MangeTout
member
Reged: 08/07/2007
Posts: 4123
Loc: Oxfordshire
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I love this time of year when there is so much to look forward to. Spring is getting nearer and the days are gradually getting longer.
I am an amateur veggie grower with four raised beds and a greenhouse and this year I want to make the most of all available space in my garden for growing produce. It would be great to discuss my veggie growing with other like-minded individuals to share tips and to encourage. I stress, I am an amateur and will be looking for more tips than I will be giving them!
Anyone interested?
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Willows Forum www.phpbbplanet.com/willowskitchen/
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Lisianthus
member
Reged: 02/02/2008
Posts: 1375
Loc: Sussex
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I saw your title and thought you were changing your beds to bunk beds, Mange Tout! 
Janine XX
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My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet. (Edith Wharton)
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MangeTout
member
Reged: 08/07/2007
Posts: 4123
Loc: Oxfordshire
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LOL Lisianthus! Nope, not resorted to that yet! Though I remember watching Mrs Miniver on tv and seeing Mr & Mrs M slip into their own single beds in their pj's and thought how sweet it looked, and how nice it must be to have your own space.
Maybe when I'm older. In the meantime, get your thoughts back to my raised beds!
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Willows Forum www.phpbbplanet.com/willowskitchen/
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 1160
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MT - the answer to space in a bed is to buy a super kingsize bed like we have - space for a couple more between us now...
Seriously though...
I have two new raised veggie beds waiting to be used for the first time this spring so I would be very interested in tips and exchanging ideas. I have Carol Klein's Grow Your Own Veg and Alys Fowler's Thrifty Gardener but I'm still baffled by some things. Will you be growing your own seedlings or waiting and planting plugs?
What were you successful with last year? Two years ago I lost everything to the wet summer and slugs - potatoes, runner beans, tomatoes, the lot - and it was very dispiriting but I am determined to try again...
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MangeTout
member
Reged: 08/07/2007
Posts: 4123
Loc: Oxfordshire
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Oooh, Ash, I'm so pleased to have a fellow raised bedder!
This year I grew runner beans and climbing french beans (not in the raised bed though) I prepared the trench according to instructions with well rotten manure and newspaper and I had a very good crop of both, enough to eat and to freeze some too. I grew both from plants bought at the garden centre.
I planted cabbage seedlings and had a fantastic crop of cabbages, really big and heavy and very tasty. My tomatoes were useless as were my courgettes which usually grow like topsy, carrots were bad this year but last year were fantastic. Broad beans were planted from seed and didn't do any good at all. Last year had lots of shallots, didn't grow any this year. I put grit round the beans to deter slugs and cover the cabbage and cauliflower with netting to stop butterflies and am vigilant about picking off slugs. (More OH than me to be honest!)
So as you can see it has been very hit and miss for me. I would like to raise more from seed, having the greenhouse means this should be possible, but I haven't got to grips with when to plant etc. Maybe we could share seeds?
I have Carol Klein's book too and lots of other gardening books so I should be able to produce a fair amount of produce. It will be great to work together via the forum and give each other ideas and encouragement.
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Willows Forum www.phpbbplanet.com/willowskitchen/
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redpoppy
member
Reged: 21/01/2008
Posts: 417
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I long for Spring when I can get planting again!
It's like a Winter Wonderland outside...freezing fog and heavy frost for days. The only attention my raised beds are getting is regular sprinklings of wood ash from the fire, then the worms will do the rest.I put hot ash on too, thinking it'll scorch the weeds and kill bugs.( This is the make-it-up-as-you-go-along school of gardening!)I used to just put ash on fruit bushes/trees, but saw an old couple on the telly using it on their beds, saying it's great for the veg too.Blah blah, I'm off now...
I use Pippa Greenwood's Organic Kitchen Garden book. What a great gardener's name she has!
I'd be happy to share seeds. Our growing season up north is about a month later than south though, and shorter. Success is almost totally weather-dependent I reckon, and I hanker for a polytunnel now.
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MangeTout
member
Reged: 08/07/2007
Posts: 4123
Loc: Oxfordshire
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Oh, brilliant, redpoppy. Love to share seeds and swap advice. I can't wait to get started either.
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Willows Forum www.phpbbplanet.com/willowskitchen/
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Snowy1066
member
Reged: 08/07/2008
Posts: 4181
Loc: Southeast
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Its like Gardeners question time on here, I keep waiting for Percy Thrower to pop up at any minute.
Mange and Ash, We have an allotment, and OH grew Runners, Broads, onions, potatoes. Next year he is combining allotments with his friend, one is going to be for potatoes and root veg, and the other for fruits and salad stuff.
One thing we did find out about, was why we had a disease on our potatoes and found that some varieties are susceptible to this 'scab', and this year we are going to try King Edwards as they are more resistant. Maris Piper and Desiree are very prone to scab!
Our broad beans looked great but when we took the bean out they all had a tiny maggot in them and were inedible.
Gardening is rather frustrating, but we won't be beaten, he gets lots of tips from the old boys up the allotment, so if I get any tips I will pass them on.
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Twiddledout
member
Reged: 17/11/2008
Posts: 1053
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We have 4 beds at the bottom of the garden. I'll be watching you guys with interest!
My only real tip is to rotate what you grow, remember doing 'Turnip Townsend' in History at school? I think it was him!
Our greenhouse is a bit shaded by a big sycamore but we can grow seeds well enough, it's just the tomatoes that don't do well in there. Not enough sun probably.
We pickled loads of DH's beetroot and had that for Christmas which was nice. My garlic wasn't very good, rotted off mostly.
Hits were broad beans - started in seed trays, courgettes, sweetcorn, dwarf green beans and carrots. We don't do cabbage because we always get clouds of whitefly.
It's more fun with you guys, I'm hoping to garden more this year. It's a bit of a wilderness out there!
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www.mrstwiddle.wordpress.com
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Twiddledout
member
Reged: 17/11/2008
Posts: 1053
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Should we be doing sweetpeas soon??
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www.mrstwiddle.wordpress.com
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 1160
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Ladies, I'm almost a veggie vergin because I've only ever grown a few tomato plants and a couple of runner bean plants on balconies before. My abortive attempt two years ago at a more concerted growing effort was a dismal failure but as I had my garden revamped this autumn I asked for two raised beds to be included. But here's the rub: they are small - both about 4' x 6' in area and so my growing opportunities are going to be limited. But, as we aren't great veg eaters (spot the oddity)I think this will be a good start...and I can always add stuff to pots and tubs as I have three large patios now, and plant amongst the bordes which have yet to be planted too!
Working on the theory that I ought to grow what I will eat and not grow what is going to be cheaper to buy from the supermarket, my choices will be beetroots, runner beans, new potatoes, tomatoes with garlic and chillis in pots. I'd like a go with broad beans too as well as some lettuces...does that sound do-able?
Talking of garlic, it's now that we sow garlic bulbs but can it be the garlic we buy from the supermarket or does it have to be special growing garlic?
I'd be happy to share seeds and tips and suggestions...
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Twiddledout
member
Reged: 17/11/2008
Posts: 1053
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Not the supermarket garlic Ashbee, it's been treated to stop it sprouting.
Definitely do the salad stuff, new potatoes and runner beans can be done in big pots. I like the runner beans in a wigwam fashion in the flower border. They look lovely!
I've never been successful with chillies so you can share your tips on those.
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www.mrstwiddle.wordpress.com
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redpoppy
member
Reged: 21/01/2008
Posts: 417
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Great, MT!
Snowy, I'd love an allotment where you could swop tips and produce over a cuppa with others! I've got quite a big garden and love it when others help.
Mrs T, I love homegrown beetroot too. I cook, slice and freeze any spare;it freezes really well. I bought some sweet peas a few days ago but it says to plant in March. I'm sure I saw Monty starting to grow them in Winter though. Who knows the answer? I wonder if Sweetpea will be planting them.And does anyone know how Monty is?
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 1160
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I'm looking forward to having wigwams in the garden too...I've deliberately cut down on our beds to make less work so what I have will have to work hard for it's keep.
I'm interested in starting seeds off but I don't have many window sills or a greenhouse etc...I might just try one variety and use plants for the rest until I get better equipped (which relies on being successful.
The chillis are for looks only, Mrs T - I have never used them for cooking but I saw them at Wimpole Hall this summer and they looked so pretty...who knows, it they work I might spice up my culinary skills too...
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Snowy1066
member
Reged: 08/07/2008
Posts: 4181
Loc: Southeast
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Ashbee, OH bought garlic bulbs from homebase last year to plant but they looked like the ones in the shops!
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 1160
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Ah, will go and look...are those maltesers still up for grabs? Just what I fancy right now...
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marymary
member
Reged: 16/05/2007
Posts: 789
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Oooh, you've all got me going now. I'd love to grow veg but we have major issues with all the neighbouring cats using our garden, so I don't think we'd fancy eating anything that came out of our soil! I could try things that grow upwards, though (beans, peas ... anything else?) or maybe veg that will grow in pots. Apart from tomatoes can you actually grow veg in a greenhouse, or just raise the plants? You can probably tell I've never grown veg before!
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Thimble
member
Reged: 04/12/2008
Posts: 4320
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We grow our own veg as well. Just shifted side wall this year to incorporate side garden into back. Just needs digging over and we have all that as well. I do a lot of fruit growin. Blackberries/raspberries/strawberries and rhubarb. Got enough fruit last year to make blackberry/strawberry and raspberry jam - have enough to last till next year's crop. Also have apple/pear/plum minarette trees. Rhubarb and apples in freezer for crumbles.
In greenhouse I grow tomatoes/peppers/cucumbers and lettuce.
Am looking to forward to reading all your tips for growing stuff as people always have new tips to pass on especially when they are new at it or have allotments.
Spring on its way.........
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Twiddledout
member
Reged: 17/11/2008
Posts: 1053
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We tried some fruit in a very cheap fruit cage Thimble but the birds managed to get in and scoff the lot!
Now, I love birds but that was a bit much!
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www.mrstwiddle.wordpress.com
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Thimble
member
Reged: 04/12/2008
Posts: 4320
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I hear so many people say this about their fruit. Mine is not in a cage but in open ground with the vegetable plot and I have loads of birds in the garden as I feed them lots and love to see them. So far, touch wood, I have not had any problem with birds attacking the fruit or devouring it. I get heaps each year and as I say I have made enough jam to last me right through till the next crop of fruit.
I don't know why they stay away - we do mulch all the garden with spent hops so perhaps they get too drunk and fall off the branches!!!!
Or perhaps it is the smell that keeps them away - it does smell like a brewery a bit when they first go on but soon compost down and do wonders for the fruit and veg.
Bye the way Mrs T have pm you to say "thanks".
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Snowy1066
member
Reged: 08/07/2008
Posts: 4181
Loc: Southeast
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The maltesers are there for all to enjoy Ashbee! Help yourselves.
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Twiddledout
member
Reged: 17/11/2008
Posts: 1053
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Ahhh boozy birds Thimble, that would be fun! It's just good to see you here, no need for thanks. xx
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www.mrstwiddle.wordpress.com
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suzie88
member
Reged: 02/09/2008
Posts: 811
Loc: Essex
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I have half an allotment, a whole one was too big. I grew loads of veg last year, I stuck everything in to see what would work, we are still eating runner beans and cougette out of the freezer.
I have ordered all my seed for next year, I am planting Mangetout for the first time.
Everyone must grow new potatoes, they taste fabulous fresh from the garden. I will tell you when to buy seed potatoes from the garden centre and we all start chitting.
I always add a few flowers as well, I have planted tulip bulbs already, I grow sunflowers, foxgloves, cornflowers and dahlias for the house.
Glad to have found some gardening buddies.
suzie88
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Twiddledout
member
Reged: 17/11/2008
Posts: 1053
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Great suzie, I want to grow flowers for cutting too.
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www.mrstwiddle.wordpress.com
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 1160
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Me too - my most recent attempts at dahlia's was a disaster thanks to slugs and the rain. But the rest sound lovely...
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Thimble
member
Reged: 04/12/2008
Posts: 4320
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I have tried countless times to freeze runner beans but no success they always come out nasty. I have tried picking, peeling and freezing them straight away and also blancing them but nothing seems to work. How do you all get them to freeze and be edible. I give lbs of them away as I can't get them to freeze.
Please enlightenn me.
Mrs T - I just felt that I had to say thanks.
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redpoppy
member
Reged: 21/01/2008
Posts: 417
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Suzie88, that's great, we can all chit together!
I like mixing veg and flowers together in the beds too..nasturtium, sweet pea and marigold are favourites.
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citygirl
member
Reged: 18/07/2008
Posts: 676
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I bought an electric propogator last year but its never been out of the box, so maybe I should use it this year & start some seedlings off. I did manage to grow lavender from seed this year, I go a bit mad on lavender in the garden.
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 1160
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I don't know why but it never occurred to me to grow lavendar from seed - I love it and plan to use lots of it around my new garden...Citygirl, get that electric propogator out of the box!!!
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Mayday
member
Reged: 19/01/2008
Posts: 2046
Loc: Gloucestershire/cotswolds
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Tip from My OH......he is the veg grower in our house. He usually grows great runner beans. Last year he listened to Joe Swift(TV) and sowed the beans stright in the soil. Result.......all got eaten off by slugs. This year he plans to start the beans in seed trays as usual BUT putting each bean inside a Loo roll tube. This means the bean grows to planting out stage but keeps the roots contained so there is no disturbance when the transplanting takes place. He iused to sow each bean in a 'thumb pot'(Plastic) The loo roll idea means you can plant the loo roll tube with the bean as it will rot down as the bean grows. Best of Luck!
Freezing Thimble? I usually do a few. I trim and slice them and blanche briefly and cool quickly and then freeze on trays and decant into bags whenfrozen....couple of hours.
I find them acceptable as something green in winter and also uses the surplus crop but never as nice as fresh beans.
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I may not be rich or famous but my Grandchildren ARE Priceless !!
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MangeTout
member
Reged: 08/07/2007
Posts: 4123
Loc: Oxfordshire
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Mayday, if you plant the bean in the loo roll tube, will it get any light? Or am I imagining it wrong. Like the idea of no root disturbance.
I never blanch my beans but I do pick and freeze them young and they have never been tough.
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Willows Forum www.phpbbplanet.com/willowskitchen/
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Mayday
member
Reged: 19/01/2008
Posts: 2046
Loc: Gloucestershire/cotswolds
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Hi MT,
OH Says......! Fill the loo rolls with compost and then stand them all in a tray upright. Push one bean in each tube and by the time they 'sprout' they will reach the light. He tells me you can't sow them until late April /May as they are frost tender.
I do the flower stuff and leave all the veg to him. I just noticed that we were suddenly collecting loo roll tubes....hence the 'tips' for gardeners!!
Interesting that you freeze without blanching.I might try it this year as blanching is such a hassle.!!
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I may not be rich or famous but my Grandchildren ARE Priceless !!
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MangeTout
member
Reged: 08/07/2007
Posts: 4123
Loc: Oxfordshire
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Thanks to your OH, Mayday. I'm going to try that one. When do we put them in the loo roll and are they okay in an unheated greenhouse? I usually buy them from the Garden Ctr but would like to do them myself. Does he have a favourite variety?
I'l start collecting loo rolls now.
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Willows Forum www.phpbbplanet.com/willowskitchen/
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Twiddledout
member
Reged: 17/11/2008
Posts: 1053
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Good tip Mayday's OH, thanks! There will be loads of lurkers watching this thread - me included 
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www.mrstwiddle.wordpress.com
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Mayday
member
Reged: 19/01/2008
Posts: 2046
Loc: Gloucestershire/cotswolds
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Right! I am learning a lot!!! Answers to M.Tout's questions:_ He buys his seeds from Thompson and Morgan and then does what it says on the packet!!!!i.e. Sow mid.April to Mid May in cold greenhouse or late May/ June if sowing outdoors. Variety.....He reads what the catalogue says and then goes with his fancy!!! This year it is one called 'Lady Di'...(sounds to me as if they are doomed already!!?lol) It is said to be stringless.. Maybe I should put him on here to become the 'Bean King'? On second thoughts he might move onto the other forums and see what we get up to!!! We will have to have a bean measuring competition next Sept!
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I may not be rich or famous but my Grandchildren ARE Priceless !!
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 1160
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Two years ago I started runner beans and tomato seeds in toilet roll tubes and they worked well. My problem came later but I am tempted to try it that way again this year...
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MangeTout
member
Reged: 08/07/2007
Posts: 4123
Loc: Oxfordshire
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Must remember to put laxatives on the shopping list. I like to plant lots of beans!
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Willows Forum www.phpbbplanet.com/willowskitchen/
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 1160
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I read somewhere about using rolls of newspaper in the same way - once the seed is big enough you can plant the whole lot into the soil as the tube just breaks down...clever, eh?
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MangeTout
member
Reged: 08/07/2007
Posts: 4123
Loc: Oxfordshire
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Quickly cross exlax of the shopping list then, eh, Ash!
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Willows Forum www.phpbbplanet.com/willowskitchen/
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 1160
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Yes, I think so, eh? Much nicer to play with newspaper than suffer for your garden...
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Mayday
member
Reged: 19/01/2008
Posts: 2046
Loc: Gloucestershire/cotswolds
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If you have a shortage Mange...you could compromise by using paper towel inners and cut them down! Or Send out an SOS to all your family to save their loo rolls for you. Newspaper a good substitue tho'. I must point out to OH he can use the loo rolls for his tomatoes too Ash.
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I may not be rich or famous but my Grandchildren ARE Priceless !!
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Thimble
member
Reged: 04/12/2008
Posts: 4320
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Thanks MT will try again next year.........am fed up with keep giving my beans away as I just love them from the garden. So you trim the edges? Rinse them? then chop and freeze them? Have I got it right? Hope this works.
Mayday - we also keep all loo roll inners for using with runner beans. It really does work doesn't it. The simplest of things............
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Foxie
member
Reged: 09/08/2007
Posts: 7994
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Hi Mangey
Please could you give me the name of the climbing French beans you grew? I would be really interested.
Last year I grew runner beans, ordinary French beans (not terribly successfully), tomatoes, herbs and rocket. I was so fed up with paying the high price of rocket in the shops that I decided to grow it. My tip would be to sow a new row every week, this means that you will have a constant supply throughout the summer.
I am thinking of growing courgettes in pots this year. Has anyone tried this?
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I've learnt that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou.
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