Calling SMB veg growers

[PTR]

I usually start them in a plastic gutter filled with compost on the greenhouse about now. Harden them off for about a week, then slide them out of the guttering into a shallow trough in the bed. No need for repotting. Don't normally plant out till end May. You've got time marra. Worked every time for me.

I don't have a greenhouse, so nowhere to do this gutter-idea. Last year I tried to harden them off in the seed trays, but they went floppy and never recovered. Same has happened from repotting this year.
Going to direct sow some seeds at the weekend to see how they go.

 

[Weremuthe]

I don't have a greenhouse, so nowhere to do this gutter-idea. Last year I tried to harden them off in the seed trays, but they went floppy and never recovered. Same has happened from repotting this year.
Going to direct sow some seeds at the weekend to see how they go.

All the flowering buds of my peach tree died off a couple of weeks ago with that cold snap and it looks like it has been napalmed.

 

[DaveH]

I find about a week does the trick, so long as it is not too cold. Might be a bit early for peas. A frost will knack them marra.

Cheers. Hopefully we are past getting frosts now.

I'll probably try planting them out this weekend but start another batch in the greenhouse to either add an extra row later or replace if it doesn't go well.

To add to the greenhouse chatter, I went for an 8x6 greenhouse and at the minute it is full. I'm struggling to find space for all my seed trays. The advice when buying was "whatever size you go for, you will think it is too big in your first two months, then find it far too small". It was so true.

What have people done for greenhouse staging? Before I got my greenhouse, I had a few different plastic grow houses, where the outer plastic eventually split. I used the metal frames from them inside and they have been great. With the mesh shelves, I have 3 or four tiers of shelving which is great this time of year and then as the year progresses and I want taller plants like tomatoes in, I just leave the frame and take out the mesh shelves, putting the plants on the bottom shelf. But they are eventually rusting away.

I can't find anything that will give me that versatility, so I was thinking about getting some treated wood and making a frame set so a seed tray will slot between the lats and hang in there, then lift out for planting out, leaving space for tomatoes or cucumbers to grow upwards.

 

[Georgewhitt]

Cheers. Hopefully we are past getting frosts now.

I'll probably try planting them out this weekend but start another batch in the greenhouse to either add an extra row later or replace if it doesn't go well.

To add to the greenhouse chatter, I went for an 8x6 greenhouse and at the minute it is full. I'm struggling to find space for all my seed trays. The advice when buying was "whatever size you go for, you will think it is too big in your first two months, then find it far too small". It was so true.

What have people done for greenhouse staging? Before I got my greenhouse, I had a few different plastic grow houses, where the outer plastic eventually split. I used the metal frames from them inside and they have been great. With the mesh shelves, I have 3 or four tiers of shelving which is great this time of year and then as the year progresses and I want taller plants like tomatoes in, I just leave the frame and take out the mesh shelves, putting the plants on the bottom shelf. But they are eventually rusting away.

I can't find anything that will give me that versatility, so I was thinking about getting some treated wood and making a frame set so a seed tray will slot between the lats and hang in there, then lift out for planting out, leaving space for tomatoes or cucumbers to grow upwards.

I did exactly the same for the stading. Works really well.
8x6 suits my needs fine
6 toms 2 cues, various peppers and aubergines etc. Just about big enough.

 

[Wilfy]

Cheers. Hopefully we are past getting frosts now.

I'll probably try planting them out this weekend but start another batch in the greenhouse to either add an extra row later or replace if it doesn't go well.

To add to the greenhouse chatter, I went for an 8x6 greenhouse and at the minute it is full. I'm struggling to find space for all my seed trays. The advice when buying was "whatever size you go for, you will think it is too big in your first two months, then find it far too small". It was so true.

What have people done for greenhouse staging? Before I got my greenhouse, I had a few different plastic grow houses, where the outer plastic eventually split. I used the metal frames from them inside and they have been great. With the mesh shelves, I have 3 or four tiers of shelving which is great this time of year and then as the year progresses and I want taller plants like tomatoes in, I just leave the frame and take out the mesh shelves, putting the plants on the bottom shelf. But they are eventually rusting away.

I can't find anything that will give me that versatility, so I was thinking about getting some treated wood and making a frame set so a seed tray will slot between the lats and hang in there, then lift out for planting out, leaving space for tomatoes or cucumbers to grow upwards.

I’ve put this in the missus greenhouse. Get 2 from one unit and bolted them together for rigidity. Got a run of 4 down one side.

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[Stubbs ftm]

Erecting my greenhouse at the weekend

 

[SHEEPSKINBOOTS]

Planted out my caulis a bit early only 4 survivors from 12 , got more seedlings in the hothouse.

 

[PTR]

Putting a greenhouse in your study is all larks until the fungus gnats take over

:-(

 

[Guitar Man]

I normally get my tomato seeds away just before easter but life gets in the way and i have an empty greenhouse and nothing planted where is the best place to buy tomato plants ? ( North side ) I went to an allotment near me yesterday and he wanted £1 a plant (seems ok price ?)
And i need a few bags of compost are the supermarket ones any good ? Or am i better paying a little extra at the garden centres ?

 

[Wilfy]

I normally get my tomato seeds away just before easter but life gets in the way and i have an empty greenhouse and nothing planted where is the best place to buy tomato plants ? ( North side ) I went to an allotment near me yesterday and he wanted £1 a plant (seems ok price ?)
And i need a few bags of compost are the supermarket ones any good ? Or am i better paying a little extra at the garden centres ?

If you’re on Facebook, have a look for plants on marketplace. We are using the 3 for £12 from Morrisons. Won’t be able to tell if it’s ok for a few months!

 

[Guitar Man]

If you’re on Facebook, have a look for plants on marketplace. We are using the 3 for £12 from Morrisons. Won’t be able to tell if it’s ok for a few months!

Cheers got the 3 for £12 at morrisons ,i'm not on facebook so will probably go up to the allotments and get some for £1 each ,seems a fair price ?.

 

[Wilfy]

Cheers got the 3 for £12 at morrisons ,i'm not on facebook so will probably go up to the allotments and get some for £1 each ,seems a fair price ?.

Seems a decent enough price to me.

 

[SR7]

Finally got a greenhouse up after being in the house 4 years. Really miss having an allotment, this is the next best thing. Got a raised bed in the garden with some leeks and shallots in too. Got various toms, chillie and peppers in there. Hoping for a productive summer!

 

[Georgewhitt]

Finally got a greenhouse up after being in the house 4 years. Really miss having an allotment, this is the next best thing. Got a raised bed in the garden with some leeks and shallots in too. Got various toms, chillie and peppers in there. Hoping for a productive summer!

Brilliant marra.
You get one tomato, it's a good year mate.

I just love starting it off, standing back, and watching it all.
Good thread for learning stuff this too. Picked up a good few tips on here.
Love this time of year.
Good luck mate.

 

[SR7]

Brilliant marra.
You get one tomato, it's a good year mate.

I had some tumbling toms in the baskets around the garden last year and they did quite well actually, I wasn’t expecting anything! I don’t actually like toms and peppers, just like the look of them growing and I’ll spread them around the family 10 years ago I was getting my buzz from little pills, now I’m getting my buzz from little seeds can see me sitting in the greenhouse with a couple beers on a night during the summer ha!

 

[Georgewhitt]

I had some tumbling toms in the baskets around the garden last year and they did quite well actually, I wasn’t expecting anything! I don’t actually like toms and peppers, just like the look of them growing and I’ll spread them around the family 10 years ago I was getting my buzz from little pills, now I’m getting my buzz from little seeds can see me sitting in the greenhouse with a couple beers on a night during the summer ha!

I love that mate. Well done buddy.
My Mrs got me growing a few flowers a few years ago and it really has been life changing for me.
Veg, flowers, the lot.
I notice the changing of the seasons, the wildlife, the blossom, and the joy of how everything just wants to live.
A few beers sitting back and admiring it all is also a real buzz marra.
Better than any artificial high you can get.
Not really veg related, but a bit of advice if anyone can help.
I have alot of mature Berberis bordering my garden in places. 10 to 12 ft high in places, and it needs a trim.
When do birds stop nesting so I can do it without disturbing the young?
Lots of Wrens and Tits in and out of their all the time. Don't really want to harm them.

 

[PTR]

Put my toms out to harden off the other day while I was moving all those woodchips. Forgot about only keeping them out for a few hours,and instead they were in the sun all day. Which seems to have totally knackered them.
They've gone limp and a bit white.

Back in my indoor shelves to try to save them, but I'm not hopeful

 

[Georgewhitt]

Put my toms out to harden off the other day while I was moving all those woodchips. Forgot about only keeping them out for a few hours,and instead they were in the sun all day. Which seems to have totally knackered them.
They've gone limp and a bit white.

Back in my indoor shelves to try to save them, but I'm not hopeful

Sun shouldn't do that to them marra. Mine are in the greenhouse in full sun. It was 90 degrees in there yesterday, and they are fine mate. Just dont let them dry out. Could still have time to sow more if you're quick, or you can pick them up in the garden centre for just over a quid each.

 

[PTR]

Sun shouldn't do that to them marra. Mine are in the greenhouse in full sun. It was 90 degrees in there yesterday, and they are fine mate. Just dont let them dry out. Could still have time to sow more if you're quick, or you can pick them up in the garden centre for just over a quid each.

They've been in my experimental indoor greenhouse - Zipping it up for moisture retention was a disaster, moulds etc - but then the fungus gnats arrived - can't wait to empty it out tbh.
But the main test was the LED strip lights, which did seem to work - at least at first - nothing was leggy like it was last year on the window sills, BUT I think going from that to a really hot sunny day for 12hrs was a mistake.
Maybe 2 hours would have been better for the first few days.

 

[High Entropy]

They've gone limp and a bit white.

Mine done that in the polytunnel, the ones on the top shelf, but soaked in water and moved onto second shelf out of direct blazing sunlight and they have made a full recovery, all 5 of them.