Hi from Caz...
Now that we all have greenhouses bursting with seedlings and young plants, it's time to prepare the soil and plant out.
I like to turn over my veg patch at least 3 times before I plant. This makes sure you are getting all the weeds out and as I throw a bag of compost on top it ensures this is all mixed in nicely. We have a rotavator attachment for our strimmer which is perfect for our size of veg patch, but if we upgrade to an allotment, we would upgrade to a real rotavator.
Some people sow seeds straight into the ground but I prefer to sow most things into seed trays and then plant out. This way you know you have good strong plants and you can space them out properly. I'm not great at thinning out.
It's good to have a plan of where you are going to plant what, or else you will find it difficult to get to everthing. We have divided our patch with paving stones.
You can see in the left hand corner of the veg patch, we have tiny little radish plants just planted. These have been growing the greenhouse for a few weeks. The day I planted them I also popped more seeds in a tray so we will have a continuous crop, hopefully!
The bamboo support poles are for the runner beans and are held together with cable ties. These are easy to attach and can be cut off quickly at the end of the season.
There always seems to be so much to do, but with the long evenings and better weather, it is achievable!
See you all in two weeks :)
Thanks for visiting
Caz
xx
Hi its Lemon here, I can't believe that the weather has finally changed and we can all get out and do what we love.
Supporting plants is essential for taller varieties as without support they may well snap in high winds and you will lose them.
I support my tomatoes with canes and plant rings.
Large perennials are supported with plastic coated metal stakes which have a semi circle in the middle and which keeps them from flopping over.
Beans and sweet peas are supported with wigwams made of canes with string wound around the canes and plants rings for added support.
Sweet peas that are still growing on have the left over twigs from last years love in a mist in the pots till I plant them out.
For a natural support I have planted a honeysuckle against the base of a tree.
Hopefully the weather will hold and the garden will start to flourish.
Jakey's Garden tips - support.
I haven't had a great deal of success with my seedlings as yet - I think I started a bit late, so I'm behind everyone else and haven't had to worry about support so far, but my garden can be quite windy so it is something I always have to consider with flowering plants, shrubs and perennials. There's nothing worse than finding plants you have nurtured for weeks dashed to the floor and broken after a storm or blustery day. Most forms of support can be bought very inexpensively, and they are worth every penny you spend on them if they offer your precious plants protection and help to grow to their full potential.
I have a wisteria which I hope will someday bloom ( I know these plants take forever...!) and found a novel way to offer the support it needs. I bought a plastic coated metal frame with a smiley sunshine face on it and horizontal and vertical tiers for it to climb and weave it's tendrils through. This offers the perfect solution for a plant which grows against a wall.
I love the way the plant has twisted itself around and through the frame! Amazing eh?
Happy gardening all!
love Jakey :-)
And finally its MadDi here. Because it's almost winter here in South Africa the only thing I have that' needs supporting is some sweet peas planted in a pot. So my message is USE WHAT YOU HAVE!!! My sweet peas are being supported by some fencing!
Love from th creative girls XXX
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