The 2021 gardening (open) thread

Donnie

Donnie

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Edit to say thanks to @Cobra for starting this off as a spin off from the WCMUT thread. Might be interesting to see what people are doing from a gardening / greenhousing / even allotmenting point of view (y)

Finally sorted out in the greenhouse
After cleaning up the greenhouse, bubble wrapping it and deciding on a plan I've finally sown some seeds!

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2 trays of Bedfordshire Onions
half tray of tabasco chillies and a tray of anaheim milder chillies
A dozen cloves of 1 Solent Wight garlic in pots

Planning some Tomatos tomorrow, Roma and Sweet million.
 
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That reminds me that I need to do some sowing on Tuesday. Might have to do a garden centre run first, depending on compost stock here!
 
Not got the space here for spuds. Could grow a couple of bins or bags but there's only the 2 of us so would have a problem using them all!

Usually do a few runner beans and some chilis. Got some "Chili Willies" to have a play with this year... Might see if I can keep a couple of bush tomato vines alive or maybe see if the 3 year old Cretan beef tom seeds I saved from a salad are still viable.

Probably better start a "Gardening 2021 thread rather than clog this one up!!!
 
Nod said:
Not got the space here for spuds. Could grow a couple of bins or bags but there's only the 2 of us so would have a problem using them all!

Usually do a few runner beans and some chilis. Got some "Chili Willies" to have a play with this year... Might see if I can keep a couple of bush tomato vines alive or maybe see if the 3 year old Cretan beef tom seeds I saved from a salad are still viable.

Probably better start a "Gardening 2021 thread rather than clog this one up!!!
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Herbs are best if you lack space, and use them — which your reference to Crete makes me think you do :).
 
Nod said:
Not got the space here for spuds. Could grow a couple of bins or bags but there's only the 2 of us so would have a problem using them all!

Usually do a few runner beans and some chilis. Got some "Chili Willies" to have a play with this year... Might see if I can keep a couple of bush tomato vines alive or maybe see if the 3 year old Cretan beef tom seeds I saved from a salad are still viable.

Probably better start a "Gardening 2021 thread rather than clog this one up!!!
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I've technically got the room for spuds, a few rows, but this year am going to do them in bags / containers and see how it goes. Only three of us here but Im Irish soooo......

I've a section of the garden ill do the onions into once theyre ready to go out, going to also have some Dwarf french beans (hilton) for starting in April, but probably start in greenhouse in march. Also have done some giant sunflowers in the past but found some Kong F1 which can apparantly grow to about 14 foot!!
 
sphexx said:
Herbs are best if you lack space, and use them — which your reference to Crete makes me think you do :).
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Yup, got the usual suspects outside (rosemary, oregano, thyme and bay [at Mrs Nod's Mum's]) and do basil on windowsills, although we tend to use basil faster than we really have space to grow so supplement home grown with pots from Sainsbury's.

Personally, I'd be happy with filling the patio with tubs of assorted veg but Mrs Nod uses it for yoga sometimes so it earns its keep that way! I do pinch enough for a couple of growbags for courgettes and 2 big tubs for runner beans, filling in spaces with a pot or 2 of strawberries. The chilis will stay in the conservatory, as will the sweet peppers (IF I decide to grow any this year!) and if the toms are the Cretan ones, they'll need the extra warmth in there too.
 
Managed to get the tomatos in this afternoon and the weird root things in the bottom right tray behind the thermometer is the bare root strawberries that arrived today in the post. Need to get some pots for them tomorrow. Plus the dogs were all nosey wondering what I was up to lol.

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Nod said:
do basil on windowsills, although we tend to use basil faster than we really have space to grow so supplement home grown with pots from Sainsbury's.
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Sage missing?

Although I really like the very large leafed basil, I alway buy some pots of ‘Greek’ basil (I don’t think it’s actually Greek) because it has a fantastic perfume and will grow in pots outdoors in Yorkshire in the Summer.

I haven’t seen much mention of this but I always preserve some large leaf Basil in sale grosso (large crystal salt) for later use. Just a layer of leaves ’upside down’ salted and then some more, leaving in an open dish. The salt can be used over & over of course.
 
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I'd not really thought of doing any herbs I have to admit, the wife has started some microgreens on the kitchen windowsill though so not much room on there now :-( I do like basil though mmmm
 
sphexx said:
Sage missing?

Although I really like the very large leafed basil, I alway buy some pots of ‘Greek’ basil (I don’t think it’s actually Greek) because it has a fantastic perfume and will grow in pots outdoors in Yorkshire in the Summer.

I haven’t seen much mention of this but I always preserve some large leaf Basil in sale grosso (large crystal salt) for later use. Just a layer of leaves ’upside down’ salted and then some more, leaving in an open dish. The salt can be used over & over of course.
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Not too keen on sage and the dried stuff is ok for the few times I do use it.

Usually buy a pot of Greek basil or 2 and pot them on in fresh compost but like to choose the original plants so can't really do it this year! Small pots of it are often used as table decorations "over there" and there is almost always a tub at the entrance to a taverna/restaurant to run your fingers through.

Never needed to dry basil - always got a pot on the windowsill!
 
Nod said:
Not too keen on sage and the dried stuff is ok for the few times I do use it.

Usually buy a pot of Greek basil or 2 and pot them on in fresh compost but like to choose the original plants so can't really do it this year! Small pots of it are often used as table decorations "over there" and there is almost always a tub at the entrance to a taverna/restaurant to run your fingers through.

Never needed to dry basil - always got a pot on the windowsill!
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Try an anchovy fillet between 2 sage leaves, bashed, dipped in batter & fried. Sage leaves are good just fried. The salted basil is different from fresh.

Interesting what you say about basil in the entrance, never been th Greece but that’s exactly what I do, pots outside the kitchen door to brush against, nothing new under the sun. Basil doesn’t grow here through the winter, not in the soft :) sunny South like you.
 
Don't like anchovies as a main flavour, even as a pizza topping, I find they take over too much.

How long does the basil take to salt cure?

Wish the South was sunny today - wet or foggy.
 
Nod said:
Don't like anchovies as a main flavour, even as a pizza topping, I find they take over too much.

How long does the basil take to salt cure?
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I’ve never timed it, I just do it when I have an excess (and it helps to avoid the flowering), it would depend if you crammed a lot in a bowl or spread it out -- it’s just a form of drying really so there needs to be air circulation otherwise you’d end up with a brine. The salt get damp but doesn’t dissolve to any extent when I do it.

I’m not sure where I got the system from, I don’t remember reading about it. Maybe it was the ex.
Wish the South was sunny today - wet or foggy.
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Donnie said:
I'd not really thought of doing any herbs I have to admit, the wife has started some microgreens on the kitchen windowsill though so not much room on there now :-( I do like basil though mmmm
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Rosemary, sage, thyme, mints (various, in pots) parsley, all outdoors and worth having for decoration, perfume, bees, and basil in the greenhouse, though it likes plenty of water.
 
Popped in the bare root strawberries

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and the wifes got some microherbs that have started on the kitchen windowledge and gave me an excuse to use the new (to me) 60mm macro :-) I believe these are radish microgreens.

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Is no one else growing anything then? No allotments on the go or veg patches being prepared? No one with a greenhouse?

Ive not checked on mine since Tuesday as had 3 long day shifts so checked just now and theres some nice progress with the strawberry bare roots starting to take root and grow so might have some strawberries this summer if Im lucky, some of the tomato seedlings are properly up now and even the onions have started! Nothing on the chillis yet though :-(

Strawberry
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Plum tomatos
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Cherry tomatos
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Onions - there's a second tray too at the same stage
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Garlic
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Might be a while. Drove to the garden centre last week and the car park was anything but quiet so decided to wait a while. Might wait until we've had at least one jab or try again at opening time down there.
 
I dont grow much, did spend a day cutting back my grass hedges a few weeks ago. Brought a few small perennials home a week ago that were tiny, too small to be put outside with this weather so kept in the conservatory. They have liked the heating and grown loads, they are not going to like going outside next week
 
Nod said:
Might be a while. Drove to the garden centre last week and the car park was anything but quiet so decided to wait a while. Might wait until we've had at least one jab or try again at opening time down there.
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Depends on the centre but some of us take social distancing very seriously. We require masks to be worn inside and out while on site (unless exempt) and police it.
 
I'll be growing tomatoes and chilli's in my greenhouse, and potatoes in 2 potato growing sack type bags that I just bought.
My greenhouse is an ancient wooden one, but still perfectly usable....

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Nod said:
Might be a while. Drove to the garden centre last week and the car park was anything but quiet so decided to wait a while. Might wait until we've had at least one jab or try again at opening time down there.
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Certainly when I was getting all my seeds, compost and equipment I deliberatly either went nice and early before many were about or did it on a weekday, weekends are simply a no no as everyone seems to go
 
Nod said:
Might be a while. Drove to the garden centre last week and the car park was anything but quiet so decided to wait a while. Might wait until we've had at least one jab or try again at opening time down there.
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Then again, might be sooner than first anticipated. Just had a call from our surgery and I'm booked in for Wednesday morning. Got to hang around for 15 minutes afterwards so it's the Pfizer jab (asked to check and the girl confirmed my guess.)
 
Donnie said:
Thats a nice setup.
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Thanks.
We've lived here for nearly 5 years and until last year we just used it for storing garden furniture etc.
Last year I cleared it out and planted 4 tomato plants and had a bumper crop.
This year I'll plant another 4 tomato plants and also plant some chilli plants and herbs in between.
The 2 potato growing bags will go on the patio somewhere.
I also have a large heavy duty sand pit that I built for the grandkids using sleepers that will be utilised in a year or two as a raised vegetable garden.
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
Thanks.
We've lived here for nearly 5 years and until last year we just used it for storing garden furniture etc.
Last year I cleared it out and planted 4 tomato plants and had a bumper crop.
This year I'll plant another 4 tomato plants and also plant some chilli plants and herbs in between.
The 2 potato growing bags will go on the patio somewhere.
I also have a large heavy duty sand pit that I built for the grandkids using sleepers that will be utilised in a year or two as a raised vegetable garden.
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The sand pit will be good for carrots - nice and straight! Being raised will help keep the dreaded carrot fly at bay too.
 
This is 1/2 a mile up the road from me, daily dog walk:149810861_10222532908089981_327942302658139701_o.jpg
A bit cool around here, I've not ventured as far as the greenhouse.
 
The outdoor tomatoes will be fine.
 
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