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Calling SMB veg growers

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chriswallace85 said:
Any tips for stopping cats from shitting in ya vegetable patch?
Click to expand...

I use nets and sonic repellers mostly. I have tried a few things but they seem to work the best. They only go for mine when the soil is uncovered and fine, they don't bother when the plants are bigger. Basically they are looking for a patch of earth that matches a litter tray. If you put the net flat over the top then they dig through it or shit on the net. I use them rubber balls for connecting bamboo canes to make one horizontal pole going down the middle length of each bed about 2ft off the ground. Put the net over the top and it pretty much looks like a traditional style tent. That keeps the net far enough off the soil. Once the plants are big enough, I remove it.

In other areas, grass mulch. For example when I put my taties in I cover the whole bed with a thick layer of all my grass cuttings. Potatoes will easily grow through that, though it would cause rotting on smaller more delicate seedlings. I have also used the organic cat repellent from 'Growing Success', but I'm not sure if it actually does anything with the other methods.

I have a couple of the ultrasonic units that I put out when there is exposed earth:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FXSU...t=&hvlocphy=1006602&hvtargid=pla-391496075230

If you do go for these, get rechargeable batteries.

MackneyHackem said:
What's the easiest stuff to grow in pots when you haven't got garden space? Got outdoor space like.
Click to expand...

Suttons have a dedicated section about this:
You must be logged on to see external links
 
DaveH said:
I use nets and sonic repellers mostly. I have tried a few things but they seem to work the best. They only go for mine when the soil is uncovered and fine, they don't bother when the plants are bigger. Basically they are looking for a patch of earth that matches a litter tray. If you put the net flat over the top then they dig through it or shit on the net. I use them rubber balls for connecting bamboo canes to make one horizontal pole going down the middle length of each bed about 2ft off the ground. Put the net over the top and it pretty much looks like a traditional style tent. That keeps the net far enough off the soil. Once the plants are big enough, I remove it.

In other areas, grass mulch. For example when I put my taties in I cover the whole bed with a thick layer of all my grass cuttings. Potatoes will easily grow through that, though it would cause rotting on smaller more delicate seedlings. I have also used the organic cat repellent from 'Growing Success', but I'm not sure if it actually does anything with the other methods.

I have a couple of the ultrasonic units that I put out when there is exposed earth:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FXSU...t=&hvlocphy=1006602&hvtargid=pla-391496075230

If you do go for these, get rechargeable batteries.



Suttons have a dedicated section about this:
You must be logged on to see external links
Click to expand...
I got one of those solar powered cat scarers. Next doors cats love sitting right by it, the little shits :lol:
 
Went round the allotment today and everything is still soaking wet, going to order tatties in the next couple of days so at least i have them ready.
Do cucumbers grow the same way as courgettes or do they climb and need staking? Will be grown outdoors
 
duff_man said:
Went round the allotment today and everything is still soaking wet, going to order tatties in the next couple of days so at least i have them ready.
Do cucumbers grow the same way as courgettes or do they climb and need staking? Will be grown outdoors
Click to expand...

Better hurry up with the spuds then marra.
Your 1st earlie's should have been in by now for summer new taties.
2nd earlie's can go in any time now, and main crop in the next couple of weeks - before April is out.

As for cucumbers, yes you need to train them up something. Make up a frame about 1.5 to 2 metres high with bamboo canes if doing them outside. If in a greenhouse, you can train them up a net or string.

Courgettes are different, and will grow canny in a large pot. They will need loads of watering mind.
 
Butcher's Coat said:
Better hurry up with the spuds then marra.
Your 1st earlie's should have been in by now for summer new taties.
2nd earlie's can go in any time now, and main crop in the next couple of weeks - before April is out.

As for cucumbers, yes you need to train them up something. Make up a frame about 1.5 to 2 metres high with bamboo canes if doing them outside. If in a greenhouse, you can train them up a net or string.

Courgettes are different, and will grow canny in a large pot. They will need loads of watering mind.
Click to expand...

Its been far too wet to put anything in at all at the minute. Only had one courgette plant last year that my neighbour gave me, probably got 15 or so fruit off that one plant alone, just let them sprawl all over the ground and keep watered.
 
I'm attempting to grow in containers whilst I am on the waiting list for an allotment.
I have sown tomato, chilli, pepper, spring onion and carrots so far. The tomato seeds in the house have germinated on my windowsill and in a heated propegator. 1 chilli seed has germinated.
The carrots and spring onion which are in one of those plastic greenhouse things have done nothing at all. They have been sown about 2 weeks. Should I have done something different with them?
New to all this growing malarkey so be gentle!!
 
duff_man said:
Its been far too wet to put anything in at all at the minute. Only had one courgette plant last year that my neighbour gave me, probably got 15 or so fruit off that one plant alone, just let them sprawl all over the ground and keep watered.
Click to expand...

I always put my 1st early spuds into those green plastic potato growing bags.
I put those in religiously on St. Patrick's day:cool:.

Courgettes really do go ballistic if you get them in a good sunny position. In the ground is good - as long as the fruits are kept off the soil. The old slugs like to munch away on them.
I always have them in large tubs, and water the roots by having a 2" plastic pipe in the soil which delivers water right in there. The fruits are then free to hang over the top and off the ground. Marrows are grown in the same way.

Morphious said:
I'm attempting to grow in containers whilst I am on the waiting list for an allotment.
I have sown tomato, chilli, pepper, spring onion and carrots so far. The tomato seeds in the house have germinated on my windowsill and in a heated propegator. 1 chilli seed has germinated.
The carrots and spring onion which are in one of those plastic greenhouse things have done nothing at all. They have been sown about 2 weeks. Should I have done something different with them?
New to all this growing malarkey so be gentle!!
Click to expand...

Carrots should be sown direct into where they are to grow - they don't like being transplanted. Get a high tub/container for them - as you need to keep the carrots high to stop the carrot fly from getting at them. Sow them as per packet instructions, and make sure the soil/compost is stone-free. Cover them with fleece if there's a risk of frost about.
Tomatoes will be canny grown outside, but as long as they are sheltered in a sunny spot. Put them outside after the risk of frost has passed - like in June. Same for chillis. But you must pot them up into larger pots as they grow.
Spring onions can be sown direct into pots, and don't really need to be started off indoors.
Try lettuce & radish outside in pots/containers too.
Beetroot can be grown in pots no bother either.

All depends on what you like, and how big your area is for the pots/containers.
B&M's at Leechmere have some canny size pots there, and will do for almost anything you want to grow. - Even runners beans! Just make up a wigwam of bamboo canes, and the beans will grow no bother.
 
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Butcher's Coat said:
I always put my 1st early spuds into those green plastic potato growing bags.
I put those in religiously on St. Patrick's day:cool:.

Courgettes really do go ballistic if you get them in a good sunny position. In the ground is good - as long as the fruits are kept off the soil. The old slugs like to munch away on them.
I always have them in large tubs, and water the roots by having a 2" plastic pipe in the soil which delivers water right in there. The fruits are then free to hang over the top and off the ground. Marrows are grown in the same way.



Carrots should be sown direct into where they are to grow - they don't like being transplanted. Get a high tub/container for them - as you need to keep the carrots high to stop the carrot fly from getting at them. Sow them as per packet instructions, and make sure the soil/compost is stone-free. Cover them with fleece if there's a risk of frost about.
Tomatoes will be canny grown outside, but as long as they are sheltered in a sunny spot. Put them outside after the risk of frost has passed - like in June. Same for chillis. But you must pot them up into larger pots as they grow.
Spring onions can be sown direct into pots, and don't really need to be started off indoors.
Try lettuce & radish outside in pots/containers too.
Beetroot can be grown in pots no bother either.

All depends on what you like, and how big your area is for the pots/containers.
B&M's at Leechmere have some canny size pots there, and will do for almost anything you want to grow. - Even runners beans! Just make up a wigwam of bamboo canes, and the beans will grow no bother.
Click to expand...
The carrots are in a 12" diameter container, sown to a evenly spaced grid. I have them up on the shelf of the plastic greenhouse. I thought the would have broken the surface by now. Used a very fine multi purpose compost for them.
 
chriswallace85 said:
Any tips for stopping cats from shitting in ya vegetable patch?
Click to expand...
Thorny twig prunings in a grid.... Go snip bits off Hawthorn hedges if you haven't anything else... I use gooseberry or blackthorn twigs

MackneyHackem said:
What's the easiest stuff to grow in pots when you haven't got garden space? Got outdoor space like.
Click to expand...
Strawberries, salad leaves, tomatoes, new potatoes.

Morphious said:
The carrots are in a 12" diameter container, sown to a evenly spaced grid. I have them up on the shelf of the plastic greenhouse. I thought the would have broken the surface by now. Used a very fine multi purpose compost for them.
Click to expand...
Carrots can take ages to germinate.... Patience...
Bear in mind it's been unseasonably cold and damp so we're a few weeks behind normal growing times this year

Like @Butcher's Coat my spuds are usually in by March 17th but the ground was definitely not ready, only put em in this week.
 
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Got a load of salad leaves in today, as well as radishes, spring onions, beetroot and spinach beet.

Any recommendations for a heavy cropping cherry tomato? Thinking of rosella as it was on beechgrove garden last year with their seal of approval
 
duff_man said:
Got a load of salad leaves in today, as well as radishes, spring onions, beetroot and spinach beet.

Any recommendations for a heavy cropping cherry tomato? Thinking of rosella as it was on beechgrove garden last year with their seal of approval
Click to expand...

Sweet Millions are a good one to try.
 
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