Spring has finally sprung, Bits and Bobs.

[Primrose]

OH - do you have any magic tips for growing decent size celeriac? I know this topic has been raised in the past but all my previous attempts have resulted in bulbs little bigger than golf balls by the time all the bumps and roots have been trimmed off.
How early in the year do you start them off?

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Primrose, i sowed them on the 26th of february... i followed Monika's advice about root trainers and what good advice it was too...

Regarding any magic tips, i'm afraid it's just down to a good rich soil, of a good depth, so i think with your very stoney ground, you are always going to struggle.....they really are greedy plants.

[Monika]

I planted my celeriac out of their roottrainers last week, having hardened them off for about 10 days, but they are still under fleece on the allotment and that won't be taken off until we get higher day/night temperatures than at present (12/4C). It has also been very windy recently and that would not do them any good.
So, Primrose, mollycoddle them a bit and feed and water them copiously - they are very hungry and thirsty creatures!

[peter]

Went to sow my squash yesterday, didn't have the seeds I thought I did, Tuckers had stock, phew!

[Clive.]

I planted out the Celeriac at work yesterday...they had been pricked out into conventional seed trays of 24. They went into a well worked and well fed piece of ground that is out of the heat of the day but catches the Summer afternoon/evening light well.

I also got the spray Chrysants, Helichrysum, Statice, Aster Duchess, Zinnia planted out. Chanced putting a few Tiger Cross Marrows out too. Early Onward Peas sticked, Broad Bean posts and strings around and some short rows of Potatoes planted, Charlotte and Arran Pilot...a bit of mowing done with the roller rotary and box as the lawns needed a second trim of the week for the first time this year, showing that things are moving forward fast at last.

The sweetcorn that I planted out last week has moved forward...I thought I was pushing it a bit with that one but it was ready to go in and the land was vacant and ready.

Pleased I pushed things along at the weekend with today's rains....lovely evening now after a useful 14mm rain.

Had a reshuffle in the back greenhouse this morning and have at last made room on one side to plant the tomatoes this afternoon.

Wheelbarrow puncture to mend now.... I see it says on the plastic wheel....Lifetime Wheel Warranty (conditions apply).

Clive.

[Geoff]

Clive : I see you mention spray chrysants. I am growing a patch of these this year, have you ever tried the 4" square horizontal support netting (they briefly mentioned in on Beechgrove if you watch that)? It would save a lot of canes and string tying but I've never seen how it turns out.

[Clive.]

We have but a long while ago...must have been in my first year or so at my current work.? I seem to think it got in the way for running about with the hoe.? My colleague then started staking around them with flat fans of hazel sticks.

Clive.

[Monika]

Geoff, I grow a few hardy spray chrysanthemum and used a 6" rigid support for them about two years ago (they are actually sold as trellis by LBS at Cottontree), thinking that would save having to support them by individual canes, but I found they grew through the support which I raised to about 12" high and the wind bashed them abut within the individual squares, so I went back to canes. I would have thought the same applies to 4" netting.
I found, though, that the 6" rigid support is very useful, laid on the ground, as spacer for planting other plants like leeks. lettuce etc!

[Geoff]

Thanks both.
I'd wondered about the hoeing too, I'm putting them in a 5' wide bed with a path on each side so I think it would be OK if it is high enough.
Beechgrove showed a soft mesh that might give a bit and so be less likely to damage. I think the idea is to use two layers.
Still haven't decided but might give it a go. Chrysants are probably the only thing tough enough to grow this summer if the temperatures don't rise and the wind doesn't fall. Horrible day again yesterday.

[clairelv1]

life is wonderful and what we need to do is try our best to make it more beautiful and different . i am so happy that i am living..........

[robo]

Life is not that good when you are up to the eyeballs decorating which is taking way to long probably because i keep absconding to the plot where i am in the middle of making 4 cages to protect the vegetables i am trying to grow , maybe I'll get finished in the next 3 weeks

[Geoff]

Has anyone heard from Alan Refrail in the last few weeks? I hope all is well!!!

Bet he looked at the long range forecast and went off to visit his family in Africa!

[peter]

Hmmm, he was last on here Wed April 15th.

[oldherbaceous]

I have sent Alan a PM, but he hasn't opened it....i do hope he is alright.

A lovely warming sun out there today, you can nearly hear the stuff growing.

[peter]

Oh my goodness!

How the chickweed has gone rampant!