The 2013 Gardening Thread......

[*chez*]

What you are growing?

[*chez*]

I don't think the previous owner had it very long.. said she ordered an apricot and they sent peach by mistake..and then said she'd looked it up and they were hard work and she couldn't be bothered!

[1311rose]

I've started some seeds indoors

So far I have courgettes and barlotti beans.  Started some spuds off and have another lot "chitting".  A friend recently gave me a super cold frame which I know is going to be very useful this year.

[captainbovine]

my lettuce has disappeared:_|

I saw it had sprouted and was happily waiting for it to take off....where has it gone?????

there isn't any sign of anything!! no slug slime, nowt..........

I suppose I'll have to start again...could the frost have done it, but surely the little sprouts would have withered and I would still be able to see them....

;\

[bidder.17]

Regarding peach trees. In general they are a bit more fussy and produce less than say apple trees. They really need a good sunny south facing spot, preferably in an area which has a reasonable climate. Without that, it's not going to be easy.

Not sure about lettuce, but any young tender growth is a big attraction to the local night munchers. If you check under the soil, and if munched, the roots should still be there.

[mandymoosie]

I'll bet is was the frost CB 😞

I'm fed up with having to keep bringing my Lavender in and out every day, we're having frosts again here, when is the warm weather going to get here and stay??? 😞

[bitsnknots]

Not certain about peach trees as we've never had one.

We've started lettuce CB but ours is in the greenhouse so it's well protected from the weather and the slimy beggars snails/slugs.

[captainbovine]

I disturbed the soil today to have a look and....nothing so I don't think they got munched! it must have been the frost.

I've more seeds so once the frost has gone tonight I'll give it another go.

these will end up the most expensive salad butties in the world:^O

[bidder.17]

Sounds a bit of a mystery CB. I would agree with what you said previously, in that once hit by frost, the blackened shriveled result is still visible. You must have the 'stealth' slug who not only clears up after themselves ( female obviously) but removes the roots as well.

Clearly a case of just having to accept the more traditional  bacon etc fillings, instead of salad, however painful.

[ilove2patch]

Lol @ 'Stealth Slug'! :^O

[captainbovine]

oh bacon would be such a trial....

but I could manage it]:)

I've been out this weekend breaking my back, but the garden is coming on lovely. I've taken up a piece of lawn and turned over the ground, now have the patio acer in the ground now. I took the pot it was in and have two pots now with a box in each. They look very good, I may plant some annuals around the base of them too.

I can't believe how quickly the hypericum plants are growing. They only cost £1.79 each, and they are now nearly a foot high, fully established leaves. They are only about 4wks old too:O OH will have to get his finger out and get the ground ready for them very soon or they'll be out of the pots and down the path on their own:^O

[merc1_clocks]

Gawd CB...it's invasion of the triffids]:)

When you're in the garden, & feel that tickle on yer ankle...DON'T LOOK DOWN]:)

[bitsnknots]

Spent half an hour doing some weeding in the front garden this afternoon.  We seem to be having an invasion of dandelions and chickweed. Anyone else having the same problem?

[captainbovine]

dandelions have one year where they are more prolific than the other year, I think this year is the worse one, they're everwhere in this garden:O one trick to try to lessen the damage next year is to nip off their heads before they get to dandelion clock stage, look for the little bud coming up after the first flower too....the sneaky things:^O

Does anyone know of a good rabbit deterrant? my neighbour has two bunnies in his garden, and he's waiting to put out 300 antirhinums:^O ... so are the rabbits:^O

[merc1_clocks]

A gun!

[ilove2patch]

Determined little things are bunnies! lol

I have planted salad leaves, radish & spinach this morning. Oh & some tomatoes. I found an old packet of seeds so chucked them in. I could be inundated! :^O

[bitsnknots]

CB, we seem to have a whole heap of dandelions here as well this year.  I keep pulling them but they keep on coming.  

[captainbovine]

they're a pain in the neck dandelions...if you are very lucky you get the whole root up when you dig it out but 9 times out of 10 you leave a tiny bit in and back they come!

I found some rabbit repellant on eboy so I'll tell him. I did say I couldn't shoot one, he said he could if he could see it (his eyes are not what they where) :^O

[captainbovine]

Maggie, you've just reminded me, my lettuce is appearing I better put it up higher, er, can bunnies jump?

[ilove2patch]

Maggie, you've just reminded me, my lettuce is appearing I better put it up higher, er, can bunnies jump?

Oh yes! lol I like rabbit pie too.lol

[1311rose]

A small yappy dog - ie a Jack Russell!