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The Potting Shed - November
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Message 1.Â
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Sunday, 1st November 2009
Hello to all you gardeners and welcome to this November’s Potting Shed.
Like all of us I have been deeply saddened this week by the news of the death of Norman Painting (Phil). My understanding is that in real life he was far removed from being a farmer, although I do happen to know that he was a very knowledgeable about gardening.
Some may remember him as chairman of The Garden Game, a TV quiz which ran on the Ö÷²¥´óÐã in the East Midlands in the mid-70s.
Anyway, given the recent mild and unseasonable weather of late, I suppose most of you are well up to date with putting your gardens away for the winter….though it’s a very wet & dismal morning here in the Midlands today.
My main occupation at present seems to be sweeping-up leaves. I never think it’s a good idea to add these to the compost heap, as they take a year or more to rot down.
Putting them on their own into polythene sack or constructing an enclosure from four posts and chicken wire, produce some useful leaf mould.
Good gardening! -
Message 2
Posted by aliencorrie (U7290756) on Sunday, 1st November 2009
Thanks for starting up, David.
Yes, very sad to lose Norman Painting. Many a regular listener grew up with his voice. I for one will miss him much.
I just popped in for a cup of tea and taking a very short break from digging a big, big hole. (A bit more than one cubic metre to plant a yew tree which is two metres high and was delivered yesterday.)
Leaves, yes. We have got five oak trees and it is quite a lot of work to get the leaves off the lawn and the borders. I understand that there is no point in composting oak leaves, because of something called tannic acid?
Our field maple hedge is only two years old, so not a lot of leaves to be collected.
My back will be hurting tomorrow but I am still having a great time, the weather being much better than at David's place.
I love autumn.
ac -
Message 3
Posted by DeeKay Bee - Disenfranchised (U236881) on Sunday, 1st November 2009
This lot seem to think oak is good
Our tomatoes are finished now, still getting peppers and the occasional cucumber
. We've had lots of stuff start off again in the good weather, I hope the shock of 'normal' weather doesn't kill anything off. -
Message 4
Posted by aliencorrie (U7290756) on Sunday, 1st November 2009
Anyway, there was several years worth of leaves from evergreen oaks on the ground, and the gardener told us that it makes the best leaf mould! He also said it took ages to rot down, but it was worth the wait.Â
Thanks for that link, DeeKayBee.
I'd be very glad to put those oak leaves to a direct use instead of taking them to the local composting thingy.
I just wonder what an evergreen oak is?
ac -
Message 5
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Sunday, 1st November 2009
aliencorrie - I agree, oak leaves do make excellent compost.
The tannin content also makes them very good for making oak leaf wine....not the autumn leaf fall sorts though.
Your yew tree planting sounds like a very strenuous endeavour. I would be thinking JCB if it were me; albeit a mini type. -
Message 6
Posted by sagethyme (U5272261) on Sunday, 1st November 2009
Hi all.
We have been using 2 old dustbins for leaves for over a year, surplus to requirements since the council delivered new wheely bins and recycling boxes.
They lurk unobtrusively beyond the wooden slatted compost bin, and produce useful amounts of leaf mould.
As mentioned, it takes longer to produce leaf mould than normal compost. -
Message 7
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Sunday, 8th November 2009
I binlinered the leaves from the path before we went away... But there are a whole load more to sweep up.
I'm trying to get the enthusiasm to go out and clear the patio today, but its wet and cold and I'm suffering from a dose of the post hols dont know where to start, tinged with the cant be bothered, I'm afraid. Motivation needed
I did pick two small courgettes yesterday tho! One plant is still going. -
Message 8
Posted by biomollie (U9463238) on Sunday, 8th November 2009
I know this has probably been addressed before, so I hope you will forgive me but, does anyone have any ideas as to how to stop cats using my flower borders as a toilet? I have tried various methods including covering the area with netting in the hope they they will get their feet tangled up and that will deter them, but they just "deposit" on top of it!
All suggestions gratefully received.
Thanks. -
Message 9
Posted by Isca (U9480909) on Sunday, 8th November 2009
Biomollie, you should get lots of hints. It's come up a few times and I recall solutions from orange peel to string barriers..
Interested in the comments about oak leaves. At this time of year, I have to hack my way through them with a machete. The lawn would disappear under a good 4-6" of the things if I let it (next door has a VAST tree, the sort that should really be at the heart of some forest with a king or two up it) I have several tubs of extremely wet leaves which still don't seem to have broken down, after two years. I've given up waiting, and been putting them at the bottom of planting holes as they are.
My neighbour (not the one with the tree) told me oak leaves are bad news, being heavily acidic. It would explain why my soil has such a low pH. But it's good to read that you don't all agree with her.
Quick question for the veggie people: Is it too late to plant over-wintering onions?
Thanks.
-isca -
Message 10
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Sunday, 8th November 2009
I think no Isac, but get 'em in quick quick
now cats, I can hear the worm cans popping open
this always seems to draw in the cat fans, who would not usually post on here and dont necessarily understand that their "little darlings" are a right royal PITA... but otherwise dont usually venture into the potting shed
It could get heated, but i will open with
things I have found that work, really spiky prunings in area of offence, mothballs, sticks, half filled bottles of water, sharp jet from the hose or jet wash (direct action), works quite well, automatic jets of water firing things are available but I've yet to get one, decent ground cover planting to obscure the soil, string, noise
removing all muck as it appears, to break the habit, lemon peel, electronic scaring thing (tho this is variable in effectiveness) -
Message 11
Posted by dens canis (U1983532) on Monday, 9th November 2009
I made what will probably be the last cut of the year for the lawn yesterday and took the opportunity to chop up all the leaves with the mower before I raked them off. Gardening Which has tested all the leaf-mould making theories and products and concludes that shredding the leasves is the one which works best. Last year's is waiting in old compost bags to top dress the area where I'll be planting my tulips.
It's squirrels which are the pest in my garden, rather than cats. Chicken wire does deter them from digging up the bulbs but it's not pretty and always manages to scratch me at some stage.
In the veg garden I'm still picking the last of the French beans but really ought to take the haulms down soon: seems a shame though. -
Message 12
Posted by halftidy (U8567554) on Monday, 9th November 2009
Sitting at my desk at work, drinking home made pumpkin soup (own pumpkin) - part of the vats of the stuff I have frozen for wedding number 1, eating the last of the outdoor Little Gems (just noticed baby earwig on edge of plate!) and the very last tomato, and reflecting on the enormous amount of work OH and I did in the garden over the weekend (after rehearsing cooking the wedding cake). Vast swathes of dead artichoke stalks, horrible cleome stems (ouch) - weeding the purple sprouting which is looking good after being treated with Bugs Away (thanks David - it worked!!!). Clearing cornflowers, cosmos (wow what a show this year). I have left the bolting leeks, the seed heads will look pretty so why not let them have some fun? More next weekend - we both feel quite pleased with ourselves. Horrible fog today.
Sweet peas all up and some nearly ready to be pinched out. March sweet peas??? -
Message 13
Posted by Lilo (U12007400) on Tuesday, 10th November 2009
Morning all. A grey, wet day in N. Hampshire means I can't get to clear out my tiny garden of leaves, dead plants and pot up some wallflowers and primulas that lovely pa in law gave me. Very frustrating as I hang out of my second floor window looking down on it all.
A question from pa in law.He needs to know a cheap outlet for flowerpots, seeds etc. He has a little nursery and sells his plants at car boots throughout the year. He isn't online and asked me to make some enquiries for him.
Preferably, he'd like to order by post and maybe have a catalogue delivered. His current supplier is getting too expensive apparently.
I thought I'd be an idle wench and ask you all to do the looking!
Lilo -
Message 14
Posted by DeeKay Bee - Disenfranchised (U236881) on Tuesday, 10th November 2009
Would the polythene ones do or do they need to be pots proper?
eg
Loads of places do wholesale seeds, it's probably a case of seeing who does whatever he wants to buy. I tried to put a google link but it was broken for some reason. -
Message 15
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Tuesday, 10th November 2009
try freecycle for plant pots, Lilo, he will be inundated! Provided he isnt bothered about same size and colour for them.
Heck, if you lived closer I'd gladly let you have a whole heap, swear they breed in my shed -
Message 16
Posted by Lilo (U12007400) on Tuesday, 10th November 2009
He isn't fussy about the pots, but he usually uses plastic ones.
Incidentally, he lives in the New Forest area. When I get time I'll freecycle.
Thanks for the help. -
Message 17
Posted by dens canis (U1983532) on Tuesday, 10th November 2009
Freecycle has gone through all sorts of fun and games recently and some groups (though not all, I think)in the UK are now called freegle. I don't know if the New Forest is one of those but you might want to try both names to be sure.
-
Message 18
Posted by Miftrefs Laura in Lothian bufily ftitching (U2587870) on Sunday, 15th November 2009
Not exactly gardening, but this morning I've had all the birdfeeders emptied and indoors for dismantling and a thorough scrubbing with hot soapy water, thorough rinsing and then dunking all bits for full 120 seconds in huge pan of boiling water; then drying, airing and finally re-filling and putting back out.
Both bird-baths scrubbed with hot soapy water and scrubbing-brush, rinsed thoroughly, kettle of boiling water, then emptied and re-filled with ordinary tap-water.
We love our birds and they are part of the garden - they can get nasty diseases from dirty bird-feeders or bird-baths, so they need a good cleaning several times a year minimum.
I also ordered lots of mustard and cress seeds from Suttons and have got the rota back for weekly sowing: cress on Saturday, add mustard on Monday, ready to use by Friday. Two shallow dishes works fine for a rota. The scullery windowsill seems to work perfectly well as a location. I'll have my homegrown vitamins and flavour all winter!
laura -
Message 19
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Sunday, 15th November 2009
Good advice, Laura.
Although Avian Flue has dropped away from the headlines, it's still most important to wash your hands thoroughly after handling bird feeders.
I add a product called 'Vanodine' to my bird baths. This not only disinfects the water (harmless to the birds) it also prevents the build-up of algae. -
Message 20
Posted by politeLadyPortia (U7099336) on Sunday, 15th November 2009
A House plant/Bulb query.
Last year i bought an Amaryllis from a reputable firm. It did not flower.I know this can happen. It spent the summer in the garden- south facing patio area. Leaves cut back. I brought it in two weeks ago. No flower bud visible but leaves coming through. Any advice appreciated
Thank you
PLP -
Message 21
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Sunday, 15th November 2009
Further to the last paragraph of my previous message. To give it its full name, I should have said 'Vanodine V18'.
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Message 22
Posted by diasporatehousewife (U9694450) on Sunday, 15th November 2009
Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:06 GMT, in reply to politeLadyPortia in message 20
Can't help with the amyrillis politeladyP - I seem better at outdoor gardening than indoor gardening... I love wild orchids but whenever I buy shop bought ones I seem to manage to kill them. Cactus are the only things that survive in our home!
In my garden, there is not a lot going on. Our 'sustainable timber' garden furniture with FSC mark has been taken to the recycling centre (the chairs were so uncomfortable and impractical that I question the sustainability of the design) and the table is store away for the winter.
We've raked over the moss and the dog poo - our front lawn opens onto a gravel road where people walk their bluddy dawgs.
I've dug over both compost heaps - both the one that is 'cooking' and the new one that is accumulating. Lots of wee collected and added to each (see elsethread), and planted garlic where the tatties were. Haven't planted anything else as no one round here seems to sell anything for overwintering. Maybe they don't do it here (Denmark) - as it is so far north - but not further north than Aberdeen is roughly. Looked everywhere for broad beans wihtout success and now it is prolly too late anyway. So my raised beds are just bare ish with the last of the parsley, some herbs and the rhubarb fading rapidly... -
Message 23
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Sunday, 15th November 2009
well, I've been clearing the hinging baskets and bashing the rootballs into the pallet bin.
Managed to wallop meself on the cheek bone with the spade handle, now wondering if a) I should be allowed out and b) if I'll have a black eye to go to work with tomorrow
Just uprooted a whole load of buttercups -
Message 24
Posted by Leaping Badger (U3587940) on Monday, 16th November 2009
Evening, all. Once again missed out on there being a new potting shed thread. I know, I know, new month, but my short-term memory is rubbish.
Nothing going on in my garden at the moment. Harvested the last of the tomatoes, aubergine and cucumbers the other day and made a delicious pasta sauce with them, garlic and some herbs (all home-grown). My garden looks really bedraggled now. Don't know what to do with it - David mentioned packing it up for the winter, but I don't know what this means. Will remove tomato and aubergine plants (guess these need to be put in the rubbish rather than compost as risk of blight) but other than that think I'll leave it until the spring. Have very little energy at the moment, so am having to ration energy out. Leaves everywhere too, but will have to let them be.
I've been given a few cyclamen and violas, which is lovely. Fancy putting them in my little front border (shady) along with daffodils, snowdrops, crocus, bluebells, primroses, poppies and love-in-a-mist, but they'll have to linger in pots until I have the energy. Think I need to gig up the bulbs and replant them deeper as they all flopped over last year. Is there a latest date I can do this?
Hope everyone else's gardens are going well. -
Message 25
Posted by DeeKay Bee - Disenfranchised (U236881) on Monday, 16th November 2009
OH picked the last of the peppers, now there are just some chillis and the occasional berry.
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Message 26
Posted by dens canis (U1983532) on Monday, 16th November 2009
We had the last of the French beans last night. The row had been well and truly bashed about by the storms over the weekend and was looking rather sorry for itself. On the plus side the Savoys are hearting up, the cavolo nero is looking good and next year's broad beans are a couple of inches high. On the downside the sprouts had better get a move on if they're going to be worth their space (they weren't last year...).
-
Message 27
Posted by dens canis (U1983532) on Monday, 16th November 2009
Sorry, Mr Badger, I meant to respond to your bulb query. It's certainly not too late to plant tulips - you can even leave them till December if it's mild enough to make the holes - but you might be pushing it for daffodils as they like to get their roots established early. I'm not sure if shallow planting would have nmade the plants flop, though; maybe dry weather and/or wind? Whatever was responsible, you do want to plant them deep anyway as otherwise they tend to go blind.
-
Message 28
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Monday, 16th November 2009
Leaps - What I meant by 'packing it up for the winter', was taking down runner beans, removing tomatoes from the greenhouse, removing bedding plants, emptying hanging baskets, patio tubs and all that stuff.
Dens - You mention storms & sprouts in your post. It may be advisable to stake them, as if the winds loosen them in the soil it causes them to blow.
If they aren't staked, it is advisable to consolidate the soil around the base. -
Message 29
Posted by Zzloty (U2249048) on Tuesday, 17th November 2009
Hello all and apologies for not coming into the shed sooner. I'm a bit miffed at the moment as I ordered a whole load of bulbs from a well-known catalogue to do my layered pots but over half the tulip bulbs were mouldy.
I've managed to get half my pots done but I'm waiting for them to sort it out before I can get on with the others. I was most unimpressed with the customer service woman who told me it was 'just a bit of surface mould, they'll be fine'. In fact many of them had quite ingrained mould that you couldn't brush off and everything I've read says you shouldn't plant mouldy bulbs.
I've sent them a sample back, as they requested, but if they don't replace them, I shall be naming and shaming! I just hope they hurry up as I want to get on with it now.
Rant over -
Message 30
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Hi Folks
In a few days time it will be December and the start of another month.
As you know, I start these threads on the first day of each new month.
However, in view of the current lack of thread activity (I even forget to look in sometimes) I was wondering how you feel about me starting December's thread as a general thread, to be added to as and when required.
I do appreciate the fact that at this time of year people have other things on their minds, so maybe we can resume monthly sessions in the new year.
I would welcome your views. -
Message 31
Posted by Miftrefs Laura in Lothian bufily ftitching (U2587870) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:54 GMT, in reply to David K in message 30
That sounds sensible, David - we'll have a Winter Potting Shed to sit in occasionally with a mug of something hot, and then when it's time to get busy, we'll go back to monthly Sheds!
Here, have some mulled wine to get us started!
laura -
Message 32
Posted by DeeKay Bee - Disenfranchised (U236881) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Are you putting us to bed for winter?
I think that it makes sense to have a winter thread, then start again properly when we're thinking about springish things. -
Message 33
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Thanks, Laura
'Winter Potting Shed' or The Potting Shed - Winter, sounds good to me. -
Message 34
Posted by Miftrefs Laura in Lothian bufily ftitching (U2587870) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:11 GMT, in reply to DeeKay Bee in message 32
Are you putting us to bed for winter?Â
OUCH!!! Hey, stand back... OWWWW!!!!
Ooh, that hurt... getting trampled in the stampede to be put to bed by David! -
Message 35
Posted by sagethyme (U5272261) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Yes please David. Want to drop in from time to time for a chat and cuppa.
-
Message 36
Posted by irene (U14203844) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
as usual , david wows the ladeez, laura! the mention of sprout storms earlier, had me sniggering. and of course a good excuse for a timely remeinder to put them on this boxing day, for next christmas. thank you
-
Message 37
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
*picks self up from being trampled by stampede*
sheesh, I dont stand a chance in here!
I think a winter thread would be a good idea
could we remember to bump it once a week or so tho? I'm willing to try and help with this, but as I have the memory span of a gnat and work removes me from a computer for days on end, this help may be erratic.
Guess we start again in March?
Currently chopping back a cotoneaster with a view to putting clematis in the area. -
Message 38
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
*passes round mulled wine* mmmmm thats not bad
-
Message 39
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
as usual , david wows the ladeezÂ
Wot did /I/ say???
Anyone watch Jimmy's Food Factory last night? Useful information re ripening bananas with the aid of ethylene gas.
A ripe banana added to your green tomatoes really does help with ripening.
Never thought of running my petrol lawnmower in the greenhouse though...think I'd be more concerned with carbon monoxide than ethylene. -
Message 40
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
GuzziNut - Promise I’ll bump the thread up occasionally....I do have a good memory.
-
Message 41
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
phew, mines woeful, will try and join in if I'm around
I did know about the nana / tomato ripening thing. But I dont think my mower would help, its electric. -
Message 42
Posted by diasporatehousewife (U9694450) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:48 GMT, in reply to GuzziNut in message 41
Splendid idea David. Sounds good with a ripe banana. (or are you just pleased to see us?). -
Message 43
Posted by Leaping Badger (U3587940) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Hi all,
Been away for a few days. A winter-long thread sounds like a good idea. There are a few things I'd like to consider doing over the winter, but it'll really start for me again in earnest at the beginning of March, with the planting of some of my summer veg in the greenhouse.
'Ö' -
Message 44
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Saturday, 28th November 2009
lovely sunny morning here - yay!
I've just given the cotoneaster (sp) a crew cut, its now stumps *evil grin*. Think I might leave it to grow back into the scheme I have planned but its no longer occupying most of a trellis panel. Its a heap upon the patio.
Should have heard the sparrows objecting (they have loads of hedges, I'm not that mean really)
said scheme involves an armandii clematis and one other. I think.
Now if the back lawn would only stop being a sponge, I could mow the bally thing -
Message 45
Posted by Miftrefs Laura in Lothian bufily ftitching (U2587870) on Saturday, 28th November 2009
Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:07 GMT, in reply to GuzziNut in message 44
If you mow a lawn in late November then you are a glutton for punishment who enjoys struggling all summer with a poorly lawn!
Walking up and down in winter on it will compact the ground making the roots less able to get adequate nourishment next year; compacting the ground also makes spongeness more likely as it knackers drainage still further!
Leave your lawn alone til spring and then if it's a foot high, use a hand-sickle or shears on it first, then mow it long, and eventually mow it normally.
Get a metal spike (I use the foot-long thing you hammer in to then put a whirly-drying-line into) and next spring hammer it most of the way into the worst-draining bits, then get it out and pour grit or sand, or both, down the hole. Do that here and there and it will slowly improve the drainage. Get some of those sandals with spikes under and stamp about aerating the lawn.
But don't bother mowing it now as it really doesn't want new growth triggered in midwinter and you'll only make the drainage problem worse belowground...
laura (when I grow up I'm not having any lawn... but my dad's trained me well...) -
Message 46
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Saturday, 28th November 2009
I know, I know, I'm gonna leave it - honest. But last year was the first time in aaages I've had a lawn that actually stopped growing for the winter.
Lawn in old garden never stopped growing.
here in the deep south they tend to carry on growing
I've spiked most of the front with my new lawn spiker thing, but the weather is agin me WRT the back one
thinking about inventing a lawn spiker pogo stick that would make the task fun, I was pretty good on a pogo stick...
still waiting to grow up and wondering why I have a lawn. -
Message 47
Posted by Miftrefs Laura in Lothian bufily ftitching (U2587870) on Saturday, 28th November 2009
Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:01 GMT, in reply to GuzziNut in message 46
But that's fine - it's ALLOWED to carry on growing! Ours does...
That's why you use shears or a sickle for the first cut in spring - ours is normally close to a foot high then, and I just work my way across it with a hand-sickle* taking it down to 3-4 inches and then a week later we mow it with the blades set at their highest setting and then it's business as usual after that.
It has to grow in winter to be a really good lawn in summer - it's like stopping cutting asparagus, lets the plant get some goodness back into its roots.
*this was always MY special job when little, taught by my grandfather, and I was furious when my future BiL was given the job when he lived with us - and deeply deeply satisfied when he swatted at a fly with the wrong hand and needed eleven stitches in hsi finger... the job reverted to me immediately -
Message 48
Posted by sagethyme (U5272261) on Saturday, 28th November 2009
Lawns are lovely. I nearly went off the sainted Monty Don when he questioned the usefulness of lawns.
Was moved to Write a Letter.
Pointed out that townie folk coming home from a hard day at the office need to kick off their shoes and walk barefoot on grass.
Elderly folk need grass for short walks.
Children need grass for playing and lying around looking at insects and birds.
Monty did not reply, then devoted a subsequent item to advice similar to Laura's (but not as well expressed). -
Message 49
Posted by Miftrefs Laura in Lothian bufily ftitching (U2587870) on Sunday, 29th November 2009
Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:27 GMT, in reply to sagethyme in message 48
Monty did not reply, then devoted a subsequent item to advice similar to Laura's (but not as well expressed).Â
Thankyou very much indeed, sagethyme - he probably didn't have that extra bit of passionate feeling on lawns that I have due to my having the Important Job every spring of sickling it!
I agree that not much beats barefoot pottering in summer (try it early morning before work) - but why have something as awkward and demanding as grass? If you have kids playing football or you have rolling acres the yes, hardwearing grass is useful (but the rolling acres and kids give you a labour-force too).
But if it's a smaller area, for sprawling in the sun with a book and a drink, looking nicer than concrete, etc., then why not lawn chamomile? Or thyme for sagethyme?! Creeping mint, Corsican mint, there are tons and tons of very low-growing, SLOW-growing, aromatic green plats that make wonderful "lawns"
That's what I'd have...
laura -
Message 50
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Sunday, 29th November 2009
I would agree with favourable comments about lawns.
A few years ago spiked shoes were available for walking on lawns, intended for aerating the lawn as you walk on it….not sure if they are still marketed.
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