THE VEGETABLE GROWING THREAD 2018

Garlic.


Garlic.


Garlic.


More garlic.


And, err, honorary garlic.

 

My plot has been waterlogged for ages, so I sowed raddish (+ mini beetroot, mini carrots, turnips, lettuces, spring onions, etc.) seeds in modules to plant in polytunnel borders, but my cherry radishes have reached eating size on my polytunnel staging without being planted out.

That means no slug damage, weeding, constructing raised beds to get them above waterlogged ground, growing faster, and they should carry on longer at the end of the season.

Plus I don't have to pick them every day or leave them to deteriorate in the fridge, simply bring a few packs home and use as required, can't get fresher veg than that. Also means the leaves are nice and fresh to throw in the hen run.

I wonder what's the smallest pot required to grow a little gem lettuce to maturity?

 

Sowed my runner beans. The date on the packets were sow by 2016, so hope they come up.

Firestorm and Firelight self pollinate.

 

Just received 4 chilli plants in 9cm pots.
They're about 16inc from pot. The one will straighten up in a few days.

 

Harvested some of the garlic to make way for a giant marrow (hopefully).



The first set of true leaves have just emerged so it's very small and requires protection under a bottle cloche until the roots become established.

The spare hose with flag drippers is my attempt at a shoe-string budget irrigation system.


I've also planted some sweet corn.

 

Looking good. Glad its not just me that grows just too much of the garlic.

 

Parsnips are doing well

 

Veg patch looking good. I hate it when I start picking stuff as the aesthetics are spoiled
However, started picking lettuce so gaps now appearing.
As said before, the only problem this year has been with runner bean germination. White Lady seed! Will contact the suppliers and see if this has been a widespread problem. Every year my beans germinate in 2 to 5 days ...this year it has been very difficult.

 

The courgettes went in today.



These are "All Green Bush".

 

Physalis peruviana update.


Seven were transplanted into bigger 10L pots.



Yep, this was my ultimate strawberry bed until, that is, evil weevils killed off the entire crop by the end of last November. I pulled out all of the old strawberry plants and left the pots unplanted until March of this year.

 

Runners...


Get into your starting blocks.



Now, go like the clappers!

 

I messed up with my runner beans seeds. The date had expired it said sow by 2016.
Sowed them but only 5 came up.
Got to get some more.

 

Yesterday, harvesting the chickweed that I "grew".



Notice the single hairy stripe along the stem of this edible weed.



Actually, I did sow some nice lines of coriander back in April but they were overtaken by the chickweed.

As it took time and energy to cultivate the hexagon, I am not going to let my efforts go to waste. Some of the chickweed will be blitzed to make soup and pesto, while the remainder will be included in salads and stir-fries.