Tweet
Hi - I'm new to the site - but not to gardening (not that I mean I know it all!!!)
My Husband and I moved to Ireland about 3 years ago from England and have been setting up a 'self sufficient' smallholding on about 1.75 acres.
We have expanded our vegetable garden each year and have a 24 oot tunnel as well as a pretty big system of beds.
Previously I tended to be a 'flower' gardener and have only been growing veg for abut 8 years. HOWEVER growing with a view to surviving without buying any is proving to be a challenge - we certainly know about seasonal veg! When our last leek was eaten in March - I never wanted to see another, but I find myself sneaking around to the onion patch and having a look to see how they are coming!!
We have been followed by a channel five TV film crew - making 'Build a New Life' who were showing some of the stuff we went through when we arrived (we had to do up a derilict farmhouse before we could start!) so that might amuse some of you UK people - (I belive its on tomorrow at 8pm - but won't see it as we are in Ireland!!) The 'city folk' they sent out to film, even suggeted sticking supermarket veg in the garden to get some good 'shots' at one point!!!
This years gardening 'issues'? My courgettes are rotting off AGAIN this year, even when we take off the flower heads, they get to about 3 inches and then start to rot. Potatoes are a big problem too - they are just NOT growing and I can't undertand it, some were saved seed and some brand new, all went in the ground at the same time (a little late - last week in March) but they are about 8 inches tall as I write and have already flowered. What went wrong? I was so pleased we didn't have to buy any last year - can't see that happening this year!
I'm hoping you guys can help out with some of my 'issues' and maybe - if this posting of war and peace hasn't put you off, I might be able to help with someone elses?
My Husband and I moved to Ireland about 3 years ago from England and have been setting up a 'self sufficient' smallholding on about 1.75 acres.
We have expanded our vegetable garden each year and have a 24 oot tunnel as well as a pretty big system of beds.
Previously I tended to be a 'flower' gardener and have only been growing veg for abut 8 years. HOWEVER growing with a view to surviving without buying any is proving to be a challenge - we certainly know about seasonal veg! When our last leek was eaten in March - I never wanted to see another, but I find myself sneaking around to the onion patch and having a look to see how they are coming!!
We have been followed by a channel five TV film crew - making 'Build a New Life' who were showing some of the stuff we went through when we arrived (we had to do up a derilict farmhouse before we could start!) so that might amuse some of you UK people - (I belive its on tomorrow at 8pm - but won't see it as we are in Ireland!!) The 'city folk' they sent out to film, even suggeted sticking supermarket veg in the garden to get some good 'shots' at one point!!!
This years gardening 'issues'? My courgettes are rotting off AGAIN this year, even when we take off the flower heads, they get to about 3 inches and then start to rot. Potatoes are a big problem too - they are just NOT growing and I can't undertand it, some were saved seed and some brand new, all went in the ground at the same time (a little late - last week in March) but they are about 8 inches tall as I write and have already flowered. What went wrong? I was so pleased we didn't have to buy any last year - can't see that happening this year!
I'm hoping you guys can help out with some of my 'issues' and maybe - if this posting of war and peace hasn't put you off, I might be able to help with someone elses?
Comment