WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2021

Tomatoes are out! Varieties are: San Marzano; Mucha Miel; Dattero; Purple Ukraine; Ailsa Craig; Costoluto Fiorentino; Amish Paste; Gardener's Ecstasy (not pitctured, it's in the back garden).



Potentionally silly question: if a seed packet doesn't specify F1 / Hybrid does that mean it's heirloom? I have two courgette varieties, one is di Milano which I got from Real Seeds so I know that's heirloom. But I also have Courgette de Nice A Fruit Rond which I'm very excited about. It's a Johnsons seed packet "World Kitchen France" and nowhere does it specify anything about F1/ Hybrid / etc status. Wondering if I can save seed.

Hello Stuart, I'm in Woking too!

 

Are you not worried someone going to pinch some tomatoes @FrancescaH ? looks like the public foot path.

No heirloom seeds are basically very old variety of plants used donkey years ago , they should come true from seed if harvested . F1 seeds are specially bred for vigour / fruiting / flowering etc . Seeds harvested from a F1 plant don't come true to the parent ( well not exactly ) they could cross bred etc , so seed harvest from a F1 plant which has been pollinated by another F1 or other will be classed as a F2 .

 

Yup it's the front of my house. Had them last year, nobody stole anything. "Needs must" I would rather give it a go and take the risk that someone might steal something than do nothing at all (no space elsewhere). People love them, last year people would walk past and take pictures or bring their kids along to see the tomatoes growing. Last year even one of the tomatoes fell off (it was overripe and I missed it). I was just getting in the car when I spotted it on the ground so thought I'd tidy it up on my way in. By the time I got back someone had picked it up and put it on my fence post for me! I thought that was quite considerate for a bit of road tomato! haha

I'm aware of the differences between F1 & Heirloom. I just wasn't sure if the packet didn't specify F1 whether I should assume it is or not.

 

Found time to make a start on cutting some of the grass in the side garden. I had to do It in stages as the great tits are using the nest box in the Willow tree, so didn't want to disturb them too much. The grass has gotten very long and very thick and will need another cut with the strimmer ( but unlikely to be today or tomorrow ). Got lots of dandelions and daisies in the side garden plus some cuckoo pint, so had to cut around them as best I could. The pink, yellow and white flowers look so pretty together. I intend to leave some of the grass to just do it's own thing. Swept the patio. Cleaned out both bird baths. Sat on Patio watching great tits and rabbit politics.

 

@FrancescaH If it doesn't say F1 or F2 it is an open pollinated variety. The open pollinated types tend to be cheaper and rely on the grower "roguing" out any misfits from his seed producing stock.

 

I suspect, given the likelihood of showers, I'll be in and out the greenhouse plan on potting up tomatoes into their final containers. Other things will also need potting up.

 

We won't be doing much as we are having the path down the garden paved which also goes to the cars, shed. Jungle Room and dining patio. We shall putter on the Front of House Patio where all my pots are.

Path to be paved ...


Materials ...


The materials were delivered at 8am and the delivery guys had "fun" trying to turn their truck around ...


Our guy Andy and his son Bradley arrive at 9am to do the work.

 

The compost bays are in the wooded area of the garden (part of an old woodland, so there are full height oaks and beech trees). There is leaf litter, and rubble, at the base of the bays. Rather than empty them out down to the rubble, I leave a little compost, as a “starter culture” (you can tell I make my own yoghurt!!). It’s just helpful to know when to stop digging!!

 

...Last (add-to) bay emptied, and the three little shrew kits put relatively close together in the middle bay. If they keep their racket up, mum will find them.
It doesn’t matter what time of year I turn the compost, I upset some wildlife or other. This time it was drama-free, in comparison, so I’m pleased!