I cant wait!

[JennieAtkinson]

Certainly not enough light here at the moment. OH described the last week as living in a sepia photograph and I think its a good description!

We still had snow on the ground in mid April (2006) and given that we haven't had any yet............. I'm preparing for the worst in March again. I got a very nice pressie from my brother and SIL - a remote temperature guage for the greenhouse and at the moment (11.40 pm) its showing 8 degrees!

[valmarg]

Patience - is a virtue, catch it if you can, often found in women, seldom in a man!!

And of course for Winter, we should all wait until Candlemas (2nd February).
'If Candlemas be clear and bright, Winter will be back for another bite, If Candlemas be cloud and rain, Winter's gone and won't be back again!!'

BUT, with the seed catalogues dropping through the letterbox, it's very difficult not to start feeling optimistic - what are we going to grow next year? where did we make our mistakes this year? what will we do better next year?

To me that is the wonderful world of growing your own, whether it be fruit, veg or flowers. It's all down to the sense of achievement, and TASTE, taste being the most important.

Happy New Year GYO'ers

valmarg

[madderbat]

Plants need Light Heat water and mars bars.......well they don't tend to eat the Mars bars so I have to help them

LOL Thank you NOG for cheering me up. I'll have to forgo the mars bars thought, since I gained some weight when I stopped smoking in October. After New Year it's all coming off and no more Mars Bars.
We are spending the next few weeks deciding whether to put glass or polycarbonate sheeting on the broken greenhouse in the neighbours lottie. Measuring up, pricing it and getting something done will take us til Feb I reckon but since he kindly said we can use it, it will be worth investing in.

[lozza_9]

not planning to plant outside, just a few pots to keep me a little busy

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi lozza - I got my lottie a couple of weeks ago - so yep! am as excited as you I guess!

In my greenhouse Ive planted up some garlic and onions in pots and thats it.

The main thing on the lottie is the clearing of a bit for the shed (did that earlier today, well OH did it really). OH hopefully putting shed up on Tuesday!

I'm busy drawing up plans for my lottie - thanks to having a greenhouse this year will be able to plant the seedlings when the time is right (last year I had one of those small, plastic, four shelf thingys!) then transplant them to the lottie as and when.

Main job at the mo - when the weather is good enough is to clear all the weeds and lay out my beds, paths etc. - plenty to keep me going during this horrible damp, dark, and windy weather!

How are your plans coming along? Looking forward to hearing! Dexterdog

[Alice]

If your desperate for babies to look after on the widowsill, you could try any kind of leaves LottA (lettuce or whatever) and just cut the babies for eating. Or I've got some peppers heading for their second leaves (will post a pic after new year). Maybe we just have to fuss over something !

[dexterdoglancashire]

If your desperate for babies to look after on the widowsill, you could try any kind of leaves LottA (lettuce or whatever) and just cut the babies for eating. Or I've got some peppers heading for their second leaves (will post a pic after new year). Maybe we just have to fuss over something !

I'm currently fussing over Dexter the dog - people have already started to set off fireworks and he's going mad! No chance to look after seedlings at the mo! Dexterdog

[Weavie]

Hi, I too am champing at the bit! Haven't got a lottie but new garden with raised beds, decking, pond and greehouse & it's all bare! Well nearly. Have got onions and garlic growing and a few spring cabages which were doing nicely until I almost throttled them putting cabbage collars round their skinny necks. Bought first seed spuds at B & Q today though and want to start chitting. Is it too early to chit in unheated greenhouse or will it be safe to start now?

[Alice]

You can chit them on a windowsill Weavie. It's a bit mad (very,very early) but providing you're prepared to protect the resultant shoots from frost (once planted) you can go for it. I put some Charlotte on the windowsill tonight and will let you know how I get on.

[Weavie]

So if I chit them on a windowsill, then plant them into a black trug tub - you know the bendy tubs, put them in the greenhouse and cover them with fleece it might work. It's certainly worth a try. If it doesn't work then so be it; at least I've failed trying!

[Alice]

Yes, that's it Weavie. Let them chit, plant them in a bucket, or similar. At this time of year you will have to protect the shaws (haulms to you I think) from frost and wait and see what happens. I guarantee nothing but I'm giving it a go. If all fails I'll still have the compost to use as soil conditioner somewhere. Will let you know how I get on.

[lozza_9]

Hi lozza - I got my lottie a couple of weeks ago - so yep! am as excited as you I guess!

How are your plans coming along? Looking forward to hearing! Dexterdog

Hi Dexterdog

I am also busy planning my beds and looking at seeds I need, also trying to get lottie into shape - but guttering on the shed for the waterbutt, hubby had put the last bit on and it started to rain really heavy!

Loz

[NOG]

We are spending the next few weeks deciding whether to put glass or polycarbonate sheeting on the broken greenhouse in the neighbours lottie.

Unles you have problems with pople throwing stones I would use Glass much better than poly...lets in more light is stronger....cheeper.

Poly turns white after a while...and goes brittle.

[NOG]

Also......I forgot..ask about look in Friday Free Ads and other free papers for peolpe wanting to get rid of Glass houses. People with young children buying hoses of old folks want to get rid of them. Just take out the glass and trans plant it...Most take 2ft panes. you may have to cut a few or buy a few. then flog the ali to the scrapman.