. Good quality, uniform with very solid heads. Use for successional plantings. Can be used as baby vegetables. Harvest June to November.
CABBAGE SAVOY -‘MILA’ F1
Plant April / July. Early maturing. Dark green, good standing ability and resistance to bursting. Suitable for successional plantings. Harvest November to February.
White Cauliflower 'Nautilus' F1 improved
A high quality variety with extra white deep curds. Also a vigorous hybrid even in cooler climates and useful for extended autumn crops. Sow Feb for cutting July to November. Remember the trick with cauliflowers is a really rich heavily manured vegetable plot as they will not do well on poor soil.
ooh, that's a big one
13/07/08 20:29 Categaoriescarrots
too much happening
20/05/08 08:10 Categaoriestomatoes | potatoes | peas | green
beans | turnip | asparagus | sweet
pepper | beetroot | onion | carrots | broad
bean | parsnip
sowing more seeds (successional planting)
I have spent weeks meaning to create a
planting diary showing me when to plant successional plants. This
weekend I failed (again) and decided to sow some new seeds of stuff
that I want anyway but ran out of time. So, tonight as Gill made
supper, I went out and pottered in the greenhouse. The result was a
row each of green beans (Sonesta), rocket (Suffolk Herbs salad
rocket), beetroot (Detroit 2), parsnip and broad bean.
Having lost a lot of green beans, I first put the soil in, damped it off, planted the seeds and then sprinkled a thin layer of soil over the top. The tray is under a lid in the greenhouse, but not in the propagator. I'll see how it goes.
Having lost a lot of green beans, I first put the soil in, damped it off, planted the seeds and then sprinkled a thin layer of soil over the top. The tray is under a lid in the greenhouse, but not in the propagator. I'll see how it goes.
impulse buy
20/04/08 17:50 Categaoriesonion
After seeing last night's Gardener's
World, I impulse bought some shallots, "Red Sun" and "Golden
Gourmet". Should be ready to harvest in July and August.
Red Sun
Gaining in popularity due to its attractive red tinged skin. Arguably the best of the red shallots. Good yields of crisp, white fleshed bulbs of excellent flavour for cooking, in salads or for pickling. Bulbs have long storage potential.
Golden Gourmet
Dutch. This is a major advance on the traditional Giant yellow and produces larger and better quality bulbs with reduced bolting incidence.
The lovely golden brown skinned bulbs store well throughout the winter.
Red Sun
Gaining in popularity due to its attractive red tinged skin. Arguably the best of the red shallots. Good yields of crisp, white fleshed bulbs of excellent flavour for cooking, in salads or for pickling. Bulbs have long storage potential.
Golden Gourmet
Dutch. This is a major advance on the traditional Giant yellow and produces larger and better quality bulbs with reduced bolting incidence.
The lovely golden brown skinned bulbs store well throughout the winter.
beetroot planted out
13/04/08 18:53 Categaoriesbeetroot
captain's log, supplemental
Lots of gardening jobs today:
Built cane supports for the peas (which are now starting to come through)
Planted first early potatoes ("Rocket")
Planted "slenderette" dwarf green beans
potted up Gardener's Delight tomatoes (next stop outside in the garden at the end of April)
Planted more Rocquencourt (here's hoping)
Added more basil, only one plant came up.
Planted chilli pepper ("Anaheim"), these came free with Gardener's World
Outside
Planted spinach seeds in the small bed.Built cane supports for the peas (which are now starting to come through)
Planted first early potatoes ("Rocket")
greenhouse
Planted "slenderette" dwarf green beans
potted up Gardener's Delight tomatoes (next stop outside in the garden at the end of April)
propagator
Planted more Rocquencourt (here's hoping)
Added more basil, only one plant came up.
Planted chilli pepper ("Anaheim"), these came free with Gardener's World
still waiting for spring
It's been surprisingly dry, I've had
to remove the cloches and water under them this weekend (as I did
last weekend). Still no sign of any outdoor seeds sprouting
(carrot, peas, beetroot). The greenhouse sown seeds are making a
showing, but I'm disappointed in the green beans. Some just
expired. One of the green beans that I sowed last week has sprouted
- I wish the others would be more enthusiastic. I'm not too
worried, I checked last year's blog and I finished the raised beds
at the end of April and planted out bought seedlings at that time.
If all else fails, I can still buy seedlings.
I've used about 2/3 of the soil that I had delivered on Thursday, I think that I over estimated how much I'd need. I've been filling up the raised beds (I didn't quite buy enough soil last year and my compost heaps are not producing enough (yet)). Maybe I'll get some of the paths done this weekend; I bought some weed membrane yesterday.
I've used about 2/3 of the soil that I had delivered on Thursday, I think that I over estimated how much I'd need. I've been filling up the raised beds (I didn't quite buy enough soil last year and my compost heaps are not producing enough (yet)). Maybe I'll get some of the paths done this weekend; I bought some weed membrane yesterday.
beetroot
24/02/08 16:47 Categaoriesbeetroot
"Grow Your Own Veg" suggests that
these germinate better if you soak them overnight, so that's what
I've done. I grew these last year and pickled some.
Beetroot Detroit 2
Perfect for pickling!Dark red, delicious-tasting roots, ideal fresh or pickled. "Growing vegetables can be fun and very rewarding. Not only do you get that 'fresh from the garden taste', but also genuine health benefits, since freshly picked vegetables are the highest for vitamin content. Try my organically produced seed and get a taste for gardening." - Alan Titchmarshcarrots
22/02/08 17:58 Categaoriescarrots
The frosts seem to be (mostly) over.
According to my books, you can sow carrots outside at the end of
February if they're under a cloche. I've just sown two lines of
Nantes 2 (from Alan Titchmarsh's organic range).
Nantes 2
Quick maturing and ideal for sowings from Feb under cloches or fleece cropping from June. Can also be sown as late as August. Blunt ended 16cm cylindrical roots with almost no core and a lovely sweet flavour.
more potatoes
10/02/08 18:47 Categaoriespotatoes
We bought some
more potatoes ready for chitting. I want to grow more varieties
this year. We bought Edzell Blue and Arran Victory, both heritage
varieties, which is nice; if slightly challenging.
Arran Victory has a very high dry matter which makes normal boiling difficult but they have exceptional flavour for mash, so do not be put off when they fall apart a bit. Arran Victory potatoes need to be simmered very gently and NOT boiled vigorously. They have a fine texture which makes for the most wonderful white mash which will crisp beautifully if used as a shepherd pie or roast. They do make particularly good roast potatoes, and they will also fry, bake, steam and microwave.
Arran Victory
Victory was bred in the Isle of Arran by Donald Mackelvie. Victory, the oldest of the "Arrans" still grown, was named in 1918 in celebration of the ending of the war. It is rare and is one of only two blue skinned varieties still available for general cultivation. It is high yielding given a long season. The tubers are round to short oval with blue skin, snowy white flesh and deep eyes. In Scotland they are still regarded with some awe as the premium late season variety.Arran Victory has a very high dry matter which makes normal boiling difficult but they have exceptional flavour for mash, so do not be put off when they fall apart a bit. Arran Victory potatoes need to be simmered very gently and NOT boiled vigorously. They have a fine texture which makes for the most wonderful white mash which will crisp beautifully if used as a shepherd pie or roast. They do make particularly good roast potatoes, and they will also fry, bake, steam and microwave.
Edzell Blue
Edzell Blue was first recorded in 1915 but it is said to have been bred in the Victorian era. Edzell Blue has an attractive bluish/ purple skin with deepish eyes, contrasting with the snowy white flesh. The skin colour turns to a creamy colour when cooked, and it is best cooked with skin on and boiled or steamed.swede
26/01/08 15:46 Categaoriesswede
I can't find when I actually sowed these. Some time in October or November, I think. Anyhow, they've come through the autumn and are growing ok. Some of the leaves have been eaten. It's very mild, so the pests are surviving. Last week I took off the worse leaves in the hope of taking out the pests. This week I covered them with a plastic cloche to keep them warm as it has been forcasting frosts and snow.
chitting my potatoes
20/01/08 15:36 Categaoriespotatoes
Now that I have my electric heater sorted out, I bought these potatoes (Rocket Scottish Basic - good for boiling and steaming) and put them in the light ready to chit. I also cleared out the ground where I'm going to put them - at the side of the garage. The soil is surprisingly good, maybe this used to be a bed once before.