Hi everyone!

Discussion in 'New Members Introduction' started by Chas_Bracken Edge, Sep 8, 2008.

  1. Chas_Bracken Edge

    Chas_Bracken Edge Apprentice Gardener

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    Hello all.

    My name is Chas (properly Charles but have been Chas for 40+ years as there were 3 in the class....).

    Have been a teacher (Science & IT), office manager for solicitor, Enforcement Officer with the DVLA but now retired but not at pension age!!!!!0-

    Have done quite a lot of gardening over the years at our different homes but now taking the growing of veg seriously - my wife looks after the flowers as I only know 1 way of finding which are weeds.:grn:

    Not a large garden at this house but managed to produce parsnips, carrots, spuds (in tubs), beetroot, lettuce, beans, cucumbers, brussels, courgettes, peas, tomatoes, leeks and swedes with varying degrees of success.

    I am also teaching my grandson (6) to grow food and he loves it.

    Didn't realise how much "composatble material" could be produced so invested in a "Tumbler Type Composter" which is actually brilliant but is making too much to be used immediately.

    So, question 1 - How can I store my homemade compost:scratch:

    Also I have a Rhubarb crown in its first year which I was informed should not be picked for the first 12-18 months but which has produced quite a number of stalks.

    Question 2 - Should I cut the stalks as they die back or should I leave them to come away naturally from the crown?:help:

    Look forward to hearing from a helpful person.
    :pala:
     
    Chas_Bracken Edge, Sep 8, 2008
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  2. plantlife

    plantlife Gardener

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    Hey Chas, welcome to GC! I'm still learning myself so I'll let someone else tackle your questions :D
     
    plantlife, Sep 8, 2008
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  3. Shobhna

    Shobhna Gardener

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    Hello & welcome.
    As for the compost, surely it would be Ok to just store it in big plastic bags, like big black bin liners.

    if not, then you can always give me the compost, I can always do with some.:)

    I don't know much about rubarb so will not comment on that..:)
     
    Shobhna, Sep 9, 2008
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  4. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    :thumb: Hi Chas & Welcome to GC... I have a tumbler & it is very efficient I agree... You could use some of that compost mulching your Rhubarb..!!!;)
    Rhubarb requires little tending but with just a little effort you will achieve a much better quantity and quality of crop.

    The growing season of Rhubarb can be brought forward by covering the crowns with a cloche (a cut clear plastic bottle will do) in early spring.

    If flowering seed stalks develop then cut them as soon as possible. The seed and flower production will reduce the leaf stalk yield as the plant diverts energy into flower and seed production.

    Make sure to weed around your rhubarb plants regularly as weeds can have a damaging effect on plant growth. Do not hoe to deeply and disturb the roots.

    Adding fertilizer such as well rotted manure each year will increase your rhubarb yield significantly. Fertilise in early spring before plant growth and also before the end of autumn. As well as increasing available nutrients the fertiliser will act like a mulch and improve the water retention properties of the soil and also reduce weed growth.

    If adding manure/compost be sure not to cover the rhubarb crowns as this can lead them rotting.

    Do not use fresh manure as this can burn the crop.

    After the first hard frost of winter you should remove any remaining stalks and add them to your compost heap.;)

    :scratch: If you still have some compost left then use it to mulch other plants shrubs etc for winter...;) Hope that helps...!:)
     
    Marley Farley, Sep 9, 2008
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  5. lollipop

    lollipop Gardener

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    Hi Chas, Welcome to GC
     
    lollipop, Sep 9, 2008
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  6. Tropical_Gaz

    Tropical_Gaz Gardener

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    Welcome Chas :D
     
    Tropical_Gaz, Sep 9, 2008
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  7. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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    Good evening, Chas, and welcome to the site.:thumb:
     
    daitheplant, Sep 9, 2008
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  8. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Hiya Chas and welcome to GC!

    [​IMG]
     
    JWK, Sep 9, 2008
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  9. Aesculus

    Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

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    [​IMG]
     
    Aesculus, Sep 9, 2008
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  10. intermiplants

    intermiplants Gardener

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    hi and a very warm welcome to g,c:thumb:
     
    intermiplants, Sep 10, 2008
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  11. walnut

    walnut Gardener

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    Welcome to g c Chas.
     
    walnut, Sep 10, 2008
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  12. Chas_Bracken Edge

    Chas_Bracken Edge Apprentice Gardener

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    Thank you Marley. Just what I needed.
     
    Chas_Bracken Edge, Sep 10, 2008
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  13. Little Miss Road Rage

    Little Miss Road Rage Gardener

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    Hiya Chas :flwsml: I can't see why u can't store spare compost in bags as that's how u buy it
     
    Little Miss Road Rage, Sep 10, 2008
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  14. Banana Man

    Banana Man You're Growing On Me ...

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    Greetings New Member :wink:
     
    Banana Man, Sep 15, 2008
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