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Post by Sweetleaf on May 8, 2008 14:19:38 GMT 1
Although I've only been able to clear about half the area so far (digging up old lawns is b.... hard work), I'm very pleased with the results so far. Broad beans and onions are doing well, potatoes are in, carrots, beetroots and 2 types of spring onions sown at the weekend. And watering is so easy compared with the allotment. Eeven if I don't get it cleared in time there is a lot of stuff I can still do in pots - tomatoes, courgettes, lettuces in old plastic window boxes that I still have. Sounds great Mick, I wish my lottie were more accessible too, it seems a long time between trips now.  |
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Post by The witch on May 8, 2008 21:47:21 GMT 1
Although I've only been able to clear about half the area so far (digging up old lawns is b.... hard work), I'm very pleased with the results so far. Broad beans and onions are doing well, potatoes are in, carrots, beetroots and 2 types of spring onions sown at the weekend. And watering is so easy compared with the allotment. Eeven if I don't get it cleared in time there is a lot of stuff I can still do in pots - tomatoes, courgettes, lettuces in old plastic window boxes that I still have. Just how much of your lawn are you digging up Mick? I'm looking forward to you sorting out your PC and camera  |
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Post by mickthecactus on May 12, 2008 13:22:45 GMT 1
Although I've only been able to clear about half the area so far (digging up old lawns is b.... hard work), I'm very pleased with the results so far. Broad beans and onions are doing well, potatoes are in, carrots, beetroots and 2 types of spring onions sown at the weekend. And watering is so easy compared with the allotment. Eeven if I don't get it cleared in time there is a lot of stuff I can still do in pots - tomatoes, courgettes, lettuces in old plastic window boxes that I still have. Just how much of your lawn are you digging up Mick? I'm looking forward to you sorting out your PC and camera I've got 3 lawns. The main one near the house then 2 smaller ones nehind the greenhouse which are divived by path and pond. Those are the ones that I am digging up (v. slooooowwwwly). So nice to be able to run the hose down there yesterday, put it on and forget it. Camera is sorted, just waiting on adaptor which should be in this week. |
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Post by The witch on May 12, 2008 21:41:13 GMT 1
Just how much of your lawn are you digging up Mick? I'm looking forward to you sorting out your PC and camera I've got 3 lawns. The main one near the house then 2 smaller ones nehind the greenhouse which are divived by path and pond. Those are the ones that I am digging up (v. slooooowwwwly). So nice to be able to run the hose down there yesterday, put it on and forget it. Camera is sorted, just waiting on adaptor which should be in this week. Does that mean you will be posting some photo's at the weekend then Mick? I do hope so.  |
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Post by mickthecactus on May 14, 2008 12:54:31 GMT 1
I've got 3 lawns. The main one near the house then 2 smaller ones nehind the greenhouse which are divived by path and pond. Those are the ones that I am digging up (v. slooooowwwwly). So nice to be able to run the hose down there yesterday, put it on and forget it. Camera is sorted, just waiting on adaptor which should be in this week. Does that mean you will be posting some photo's at the weekend then Mick? I do hope so. You never know.... |
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Post by mickthecactus on May 21, 2008 16:19:26 GMT 1
Does that mean you will be posting some photo's at the weekend then Mick? I do hope so. You never know.... Perhaps next week now... Hoping to get it up and running tomorrow evening. The spring onions, carrots and beetroots are through. Hope to clear more space this weekend for Spinach and lettuce at least and possibly courgettes. |
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Post by mickthecactus on May 23, 2008 10:58:15 GMT 1
Perhaps next week now... Hoping to get it up and running tomorrow evening. The anticipation is killing me! ;D It didn't happen.... |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 1, 2008 20:17:16 GMT 1
Well, more area cleared.
I sowed mixed leaves, spinach, black Kale, more beetroots and french beans.
I have sown courgettes in big pots and trying carrots in some old plastic window boxes. The carrots that I sowed in the plot more or less failed - why?
Early potatoes are coming on nicely.
The weather has rather knocked the onions about though.
Broad beans are looking good and I have been pleased to see bees working the flowers over.
Onwards and upwards!
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Post by 4pygmies on Jun 1, 2008 20:41:41 GMT 1
I dunno why you have problems with carrots, Mick...which sort do you sow? I stick with the quick maturing types like Early Nantes. One of the few things that grow really well in my sandy soil...have you tried watering the soil before you sow? What sort of soil do you have though?
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 1, 2008 20:46:21 GMT 1
Seems a bit sticky.
Everything else comes up OK. I've always struggled with carrots for some reason.
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Post by 4pygmies on Jun 1, 2008 20:51:12 GMT 1
Seems a bit sticky. Everything else comes up OK. I've always struggled with carrots for some reason. Is it clay then? Maybe you need to sieve the top layer to get better aeration so the seeds get a better chance to grow down...I don't know much about that sort of soil though...sorry! |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 2, 2008 8:41:01 GMT 1
Seems a bit sticky. Everything else comes up OK. I've always struggled with carrots for some reason. Is it clay then? Maybe you need to sieve the top layer to get better aeration so the seeds get a better chance to grow down...I don't know much about that sort of soil though...sorry! No, it's certainly not clay - we're on the edge of a flood plain actually. Before I moved in this was a totally neglecte area and I just think it needs mor organic material. Whilst on the subject I know horse manure really needs to rot down before being incorporated but what if you spread fresh over the top in autumn and just left it there for the winter before digging it in in the spring. Would that be OK? |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 2, 2008 8:53:22 GMT 1
My understanding is that fresh horse muck, straight from the stable is no good as it full of horse pee, its the pee which causes the problems whereas horse muck fresh from a paddock is OK. Used some straight from the paddock stuff in our Norfolk garden, but oats appeared all over the borders! But woudn't that wash through over winter? |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 2, 2008 9:15:21 GMT 1
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 2, 2008 9:16:58 GMT 1
Thanks The witch - that was helpful. |
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Post by madonplants on Jun 2, 2008 9:40:56 GMT 1
Thanks The witch - that was helpful. Does it matter if the wee comes from stallions/geldings or mares/fillies? I can still remember that thread on the Beeb boards about men peeing in their compost bins, though because of the hormones, women can't do it. |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 2, 2008 9:51:33 GMT 1
Thanks The witch - that was helpful. Does it matter if the wee comes from stallions/geldings or mares/fillies? I can still remember that thread on the Beeb boards about men peeing in their compost bins, though because of the hormones, women can't do it. Also, it would be jolly uncomfortable for them..... |
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Post by madonplants on Jun 2, 2008 9:57:12 GMT 1
Does it matter if the wee comes from stallions/geldings or mares/fillies? I can still remember that thread on the Beeb boards about men peeing in their compost bins, though because of the hormones, women can't do it. Also, it would be jolly uncomfortable for them..... Not if they used something like this! ;D |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 2, 2008 10:16:15 GMT 1
Also, it would be jolly uncomfortable for them..... Not if they used something like this! ;D I will leave comments to the ladies.... |
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Post by debidoos on Jun 2, 2008 10:23:48 GMT 1
So are they suggesting that us ladies use the urinals in the mens if the que is too long for the ladies? Is that the idea?  |
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Post by madonplants on Jun 2, 2008 10:24:19 GMT 1
Not if they used something like this! ;D I will leave comments to the ladies.... ;D Going back to your original question, farmers do muck spreading in the summer, after the crops have been harvested, don't they? The farm I worked on as a kid, was mainly dairy and sheep, so not over sure. Still think it has to rot down for a few months first and I do know it has to be dry and not wet or frozen. It then gets turned in, in the autumn. I know this part, as don't farms get complaints from people, who are outside having their BBQ or inside with their windows open. It's weird the things you think of, while doing a bit of muck spreading yourself in the litle boys room!!  Maybe you could Google it. |
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Post by madonplants on Jun 2, 2008 10:28:22 GMT 1
So are they suggesting that us ladies use the urinals in the mens if the que is too long for the ladies? Is that the idea? No it's for when you are cut short, while driving down the motorway! Though you ladies must do things we don't! When I was at a Sir Cliff Richard concert many moons ago, I remember coming out of the mens and there was still this long queue for the womens. So what do you lot do in there and why do you always have to have company, while doing it? ;D |
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Post by debbiem on Jun 2, 2008 10:59:38 GMT 1
So are they suggesting that us ladies use the urinals in the mens if the que is too long for the ladies? Is that the idea? No it's for when you are cut short, while driving down the motorway! Though you ladies must do things we don't! When I was at a Sir Cliff Richard concert many moons ago, I remember coming out of the mens and there was still this long queue for the womens. So what do you lot do in there and why do you always have to have company, while doing it? ;D The process just takes that bit longer Keith and the last thing I want in there is company!  |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 2, 2008 12:46:00 GMT 1
Does it matter if the wee comes from stallions/geldings or mares/fillies? I can still remember that thread on the Beeb boards about men peeing in their compost bins, though because of the hormones, women can't do it. It's the ammonia which causes the problems Keith - not the hormones! ;D That would mean grumpy vegetables once a month... |
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Post by madonplants on Jun 2, 2008 13:18:24 GMT 1
Does it matter if the wee comes from stallions/geldings or mares/fillies? I can still remember that thread on the Beeb boards about men peeing in their compost bins, though because of the hormones, women can't do it. It's the ammonia which causes the problems Keith - not the hormones! ;D Did you not read that thread, then? |
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Maybe you could Google it.