Gardening & Allotments

[MKFox]

tomatoes ripening nicely, looks like a bumper crop.
runner beans produced loads this year too

 

[Matt_B]

tomatoes ripening nicely, looks like a bumper crop.
runner beans produced loads this year too

My tomatoes are still green, should I be worried? I've had about 4 red ones so far, but must have over 50 good sized green 'uns left.

 

[MKFox]

Plenty of time, once they start going, they all change and there's a glut!

 

[Siouxsie]

My peas are tasting lovely, so sweet. I doubt any of them will make it on to a plate, cooked though.

 

[Chuck T Masala]

I',hpoing for decent pair of melons soon, my plums are going over.

 

[Ian Marshall]

Forgot about my courgettes for four days and now they're fu cked.

That's what a mixture of cricket both days in a weekend and stressful long days at work does for your veggies.

 

[Matt_B]

I'm also very excited because I have had a go at rooting some roses from long stem roses bought for our new baby, see if I can keep them growing as a keepsake. Went out today and all 4 stems have new growth forming, so I'm optimistic that they may take!

 

[MKFox]

My peas are tasting lovely, so sweet. I doubt any of them will make it on to a plate, cooked though.

Not going to bother with peas again, i know they are delicious but there is such a small return.
planning next year already, parsnips i think

 

[Cate Fox]

I might have a dabble next year - what's the easiest stuff to start with?

 

[SJN-Fox]

Carrots, beans (broad, french, runner), spuds ... use a compost bag.

 

[MKFox]

Matt, if your toms are still green, pop a ripe banana in with them, it'll release a chemical to help them turn

 

[The Major]

Matt, if your toms are still green, pop a ripe banana in with them, it'll release a chemical to help them turn

Someone's been listening to Radio 2.

 

[Mawsley]

While they're on the vine?

 

[MKFox]

Someone's been listening to Radio 2.

Quite good that was apart from the mad bird going on about her mini cucumber harvest!

While they're on the vine?

Apparently so!

 

[Matt_B]

Matt, if your toms are still green, pop a ripe banana in with them, it'll release a chemical to help them turn

It's the potassium I believe, or maybe nitrogen? Either way, I've been doing that for ages with all fruit, stick it in a brown paper bag and it'll ripen in days. That's why you should never put bananas in a fruit bowl.

Never thought of doing it on the vine though, might give it a whirl tomorrow. We're getting rid of the baby for a few hours, so once I've finished hanging out the back of the wife I'll nip to the grocers.

 

[MKFox]

Lucky girl....

 

[spionfox]

Lucky girl....

The nun in the cucumber patch?

 

[Matt_B]

Question for you potato growers. I read the best way to grow spuds was in an old compost bag or similar and to put a layer of compost in and to cover up green growth as it appears with more compost. I have been doing this but am rapidly running out of height in my bags, once it reaches the top of the bags do I just let the green growth grow? How do I know when to grub them up?

 

[homer]

When it reaches the top of the bag, it's simply time to let the plant grow

Water them loads, and the plant should grow really high

When it starts to wilt and go limp (the plant, that is) then your tatties will be about ready to eat - although they will continue to grow even when the plant above it looks dead

 

[Macky]

I read the best way to grow spuds was in an old compost bag or similar

Not necessarily the best way, it's a way of growing them.

put a layer of compost in and to cover up green growth as it appears with more compost. I have been doing this but am rapidly running out of height in my bags, once it reaches the top of the bags do I just let the green growth grow?

So long as none of the tubers are showing through you'll be fine.

How do I know when to grub them up?

When they've lost their flowers