WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2022

Thanks everybody for Lemongrass tips- I should really read the small print before impulse buying seeds

My outdoor herb containers are due rejuvenating so I'll chuck the Lemongrass there if it looks like a better option. Oh, and I also have some Tarragon seeds, never tried that before. And Sage, but that should be fine in a smaller pot. I think

 

@CanadianLori Yes - from the video it looks simple enough. I made a potting table the other day from some old marine ply, so I can add water to compost there with no problem. Looks like a good system - very keen to try it now. Thanks for the pointers

 

For the tarragon - you'll have Russian if you have seeds, which is fine - and it grows fairly easily. But the much better plant if you can get it, is French tarragon - which they call Estragon. As I understand it, the French variety is all sterile - and every plant out there is a clone. I got a few of them end of season 2 years back from a garden centre that was selling them cheaply - and they can be divided in the spring, or they will grow from cuttings: but it is a truly delicious herb. Chicken, lemon and tarragon soup is an absolute joy. Will try the same substituting mushroom for chicken as well at some point.

 

Thank you Jimmy
I haven't got space outside for them. It's usually in the summer that they arrive.
Thank the @CanadianLori I'll have to look that one up.

 

@Logan Then I am definitely interested if you find a non-chemical solution here! I have planted a stack of chillis this year and I know that the aphids will come to visit in a big way in a few months.

 

For seedlings I use the toilet roll tubes as much as i can. They do go black and mouldy but it doesn't harm them.

 

Sometimes I don't get them, it all depends on the other seedlings get it. Last year I bought 6 chillie plants to make sure that I have the proper variety instead of my saved seeds and I think that the aphids came with those plants. But thanks.
They say plant some marigolds with them or basil.

 

Can't do any gardening for 4 weeks because of having my other cataract done, so light duties and no housework

 

How did that one go?

 

I've used paper pots a few times, the main problem is the ones on the outside drying faster than those in the middle of the tray. I don't buy newspapers though so never have any material handy to do them more often

Mainly I use containerwise trays. Shallow Propagation Trays 350mm x 215mm / Shop / Buy Online They are extremely durable, I expect them to last about 20 years. The 40 cell one is good for beans etc as is their 60 cell one they did with charles dowding, that's better for most other plants. I use them multiple times a season, so they soon pay for themselves imo, especially as they use so little compost. I used to use the flimsy ones from b&q etc but got very frustrated with them. One A4 tray of the 60 cell one for example will raise 600 multi sown spring onions from February, then 60 sprouts in April, then 60 fennel from June then 60 salad plants in September. (Or a mix of whatever plants you want)

 

I've been trying to get some Basil to germinate indoors but it's being very stubborn. I collected the seed myself so maybe there was an issue with it...?

 

@Hanglow Yes - I had to message all my mates to ask for newspapers. It struck me that the day of no print media cannot be too far away.

Those trays do indeed look like what I was looking for and didn't find. The B&Q type which fall apart and break after one or two uses are just not appropriate to be sold in 2022 if we are to accept the climate science. However, I've ordered the soil block system that @CanadianLori showed earlier on the thread and I'm going to give that a good go. Thanks though!

 

@JimmyB just an fyi, I usually put my soil blocks on paper toweling and then when I water at one end of the flat, the toweling wicks the water across to all of the blocks. Every once in awhile, a block will stop sucking so I just gently place it in a bowl with a bit of water to soak it again and it "rejuvinates" and gets back into rhythm with the rest of the blocks.

@Logan -how do you feel - are you getting used to 20/20

 

@CanadianLori OK - sounds sensible. And addresses a concern I had which was around watering from above and damaging the block structure. I will put these into trays without holes and was intending watering the tray bottom as you say to let it wick up. I will try the paper towel method. Thank you.