Called into that favorite shop Wilko's today and bought ...
Yellow Gooseberry plant, Rhubarb Red Canadian plant, Garlic Allium Elephant bulbs and Onions Allium bulbs. ;D
Now what do I do and when? ???
Wish I had a Wilkinsons!!!!!!!!!
I would say get the fruit bushes in, weather permitting. Bubby would like plenty of well rotted compost forked into and around the planting hole, give it a good start. Goosegog bush, again I would say plenty of organic matter in the ground. Is it a standard or a bushy one? Just wondering if it might need a small stake just whilst it settles in....
Hephalump garlic, get it in! Dig little holes and plonk each clove in, pointy bit skywards! ;D Cover and leave them to it. At some point I think they will need a little extra fertilser, so hopefully someone will answer this for the both of us! The honions I would hold back on planting just a bit longer. I am resisting the urge to plant mine and have them in our dark unheated spare room currently. If they are sprouting however, I think you should probably put them in. Of course, you could always start the onions off in pots!
Blimey that was quick, thanks Emma, Presumably get them all in now except the Goosegogs and Hunions (you bin drinkin?) ;D
EJ -you know there's a Wilkos in Chelmsford? I only get in there 3 or 4 times a year though, and never at the right time. I prefer to support the village ironmongers -use it or lose it.
Jeremy
I've never seen a Wilkos in Brum, Roy. :o Where is it? Do you know if there's more than one? :-\
I've been here three years now and always end up going to Wilkos when I'm in Nottingham, but it kind of defeats the whole money saving element to go to Nottm specially! :D
I don't get into Chelmsford terribly often Jeremy, lazy bones that I am, I tend to use the little local shops and villages, speaking of which, farmers market in south woodham ferrers on Feb 11th! Must not forget!!
I would plant the gooseygog now, weather permitting, Roy. Mine went in at Christmas time, my sis got it for me for my birthday and she had it sitting on her patio in a pot for ages. Me, drinking, never touch the stuff! (need pinnochio smiley now! :-X)
Quote from: newchangeling on February 03, 2005, 11:34:20
I've never seen a Wilkos in Brum, Roy. :o Where is it? Do you know if there's more than one? :-\
I've been here three years now and always end up going to Wilkos when I'm in Nottingham, but it kind of defeats the whole money saving element to go to Nottm specially! :D
There are four Wilko's near me the nearest being in Halesowen although quite small the remaining three are large stores, Northfield, Stourbridge and Dudley the latter having two levels. 8)
Try this link and put in your location...http://www.wilko.co.uk/stores
That's briliant, Roy. Ta muchly! :D
uhoh. I've found their website, which lead me to find out there are ones in Dagenham, Romford and Stratford. uhoh....
(do they sell seed spuds? I'm beginning to think my source of spuds has fallen through. Where is Phil Cooper?)
Thanks EJ -prompted me to a bit of googling...and I found that we're going to get a farmers mareket -or at least the gentry are ;D
http://essexfarmersmarkets.com/
Jeremy
Quote from: aquilegia on February 03, 2005, 15:50:54
uhoh. I've found their website, which lead me to find out there are ones in Dagenham, Romford and Stratford. uhoh....
(do they sell seed spuds? I'm beginning to think my source of spuds has fallen through. Where is Phil Cooper?)
Yes but didn't catch the price, plus B&Q sell 2.5 kg bags @ £2.99 each 8)
Quote from: aquilegia on February 03, 2005, 15:50:54
(do they sell seed spuds? I'm beginning to think my source of spuds has fallen through. Where is Phil Cooper?)
Yes - £2.49 for 3kg maincrop, £2.69 for 3 kg earlies (and 13% discount if you can get a member of staff to buy them for you ;)) Mine arriving today, will be merrily chitting away by this time tomorrow...
ooh - I never thought B&Q would sell them. Come on Mr Aqui - we've got a shopping trip this weekend.
Back at the original query - on gooseberries.
They should go in as soon as possible (providing the ground isn't frozen)
Prepare it well - the bush should be there for some time - plenty of compost/well rotted FYM in the planting hole with some Fish Blood and Bone as a slow release balanced feriliser.
You should cut back the tips of the branches and don't allow any fruit this year - remove flowers when they appear
Phil (Sorry for disappearnce - busy with potatoes and moving aged parents)
Please excuse my earlier panic Phil! Patience was never a virtue of mine! Mr Aqui will be pleased that we can cancel the shopping trip now.
Thanks for that Phil, I have to wait a couple of weeks for manure to arrive and not sure if its well rotted, so was wondering if I could mix chicken poo, phostrogen or organic once a year plant food with the compost for the gooseberry planting? ??? :)
I bought my seed pots from Wilkos - Desiree and Arran Pilot.
I have also had my Mum on 'Wilko alert' for asparagus and she got some for me today!!!
3 crowns for £1.99..... how many do I need for a decent crop, as she only bought a pack of 3 ...AHERM.... ;D
Debs
I have returned home with goodies from wilkos today too :) Some Honeyoye strawbs, some compost accelerator, some seed tray inserts and some vermiculite. Just over a fiver!
Also got some of B&Qs peat free compost for seed sowing.
There is a Wilcos in the Kingfisher shopping centre in Reddich.  If you live on the south side of Birmingham it might be O.K. for you. Wish you had not remined me of them. Will just have to go. It is free parking on Sundays.