bobthebandit
Goalkeeper
My plot is coming on canny ( even if those at Gateshead council dont agree) but ive got a load of " mares tail" growing. spoke to my neighbors and no one seem to have any advice on this.... anyone on here advise me? Cheers
Keawyeds
Striker
"Everything's a dildo if you're brave enough"
We may have hit a snag with that theory
DaveH
Striker
I think that is one with long massive underground roots and will spread underground. My mam in Washington has loads of it. None where I am, but have loads of bindweed which spreads underground in the same way.
The best I've been able to find is to keep pulling it out, even if that is just at the surface. Nothing above ground means no energy going to the roots, so the roots should wither and die. I pulled all the bindweed out of my veg patch and two borders at the weekend and plan to see if I can have a session every weekend where I sweep through them and pull any sign of it coming back. My measure of success is that this time next year there will not be as much of it.
Peas can be quite quick so worth another go. There have been a couple of times I've done a late batch of peas, putting in more in areas where I had a bit of space, particularly if something had failed.The peas I sowed direct in the beds haven't done a thing after 3-4 weeks. Put another few in at the weekend - am I too late now?
Spring onions and carrots absolutely nothing either
I've got some squashes that never sprouted and my courgettes have not, and will hopefully start off some new ones tonight. Got to nip to the garden centre on my way home.
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Butcher's Coat
Striker
Mares tail likes acidic soil, so add lime to the soil to raise the PH to about 7.
OR you may try to dig it out. But the roots go down a canny way.
I had a bit of it, and it really can be a bugger to get rid of.
I dug down about 2 feet, and traced back the roots. Did it over a couple of seasons, and it seems to have done the trick.
The leaves seem a bit "waxy" and repel weed killer, - so if you are going to use that method, give the waxy leaves a crushing with your fingers, and then spray weedkiller on it.
The plot will be out of action for a season mind you.
PTR
Striker
A drop of fairy liquid helps with spraying weedkiller on waxy leaves.
Butcher's Coat
Striker
Nah, plenty of time for all of those marra.The peas I sowed direct in the beds haven't done a thing after 3-4 weeks. Put another few in at the weekend - am I too late now?
Spring onions and carrots absolutely nothing either
I put in my 2nd sowing of peas the other day, as well as more carrots. I grow the carrots in high tubs to deter the carrot fly, and every time the sowing germinates and shows through, I set another tub away. I get carrots right up until late Autumn.
Spring onions also can be sown every 3 weeks for a continuous summer crop.
Guitar Man
Midfield
Just snagged a 8 x 8 greenhouse and all my tomatoes are in 4 inch pots in my consevatory ,any should have them in bigger pots by the weekend ,any secret potting them on ? I've heard to bury the first 2 shoots to make the roots stronger ? And lightly spread the roots out before repotting ,is this the correct way ? As said previously i'm trying to keep my dads legacy of tomato growing on but fail every year,he used to get bumper crops i just get a greenhouse that looks like the day of the triffids ,all foilage few tomatoes,so any tips on transplanting ,feeding,watering ,welcome.
socrates
Striker
one of the biggest problems with peas sowed directly into the plot is mice eating them. Soak the peas in paraffin for 24hrs before sowing and mice wont touch them. If you didnt soak yours in anything at all before sowing they will take a long time to germinate. I have a large greenhouse and for peas I had lengths of plastic guttering with detachable ends.The peas I sowed direct in the beds haven't done a thing after 3-4 weeks. Put another few in at the weekend - am I too late now?
Spring onions and carrots absolutely nothing either
Fill with potting compost, sow peas in it, cover with compost, keep moist in greenhouse. When all germinated take guttering to planting spot, take the ends off, prepare shallow trench and slide peas into it.
I’ve given up on carrots. The badgers just come and dig them up whatever they’re planted in. Same with tulips, if they get to the bulbs before the squirrels do.
Bloody nature!
SR7
Winger
we don’t have an allotment anymore but I’ve planted a few things in the garden, just so the bairn can see how food is grown more than out. He’s been fascinated seeing the seeds germinate, so I’m looking forward to seeing him watch the plants grow, flower and fruit/root.
Got cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets, courgettes, caulis, and onions in the ground and some pots with chillis, peppers and garlic in. I might do a few sacks of potatoes as well.
Regret giving our allotment up, but it was just too much at the time with a new born and working away lots.
Got cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets, courgettes, caulis, and onions in the ground and some pots with chillis, peppers and garlic in. I might do a few sacks of potatoes as well.
Regret giving our allotment up, but it was just too much at the time with a new born and working away lots.
PTR
Striker
Given its barely rained in 6 weeks, I guess they never had a chance then?
I haven't watered the beds much tbh
bobthebandit
Goalkeeper
Strangely enough my spring onions seem poor this year where as the previous 2 years been great. But then again my carrot s have been rubbish but doing well this year thanks to advice on here.. cheersThe peas I sowed direct in the beds haven't done a thing after 3-4 weeks. Put another few in at the weekend - am I too late now?
Spring onions and carrots absolutely nothing either
Thanks for advice on mare tail everyone. I'll give them a try but might stick to just trying to dig them out
PTR
Striker
RIghto. I'll do a batch in a cup inside then. A week or so, I guess?
Georgewhitt
Midfield
Never soaked them myself.
Compost in guttering in the geenhouse. Water everyday, then slide the whole line out into the bed mid May. Worked everytime for the past 10 years for me. Just pick and eat while pottering around, as a bit of a treat. Lovely.
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Georgewhitt
Midfield
Peas climbing the pea sticks. Chillis and peppers happy in pots in the greenhouse. Mixed leaves and spring onions growing away in the bed. Beetroot through, leeks hardening off in plugs, garlic almost ready, and toms, cucumber and courgettes happy as pigs in shit. Carrots trying hard, but I have an awful habit of killing the little orange fuckers. I'll keep you posted.
Corn almost ready to plant out.
I love this time of year
Corn almost ready to plant out.
I love this time of year
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Butcher's Coat
Striker
Geo - are you in the North east?Peas climbing the pea sticks. Chillis and peppers happy in pots in the greenhouse. Mixed leaves and spring onions growing away in the bed. Beetroot through, leeks hardening off in plugs, garlic almost ready, and toms, cucumber and courgettes happy as pigs in shit. Carrots trying hard, but I have an awful habit of killing the little orange fuckers. I'll keep you posted.
Corn almost ready to plant out.
I love this time of year
I ask, as I never put my sweetcorn in the ground until June.
