Just wanted to thank everyone for their invaluable advice at the start of the growing season.
I don't have an allotment but am trying growing things for the first time this year in containers.
I don't know if I've done things right, or if I'm too early or late with some things, but I have lots of things growing.
Outside, I have radish ready for harvest this weekend (they look good enough now, but daren't pluck them yet, just giving them an extra few days), peas have just started flowering today (should I do anything to them?), French Beans just poking up through the soil, Early Potatoes (Pentland Javelin) not too big yet but putting on healthy growth, Spring Onions, Mixed Lettuce Leaves, Carrots, sown at the weekend (I have put glass over the pot).
In the greenhouse I have Tomato (Ailsa Craig and Alicante) potted up in their final pots, Tomato (Tumbler) now large and in a hanging basket (a flower has just opened today), Leeks (now 'thickening up nicely).
Indoors I have Tomatoes (Marmande and Tigerella, thank you to whoever included these seeds in the first seed swap, I had fancied growing Tigerella but couldn't find the seeds anywhere). I have just planted Tomato (Gardener's Delight) today. Cucumber (Salad Bush), Physalis (Cape Gooseberry and Tomatillo) thank you Amazin and Georgie, and Parsnips.
Also indoors and in the greenhouse I have various bedding plants, Petunia, Busy Lizzie, Aster, Nemesia, French Marigolds, Geraniums and Nasturtiums, Mesembryanthemums among others.
The one thing I would love to have a go at is Sweetcorn as I just love it, but can't find a container big enough to grow it in. I have been watching on Freecycle for someone offering a half barrel, but haven't come across one yet.
Thanks everyone for all the help you have given me in getting started. I'm sure I will have alot more questions along the way!!!
Jo.
Hey Jo, that sounds really impressive. ;D I'd say just leave your peas to 'get on with it' and as for the sweetcorn, one plant to a 12" pot should do it.
G x
Thanks for that Georgie. I never thought of planting the Sweetcorn seperately. I take it I should keep the pots together for pollination purposes. How few plants can I get away with sowing? Would I need alot of plants?
Oh, forgot in my last post, I also have garlic and beetroot growing ;D
Jo.
I've been told that I should be able to get away with four in a square so that's what I'm going to try this year. But I should imagine you would have a better chance of success with more plants. And yes, beetroot and garlic are very happy in pots. :)
In addition to the crops you are growing, I'm also growing chillies, watercress, celery, Greek cress, courgettes, raspberries, strawberries, half pint peas and runner bean hestia in pots. ;D
Hope this thread encourages others without an allotment to have a go at growing their own edibles.
G x
Thanks Georgie, I'm definitely going to have a go at Sweetcorn now. Any advice on the type to try? Reading other threads on Sweetcorn I presume that I need an early variety?
Yes, I forgot, I'm also growing Chilli's and also Sweet Peppers.
I agree with you, anyone who doesn't have an allotment should try growing in pots. It's giving me so much enjoyment seeing the little seeds popping their heads above the soil and growing into healthy plants.
Jo.
Hi Jo. I was given some sweetcorn seeds in a swap. The variety is Supersweet F1 which I will be sowing outside in May. I have no idea if it is a good type for pots but it has two chances eh? ;)
I'm also trying Chinese Artichokes (which I forgot to mention earlier). The list of possibilities is endless I reckon. :)
I've been wanting to post some pictures of my little babies but for some strange reason I'm having trouble starting a new thread at the moment. I'll keep trying.
G x
Ooooh, keep trying Georgie, I love to see pictures. I'm particularly interested in seeing your veggies growing in pots.
I forgot to mention in my earlier posts that you had given me alot of inspiration the night that I 'spoke' to you in chat. Having never grown anything edible (except tomatoes last year) before, I found it really helpful to hear from someone who had grown in pots successfully.
I'm going to have a look around the shops at the weekend and see which Sweetcorn variety I fancy (unless someone else fancies joining in this thread and giving me some advice ;) lol).
Jo.
<blushes> Awww, thanks for that. Still can't start a thread but I have just posted a picture of my chillies in the chilli thread. Don't really like doing that though because it looks like boasting! ??? ::) :P
G x
Don't be silly, it isn't boasting at all, newbies to all this, like me, enjoy seeing what can be achieved, and lots of the things that I have growing I don't have a clue what they should be looking like so it gives me a benchmark to go on.
I hope you do manage to post some more photo's as I'd be really interested to see them.
Jo.
Oh, I'm very silly! ;D
I've just managed to start a thread in the Gallery - hope you like it. :)
G x
I don't have a lottie, and only have a very short, shady border in my garden. Its really inspiring to hear how much other people are growing in such limited conditions. I'm having a go, but struggle with the balance between what I want to grow.....and what I can grow! :-\
I think it would be a good idea to have a seperate section for container growing.
The problems, considerations and choice of varieties are very different when you have such limited root/growing space. Container growing is a natural starting point for many budding fruit/veg gardeners, especially as allotments are at a premium in many areas at the moment (I'm at the wrong end of a 7 year waiting list!). ::)
In the mean time....keep the tips and inspiration coming! 8)
Hi creckless. Half of my garden is in shade too so I empaphise. I've been experimenting for a few years now an it's amazing how many edibles are happy to grow in such conditions. What would you like to grow?
G x
Hi Georgie. Remember I also said I was going to try some edibles in pots this year. I have started, although a little late due to holiday. Strawberry plants (4) in a trough, have sown carrots, beetroot, radish so far. More to sow tomorrow. Fingers crossed :)
oh, that's it, lorna, the rot's set in now, happy growing, hope you get a bumper harvest ;D
Hi Manic, I also have a small area for veg but still have to do raised beds, just haven't had the chance to get "boards" from son's workshop. Have got all the runner bean canes up (with lots of nice rotted horse poo in the trench :)) also got one of those HUGE bags that they deliver sand in from a neighbour. Plenty of manure in the bottom,then used some spent compost and now have to top up with fresh compost and voila ready for my Atlantic Giant Pumpkins.(kindly supplied by Rosy Red). You lot (meant in the kindest way) will make a gardener of me yet!! ;D
Lorna
Hey Lorna, you are doing well. :) What have you sown today?
G x
Georgie have you tried celery before think i might give it a try also going to try Greek cress will have a look online for the seed later.
Joanne
Hi Joanne. I grew celery in pots for the first time last year and it was very successful. The variety was Galaxy Lathom self-blanching. If you only want a few I think I might have some spare seed. And Greek Cress is great. Up in a couple of days and ready to eat in about 5-7 days. ;D
G x
Georgie. I didn't keep to my plan!! I actually dug over part of the veg area which was quite hard going, I then put some sweet peas out, thought I would chance them as I have quite a few as backups. Also rigged up the net for sweet peas.
BTW I have got good germination on the evening primrose seeds you sent me, you may remember I wasn't very successful with them last year.
Lorna.
Eek Lorna, digging, wot's that? ;D
Your Sweet Peas should be fine outdoors now. I swore never to grow them again because they always seem to get mildew but then I spotted a dwarf trailing variety called Sugar and Spice and I couldn't resist. I've popped them in a hanging basket with a cutting I'd taken of Fuchsia Tom Thumb planted in the middle. I'm hoping it will be a winning comination but I've never tried summer hanging baskets - another thing I said I'd never do. ;)
Glad the Evening Primrose have germinated for you. I'll be growing mine through the cat mint again this year as I liked the combination. See, I've even manged to get back on topic - the cats eat it! :D
G x
Jo, sweetcorn in pots can be done as long as your garden is sunny.Plant 6 plants to a very large pot in heavily manured soil, minimum 12 inches deep for regularcorn 8 inches for baby corn.Personally I would plant in something like an oblong plastic storage container or the black boxes we get for our re-cyclables from the council,then plant in a six block of 2+2+2. Be prepared to feed and water it well.
Good Luck XX Jeannine
Thanks Jeannine. The problem I'm having is finding a suitable container to grow Sweetcorn in. Georgie suggested planting each plant seperately in 12" pots, but put together, if you know what I mean.
Perhpas you could advise on the best corn to grow in containers. Reading other threads on Sweetcorn it would seem that I need an early variety? And, do I sow now?
Jo.
That might be OK too, I have done it the other way, you do have to feed well though.Send me your addy I will send you some of the seeds I got from the US on Monday. XX Jeannine
Thank you so much Jeannine,
Jo.
Jeannine can i just ask how many cobs do you get from a plant might give this a try as i have a plastic storage container from wilkos so am i looking for a early variety?
Joanne it depends on the variety. The older open pollinated ones only give 1. The newer hybrids can give up to 4 depending on which one. Personally I prefer ones that give 2, I think the size is less if they get too many and I want quality not quantity. The majority of commercial corn is a 2 cob plant for the same reason. The male tassel at the top has to work hard to pollinate the ladies and the it is more difficult with multi cobs, except for mini corn that doesn't get pollinated anyway. The mjority of corn you buy now will give you 2. XX Jeannine Pm you addy, I will send you some too
Thanks for the info and for the offer of some seeds