Hi all Allotment4all-ers!
My hubby & I are planning to grow in our back garden this year - does this count as a very close-to-home allotment??? Hope so!
Anyone got any hints or tips on where & when to start a herb garden? We tried growing some from seed in pots on our Sotuh-facing patio last year, but it all either didn't grow or bolted, & everything eventually died. I'd like to get some in the ground or in a collection of bigger pots this year, any advice would be helpful!!
Thanks!
Pinky
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hi pinky. of course you count. lots of members of this forum grow in their gardens. ia herb garden sounds like a super idea; i will leave expert advise about herbs to someone else as i am not great with herbs. but hello anyway. :)
Hello Pink Wellies and welcome from me too
Check out A4A member Tee Gee's website, he lists everything in alpha order for easy to follow guides and photos.
http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Indexes/index.htm
Welcome to the madhouse Pinky, garden, allotment or window box you can join in as long as your a bit crazy. :P :P :P :P :P ;D ;D ;D
Hi Pinkwellies. Welcome aboard from me too. Look forward to hearing of your progress.
Twinkletoes
Hello Pinkwellies
You don't need an allotment to join, but might find one handy once you've started, so many seeds to grow.... ;D
Glad the question was asked - Wife wants a new, better Herb Garden!!
Hi Pinky and welcome. At the last count I was growing over 30 herbs in my small garden, many of them in pots. My advice would be to get a really good book because like other plants, different herbs have different needs. I'd recommend any of Jekka McVicar's books because she covers all aspects of herb growing and their uses. I grow most of mine from seed or cuttings although I'm occasionally tempted by small plants at my local nursery which usually cost around £1. I've usually got spare seed so if you let me know what you are after I'll see what I can do. :)
G x
hiya, pinky, nice to meet you..I've grown a few herbs, I used to kill them with kindness, since I've left them alone, they've done well ;D
Welcome and Hi. I have two lotties but for reasons I won't bore you with now I am also doing a project about growing in pots so am planning to do as much as I can. Currently collecting mini veggie varieties suitable for in pots. Will still have the lotties though.
Have fun here and don't be afraid to ask, there is always someone who will cherrfully help,they are a grand bunch.
XX Jeannine
hello pinkwellies i too have a back garden rather then a lottie and i can vouch to say that everyone on here has been wonderful i love it lottie or nottie ;D
My contribution to this subject isn't directly suited. But I'd just like to say that every time I travel by train I'm so surprised at the number of unused, derelict, overgrown and desolate back gardens.
Everyone sitting on a small gold mine and ignoring a wonderful hobby.
Welcome, pinkwellies. I'm also a not-very-successful herb grower and would like to grow more this year. A lot of them like fairly dry conditions so it's no wonder they didn't do too well last summer! I got one of Jekka McVicar's books for Christmas so am hoping for better things! Maybe we can compare notes.
Hi Pinkwellies. If you're not too confident about growing from seed, you might want to buy some small plants to start off. Then you can see early on whereabouts they're best suited to - full sun, semi shade, dryish, wettish, etc - and position them accordingly.
By the way, I started growing veg in the garden and it wasn't long before it was beginning to take over from the flowers and fruit! I joined this forum during that time, and shortly afterwards I found any number of reasons why I HAD to have an allotment - mainly from looking at pics of other people's allotments on A4A!
You too will become obsessed - you have been warned!
;D
hello and welcome!
Last year was my first year and I worked out that some things grow well from seed but that for things where you just want one or two, like courgettes or a particular tomato plant, it's quicker and easier to buy a plant.
I would say your seeds got too hot, they don't like that much heat really, a cool light windowsill is probably better for most things.
Plan your garden well, climbing things that can climb and planting"catch crops" (i.e. planting fast growing things where slow growing things will eventually fill a a space, so you can make your first harvest then leave your main crop to finish growing).
I am sure you will enjoy it, growing veg is a higly satisfactory way to spend your time ;)
You're all completely maaaaad :o (runs in the opposite direction). I have a feeling I'm gonna fit right in......... :P (sheepishly returns)
Thanks everyone for the welcomes & the helpful tips - I'm having a look online at the almanac, and also for some Jekka M books. I think our plan will be to buy some small herb plants this year to speed things along & circumvent the demoralisation caused by seedling death (plus I always feel so guilty...). Other plans include getting some Linkabord to make easy raised beds for veggies, and learning more about how to grow flowers. And trying to work out how to make a small kitchen windowsill into a propagation zone! I'll let you know how we get on.
We are looking forward to becoming addicted!!!
I'm afraid I usually "cheat" with thyme by buying plants, but grow the rest from seed.
And don't forget to grow up as well as along - trellises, shelves and containers - that's what walls were invented for, you know.
;D