2020 Spring Bits & Bobs

[Compo]

So...I've been potting on lots of seedlings. Living in Somerset i have been able to get hold of lots of mainly peat based compost. Ethically and environmentally its not my first choice. A lot of it is high percentage peat stuff. Should I add some seived top soil.and grit or is it fine 'neat'.

[Westi]

Vivienz, that did make me giggle! Compo - that is so creative & just what needed with the current nip in the air, even down here! (I reassure you I won't be trying to replicate - the shed is old & a bit wonky but it would be just wood ash if I even attempted a wee project like this)!

[vivienz]

I speak as I find, Westi!
Night time temps are still hitting a low of around 6C here but the greenhouse raised the daytime temp to 30C although it was only a very windy 16C outside. It's bucketing down outside right now, which is great as we planted out some trees that we've been nurturing in pots for 3 years, so they will get a good watering in.
I also received my strawberry plants today and planted out the first 12. Hubby is already asking when we will have strawberries to eat.

[Compo]

And anyone want to give me advice on the peat?

[Compo]

I got the welder from Aldi for fifty quid, and learned to weld off you tube!! I keep promising to get a carbon monoxide monitor even though I only burn off cuts and if it is not burning properly it smokes back, but should get the alarm really just to be safe!!

[Geoff]

I would blend it with soil and sharp sand. I use a Rotasieve but if you riddle the soil then mix by hand it will still work. For a pricking out mixture I would use 3 parts compost, 3 parts soil ½ part sharp sand and for final potting 2 parts compost, 4 parts soil and ½ part sharp sand. Boost it a bit with some fish, blood and bone - I've got some figures somewhere but can't lay my hands on them at the moment.

[Compo]

Geoff that is more than useful, thankyou it is more or less what I was thinking.

[oldherbaceous]

Tom's fly past, was early this morning...nice to see them flying over Milton Bryan too.

[Clive.]

Wondered if you would see them Old H'...I was watching on radarbox24 and saw them heading your way.... I thought they would need to get on early today given forecast for later.!

C.

[oldherbaceous]

I hope Tom was up...

[Geoff]

Seeing as its the 30th April, so I could say I had dug them in April, about 1½ lbs / 750 gms from a root. Are they still £2/kg in the shops?

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[Clive.]

Always exciting digging the first root of tateys....way ahead of anything in my garden here... atlhough our new neighbour has some Rocket that are rocketing....

...however..just as exciting here, a Hawker Hunter has just flown by...the former Brazilian PP-XHH now living locally and operating as XE688.

C.

[Compo]

Well what can I say that is amazing Geoff, perks of a poly tunnel eh? And seeing a jet fly past is a treat, we regularly see Chinooks and Hercules planes as we are close to RNAS yeovilton. Damp here so am printing some notices for the plot. Not necessary if everyone stuck to the rules eh? Enjoy those spuds Geoff!!

[oldherbaceous]

That's brilliant, Geoff, I cant wait until I start digging mine...about another 2 weeks, I would have thought...

You don't know the Piolots name, Clive!!

[Monika]

What variety are they, Geoff? Our 'Swift' are doing well but nothing like as advanced as yours. They started off in the greenhouse but have been outside for the last two weeks or so.