First time Grower

[Jillyreeves]

I have even made a home made on from a coke bottle, it will be intresting to see how that one works out.

Home made ones work just great

[Florence Fennel]

They look great, but... why haven't you got bits of soil scattered all over your windowsill, how come all your pots are the same size and fit neatly in the propagators, and whyohwhy haven't you got wads of kitchen towel everywhere mopping up the water you used on your pots and forgot to let drain away properly?

Come on, you're just not trying!!

Do I get extra points for effort Sweepster? My windowsills are usually covered in bits of soil, along with the floor beneath them, the pots are different sizes and I don't own a propagator (though I did have a go at Alice's foil reflector boxes (GW), but got fed up). As for kitchen towel, I was using up so much that my plants now stand on folded towels, kitchen and hand to soak up the water.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Can I just remind you to fix your mini green house down? They are light as a feather, and there's nothing more heartbreaking than the whole lot going over when you have your lovely plants in there.

[Florence Fennel]

Can I just remind you to fix your mini green house down? They are light as a feather, and there's nothing more heartbreaking than the whole lot going over when you have your lovely plants in there.

I'm taking that on board, thanks Hazel. I bought a small 4-tiered one at the weekend, going to put it up today. It advised somewhere else on the Vine (Greenhouses and Cloches, I think) to put a growbag or compost bag on the bottom shelf, but I'm not convinced either one will fit. I could fasten it to the wall I suppose.

[Hazel at the Hill]

I could fasten it to the wall I suppose.

That's what I've done - drilled eyelets into the wall either side and used those stretchy bungy things with hooks on to hold it firmly in place against the wall.

[Fraser]

I have 5 green shoots showing out of 18 pots, its a start. I have never been so excited, i have never grown anything before (not even a Beard!)

[FionaH]

I have 5 green shoots showing out of 18 pots, its a start. I have never been so excited, i have never grown anything before (not even a Beard!)

Great isnt it?

[maytreefrannie]

I'm taking that on board, thanks Hazel. I bought a small 4-tiered one at the weekend, going to put it up today. It advised somewhere else on the Vine (Greenhouses and Cloches, I think) to put a growbag or compost bag on the bottom shelf, but I'm not convinced either one will fit. I could fasten it to the wall I suppose.

I usually put 2 full pots (size about 16" across I think) in front of the little greenhouse at night, wedged right up to it. As it stands against a wall, I hope this should keep it from toppling over (again).

I have 5 green shoots showing out of 18 pots, its a start. I have never been so excited, i have never grown anything before (not even a Beard!)

Great that you're seeing something already - have you thought of trying something 'easy' as well as the chillis and peppers? Like maybe lettuce or cut and come again salads, which would give you a quick return. Others here may have other suggestions.

Have a good growing season.

[Creemteez]

I have 5 green shoots showing out of 18 pots, its a start. I have never been so excited, i have never grown anything before (not even a Beard!)

Ah, you're one of US now........
(I am actually trying NOT to grow a beard. B*%%£* menopause!!!!)

[Florence Fennel]

Ah, you're one of US now........
(I am actually trying NOT to grow a beard. B*%%£* menopause!!!!)

Don't worry Creemteez, this is yet another thing you'll grow out of, trust me! It's lovely when someone else gets the bug, a young mum at work had some seedlings from me last year and this year she's off on her own. I've told her to come to this site for ideas and tips and I've given her all my back copies of GYO mag.

[taskey]

hi another newbie here

I also have got some cherry toms growing from seed (nothing yet) and some plug plants that will be chillies - they are about an inch high.

i have done some peas, chives, basil and parsley tonight. they are in a variety of pots with cling film over the top.

my daughter who is 9 came home from cubs last night and has to grow mini sweetcorn. so she bought herself a propogator and some peet pellets for ease of growing.

i have also bought a walk in greenhouse which we put up today - secured with straps etc so it does not blow away.

When should i start to put stuff in the greenhouse - i am happy to put in during the day but still gets nippy here at night (am in germany).

Also should my pots be sitting in water? or should i just water a bit each day?

Thanks

Tracy

[Lottieval]

Hi Taskey and welcome to the Vine, most of your things should be ok in the greenhouse unless you are actually getting frosts at night. My GH is still going down to 4 or 5° at night but things are doing ok, though I have got cheap propagator covers on those that are a bit tender. Perhaps keep your toms inside until they germinate, a steady temperature helps this.
Don't leave your pots standing in water, this deprives the roots of air and they could die. give them a thorough watering, preferably in the evening, then the compost stays damp longer and the plants can absorb the moisture.
Good luck to you and your daughter, you'll soon become addicts like the rest of us.

[taskey]

thanks - am now going upstairs and emptying all the water.

I am going to put things n the greenhouse today as it is meant to be nice today

Tracy

[zazen999]

Hi Tracey.

Could you pop your location into your profile, so that people know that you are in Germany when answering. Empty the water out first of course, that's important.

And Welcome to the Vine

[taskey]

i have now updated my profile, emptied the water, put bits in the greenhouse and heard that a local shop has tomato plants for 50 cents - guess where i am going?????

Tracy