Hi Gang,
Well as were not under x number of inches of snow i was wondering if i should be cracking on with things in the garden and getting seeds started or do you think that the weather still has a lot to chuck at us??
Cam
I think end if Febuary good time to start planting seed for tos, cucumbers, leeks, lettice, beetroot things that are going to be planted outside begining of april means they have had a good start inside. But that suits our weather in south wales it will differ greatly across the country but I would say end of Febuary :)
We don't know what winter's got in store for us yet. I'm not even going to think about it till the end of February, and then only the toughest seeds, like BB's, under cover, if it's still mild.
Thanks guys the seed box has been talking to me :) hehe i will tell it to be quiet for a little longer :)
Looking at metcheck looks like were in for some pretty high winds week after next so might try and batten down the hatches a little more :)
I have never seen a white xmas except the year I went skiing. But I have seen several white Easters. I do not think we have done with winter just yet. ::)
I think that the warm weather is getting us all confused. It might be warm but there is very little light about the place.
If you want to sow something can I suggest some sprouting beans.
I got a seed catalogue from T&M through the post and it has also given me itchy fingers.
i judge my seed start based on my last frost date for most things.
it all depends on hardiness of plants in question and the day length.
It was only a 2 or 3 years ago the snow stared on my birthday, 1st Feb.
I've started some onions in pots indoors, but that is purely because of my itchy fingers.
I always go for meek as the bruises from kicking myself for wasting seeds can be a bit painful. Like the other posters I would go for February and have less bruises ;D
I am always to eager to get sowing stuff but this year I will not be sowing anything at all until 1st April when we get back from our hols. I feel very guilty about it but I'm sure that I will get over it.
March/April for me, but would like to see a long cold freezing spell to get rid of the nasties, :)
Sowed some onions on the windowsill on 29th. Don't anticipate any other sowings till February.
I have also sown some of these mixed salad leaves (http://www.thompson-morgan.com/vegetables/vegetable-seeds/salad-seeds/salad-leaves-stir-fry-mixed/351TM) don't count as they will stay on the window sill, but if you have itchy fingers then why not try these or some herbs that will be happy indoors.
I am worried that there is not enough light and they will just end up leggy, but no harm in trying.
Yes, it might be mild at the moment, but end of January..begining of February we always get cold spell that is almost quaranteed to finish off any early sowings that are exposed to that weather.
I feel as you do..eager to get all my wonderful 'new' seeds going. But while I'm waiting to start that mammoth task again..I'm calming down my urges by doing some sprouted seeds like alfa alfa and I've already got container of mushrooms 'cooking' up. Just ordered some more spawn and I'm going to do more mushroom containers.. ;D..desperate times.. ;D
yes,meNjude are gagging to get going in our new poly as well as GH but we,ll sit on our hands till better weather me thinks....feb/march.....hopefully.
Goodlife if youve any tips on how to do them bloomin mushies "im all ears" as ours failed miserably this season even though I followed the directions.
we tried suttons MUSHROOM dry spawn in a seperate compost bin and covered it in black plastic sheeting after laying damp newspaper over the newly sown spawn.....just never worked,I did keep a temp guage in the bin and it fluctuated tween 8 to 15 degrees so maybe it was too cold to get growing....dont really know.
GazNJude
Not thinking of seeds yet, but the mild weather makes me want to get out and dig, but the ground is too wet- frustrating! >:(
I am the same, much too wet, can hardly stand up on the steep parts.
It is a lot easier when it is cold but dry, unless the ground is actualy frozen.
Gazza..I 'sow' spawn onto spent shredded straw from chicken shed that I 'sterilize' first with boiling water. The spawn is left to grow all over the straw in warm place (room temperature) and once white with mycelium its then covered with inch layer of multipurpose compost. I keep the compost on damp side and move the container into slightly cooler place (unheated spare room) and that's it. I takes few weeks for the mushrooms to pop up once the compost is on.
It is that chance of temperature from quite warm to cool that 'kick' the mushrooms on growth... ;)
we tried suttons MUSHROOM dry spawn in a seperate compost bin and covered it in black plastic sheeting after laying damp newspaper over the newly sown spawn
Try other way round..let the spawn colonize shredded newspaper (soak it in water with few chicken pellets crumbled on and let it worst of the water drain out first) and use compost (compost bin stuff is fine) on top once the mycelium is spread on paper.
You can buy mushroom spawn from Ebay for really good price...cheaper than from seed companies.
And..I find doing mushrooms 'boxes' much more succesful in winter in house then trying to do it any other time of the year...must the the temperature in house that works.
Just bought some sweet pea seeds which say start in Oct - January. I think they can satisfy my need to sow something.
Also bought a packet of mung beans from Sainsburys. Huge packet for 71p lets hope they sprout ok.
Quote from: goodlife on December 31, 2011, 11:44:41
Gazza..I 'sow' spawn onto spent shredded straw from chicken shed that I 'sterilize' first with boiling water. The spawn is left to grow all over the straw in warm place (room temperature) and once white with mycelium its then covered with inch layer of multipurpose compost. I keep the compost on damp side and move the container into slightly cooler place (unheated spare room) and that's it. I takes few weeks for the mushrooms to pop up once the compost is on.
It is that chance of temperature from quite warm to cool that 'kick' the mushrooms on growth... ;)
we tried suttons MUSHROOM dry spawn in a seperate compost bin and covered it in black plastic sheeting after laying damp newspaper over the newly sown spawn
Try other way round..let the spawn colonize shredded newspaper (soak it in water with few chicken pellets crumbled on and let it worst of the water drain out first) and use compost (compost bin stuff is fine) on top once the mycelium is spread on paper.
You can buy mushroom spawn from Ebay for really good price...cheaper than from seed companies.
And..I find doing mushrooms 'boxes' much more succesful in winter in house then trying to do it any other time of the year...must the the temperature in house that works.
Goodlife, are you growing buttons in this way or oysters? Sounds very similar to the way I've grown oysters (and the bit about getting spawn from ebay is spot on). With 4 big trees worth of woodchip to play with massive amounts of mushroom production is a big goal this year.
well both..I like my brown 'ordinary' mushies...and now trying first time King oysters.
BTW..I think we 'talked' earlier on back at 'downsizers' about chillies.. ;D..my brain only just made the connection who you are.. ;D
All my good plans have gone to 'pot'..I just had to sow few seeds..and that is Tai Haku's fault.
I've sown just few chillie seeds to calm my early urges down.. ;D
Oh how nice it is to write few labels and get some Jiffys to expand..simple pleasures are best.
Now I have something to keep eye on every now and then..err..everytime I go upstairs.. :-X
GROWING SEASON IS ON! ;D ;D ;D
I might try some mixed salad leaves too. I wonder if a domestic spot light would be enough for some added light?
Duke
Well i have tried to go out twice to get some time in the garden and both times the heavens have opened i think someone is trying to tell me something.
Instead i am looking at an indoor propagator which i was hoping i would not need but as i dont have my greenhouse yet it looks like i might need it and as the sales are on :) well it would be rude not to :)
I've got BBs in rootrainers, and lettuce in the poly. Today i sowed onions in the propagator and Douce provence peas in the poly-some in guttering and some in a bed.
Now I'm plucking up courage to try the potato seed i saved coz I gather they require a longer growing time than tomatoes. Except for a few alfa alfa sprouts or mustard and cress don't think I shall do much more until Feb.
Mind you i've also pricked out [indoors] one of those early lettuce packs they sell in supermarkets. They're in the conservatory [no heating] with covers and are recovering although a bit shell shocked by the temperature change...
Other than ground prep or repairs I won't sow any seed before mid to late february.
I'll be sowing chillies, aubergines, sweet peas, onions, corn salad, ornamental cabbage and just maybe one to two tomatoes over the next 2-3 weeks if I have the time. Just a few to get me started. ;D ;D
Have you got a Glass House Anne?
In years gone I have give in to the itch and had beans growing up the living room wall.I won't be doing anything yet apart from digging out the dreaded couch.Spent hours on it and still it comes.It is a battle I am determined to win LOL ;D
Quote from: betula on January 07, 2012, 09:20:23
Have you got a Glass House Anne?
No they'll end up all over the house. Mind you I've been promised a greenhouse but I'll have to build it and I really don't have a clue how!
I also have digging and weeding to do but the soil is alternately sodden and frozen so I can't get started on that yet.
i have some potato seeds both from a swap and some i managed to save my self when is the best time to sow them sue
If you mean TPS, early. Last year I got some in May, and it turned out to be really late, though I did get some mini-tubers. As early as you can, given your setup. I'll have to start mine on the windowsill, and I don't have space to pot them up there, so probably around the end of next month.