Grow your own fruit and vegetables
Started by jethro, May 27 2008 18:26
172 replies to this topic
#161
J07
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Posted 18 March 2009 - 04:00
I still have tomatoes ripening down here, and tomatillos also. Have planted the autumn/winter brassicas now. White cabbage butterflies are still out in force though.
NZ in 2010:
Max: 36C
Min: -12C
Max Wind Gust: 134 mph (!)
Ian McKellen on NZ: "Everything here is more magnificent. The landscape is familiar...but the vegetation is unusual and the mountains seem so much sharper. If you're looking for what the poets used to call 'the awful' - a sense of awe - that is what you find in New Zealand. And it's wild in a way that England isn't wild."
Lonely Planet on NZ: "few countries on this lonely planet as diverse, unspoiled and utterly, utterly photogenic" ; "the sun kicks like a mule".
New Zealand is the land of glaciers, rainforests, fjords, tussock plains, highlands, tablelands, mangroves, palms, golden sand beaches, snow capped mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, wind, merino sheep, wine, olives, scorching sun, incessant rain, endless drought, flightless birds, dramatic coastlines, and the population of Scotland in a country the size of the UK. You need to visit. :)
Max: 36C
Min: -12C
Max Wind Gust: 134 mph (!)
Ian McKellen on NZ: "Everything here is more magnificent. The landscape is familiar...but the vegetation is unusual and the mountains seem so much sharper. If you're looking for what the poets used to call 'the awful' - a sense of awe - that is what you find in New Zealand. And it's wild in a way that England isn't wild."
Lonely Planet on NZ: "few countries on this lonely planet as diverse, unspoiled and utterly, utterly photogenic" ; "the sun kicks like a mule".
New Zealand is the land of glaciers, rainforests, fjords, tussock plains, highlands, tablelands, mangroves, palms, golden sand beaches, snow capped mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, wind, merino sheep, wine, olives, scorching sun, incessant rain, endless drought, flightless birds, dramatic coastlines, and the population of Scotland in a country the size of the UK. You need to visit. :)
#162
jethro
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Posted 01 April 2009 - 22:21
So, is everyone ready and eager for the new growing season? Hopefully the colder winter this year will have killed off a few pests, fingers crossed.
There is something fascinating about science. One gets such wholesale returns of conjecture out of such a trifling investment of fact.
Mark Twain
All views I express are either my own or the dog's; often it's difficult to discern which of us is spouting the most gibberish.
Mark Twain
All views I express are either my own or the dog's; often it's difficult to discern which of us is spouting the most gibberish.
#163
Louby
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Posted 01 April 2009 - 22:26
Yep I was looking at stuff today 
I have been in the garden today working out where I can put stuff 
I have been in the garden today working out where I can put stuff
I'm not crazy, my reality is just different than yours.
Taken off Louby for being bad.
Take nothing but photographs leave nothing but footprints.
Taken off Louby for being bad.
Take nothing but photographs leave nothing but footprints.
#164
jethro
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Posted 01 April 2009 - 22:29
And so the madness begins....
Wonder if there's a way of setting up a plant swap? I'm going to have oodles going begging, got a border to clear out and nowhere to put it all.
Wonder if there's a way of setting up a plant swap? I'm going to have oodles going begging, got a border to clear out and nowhere to put it all.
There is something fascinating about science. One gets such wholesale returns of conjecture out of such a trifling investment of fact.
Mark Twain
All views I express are either my own or the dog's; often it's difficult to discern which of us is spouting the most gibberish.
Mark Twain
All views I express are either my own or the dog's; often it's difficult to discern which of us is spouting the most gibberish.
#165
J07
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Posted 02 April 2009 - 04:09
Final tomatoes picked a few days ago
Cape Gooseberries carrying on their merry way. Tomatillos ripening still.
Brassicas looking good, just have to keep squashing eggs and caterpillars everyday to give them the best start in life!
Cape Gooseberries carrying on their merry way. Tomatillos ripening still.
Brassicas looking good, just have to keep squashing eggs and caterpillars everyday to give them the best start in life!
NZ in 2010:
Max: 36C
Min: -12C
Max Wind Gust: 134 mph (!)
Ian McKellen on NZ: "Everything here is more magnificent. The landscape is familiar...but the vegetation is unusual and the mountains seem so much sharper. If you're looking for what the poets used to call 'the awful' - a sense of awe - that is what you find in New Zealand. And it's wild in a way that England isn't wild."
Lonely Planet on NZ: "few countries on this lonely planet as diverse, unspoiled and utterly, utterly photogenic" ; "the sun kicks like a mule".
New Zealand is the land of glaciers, rainforests, fjords, tussock plains, highlands, tablelands, mangroves, palms, golden sand beaches, snow capped mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, wind, merino sheep, wine, olives, scorching sun, incessant rain, endless drought, flightless birds, dramatic coastlines, and the population of Scotland in a country the size of the UK. You need to visit. :)
Max: 36C
Min: -12C
Max Wind Gust: 134 mph (!)
Ian McKellen on NZ: "Everything here is more magnificent. The landscape is familiar...but the vegetation is unusual and the mountains seem so much sharper. If you're looking for what the poets used to call 'the awful' - a sense of awe - that is what you find in New Zealand. And it's wild in a way that England isn't wild."
Lonely Planet on NZ: "few countries on this lonely planet as diverse, unspoiled and utterly, utterly photogenic" ; "the sun kicks like a mule".
New Zealand is the land of glaciers, rainforests, fjords, tussock plains, highlands, tablelands, mangroves, palms, golden sand beaches, snow capped mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, wind, merino sheep, wine, olives, scorching sun, incessant rain, endless drought, flightless birds, dramatic coastlines, and the population of Scotland in a country the size of the UK. You need to visit. :)
#166
jethro
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Posted 02 April 2009 - 21:59
J07, on 2 Apr 2009, 05:09 AM, said:
Final tomatoes picked a few days ago 
Cape Gooseberries carrying on their merry way. Tomatillos ripening still.
Brassicas looking good, just have to keep squashing eggs and caterpillars everyday to give them the best start in life!
Cape Gooseberries carrying on their merry way. Tomatillos ripening still.
Brassicas looking good, just have to keep squashing eggs and caterpillars everyday to give them the best start in life!
I find it really odd imagining picking Tomatoes in April. Do you get any super nasty bugs down there, running riot in the garden or are they pretty much the same as we have?
There is something fascinating about science. One gets such wholesale returns of conjecture out of such a trifling investment of fact.
Mark Twain
All views I express are either my own or the dog's; often it's difficult to discern which of us is spouting the most gibberish.
Mark Twain
All views I express are either my own or the dog's; often it's difficult to discern which of us is spouting the most gibberish.
#167
PersianPaladin
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Posted 01 December 2009 - 21:24
http://www.independe...wn-1830666.html
This is a good story.
I also think its time for this approach: -
http://www.brighthub...cles/13699.aspx
This is a good story.
I also think its time for this approach: -
http://www.brighthub...cles/13699.aspx
Edited by PersianPaladin, 01 December 2009 - 21:24 .
There is a very simple reason why alternative energies such as solar, wind power and biomethane have not replaced coal, oil and natural gas. Solar, wind and biomethane are not profitable, nowhere near profitable enough. Our governments don't create their own money anymore. They borrow and they tax. So of course, they won't invest in renewables.
It's time to end our debt-based economic system.
It's time to end our debt-based economic system.
#168
J07
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Posted 02 February 2010 - 06:12
jethro, on 02 April 2009 - 21:59 , said:
I find it really odd imagining picking Tomatoes in April. Do you get any super nasty bugs down there, running riot in the garden or are they pretty much the same as we have?
Nothing special here. North of Auckland I think they have issues with humidity and hence the various fungal blights, also fruit fly. East coast of Australia also have issues. I think for northern NSW/ southern QLD tomatoes are a shoulder season crop, and north of Brisbane are more like a winter crop.
It's a poor season here for tomatoes. Because the weather has either been excellent (like the 27C on Saturday, with no wind and lots of sun) or terrible (like the 15C max on Sunday, with rain and 52 knot southerlies!) it's been difficult for plants to settle in. As a result, I still only have green tomatoes. Last year I was about a week away from harvesting the first ones at this point.
NZ in 2010:
Max: 36C
Min: -12C
Max Wind Gust: 134 mph (!)
Ian McKellen on NZ: "Everything here is more magnificent. The landscape is familiar...but the vegetation is unusual and the mountains seem so much sharper. If you're looking for what the poets used to call 'the awful' - a sense of awe - that is what you find in New Zealand. And it's wild in a way that England isn't wild."
Lonely Planet on NZ: "few countries on this lonely planet as diverse, unspoiled and utterly, utterly photogenic" ; "the sun kicks like a mule".
New Zealand is the land of glaciers, rainforests, fjords, tussock plains, highlands, tablelands, mangroves, palms, golden sand beaches, snow capped mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, wind, merino sheep, wine, olives, scorching sun, incessant rain, endless drought, flightless birds, dramatic coastlines, and the population of Scotland in a country the size of the UK. You need to visit. :)
Max: 36C
Min: -12C
Max Wind Gust: 134 mph (!)
Ian McKellen on NZ: "Everything here is more magnificent. The landscape is familiar...but the vegetation is unusual and the mountains seem so much sharper. If you're looking for what the poets used to call 'the awful' - a sense of awe - that is what you find in New Zealand. And it's wild in a way that England isn't wild."
Lonely Planet on NZ: "few countries on this lonely planet as diverse, unspoiled and utterly, utterly photogenic" ; "the sun kicks like a mule".
New Zealand is the land of glaciers, rainforests, fjords, tussock plains, highlands, tablelands, mangroves, palms, golden sand beaches, snow capped mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, wind, merino sheep, wine, olives, scorching sun, incessant rain, endless drought, flightless birds, dramatic coastlines, and the population of Scotland in a country the size of the UK. You need to visit. :)
#169 North Sea Snow Convection (guest)
North Sea Snow Convection (guest)
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Posted 09 June 2010 - 10:28
Bump!
It would be good to start this excellent thread moving again. I have just spent time reading through it all again
In terms of my garden - I have a small courtyard area which is largely given over to a wide range of herbs (culinary, medicinal and cosmetic!) I also have a fig tree and two olive treees (which yielded fruit last year for the first time) Also another area of prepared garden space which concentrates on a small assortment of seasonal vegetables.
When my allotment space is ready then options will open up much more to grow a wider range of things - plus soft fruit.
Regarding plant food - I have stopped buying commercial products as there is no need to because instead I make use of the large household fish tank, plus another two smaller one's. There is nothing like waste water from a fishtank to supply all the nitrogenous and organic waste that plants need. The results have been amazing on my graden since I started using it. As around 140 litres of water is changed from the tank(s) every week, this nicely goes into a water butt placed just outside. Recycling and saving domestic water supply at its best
So if you know anyone who keeps fish, ask them for some of their waste water. Not as daft as it sounds. It is more effective than any bought product and it is free!
The system is a godsend in the summer and I always have plenty of water for the garden when it most needs it in the hot weather. When the allotment is ready I will be taking supplies in water carriers down there and steadily filling up another water butt. The allotment is only 5 mins walk from my house so this won't be difficult to do.
It would be good to start this excellent thread moving again. I have just spent time reading through it all again
In terms of my garden - I have a small courtyard area which is largely given over to a wide range of herbs (culinary, medicinal and cosmetic!) I also have a fig tree and two olive treees (which yielded fruit last year for the first time) Also another area of prepared garden space which concentrates on a small assortment of seasonal vegetables.
When my allotment space is ready then options will open up much more to grow a wider range of things - plus soft fruit.
Regarding plant food - I have stopped buying commercial products as there is no need to because instead I make use of the large household fish tank, plus another two smaller one's. There is nothing like waste water from a fishtank to supply all the nitrogenous and organic waste that plants need. The results have been amazing on my graden since I started using it. As around 140 litres of water is changed from the tank(s) every week, this nicely goes into a water butt placed just outside. Recycling and saving domestic water supply at its best
So if you know anyone who keeps fish, ask them for some of their waste water. Not as daft as it sounds. It is more effective than any bought product and it is free!
The system is a godsend in the summer and I always have plenty of water for the garden when it most needs it in the hot weather. When the allotment is ready I will be taking supplies in water carriers down there and steadily filling up another water butt. The allotment is only 5 mins walk from my house so this won't be difficult to do.
Edited by North Sea Snow Convection, 09 June 2010 - 10:30 .
#170
Devonian
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Posted 10 June 2010 - 11:38
I'm growing shalotts for the first time. Anyone know why they are going yellow at the leaf ends - indeed some have gone purple and simply died? I don't think it's nitrogen (I've got them growing is three differing places locally with differing soils and weather and they all look less than brill bar one or two clusters) , I just wonder if they are fussy plants and don't like being transplanted (I stated them off in pots in a poly tunnel, actually to get them off to a good start, and some we're put in place from quite large pots) and also like it pretty warm. I don't think they've finished growing but maybe the have?
Onions look pretty good though, and it's a spudulike kind of year so far. If it can just stay dry, well just the right amount of rain, we might even get some unblighted tomatoes...
Onions look pretty good though, and it's a spudulike kind of year so far. If it can just stay dry, well just the right amount of rain, we might even get some unblighted tomatoes...
#171
pottyprof
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Yorkshire Puddin'
Posted 11 June 2010 - 11:43
Not sure what the yellowing ends are Dev. My spring onions and leeks are both suffering the same. Perhaps its due to the dry spring? It's the only thing I can think of....
Views and opinions expressed in this or any other of my posts are my own.
#172 North Sea Snow Convection (guest)
North Sea Snow Convection (guest)
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Posted 11 June 2010 - 12:00
Shallot foliage goes yellow when it is time to harvest.
As long as they are planted about six inches apart and have a good fertile soil they should be fine. Thay can be prone to bolt, like onions, in too hot conditions.
As long as they are planted about six inches apart and have a good fertile soil they should be fine. Thay can be prone to bolt, like onions, in too hot conditions.
#173
johnholmes
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Posted 11 June 2010 - 14:43
here is my weather station, for local written forecasts or simply browsing further afield.
http://www.johnholmes-weather.co.uk/
see my blog for weather updates as I get time and also my plea for preventing getting skin cancer.
