FAO GEORGIE AND THIFASMOM - TAGETES TRIAL?

[Hyacinth]

Hello both,

I remembered the autumn-planting tagetes experiment you both did way back in the autumn, and Georgie, you said you'd report back - if someone reminded you....

Well.......... 

HELLO !!!

;D

[Hyacinth]

[thifasmom]

mine were doing well, got to about 2" high then with the snows in January even though they had a propagator cover and fleece over them they still succumbed to the cold and died :'(. actually the only thing to survive the temps in my greenhouse this winter was my parsley plants i overwintered for fresh pickings and they weren't even fleeced :-\.

George have you done any better?

[ceres]

actually the only thing to survive the temps in my greenhouse this winter was my parsley plants i overwintered for fresh pickings and they weren't even fleeced :-\.

My flat leaved parsley, outdoors on the plot, sailed through 8" of snow and the sub-zero temps without any protection.  Still going strong and getting fresh pickings.

[Hyacinth]

My parsley, both curled and flat-leaf are wonderful and show no damage - unfortunately the 'frost-free' terracotta parsley pots they are in,  succumbed :'(

oh, I forgot..the marigolds....so,  worth trying once, but not worth repeating, then. :(

[thifasmom]

i also left some in the ground outside but did cover with plastic bell cloches and they have also survived the snowfalls and severe frosts we've had this winter so it appears parsley is much more resilient than i thought, i was of the impression they were not frost hardy.

i have decided to let them flower so as to collect the seed and hopefully they will also self sow themselves around the garden as well :).

[Georgie]

Thanks for the reminder, Hyacynth, but I'm afraid it's bad news here too.  Mine started off well and got to second true leaves stage but then one by one, from about mid October,  they were eaten by slugs/snails.   :(  On the other hand all the Parsely seedlings are fine but I won't be repeating the Tagetes experiment again.

G x

[Hyacinth]

Thanks a lot for the feedback. What a pity it didn't work out - I grow heaps of tagetes as companions and it would have been worth getting the job out of the way in the Autumn...

[amphibian]

Parsley's tough as old boots, mine survived being buried under the snow and temperatures down to -10°C. Surprisingly my oregano has stayed in leaf all winter.

[Hyacinth]

Surprisingly my oregano has stayed in leaf all winter.

SNAP! Extraordinary, isn't it?

[thifasmom]

Surprisingly my oregano has stayed in leaf all winter.

SNAP! Extraordinary, isn't it?

mine stayed green only at the base where this year's growth will erupt from.

[Hyacinth]

.....furthermore, I've been watching clumps of chives grow during this past week....cheese & chive omelette tomorrow, then 8)

[thifasmom]

yes my chives are also waking up. we are to have some pleasent weather tomorrow so i think i  will be splitting and replanting the clumps as i think they need it.

[manicscousers]

my garlic chives seem to be up before the normal chives so something for on me butties, along with the mustard 'n' cress  ;D