Grow Your Own

I'm interested in seeing if any if your store bought saved seeds take, as most of them are F1 hybrids and don't take to regrowth.

Good job on your garden, sounds amazing!

I'm interested in seeing if any if your store bought saved seeds take, as most of them are F1 hybrids and don't take to regrowth.

Good job on your garden, sounds amazing!

We've tried a few that haven't done anything, but if the seeds sprout, doesn't that mean they're not hybrid?  Or could they germinate but not produce fruit?   

No tomatoe will ever taste as good as your own home-grown tomatoes 

I thought my tomatillos were a no-hoper after the cold spring, but they're really taking off in this heat! I may have salsa verde yet come August.

Other stuff I'm eating:
lettuce
rainbow chard
strawberries (now done)
blueberries
peas
carrots
radishes (now done)

And my Meyer lemon tree I got for my birthday in March has got tons of little lemons all over it, and it started a second flowering in the heat. The bumblebees are crawling all over it!

Ooooh, I'm loving this summer for growing!

I've been pulling amazing strawberries, chard, spinach, lettuces, potatoes (nothing like homegrown potatoes!!), carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, turnips, beetroots, and patty pan squash (yum!!!).  Much more up and coming! Wheee!!

I thought my tomatillos were a no-hoper after the cold spring, but they're really taking off in this heat! I may have salsa verde yet come August.

Other stuff I'm eating:
lettuce
rainbow chard
strawberries (now done)
blueberries
peas
carrots
radishes (now done)

And my Meyer lemon tree I got for my birthday in March has got tons of little lemons all over it, and it started a second flowering in the heat. The bumblebees are crawling all over it!

Ooooh, I'm loving this summer for growing!

I've been pulling amazing strawberries, chard, spinach, lettuces, potatoes (nothing like homegrown potatoes!!), carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, turnips, beetroots, and patty pan squash (yum!!!).  Much more up and coming! Wheee!!

Oh boy your gardens are doing great squirrellypoo and phatbeetle!
I am looking forward to having my own little vegetable patch next summer 

I'm hoping one of the gardening experts on here can help me.  I have a chili plant that has been a huge pain. First it had little silver spiders on it, which sent it outside until I could rid them. Next the slugs came. Grrr... Now the plant has been granted access back into my conservatory, but its leaves are drooping horribly. The thing that is confusing me is it seems to be producing more and more peppers. What could be causing this? The peppers are tiny, but there is a lot of them.

I can think of a few things.... though I am far from an expert....

Which leaves? Top or bottom? 

Have a look, do you have tiny little bugs on the leaves? That could be aphids or greenfly -  if so, spray them with a mixture of water, olive oil and drop of soap.  Marigolds are good at keeping the aphids away as well, as they don't like the smell.

Or how often are you watering?  Are the bottom leaves yellowing and falling? That could be overwatering.  Try and cut back your watering - the soil should be damp, but never heavy with water. 

Are the top leaves falling off? That may mean you aren't feeding them enough.  Try giving them something like an organic seaweed feed once a week and see if that helps.

Good luck!   

Time for planting winter veg! 

I have been so pleased with the pickings from my allotment this year! 

I've never planted a winter garden before, but I've pulled up one of the beds of tomato plants (wrapping the green ones in newspapers to ripen) and it's looking a bit forlorn sitting there empty! What types of things should grow well in a winter garden? I know lettuces and I'm guessing broccoli, but what else?

Thanks in advance! 

Kale, greens like rocket or land cress or mustard greens, winter-spring cabbages, peas, spinach, chard,  quick growing broccoli-like calabrese (purple sprouting should already be in as it takes a long time), winter -hardy lettuces,broad beans
 
Onions, spring onions and garlic can go in for overwintering

Other Lettuces and potatoes can go in -but will need frost protection

A winter garden sounds so nice & cozy!
Oh phatbeetle you have planted a seed in my head (pun intended haha)  and I am now thinking I will try for a winter garden when I arrive at the end of October, it might be too late, but its worth a try! 

More peas it is then! 

Our bunnies will be very happy with me planting kale, mustard, and some lettuce for them as well.

Kale, greens like rocket or land cress or mustard greens, winter-spring cabbages, peas, spinach, chard,  quick growing broccoli-like calabrese (purple sprouting should already be in as it takes a long time), winter -hardy lettuces,broad beans
 
Onions, spring onions and garlic can go in for overwintering

Other Lettuces and potatoes can go in -but will need frost protection

Have done a bit of reading since yesterday about winter gardening, oh how I wish I had the room to plant a big proper garden! We signed up for an allotment, but I think I will be old & gray by the time the list gets to us     So based on my lack of space and lack of time  I will only do garlic & onions this year. I am really looking forward to my little garden now, I never would have thought to do this and I am glad you brought it up! 

Good luck Mrs_T_M and Stephanie303 with your winter gardens. It is so satisfying to eat veg that you lovingly grew yourself!