Official NPR Gardening Thread

[lemonhead]

Aaaand down to 20 degrees with rain, whole garden breathing a sigh of relief.

Now back to the wa....managed retreat on slugs. Cunce.

[Glaston]

My second lot of Pak Choi has been hit by "Ninja" flea beetles.
The pots were on a tray in another tray full of water to deter slugs/snails but the little hoppers avoided the trap.

30c last week and 17c at the start of this week, what a difference!

[BnM]

So fork it, I put salt down. Horrible but went to my dads. Went in the cloche and there was 1 pepper plant that wasn't munched to a stem. Custards.

Tried Soleil courgettes again this year. Again rubbish. The Griller courgettes - you can get them in 3 oolours are doing fantastic despite the weather, highly recommend.

[lemonhead]

Starting to think a dusk scout round with a bucket and plenty of suicide marigolds is the only way. Haven't tried beer traps yet.

Boobs, sure I've been on about them before on the old bored but check out the Franchi collection - had great results with romanesco and genovese.

[Biffer]

Just off my allotment, lifted my first spuds today. Had a decent amount of strawberries through and the rasps are just coming through. Blueberries and apples had nearly all the blossom blown off in the storm in May though :x

Onions, leeks, broccoli all looking good this year and my peas and beans are just starting to creep up their frames.

[BnM]

Starting to think a dusk scout round with a bucket and plenty of suicide marigolds is the only way. Haven't tried beer traps yet.

Boobs, sure I've been on about them before on the old bored but check out the Franchi collection - had great results with romanesco and genovese.

Tried; night time clearing, checking under pots during the day, pellets and booze.

Will look at those thanks, got some Franchi Rabe, Raab, turnip top, faux broccoli or whatever you want to call it seeds to try.

[BnM]

Just off my allotment, lifted my first spuds today. Had a decent amount of strawberries through and the rasps are just coming through. Blueberries and apples had nearly all the blossom blown off in the storm in May though :x

Onions, leeks, broccoli all looking good this year and my peas and beans are just starting to creep up their frames.

First pull of Swift's were fantastic but because I stupidly put the potatoes in the raised bed and they were covering too much I had to pull the rest of the row. The front left of the bed got the most sun but as I worked towards the back the others got fewer and fewer. Lessons learned, I've got some maincrops in potato bags, Anya and Picasso so we'll see how they do. Not sure I'll bother again with pots though.

[tabascoboy]

Potatoes ( first earlies Duke of York ) seem to have done very well despite the near drought we had here in May that meant heavy watering was needed. Just finished my first batch with two more to go. Onions planted from seed last autumn, raised inside through winter then planted out in spring looking just about ready now. Runner beans growing well although one was got at by slugs or snail and is struggling. Trying sweetcorn this year though I don't have much space and they are now about 2 - 3 feet high and look healthy. Carrots doing well but spring onions also being nibbled. Tomato plants very slow and well behind where they should be by now, with only about 7 actual fruit and hardly any flowers.

[Biffer]

Just off my allotment, lifted my first spuds today. Had a decent amount of strawberries through and the rasps are just coming through. Blueberries and apples had nearly all the blossom blown off in the storm in May though :x

Onions, leeks, broccoli all looking good this year and my peas and beans are just starting to creep up their frames.

First pull of Swift's were fantastic but because I stupidly put the potatoes in the raised bed and they were covering too much I had to pull the rest of the row. The front left of the bed got the most sun but as I worked towards the back the others got fewer and fewer. Lessons learned, I've got some maincrops in potato bags, Anya and Picasso so we'll see how they do. Not sure I'll bother again with pots though.

I grow quite a lot of potatoes - it’s not that I eat that many but they’re easy to grow and something nice to give away to friends.

[BnM]

Toms are doing ok, most have plenty of flowers fair few have toms. The tiny tim's aren't really flowering so far. Che***rry f**alls or Re**d ale**rt (got my plants mixed up) have turned out to be huge and spreading, they're supposed to be bush! They're getting a battering in the wind at the moment.

Really can't recommend the Griller courgettes enough, every plant has at least 3 that are 2 inches in size, I've already harvested a few and slugs and snails don't seem to be keen unlike soleil which they seem to like. Had 1 normal cucumber and 2 lemon crystals, both a bit small but I wanted to encourage the plant. Carrots still way off, same with beetroot but I think that's because of the domineering potatoes. Onions from seed and spring onions total fail possibly because of pots again. aubergine plants are doing well, been nibbled but not a lot so haven't lost one. We've had one square of long radish and small turnips. I did 3 squares of kale because my Dad goes through a lot of it and they're a beast, I planted freely so they're crammed in and despite regular culling we don't seem be making much of a difference.

[BnM]

After a bit of advice, I have this beast of a tomato plant, I think it's a red alert, it does have label stick but I did mess up when repotting. Could Maskota. It's def a bush, not an indeterminate.

I removed it from my little greenhouse as it was too big and then a lot of the leaves went limp, I think the side walls were supporting it. I've propped it up. But I've only got a small back garden and it's east facing so not all is useful for growing.

Any suggestions on how to prop it up. In the pic I've actually propped up the stem and a really long branch the rest seem reasonable happy but it does have toms growing so I'm not sure how long that will last and it definitely wasn't happy not propped up.

[lemonhead]

Always used string ours up in the polytunnel, central rail. You couldn't move round otherwise.

Any overhead fixtures in the garden which won't shade it out?

[tabascoboy]

Lifted the first of my overwintered onions ( Senshyu Yellow) today, it got a bit big. I don't really use a lot of onion so it was more of an experiment than anything but will probably make a "Peruvian Onion Salsa"

medium red or yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced into half moons
1 to 2 hot yellow Peruvian peppers (ajíes amarillos) or jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley leaves
Juice of 1 fresh lemon1
1/4 teaspoon each salt and fresh ground black pepper

COMBINE onion, peppers, garlic, cilantro, lemon juice, salt and black pepper in small bowl. Cover; refrigerate for up to one day.

Sounds simple! Unfortunately not able to grow any chillies this year so I'll have to buy them.

[tabascoboy]

Picked first toms of the year, these were sown indoors in early April and about 2-3 weeks behind where they should be, but plants seem to be growing well now with more flowers. Lifted the other onion too so I have two huge ones to do something with. First runner bean pods appearing too, and carrots looking close to harvesting time.

[BnM]

Where are you ish? I've got toms growing but none look like turning red at the mo. Weather just hasn't been very good over the last month or so. Had a couple of cucumbers, 2 lemon crystal, had a big hit across the courgettes of blossom end rot of lack of fertilisation which is what I suspect it was, I don't think I had many male flowers plus next door dealt with their bee's nest a couple of weeks before. Saying that had about 6 courgettes. Endless supply of kale. I have a couple of pepper plants in my porch doing ok, the one's at my Dad's have just been slug/snail fodder.

My smoke bush is also dead, I think just too much rain over the last 2 years and it decided to fork it.

[Biffer]

Fucking pigeons ate all my redcurrants. Bastard rats with wings motherfuckers.

[Line6 HXFX]

My Radishes are spectacular, hot and spicy, realky big..
My carrots and parsnips are yet to appear, my runner beans are climbing lovely and my Roses, fuchsias and sweet peas are absolutely blooming staggering this year. No idea why.
Are there more bees about because of the lockdown and reduction of human activity?

[Biffer]

In Edinburgh, I think there are more insects about, because there's less strimming / maintenance work being done by the council. So there's more areas left to grow, and they're filled with wild flowers and undergrowth. That also means more birds and small mammals because there are more insects and berries to feed on. I think it's great tbh, and I hope they leave it that way next year. Trim and strim areas where you need to keep them clear for safety reasons e.g. visibility on corners for traffic but apart from that, leave it to grow.

Also, I'm watching several large patches of brambles for when they ripen.

[tabascoboy]

Where are you ish?

Quite a bit further south! Don't think the weather has been great - just about good enough to keep things moving although lacking sunshine for about 3 - 4 weeks end of June and July until last weekend. A couple more toms in the conservatory just starting to turn colour but the ones I planted out in mid June still only have 'baby' toms at the moment and a long way from being ready.

[tabascoboy]

First attempt to grow sweetcorn not a stunning success (not enough space really) but picked a good enough cob yesterday and it was cooked and eaten with 1/2 hour. Since I've only had frozen sweetcorn since decades I'd forgotten how great corn on the cob tastes, and even ones you buy aren't likely to be anywhere near fresh enough to get the best taste from them.

[BnM]

Following the heatwave it's been overcast with sporadic downpours. I've got loads of green toms Never growing red alert again, it's like a sprawling weed, Maskota (spelling funky) is either late to the party or not going to do much. I will grow sungold but I didn't bother with suckers this year, so they're like giant weeds. Tiny tims have finally produced some tiny green toms.

Aubergines are huge but no fruit has set so far, it's just not been the weather for them.

Peppers have finally flowered and I'm trying to pollinate by hand but so far the flowers keep falling off. Most of the courgettes have been lost to mildew.

Bit disappointed really.

[tabascoboy]

Quite a few green toms here too and also slow to ripen given what you'd think was perfect weather for a couple of weeks. Then again I was a little late in planting them so they are about 2 - 3 weeks behind where they should be. Sungold have clearly progressed the most so far, first of the larger toms 'Orkado' just turning colour. Unless we have a good spell of summery weather after this few days of autumn it's going to be a disappointing season again for my toms.

[Niegs]

National Public Radio is going to sue you with that title!

https://www.npr.org/podcasts/736388235/garden-talk

[Ymx]

UK posters. Where can I find a decent garden hoe.

I grew up in NZ with ones which looked like this.



But can’t seem to find them, and instead stuck with these



And I have one of them, but they don’t actually work.


Any tips on where to get them, or a decent one as need to do some weeding over Easter. And sick of hand weeding.

[Grandpa]

I couldn't find one either YMX

[TB63]

UK posters. Where can I find a decent garden hoe.

I grew up in NZ with ones which looked like this.



But can’t seem to find them, and instead stuck with these



And I have one of them, but they don’t actually work.


Any tips on where to get them, or a decent one as need to do some weeding over Easter. And sick of hand weeding.

Try a search on edging tool..

[Uncle fester]

Ah it's time for my annual battle against the horsetail.

[TB63]

Ah it's time for my annual battle against the horsetail.

Horsetail and ground elder, the only way to finally get rid of them is move..

[Ymx]

I couldn't find one either YMX

It’s nuts. We might need to start importing them gramps.

[Ymx]

This was the closest I found from HarrodHorticulture

https://www.harrodhorticultural.com/bur ... psQAvD_BwE

[Ymx]

UK posters. Where can I find a decent garden hoe.

I grew up in NZ with ones which looked like this.



But can’t seem to find them, and instead stuck with these



And I have one of them, but they don’t actually work.


Any tips on where to get them, or a decent one as need to do some weeding over Easter. And sick of hand weeding.

Try a search on edging tool..

It’s not an edging tool. Those things are very different. And well, are for edging.

[TB63]

Twat it with a hammer to shape then!..

[lemonhead]

Y'can have mine if anywhere near Manchester. Never used.

Failing that, Suttons might have one.

[Ymx]

Nothing at Suttons from site, and nowhere near “the north”, but thanks anyway.

You’ve got one unused. That’s crazy, those things are diamonds.

[Grandpa]

I couldn't find one either YMX

It’s nuts. We might need to start importing them gramps.

Brought one from NZ with me. But it was about 50 years old. Only survived a few years. Those UK ones just don't compare ..

So this importing business. Shall we call it.. "NZ Hoes R Us"?

[lemonhead]

Used work in commercial gardening in north London, have every tool under the sun. Small garden, bunged two large raised beds in last year and the remainder is covered in something.

Any bare soil's a haven for weeds and cats.

[Line6 HXFX]

I am a simple gardener... big on roses, pansies, busy lizzies and fuccias.
Basically get the beans in at the end of May.
Doing carrots and broccoli in me veg patch and Rosies out the front.


Most of my job is cutting hedges and mowing the lawn. Cannot cut hedges anymore as it sets off back pain. Mowing the lawn hurts too, but not phone an ambulance, head swimming, type crippling pain.
Something about side to side action that hedge trimming invokes.
Me sat in the garden with cat, two days ago, just loving it.

[Ymx]

I couldn't find one either YMX

It’s nuts. We might need to start importing them gramps.

Brought one from NZ with me. But it was about 50 years old. Only survived a few years. Those UK ones just don't compare ..

So this importing business. Shall we call it.. "NZ Hoes R Us"?

Yep, I think we are along the right lines
“Imported NZ Hoes Company”
“Company of NZ Tools”
…

[Grandpa]

I am a simple gardener... big on roses, pansies, busy lizzies and fuccias.
Basically get the beans in at the end of May.
Doing carrots and broccoli in me veg patch and Rosies out the front.


Most of my job is cutting hedges and mowing the lawn. Cannot cut hedges anymore as it sets off back pain. Mowing the lawn hurts too, but not phone an ambulance, head swimming, type crippling pain.
Something about side to side action that hedge trimming invokes.
Me sat in the garden with cat, two days ago, just loving it.

That looks like the cat that terrorises our pond frogs. Do you live in Yorkshire?

[Grandpa]

It’s nuts. We might need to start importing them gramps.

Brought one from NZ with me. But it was about 50 years old. Only survived a few years. Those UK ones just don't compare ..

So this importing business. Shall we call it.. "NZ Hoes R Us"?

Yep, I think we are along the right lines
“Imported NZ Hoes Company”
“Company of NZ Tools”
…

And don't get me started on lawn mowers!