Monday, 15 January 2024

Looking in the Seed Tin

 Investigating what seeds are  needed for growing this year is not as much fun as it once was. My tin used to be full of packets as we grew almost everything, now I don't need so much.



I'll be growing much the same as last year........ tomatoes, cucumber, sweet peppers and aubergines in the greenhouse. French climbing and runner beans plus beetroot, courgettes, leeks, sweetcorn and butternut squash in the garden. 
There's no point growing onions here and as the purple sprouting broccoli has been completely decimated by pigeons it seems little point in trying to grow any over wintering 'greens'. I spent ages protecting the plants all summer and they still looked sad and fell over and unless I have a tall walk in netting cage for winter, I'm never going to have any success here. It's going to be much cheaper to buy rather than grow and I can have more variety that way too.

So all I need to buy are  more beetroot, pepper, tomato, sweetcorn and squash seeds and that's about it. Although if I see early leek seedlings at the pet and garden shop in Diss like I found last year I'll get them and just grow later ones from seed.

I'll buy  parsley and basil plants from the supermarket later. Splitting the parsley seedlings and growing them outside and in the greenhouse and propagating basil cuttings in water to make several plants for the greenhouse.

Back Tomorrow
Sue

 


30 comments:

  1. Sounds like a good selection to me. Using supermarket plants as starters is a good idea, especially for the hit and miss parsley. I've had some lovely mints from the supermarket too. Are the birds the problem why you don't grow onions? I used to grow shallots to pickle as a Christmas treat.

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    1. I'm short of space and onions are relatively cheap so better to use the space for other things

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  2. Both Basil and Parsley as re hard to grow from seed so I buy from the supermarkets too. I haven't split the plants I yet, I shall give that a try. I did grow some potatoes in bags one year. Much green foliage but very little actual potatoes. Tomatoes much more successful and they have some taste too.

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    1. The Parsley pots from the greenhouse are just seedlings so they can be split and potted into bigger pots and fresh compost to last much longer

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  3. Most of the garden centres are selling seeds for half price at the moment so it's a good time to get them. I didn't need any more seeds but did buy a packet of black tomatoes to try. I can never leave a garden centre empty handed!

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    1. I need to get to the garden centre for compost ready for March sowing

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  4. As I still have a holey greenhouse, and am waiting for the replacement glass, I can't start off things early as I was planning (Heritage tomatoes for one). I have to chase that up. It is partly my fault as I didn't notice a reply to an email - it was hidden further down the page - and then no broadband for a fortnight.

    My veg will be runner and French beans, spuds, peppers, tomatoes and lots of cucumbers. Some salad stuff too. Keith is not a veg eater!

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    1. Really hope your greenhouse is sorted soon - so frustrating

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  5. I shall try Parsley this year. I might attempt colourful heritage tomatoes too

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    1. Parsley is a pain from seed. Much easier to buy a pot, split and repot

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  6. It's always exciting to be looking at seeds, so much joy to come.

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    Replies
    1. I do miss growing all sorts of other things and having room for experimenting

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  7. Pleasant thoughts of things to come.

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  8. You are well organised and hopefully you’ll get started soon. We have had some snow overnight with a lot forecast for tomorrow so I can’t even tidy up in the garden. Catriona

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    1. It will be March before I start things in the electric propagator

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  9. Onions always seem to take up lots of room , can be pulled out by birds in the early stages and are relatively cheap in the supermarket so we don't grow them anymore. Your list seems to contain very similar to ours but the greenhouse really is on its last legs so I'm not sure about putting my heart and soul into them this year, and I'll so miss the tomatoes, I've never successfully grown outdoor toms.
    Alison in Wales x

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    1. I would miss a greenhouse - had it on order before I even moved in!

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  10. You certainly enjoy your gardening, Sue. I don't do any of that and have never had much luck when I did try which is probably why I gave up on it.
    Hope you have much success this year!

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    1. There are successes and failures each year but I just keep trying

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  11. You have a very good gardening plan and know exactly what you want to plant and what you will be able to use. Sorry that the broccoli didn't do well for you.

    God bless.

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  12. You have a good solid plan for growing. I will buy small herb plants in the Spring just as you recommended. Last year, my herbs grew well. My big project will be installing an electric fence around the fruit trees to stop the wildlife from eating all the fruit overnight.

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    1. It's pigeons who do so much damage here - they are very greedy

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  13. I enjoy hearing you describe your gardening plans. It is a good reminder that spring is coming!

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    1. Yes - hopefully - just a couple more months until I can get started

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  14. I have a seed draer, which is shared with half empty blister packets of ibuprofen!

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  15. We used to be almost self sufficient in vegetables (like you were), but, through different reasons, that has dwindled over the years and now the only vegetable I grow is silverbeet! Have fun with your veggie patch while you can :)

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    1. I'll keep trying - hopefully a few more years yet

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  16. I hope you show us what you do grow. I'd love to know some tips and such. I am hoping to grow something, anything this year, but it will depend on how much I'm actually going to be home.

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