My veg Patch

[Scruffy Duffy]

Hey Stacey,

I was wanting to plant potatoes too, but have been advised that I'm too late for this season, but I can order some for planting in August/September to eat around Christmas. Boilers rather than roasters as they're usually the smaller ones from what I've heard. I may be wrong and someone please put me right on this if I am.

As for the speed of the growth. I know exactly what you mean. I checked my 'produce' yesterday morning, all sown into the raised beds on the 20th May, and although somethings have been coming through gradually for a while now, by the time I had a quick look again at 6 after a torrential downpour in the afternoon, loads more had shot up where there had been no signs of life, and those that were growing have gained loads of height. My peas now look amazing and they weren't there at all!

I've also heard to take the advice on the packet with a pinch of salt, as somethings will still grow if planted later, depending on where you live, conditions etc.

You sound like you're having so much fun. I love reading your messages. reminds me that I'm not the only one worried about her 'babies'. I'm dreading thinning and have decided to try to get some pots to put things into rather than compost.

Happy growing

Scruffy

[Stacey]

Its funny you should refer to the veggies as "babies" cos thats what they are! Its like when your pregnant and you have your scans its like wow a little life that youve created and it changes all the time,just like growing your own veggies! And I explained this to a mate of mine the other day who isnt into g.y.o and now she thinks I'm completely bonkers. Maybe thats right. She says she doesnt have time for this sort of thing cos of her baby but I get my little girl involved in pretty much everything I do, she loves to get her hands dirty!

[Alice]

Stacey, you can plant potatoes anytime you like BUT the point is
POTATOES ARE NOT FROST HARDY
SO AS LONG AS YOU CAN GROW THEM IN THE FROST FREE PERIOD YOU WILL BE FINE.
This goes for the beginning of the season, and the end.
For earlies you need 13 frost free weeks. So if you work out when your first frost might be and count back 13 weeks from there, you can plant earlies up to that date.
Maincrops want about 22 weeks growing, so likewise if you count back 22 weeks from first likely frost you can plant mains up until then.
Sorry I can't tell you when you're first frost will be. Varies from area to area and year to year, but likely to be some time in October, but if you're unlucky could be September.
Hope this is of some help.

[Stacey]

oh yeah as for the potatoes, I have loads all sprouting and ready. I planted some 11th May, I hope that was ok,I do believe they are coming through. If its not then I have a mighty strong weed growing in a straight line only where my pots were planted. guess I'll have loads of wastage then if I cant plant the ones Ive set aside.

[Stacey]

oh right thanks for that,was writing my last post as you were writing yours! May just have time for my potatoes then. Yay!

[Stacey]

I covered my potatoe shoots with compost today. my gran told me to is she right? She didnt say do it with compost mind,but I dont have any soil to earth up!!

I did my good deed today,went to grans and took her some of my tomato plants and runner beans and potted them for her and planted peas,radish,lettuce,onions and garlic all in containers outside her flat. She loves to grow her own bt unfortunately has limited space and now her arthritis is soo bad in her hands that she just cant do it at the moment.
Feel dead chuffed that she let me do it for her, cos shes a farm girl really and knows about this sort of thing whereas I literally started in May this year! But she just let me get on with it. Now I just hope they'll grow!!

[Stacey]

also lost about 10 of my onions that I had transplanted 1st June. Why? because of me cat. I should have known not to plant them there cos thats where he keeps "going". removed my half eaten aubergine plant-just too depressing to look at. And I know its not veg but Ive removed 8 or 9 almost completely eating sunflowers,they were my babies,I talked to them and everything :-( . Good news though is that my hanging baskets are doing well,I have 2 that have herbs (not grown by me the ones I grew were a disaster) and tomatoes in and one has a chilli plant in 2(Also not grown by me but the toms where).

[Stacey]

Went away for 4 days got back to find lots of weeds had popped up in my beds,managable but time consuming! Amazingly only about 4 dandelions. My whole garden was like a dandelion patch until May. Well done other half for obviously clearing them well. Sunflowers almost completely gone,thankyou slugs. Not. However generally my veggies are being left alone.my veg beds are so full of insects and the likes,there must be a really good balance there. Lucky me (hopefully havent spoken too soon,will check in the morning!)