Flower and Vegetable Gardening

[Jason Williams]

Evening all,

 

Its been two weeks since I sowed seed and I have been able to pot on some flowers today to avoid them getting leggy i.e. Calendula, Striped and Mixed Cosmos.

 

By next weekend, I should imagine that the French Marigold, Nasturtiums, Petunias, Tomatoes, Broccoli and Cauliflowers will follow on and get repotted.

 

But, I'm not sure if I've oversown the Allysum as they are looking a little scraggily (middle shelf right side) and the Aster hasn't sprouted as yet (top shelf back right).

 

Hope your efforts are paying off also!

[Rejected]

I have a large garden and am starting to struggle with the upkeep. My fruit trees are my favourite as they are easy care and high yield! I always have more fruit than I can give away to the congregation and neighbours in the street. I couldn't even pick all of my grapes last season, they went to the birds in the end. 

 

Blueberries are ripe to eat now. Strawberries havent started to flower yet. I have black russian tomatoes growing this year. I have planted some watermelon seeds, but they havent popped up yet. I have chives and spring onions all year round. Also trying to get mint to take off, everyone says it takes over, but it is very hot here and I just havent been able to get it established. I wanted to use it as a ground cover, but it just does not want to grow here!

[Ludwika]

1 hour ago, Rejected said:

I have a large garden and am starting to struggle with the upkeep. My fruit trees are my favourite as they are easy care and high yield! I always have more fruit than I can give away to the congregation and neighbours in the street. I couldn't even pick all of my grapes last season, they went to the birds in the end. 

 

Blueberries are ripe to eat now. Strawberries havent started to flower yet. I have black russian tomatoes growing this year. I have planted some watermelon seeds, but they havent popped up yet. I have chives and spring onions all year round. Also trying to get mint to take off, everyone says it takes over, but it is very hot here and I just havent been able to get it established. I wanted to use it as a ground cover, but it just does not want to grow here!

Try growing your mint in a large pot. It stops it taking over the garden, but it's easy to keep watered.

[Barbllm]

My plants (purchased back in May 2025) have all ceased to be due to colder weather. I think next spring I'll try to cultivate some roses and maybe impatiens.

[Mike047]

Even with impatiens you have to be patient.

[Jason Williams]

Afternoon all, I've neglected this thread that I started so thought I'd post a little update of where I am currently this year.

 

As previous years, I have overwintered Onions, Garlic, Shallots and Broad (Fava/Faba) Beans to which I have so far added Potatoes, Leeks, Cauliflower, Turnips, Carrots and Beetroot (both unsuccessfully due to erratic weather, so more sowings required).

 

I have also got Tomatoes and plenty of flowers to go out on 1st May (Calendula, Cosmos, French Marigold and Zinnia). At least the wife will be happy to have the conservatory back! Many of the spaces in the garden will be filled by the aforementioned flowers meaning by summer it should look colourful at least.

 

On a personal note, I have been absent for many months due to tiredness and a bereavement in the family.  Whether I've said previously, my wife and I lived with and cared for her grandmother for the past five years. Last October, her health deteriorated due to a number of urinary infections that also had a significant impact on her dementia. She passed away quite quickly in late January and those last few months and in particular weeks were extremely tiring. We are both okay, just getting used to the new reality without her and living in a big house by ourselves.

 

I look forward to hearing about your gardening endeavours for the coming year!