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Winter Potting Shed - 2011/12
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Message 1.Â
Posted by David K (U14115317) on Tuesday, 1st November 2011
Welcome to this winter’s edition of our potting shed.
I suppose many of you have by now tided-up your gardens in preparation for the cold months ahead. Although I have to admit that I’m still hanging on to some summer bedding plants and non-stop begonias that are still giving a splash of late colour.
Good luck with your plans for next year.
Link to previous thread:
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Message 2
Posted by SussexCornflower InTheFinalCountdown (U13833966) on Tuesday, 1st November 2011
Thanks David.
I planted the snowdrop bulbs on Sunday so hope they will come up in the Spring.
Just saying hello at the moment and making sure I can find you! -
Message 3
Posted by sue (U8059472) on Tuesday, 1st November 2011
Signing in for winter
I am not tidy yet but that is the project for this week.
Cutting back willows and storing the whips so weaving lessons will be required in the spring.
I have been a little disappointed with the willows so I have just received this morning some heavy mulch mat which I will put over the stumps. Hopefully there will be a better result with less root competition next year -
Message 4
Posted by Leaping Badger (U3587940) on Tuesday, 1st November 2011
Morning, David, morning everyone. I don't like that thread title - winter? - yikes.
I'd hardly call my garden tidy, but most things are dead. My cucumber plant finally collapsed in on itself after a frost, and after a summer's sterling service. Still have a cucumber in the fridge. Broccoli seedlings still not potted on - I assume it's too late to bother now. I still have a few peppers and aubergines in my mini-greenhouse which I've not managed to use yet - will try to do so this week.
Would like to grow something over the winter - hence the broccoli - but most winter veg seems to require a lot of room and not be suited to containers. The search continues. I think my garden will be mostly bare over the winter, although I'd like to invest in some green manure.
'Ö' -
Message 5
Posted by SussexCornflower InTheFinalCountdown (U13833966) on Tuesday, 1st November 2011
Oooh... don't be bare over winter, Badger (!)
Get some pretty flowers at least...... cyclamen are great at coping with the weather and looking cheerful. -
Message 6
Posted by sagethyme (U5272261) on Tuesday, 1st November 2011
Hi gardeners, bookmarking.
Our pelargoniums are still blooming. The trees only just starting to shed leaves, willow, ash, hawthorn, fruit trees. The leaf colours have been particularly good this autumn with the weird mix of weather. -
Message 7
Posted by DeeKay Bee - Disenfranchised (U236881) on Tuesday, 1st November 2011
The horrible cherry next door has dropped lots of leaves but still has lots to come, I wish it would drop them all in one go as most come our way and it would get it all over at once.
A couple of weeks ago I thought I saw a piece of burning paper fall by the window, after thinking 'that's odd' I suddenly realised I'd better investigate if something was raining burning paper over the houses but all I could find were vibrant gold and orange leaves... I think I glimpsed them falling out of the corner of my eye and my brain filled in the gaps. -
Message 8
Posted by David K (U14115317) on Tuesday, 1st November 2011
Morning, David, morning everyone. I don't like that thread title - winter? - yikes. Â
As there will be no more monthly threads until next spring (March) can't think of anything more appropriate....any suggestions? -
Message 9
Posted by DeeKay Bee - Disenfranchised (U236881) on Tuesday, 1st November 2011
Is it time for you to put us to bed again?
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Message 10
Posted by Leaping Badger (U3587940) on Tuesday, 1st November 2011
Oh David, I wasn't complaining about you, just that it's the onset of winter. Please don't take it personally. It's an appropriate title, just a scary prospect - winter already.
'Ö' -
Message 11
Posted by David K (U14115317) on Tuesday, 1st November 2011
Oh dear, Leaps, don't worry, I knew exactly what you meant....and I'm convinced smileys would help these boards.
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Message 12
Posted by Leaping Badger (U3587940) on Wednesday, 2nd November 2011
Glad I didn't upset you. I can't agree with you, however, that this board should have smilies, but let's not get in to that!
Picked and ate my crop of peppers (green, one going red but starting to rot; only 6 of them, two of which I gave away) and the last of the aubergines (4 small ones). A measly crop this year, and I might not bother with them next year but use the space for something else, then try them once again the year afterwards. I do like them, though - they are delicious, but I'd really like to get a better return from things I'm going to grow.
'Ö' -
Message 13
Posted by helena handcart (U14258601) on Saturday, 5th November 2011
hello. i haven't planted out broccoli and cauli seedlings. i think i'll d it today and hope for the best
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Message 14
Posted by sue (U8059472) on Saturday, 5th November 2011
Leapers just planted some lettuce seeds-winter destiny-and noticed in the instructions they are suitable for container growing. I am planting seeds every 3 weeks (well in theory anyway) and they will give greens through the dry spring patch.
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Message 15
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Saturday, 5th November 2011
I have a cabbage question
Those of you with longer memories may remember that my lovely but horticulturally clueless Bloke presented me with a pot of cabbage seedlings, earlier in the year saying "I brought you a courgette plant"
After asking on here about them, they got a stay of execution (I'm a tad cabbage phobic, blame school) and I planted them out, randomly amongst the squashes, partly to confuse the cabbage white butterflies and partly doe to a lack of space
So, several months down the line, the cabbge white buterfly subtefuge appears to have paid off! and they look quite healthy, but, what do I do now? Stake them? Earth them up a bit? Leave well alone?
Some cabbage guidance is needed I fear -
Message 16
Posted by David K (U14115317) on Saturday, 5th November 2011
Guzzi - They'll only need staking if they are Brussels sprouts. Otherwise just make sure that the soil is firm around the base...this prevents gaps filling with water, and then freezing later.
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Message 17
Posted by GuzziNut (U6364582) on Sunday, 6th November 2011
Cool, thanx for that david, staking and stamping round the three plants I have is added to today's list of stuff wot to do
I think I can cope with three cabbages... Watch this space -
Message 18
Posted by ruralsnowflakebliss (U8131914) on Sunday, 6th November 2011
Hello... I wondered if anyone here was a citrius grower? I was spraying mine and noticed the new leaves were coming in pale green with a tracery of dark green veins (they are large though)
Ah hah I thought... deficiency. I have been just bunging it baby bio so not unexpected although it is growing well other than this
So the plan is a repot (been in the pot since it was plamed off on me... so about 18 months and annoyingly has no drainage hole) but I want to correct the fertiliser as well... Zinc or magnesium or iron? It can't be hard water... we don't have that
So what combo has gone out?
And what compost for repot? I lean to using john innes on most things... but might be too alkaline. Would number 2 or 3 be appropriate? -
Message 19
Posted by helena handcart (U14258601) on Sunday, 6th November 2011
Planted out the caulis and broccoli. Found a surprise pumpkin and, in the greenhouse, a tiny aubergine. Isn't that great.
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Message 20
Posted by David K (U14115317) on Monday, 7th November 2011
Hi, Rural - sorry you haven't had any reply so far.
I haven't much experience of growing citrus plants myself, although a couple of my natural gardening instincts tell me that the symptoms you describe could be as a result of waterlogging/stagnant compost. I think this because you say the pot has no drainage hole.
Also, I don't think any of the JI composts will be suitable for re-potting, as citrus plants need a specialised compost c containing certain important trace elements. -
Message 21
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Monday, 7th November 2011
Evening, RSB.
You can get "summer" and "winter" citrus fertilisers, which I use - mine has just gone in the greenhouse - I just use ordinary potting compost, a bit of garden soil and a bit of rotted organic compost on mine, and it seems to do ok, but maybe I've just been lucky!
(Hello, David! First frost down here last night) -
Message 22
Posted by sue (U8059472) on Monday, 7th November 2011
I did grow a lemon tree successfully in a pot when I lived in southern France, not sure about here really though.
The soil needs to be slightly acid, you can buy specialist compost. If you are in a hard/alkaline water area stick to rain water only. They need regular feeding in the summer. I used a thick mulch of pine needles which keeps an acid base. Also allow the soil to dry out fully before watering heavily, drought and flood. -
Message 23
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Monday, 7th November 2011
Thanks, that's good to know - with 5 large pine trees at the bottom of the garden, I'm always glad of a use for their needles - the blueberries like them as well!
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Message 24
Posted by David K (U14115317) on Monday, 7th November 2011
(Hello, David! First frost down here last night) Â
Crikey! Didn't know you had frosts in your neck of the woods....no frost here this morning. -
Message 25
Posted by Leaping Badger (U3587940) on Monday, 7th November 2011
Hi David, and everyone. Not up to much here, not managing to offer advice really, or to garden. Have had a couple of light frosts at the Sett, one of which took my young cucumber plant in the prime of its life (sob). Actually, I was amazed by how late it lasted, until the last couple of days of October. It's still hanging on its supports, looking very sad. Have broccoli seedlings vying with leeks which have come up from bulbs which over-wintered - I didn't even realise they were there. They're all having to wait until I've got some more energy.
Did have a surprise supper addition tonight - a second crop of beans from both my plants. Very welcome.
'Ö' -
Message 26
Posted by helena handcart (U14258601) on Monday, 7th November 2011
Ooh, beans! I've still got a dwarf french bean to harvest. Neighbour commented on how beautiful my 'bright lights' swiss chard looked today. Sowed broad beans, mizuno, radish, yet more swiss chard (can't get enough), lettuce, kohl rabi and pak choi today. Sweet peas are germinating nicely. Planted sprouting potatoes, and harvested rocket for lunch.
Harvested lots of 'rooster' potatoes over the weekend. I am storing them in soil in a pot but I don't know if that will work.
It is still mild here in East Berks, strawberries are still producing, so I am optimistic that my time wasn't wasted today.
Colleagues are convinced that I have an allotment, the amounts of salad and veg curry I get through.
Flowers - winter jasmine is blooming, a few roses, some pretty but unnamed perennial, hanging basket ( I cheated and bought a bargain £1.99 one from P&Q), lenten roses, and violas and pansies all doing well. Hibiscus and honeysuckle stopped blooming a couple of weeks ago. Cotoneaster has lots of berries
Got a pile of peppers and a couple of figs from a colleague. He has an ulterior motive. Sadly for him, hh is far too busy gardening for that sort of nonsense. Gave another colleague some swiss chard seeds dated sow before 2007, but I sowed some in October and they are still fine. Chinese colleague wanted to know where he could find Chinese Leaves (Cabbage) and I said try online or ask me to bring some in from my stockpile from the 10p a packet at Wilko a few months ago. I sowed Chinese cabbage 2 weeks ago and they are fine. -
Message 27
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Tuesday, 8th November 2011
Wow! Sounds as if it's giving you (and your friends) a lot of aesthetic pleasure, as well as being good to eat.
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Message 28
Posted by David K (U14115317) on Tuesday, 8th November 2011
Helena - Your posts are a joy to read.
Gardening is very much in my blood and certainly has never been a chore, but I don't think I've ever had your infectious enthusiasm.
Your attitude epitomises everything a good gardener should be… grab a bargain (how many people have great gardens courtesy of throwing loads of money at it?) when you can, pass on your enthusiasm to others, enjoy your successes & not gloat on your failures. -
Message 29
Posted by David K (U14115317) on Tuesday, 8th November 2011
My favourite TV channel never fails to please me:
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Message 30
Posted by halftidy (U8567554) on Thursday, 10th November 2011
Helena - I tried Chinese leaves and they got horrendous flea beetle - is your variety immune to it?
Sweet peas all germinated and growing a bit too fast for my liking! I still wish I knew how to work out when they need watering but at the moment the compost still feels damp to the touch so I promise not to do any silly that might threaten them all!
Winter salad leaves germinated.
Half the beds put to bed as it were. Others tidied and I hope to finish this weekend. Now a challenge .................... I had shed load of lovely leeks plants I bought in France and put in much too early and of course they all bolted. I left them as they look so beautiful - like rows of pink aliums. So is there any reason why I cannot harvest the seeds and use them to grow leeks from seed (I have never done this) next year? If so - how should I go about it please? Still mild here. -
Message 31
Posted by sue (U8059472) on Thursday, 10th November 2011
I think true seeds are biannual, so if the leeks went in this year those flowers will not have viable seeds in them. If some leeks have not flowered and next spring if they flower you can collect seeds.
Not sure if I am right about this at all -
Message 32
Posted by halftidy (U8567554) on Thursday, 10th November 2011
every single one has flowered!!!!
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Message 33
Posted by sue (U8059472) on Thursday, 10th November 2011
Probably doomed.
But lets try anyway
Collect some flower heads and tie them upside down in a paper bag and hang them up in a warm dry place. The seeds should drop out. After a month collect the seeds from the bottom of the bag.
To dry totally cook some rice in a slow heat and put in a glass jar add the seeds in a cloth bag. The rice will draw off any further moisture and it will now be safe to store the seeds in small, labelled, plastic bags and they will keep well fairly indefinitely.
But
David advised me last year to start onions from seed from the shortest day so maybe just upside down in a bag above the wood-burner then back into soil in a cold frame in 6 weeks.
Can you freeze seeds? I want to save some oats and I was wondering f this would work I think the high oil content makes drying difficult -
Message 34
Posted by David K (U14115317) on Thursday, 10th November 2011
Halftidy – Sue is quite right to indicate that leeks are biannual and in any case I don’t think you should consider harvesting the seed from those particular leeks.
Normally leeks take up to two full growing seasons to produce flowers and set seed.
Avoid collecting seed from plants that have bolted prematurely as it indicates that they are not climatically adapted to your region (ring any bells?) The bolting characteristic will tend to be inherited.
This is one mistake I made & learned from, many years ago. -
Message 35
Posted by halftidy (U8567554) on Friday, 11th November 2011
poor old leeks - but they are very pretty!!!! (yes I am a nitwit) - but you live and learn!
Wish my celeriac would bulk up before it is too late.
Second sowing of parsnips (first were pretty useless) are healthy but tiny - is there any point in leaving them in and seeing what happens does anyone think? The leaves are about 9" high and the roots are a bit like mini veg in posh restaurants if you see what I mean.
My freezer is now groaning with veg - no room for anything more - and I have now brought my last surviving chilli plant into the house where it continues to thrive and flower - I wonder how long for?
If anyone needs chilli - just pop in! -
Message 36
Posted by helena handcart (U14258601) on Saturday, 12th November 2011
The Chinese Leaves don't look great, so I don't know.
Slugs ate most of my seedlings. Picked last pumpkin today,
Picked up free jasmine plant (just pay p&p) from sorting office. -
Message 37
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Saturday, 12th November 2011
I like the scent of jasmine, though my OH says it makes him think of cats.
A bargain - they're always satisfying! -
Message 38
Posted by helena handcart (U14258601) on Saturday, 12th November 2011
Don't talk to me about cats - my newly sown piece of earth is ruined.
Lilies IMO smell like wet mops
It is a trachelospermum jasminoides (sp?). gooogles in another window.
OOOh. Star jasmine! -
Message 39
Posted by helena handcart (U14258601) on Sunday, 13th November 2011
What a lovely day it's been. Repotted my lovely new star jasmine.
Picked vast amount of salad for tomorrow's lunch. Did a tiny bit of pruning.
Not all the sweet peas have germinated .
Best bit was watching the robin taking a bath. -
Message 40
Posted by superjan3 (U6523409) on Sunday, 13th November 2011
I nearly came a cropper on the allotment today - slipped on some mud - one leg went flying up in the air - managed to get that on the ground then the other one went flying. Somehow I managed to stay on my feet and without any hurty bits - well except those that were hurty already.
On the whole I didn't have a bad first year - some things better than others but I guess it's a learning curve. -
Message 41
Posted by helena handcart (U14258601) on Sunday, 13th November 2011
Poor superjan hope you are less hurty soon. You acrobat you.
This year's sweet peas are about over but I've just seen a new flower -
Message 42
Posted by DeeKay Bee - Disenfranchised (U236881) on Sunday, 13th November 2011
One of our blueberries is flowering again.
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Message 43
Posted by halftidy (U8567554) on Tuesday, 15th November 2011
OH dug up (still flowering - just) sweet peas by front door - hmmm. Next year's are 4" tall and developing their first proper pair of leaves - I wish they would calm down a bit but it is very mild here (last night 4 degrees warmer than Nice) I am sure they think it is spring.
Herb bed tidied up - just four beds to go now. Sadly off to a funeral on Saturday 3hrs drive each way so no gardening for me. She was the wife of my mother's first cousin - so the last of that generation from that side of the family and I feel strongly I should be there. On Sunday I will weed, tidy up and remember that life and the garden keep on regardless and in the arrival of a first grandchild next April that spring will be a time for renewal and rebirth. So on a more cheerful note - does anyone have any ideas as to what I can plant/sow to celebrate the arrival of the next generation? -
Message 44
Posted by David K (U14115317) on Tuesday, 15th November 2011
Morning, Halftidy – Getting the balance just right with sowing those autumn sweet peas is difficult.
We began October with temps of 29c locally which tempted to say in my OP for that month
‘For those of you who prefer autumn sown sweet peas, this is the month when it is customary to make those sowings. However, I would recommend waiting for at least another month before doing so, given the unusually warm weather.’
Then, a few weeks later they returned to something about normal….for what its worth, I sowed mine on bonfire-night and these are just starting to surface.
I would just say that if yours get too leggy, just add a few twigs to support them. -
Message 45
Posted by halftidy (U8567554) on Tuesday, 15th November 2011
I too sowed that weekend and they have just shot up! They seem quite strong but as soon as they have two pairs of proper leaves and I pinch out the growing tips I assume they will bulk up and slow the rush upwards - maybe the greenhouse might be cooler than the polytunnel? I will collect some little twigs just in case they are needed!
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Message 46
Posted by halftidy (U8567554) on Tuesday, 15th November 2011
ooops just checked - it was the previous weekend!
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Message 47
Posted by peter-francis (U14241999) on Thursday, 17th November 2011
I wonder if anyone can help me with a large (and increasing!) problem we have.
About 10 years or more ago, someone who came to stay gave us one of those nice little stephanotis plants, all twined around its little wire cage. Now I have normally managed to kill these off in about 6 months, but this one really likes where it is and it has grown and grown and grown etc etc untill it completely blocks out the light from the window where it sits.
There is of course one solution which is chuck it out, but I noticed today that there is a good strong shoot just appearing from the base of the original "trunk".
If, when this shoot gets a bit bigger we were to prune the rest right down, does anyone know if it would survive?
Thanks
P -
Message 48
Posted by Leaping Badger (U3587940) on Thursday, 17th November 2011
Hi Peter, lovely to see you. I've never even heard of this plant of yours, so think it would be foolish of me to offer advice, but sure that someone will be able to help.
'Ö' -
Message 49
Posted by peter-francis (U14241999) on Thursday, 17th November 2011
Stephanotis (affectionately known in this house as 'stuff and nonsense') has clusters of the most exquisitely scented white trumpety flowers, Badge. See
They are very popular for brides' bouquets and I well remember, several decades ago when I was florist's moll, having to pick the flowers off the stems and wire them up so they could be made into bouquets. Surprisingly I still adore the scent.
P -
Message 50
Posted by DeeKay Bee - Disenfranchised (U236881) on Thursday, 17th November 2011
It sounds as if heavy pruning is unlikely to work, though you could perhaps try doing it in stages. If the alternative is to chuck it out you've nothing to lose really. Apparently pruning should be done late winter/early spring.
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