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Winter Potting Shed
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Message 1.聽
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
On a very appropriate cold & frosty morning, welcome to our first Winter Potting Shed.
As you will know, we have decided to leave this thread running until March, and then I will open up on a monthly basis thereafter.
In September I planted up some hyacinth bulbs for Christmas, soon I鈥檒l be taking them out of their present cool & dark location and put them in my cold greenhouse for a couple of weeks鈥t鈥檚 always difficult to get them to flower on the big day.
Next year鈥檚 sweet peas are looking good, last week I nipped out the growing tips to encourage then to make stockier plants鈥hat is needed now is more of this frosty weather to stop them putting on too much growth.
[IMG]/IMG]
Previous thread: -
Message 2
Posted by halftidy (U8567554) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
good morning David K and all! What a glorious frosty morning! Made more so as the kalanchoes (?) that have been bought at New Covent Garden for wedding number 1 have survived the night due to the polytunnel heater!!! should I bring them into the house instead? Cheaper on the leccy for sure!
Will photograph sweet peas which are all pinched out and seem happy after last night. They are in the unheated greenhouse - do you think I should fleece them?
Final question - mistletoe - huge branch of it now in barn with the branch bit in a bucket of water. Should I spray it with water please - or anything else? wedding is saturday week. Panic starting about NOW!! -
Message 3
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
Hi HT
Kalanchoes need temperatures not much lower than 40f.
Sweet peas: "do you think I should fleece them?"...Arrgh, NO!
Mistletoe: Bucket of water, is good - Spray, not a good idea.
Did you decide on 'grave flowers'? -
Message 4
Posted by halftidy (U8567554) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
no - thank you so much for reminding me -onto the bride asap!!!
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Message 5
Posted by halftidy (U8567554) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
the mistletoe is in a dark barn - should i put into the tunnel please???
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Message 6
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
"should i put into the tunnel please???|"
Erm..yes, but not not wiv heat. -
Message 7
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
no - thank you so much for reminding me -onto the bride asap!!!聽
Didn't I say, I had a good memory?
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Message 8
Posted by Sister Primrose of the Red Tinsel Flag (U5405579) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
I'm copyinh a query I made and the only response I got (thanks Dens) over from the November Potting Shed Thread to see if I get any more responses if that's ok...
Any advice on avocados?
I found an avocado stone that was sending out a root earlier this year whilst making guacamole. I put it in some ordinary compost in a smallish plant pot, watered it and promptly forgot about it. I recently found it, but instead of it being dead and ready for outchucking it had grown a five inch stem and seems to be on the verge of having a leaf.
It's thrived on neglect, is this the way to keep on or should I think about regulating temperature and more regular watering etc?
Will it ever amount to anything other than a pot plant? Might it one day give us some avocados to pulverise? 聽
I seem to remember someone on a gardening programme showing what a big plant they'd managed to raise from an avocado stone. The panel was less than enthusiastic on the grounds that yer avocado tree is a) a pretty dull thing and b) has no chance of fruiting in the UK. Maybe you could Google pictures to see what it's liable to grow into and then decide whether you like it enough to give it whatever space and TLC it needs.聽
Any other advice?
PP -
Message 9
Posted by catwomyn (U1485618) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
Hello all
Can I ask a numpty question?
When can we prune an apple tree? The young apple tree in our back garden has grown a LOT over the past year, it's probably about 8 to 10 ft tall, and a lot of the lowermost branches are trailing across the garden annoyingly, tripping up passersby.
I have got some rather fearsome shears, will they do the job? We only rent the house but are responsible for garden, and I am unwilling to purchase any expensive kit. I can borrow stuff off a friend though.
tbh I only just thought about pruning the thing. Will it be OK to chop off the troublesome branches in December, or will the tree subsequently cark it?
Ta
Cat x -
Message 10
Posted by halftidy (U8567554) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
back to the mistletoe - if I put it into the unheated greenhouse with the sweetpeas - will it be ok in its bucket of water. We froze heavily last night.
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Message 11
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
back to the mistletoe - if I put it into the unheated greenhouse with the sweetpeas - will it be ok in its bucket of water. We froze heavily last night.聽
Best to play this by ear really. As there is no night-time frost forecast for the rest of the week, it should be fine in the cold greenhouse. Best not let the water freeze, wherever you decide to keep it. -
Message 12
Posted by halftidy (U8567554) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
this wedding lark is getting to be a teeny weeny bit stressful! I was up at dawn this am choosing xmas trees a friendly farmer is letting me have to decorate tent and surrounding area. Final countdown to number one has started!!!
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Message 13
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
Hi, catwomyn
There are two types of apple tree pruning methods requiring rather different types of techniques. They are for 'tip' or 'spur' fruit bearing trees.
Having said that, the branches you describe are probably suckers and can be sawn/cut close to the main trunk without damaging the tree.
This is a useful little clip: -
Message 14
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
this wedding lark is getting to be a teeny weeny bit stressful! I was up at dawn this am choosing xmas trees a friendly farmer is letting me have to decorate tent and surrounding area. Final countdown to number one has started!!!聽
Living in sin has its attraction! -
Message 15
Posted by catwomyn (U1485618) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
thanks David will watch the clip at home later. just looking at that link it says between autumn and spring, so I suppose December is OK?
Thanks again
Cat x -
Message 16
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
Hi, Primrose Path
I did see your post in the previous thread; sorry to say it's something I have no experience of. -
Message 17
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Tuesday, 1st December 2009
just looking at that link it says between autumn and spring, so I suppose December is OK?聽
Oh yes, any time while the tree is still dormant. -
Message 18
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Wednesday, 2nd December 2009
I'll just add that seceteurs are better than fearsome loppers to prune a fruit tree, Cat, they sell 'em pretty cheap in Wil kinsons or places like that too. They dont have to be super Falco ones (I've a left handed set and I love them to bits mmmm)
Clematis were acquired yesterday for the space left by the cotoneaster. -
Message 19
Posted by rainbowLaure (U8486235) on Wednesday, 2nd December 2009
Hi, does anyone have any experience of growing kiwi fruit in the UK? A friend in France has sent me a couple of home-grown ones so I can use the seeds.
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Message 20
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Wednesday, 2nd December 2009
Didn't know the answer, rainbow, but did find this for you:
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Message 21
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Wednesday, 2nd December 2009
...this one may be more appropriate:
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Message 22
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Wednesday, 2nd December 2009
ummm didnt Bob F talk about this kiwifruit growing in UK thing on GQT?
or did I dream that one as well? -
Message 23
Posted by rainbowLaure (U8486235) on Wednesday, 2nd December 2009
Bob F may well have grown them. My friends live near Annecy, so their winters are much colder than ours. If they can grow them, they should grow here, too.
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Message 24
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Wednesday, 2nd December 2009
Just popped in to say that with tomorrow's changes in mind I have changed my nickname from 'David K' to 'Lathyrus Lad'.
I'm a bit miffed really, as I have retained my original name from the very beginning.
Regards,
David K. -
Message 25
Posted by Miftrefs Laura in Lothian bufily ftitching (U2587870) on Wednesday, 2nd December 2009
Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:34 GMT, in reply to Lathyrus Lad in message 24
David
once you're logged in go to topright "change this" and you can change your nickname/ name back to David K - it's the username that has to stay the same and nobody sees that - what we see is the "name" in 主播大秀 Id, or the nickname in the old system and that is changed very easily!
laura -
Message 26
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Wednesday, 2nd December 2009
Cheers, Laura. If the option to change back is still available after tomorrow, I'll do so.
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Message 27
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Wednesday, 2nd December 2009
...second thorts, I'll leave things as they are and see what tomorrow brings.
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Message 28
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Wednesday, 2nd December 2009
yikes, not sure who, or what I'll be tomorrow meself
or where I'll be...
urk -
Message 29
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Wednesday, 2nd December 2009
Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:04 GMT, in reply to GuzziNut in message 28
This entry for the 主播大秀 short story competition is suitable for this thread -
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Message 30
Posted by sagethyme (U5272261) on Thursday, 3rd December 2009
Bookmarking.
Also would encourage folk to buy secateurs (or drop a hint to Santa), even if you only have a garden temporarily. Surely you are now so hooked that you will want one for ever? -
Message 31
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Sunday, 6th December 2009
I'm off to dig holes for the new clematis, back colder and later
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Message 32
Posted by Leaping Badger (U3587940) on Sunday, 6th December 2009
David, you should definitely be able to retain 'David K' as your screen name. The field which contains your screen name called 'Name (optional)' under the 主播大秀 iD system.
No garden news, other than I've got a lot of birds all over and around my feeders, but that's for another thread, really.
'脰' -
Message 33
Posted by mag_pie (U2678603) on Sunday, 6th December 2009
Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:16 GMT, in reply to Leaping Badger
Hi David
Can I have some digging advice? We've got a new section of allotment which has been long neglected and is full of bindweed and other nasties. We want to plant fruit - an apple and a cherry. I've forked over the soil and removed a lot of weed roots but it is still in need of work. I thought double digging might help, followed by addition of a lot of well-rotted manure. The soil is very heavy clay and is totally sodden by the recent rain. Its located in south London.
Is it better to cover the site with tarpaulin and let it dry a bit before digging? It really is too heavy to do much with right now.
Will double-digging and hand-removal of the worst weed roots be the best approach? Do I need to double-dig or will it disrupt the structure of the soil?
How late can I wait to get fruit trees in, in order to have enough time to work on the site? We only have weekends.
I'm resigned to the fact that i'll need to treat with glyphosate to remove the most stubborn weeds next spring and this shouldn't harm the newly planted trees as long as I keep the spray off the leaves.
Any advice welcome. The wise old heads on our site are staying at home at the minute so we've no-one to consult.
mags -
Message 34
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Sunday, 6th December 2009
Thanks, Leaps...to be honest I haven't noticed any change at all.
Maybe it could change if I logged off (I usually remain logged on) or deleted my cookies. -
Message 35
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Sunday, 6th December 2009
Mags - First of all, good luck with your new plot.
I have to say that more harm than good is done to the soil by trying to work it while it is wet. I think I would be inclined to wait until the ground dries out naturally rather than covering it over.
Double digging and adding manure is a good idea, especially if you are contemplating planting fruit trees. Sadly, this will make little or no difference to the pernicious weed problem.
There are two ways of buying fruit trees, either bare rooted or container grown.
My own preference is for planting bare rooted trees. These are grown for a couple of years in a field, before being lifted whilst still dormant (late autumn/January). They are much cheaper than container grown ones and usually make for a better tree eventually.
The only advantage of container grown trees is that they can be planted all the year round.
As you will know, bindweed will re-grow from the tiniest piece left in the ground, so I agree you may need to resort to using glyphosate at some stage. This is best left until the sap is rising, in the spring.
I wasn't quite sure about 鈥淭he wise old heads on our site are staying at home at the minute so we've no-one to consult."....should I be flattered? -
Message 36
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Sunday, 6th December 2009
not much to add to that comprehensive advice
apparently covering over bindweed and letting it grow means it moves to the surface, which is a Good Thing
manure is also a Good Thing
Clematis (clemeti?) planted in the front / back garden, looking forward to scented flowers near the patio, IF I stay here that long
bare rooted trees are also much much cheaper -
Message 37
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Sunday, 6th December 2009
Clematis (clemeti?) planted in the front / back garden, looking forward to scented flowers near the patio, IF I stay here that long聽
What varieties are they, GuzziNut? Hope you remembered to plant em deep. -
Message 38
Posted by mag_pie (U2678603) on Monday, 7th December 2009
Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:19 GMT, in reply to David K in message 35
Many thanks, David, for the advice. The wise old heads on our allotment site are hibernating which is why I've turned to the wisest head on the ML site
The plot had been covered in carpet before we got it. Weeds were growing thrugh and on top of the carpet! We also had to get rid of several old blackcurrants and two sycamore saplings. I used Weedol and then cleared the surface grass before starting on forking over but yes, the glyphosate will have to wait until there is new green growth. We've also inherited a huge patch of comfrey (about 2 sq.m) which will need spraying, but that's on the other side of this extra plot and can wait.
We were intending to buy bare-root trees so its good to hear they are better - 2yr old espaliers if possible. We're also wanting cranberries and loganberries but they will have to be container-grown as we don't have acid soil.
mags -
Message 39
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Monday, 7th December 2009
Thanks, Mags...I see what you mean re 'wise old heads on our site are hibernating' - Thort you referring to another message board.
It would seem that the carpet on your allotment has probably been there too long and has become decomposed underneath, thus allowing the weeds through.
I'm pleased you have opted for bare-rooted fruit trees, once planted they get off to a flying start because their roots are straight.
Those container grown trees form a root system that goes round in a spiral in the pot and often continue to do that when planted out. -
Message 40
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Tuesday, 8th December 2009
one armandii (I've a soft spot for those, really, really miss my old one) and a cartmanii, David K. This last being an impulse buy
I really shouldnt be allowed in garden centres, planted em quite deep and they've been watered in by now. -
Message 41
Posted by halftidy (U8567554) on Saturday, 12th December 2009
up v v early as wedding number one will be under way in a few hrs. So many friends have decorated the church - mostly friends of my (adopted) daughter's late mother - it has been a very emotional 2 days of arrranging and more to come!!! the kolachloe thingies look fabulous and have survived as has the mistletoe. Daughter no 2 (the sweet pea one) is terrified of heights and has spent an entire day in church up a ladder placing little arrangments of lilies, alstromeria, lisisrata and ivy (please escuse spelling - typing in dark so not to wake OH) around each pillar. They look divine - we had to wire them to the pillars as they tended to plummet earthwards otherwise!!!! The flowers are just so beautiful i keep bursting into tears as I so wish her mother could be there to see it all. The grave flowers are done - but having to stay inside until later due to frost and the church porch flowers are wrapped in bubble wrap!!!!!
Dont flowers just turn your heart to jelly?? wish us luck for a dry sunny day - and thanks to all for advice given -
Message 42
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Saturday, 12th December 2009
Awww, that is such a lovely (in the dark or not) message....thank you for posting!
Hope all goes well and you have a memorable day - pics would be good. -
Message 43
Posted by Miftrefs Laura in Lothian bufily ftitching (U2587870) on Saturday, 12th December 2009
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:32 GMT, in reply to David K in message 42
halftidy, I shall be thinkign of you - enjoy the whole day!
***
A bit of an Ethical Question... GQT was talking of the very long waiting-lists for allotments across the UK. Round here it is 2-3 years which isn't all that log, really.
What bothers me very slightly is... a friend told me this week that they are signed onto the waiting-list - but they have a large garden, far larger than mie, and they use very little of it. And it isn't like they want to keep their garden decorative, or anything. They have a couple of raised beds with veg in, but most of their borders are just bare earth with scraggy roses in. Surely if they wanted to grow more produce, then they could start by digging over their bare borders, which must be a third of their garden's ground?
I just feel... uncomfortable that families in a flat without even a broad windowsill are maybe having to wait because someone with a good garden, well-lit 50 foot by 40 foot or more, is on the list ahead of them.
I think it's good that there isn't any kind of "means testing" on alloting allotments, but it was the personal ethics, I suppose. Should we as gardeners ensure we are using everything we already have before asking for more ground?
laura -
Message 44
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Saturday, 12th December 2009
I do agree that it is very selfish to apply for an allotment if you have adequate growing facilities at home.
However, I think allocation by need would be difficult to administer. -
Message 45
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Saturday, 12th December 2009
agreed too Laura, if you've enough garden (and you dont need much) then turn it over to veg. OK you dont get the cameraderie of allotment use but
and it cuts down on lawn mowing too
its what I've been doing with the rear garden, new allotments were created here recently but I didnt sign up, partly coz our lad would have lynched me...
Trouble is lotty use and veg growing is Really Trendy now
and I've baffled more than one lot of folk down the pub here in the Sticks, as the "incomer from the City" by handing out veg growing advice... -
Message 46
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Saturday, 12th December 2009
hope it all goes to plan Halftidy, it sounds lovely.
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Message 47
Posted by Sister Primrose of the Red Tinsel Flag (U5405579) on Saturday, 12th December 2009
Avocado Update
Benign neglect is obviously the way to go. The avocado stem has grown another nine inches in just over a week, has five variously sized leaves at the top of the stem and another five or six little bud things along the stem. Can't decide whether they are going to be branches or leaves yet. It's only been watered onece - that was the day I came in to ask about it. It's on the sideboard in our living/dining room. It's quite a way away from the window but the room is a light one. No drafts but not particularly warm either.
If the buds turn out to be branches would I be correct in thinking that nipping out the centre leaves at the top of the stem would make the branches grow more profusely? And if so, how do I decide when to do that? Do I just pick a height I'm happy to accommodate and nip the leaves out then?
pp
ps The Church flowers sound wonderful Halftidy; hope the day goes well and the mix of laughter and tears is just right. -
Message 48
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Saturday, 12th December 2009
I don't have a lottie, cos my own garden is quite big enough for me.
However, I do visit our local ones regularly to buy stuff from their shed (this is a privilege extended to me by virtue of the fact I'm a member of our village gardening club).
Usually I'm offered a cup of tea and we swap notes...the camaraderie side of it does have some appeal. -
Message 49
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Saturday, 12th December 2009
Hi, PP 鈥 As I said previously, I鈥檝e no first hand knowledge of growing avocados and I always make a point of only giving advice about stuff I have hands on experience of.
However, I looked this up for you 鈥淭he avocado is a fast-growing plant and will need potting on fairly frequently. However if left to its own devices it will quickly grow too tall for most conservatories and so a wise precaution is to dock the top occasionally, as necessary, so that the side shoots are encouraged. In this way you will get more of an attractive bushy plant rather than a lanky pole!鈥
Pretty safe to say that the growing tip can be removed anytime. -
Message 50
Posted by Sister Primrose of the Red Tinsel Flag (U5405579) on Saturday, 12th December 2009
Thanks for that David,
I'll let it get to 20" and then see about de-tipping it.
PP
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