Choppers Greenhouse and patch project 2014

[chopper_j]

thanks for the reply Mikey, will look for some potash (fire has not been running for last few months..) Yep the auto vents are very handy, got up to 33c in there yesterday! Might add some autovents on the side vents later in the summer if needed

[Mikey]

With 1.3 metre beds I'm guessing you are looking at a row of 3 tomatoes away from the side.

How do you intend supporting them?, are you going to train them up string or tie them to canes?

[chopper_j]

I will probably go for 9/10 down the length (4m) 2 deep, then on the last row closest to the path just 5 in between the rows..

As for supporting I am planning on putting a 6 - 7' stakes at the end of each row, run some wires down the length of the row and cane each plant and attach up to the wires to keep them straight hopefully as I am growing brandywine, san marzano, pantano and some cherries so need strong supports

[Mikey]

If you run wires down the length will that prohibit you getting in to tend to the tomatoes that are closest to the glass?

[chopper_j]

good point Will start off with just one at the top and see how it goes

[Bill HH]

I have to say you have made a bloody good job of that plot. Well done.

[chopper_j]

Cheers Bill, been hard work, but very happy and its the fun bit now

[gardening_gal]

Can only echo everyone else. Seriously good job, well done.

[Tripmeup]

Looks great!! Now the hard work is done, you can enjoy the planting, tending and harvesting

[chopper_j]

Thanks

Here are the beds I made and filled up.. also made with some left over timber a raspberry support and an OTT sweetpea area Got builders netting up as twiggy is not allowed on the lawn as I am treating it and overseeding at the moment

[Bigmallly]

Have you got Gorilla arms like me.........you're gonna need 'em to reach the back of those beds.......

[chopper_j]

Hi Bigmally, I think I should just about reach the back ones.. I have staggered the rows, so at the back there are 10 plants 40cm appart, second 8 and nearest to the path 6 so I can get in a bit easier..





Front row are brandywine, at the back san marzano & gardeners delight, indoors are still some sunglod and pantano waiting to get a bit stockier under lights. The heater seems to be coping well and minimum temperature inside overnight has been 10c, not sure on the electricity bills though!

Chillies and peppers need potting on soon..



Out of my 14 aubergine plants only 5 are doing well, rest have leaf curl and look pretty sorry, trying to save these but not sure.. Planted a few extra peppers (growing corno di torro rosso & giallo, Sigaretta di bergamo) , cucumbers and gherkins just in case

Any other suggestions of something of similar size to aubergines I could grow inside the greenhouse?

3 out of 5 of the Tiffany cucumbers came up and all 5 of the gherkins diamant. What type of yield would you expect from 3 of each? Too many?

Cheers

[chris]

! How large are you tomatoes already?!?!!?

[chopper_j]

on average about 45cm (Except for that big brandy) just starting on their second trusses.. The metal halide lights made them very stocky. Usually nip the top of the plants off at 6/7 trusses but I think I will experiment this year and go for a couple more since I started them so early, time will tell if its been worth it

[chopper_j]

Toms are going great, a couple of the san marzano have toms growing now

About the trusses, as I started them SO early (20th odd of Jan) I suppose I could take them up to 9 or 10 trusses, depending on height they reach? The usual recommendation of 6/7 I suppose is for later sown seeds meaning that most of the fruit ripens before the end of September, is that right? Mine are at 3 trusses already and about 2.5' tall, will the plants cope with this much fruit?