Kitchen Garden Forum

Are any of you conducting your own experiments this year. I'm not doing anything exciting other than I planted my runner beans without taking them out of their pots. The pots had enormous holes in the bottom for the roots to come through. I thought why disturb them by taking them out. So far so good. It is a lot easier to water them and they seem happy so far. I buried the pots about 2" deep with 4 beans in each pot.

John at our site is trying to recruit us all to his grand experiment for next year. He is starting it on his plot this year.

Whatever you grow, whereever it is on the site, water half, do not water half.

He had been talking to a veg exhibitor who claimed to never water his stuff and has decided to test the theory.

One exception, stuff transplanted from pots is allowed minimal water for a week or so, to allow the roots to spread.

I don't water much anyway if I can possibly avoid it.

Yes, I'm experimenting about whether my peas will be finished in time to plant my tomatoes in their spot. And the experiment isn't working! My poor tomatoes have got stressed in their pots waiting for a spot in the garden. Yes, I know I should have potted them on but they're already in pretty big pots and I kept hoping the peas would be finished soon enough.
I'm also planting trailing nasturtiums as ground cover around the tomatoes to suppress weeds. It might not work but it's going to look lovely!

I'm experimenting with my psychic powers. However, initial results are not good... Just 'willing' the rabbits to stay off my carrots is not having much effect. However, I am confident that one of the giant slugs will eventually turn carnivorous and start hunting them down.

I'm shocking the old timers by planting two thirds of my plot on the diagonal so the beans and peas run north to south. For the last few years the peas have grown up one side of the netting and then across the floor heading south on the other side. This year everything is growing UP so I think it might be working. As a result of the planning I also have onions, garlic, potatoes and various other root vegetables also running diagonally. Whether it'll make any difference in the long run I don't know.

I am trying the "aztec trio" of sweetcorn, beans and pumpkins all in the same space. All seem happy so far.
Tara

Don't tell Johnboy whatever you do !
Wellie
X

Why? Doesnt Johnboy approve of threesomes?

Oh Jenny....

That was brilliant !

Nothing that new for me as a newbie, got my raised beds in place different compositions of soil / dung / mush compost in them. Also am now pulling new pots and putting all my old seed potatoes that are left over in their space, i like the idea of diagonal rows...but no good for me as my plot already runs that way any way

Other plot holders have been plagued by rabbits, they have not bothered with my raised beds....also I have put plastic bottles over new brassicas, that has given them a good humid start and kept pests off, plastic milk bottles have been fine, their shaded plastic stopping the scorch of the sun. Also making home made fertiliser with nettle, comfrey and wood ash.........Guess I like mucking about.

We are all mad scientists me thinks

Compo

Mr Potato Head wrote:I'm experimenting with my psychic powers. However, initial results are not good... Just 'willing' the rabbits to stay off my carrots is not having much effect. However, I am confident that one of the giant slugs will eventually turn carnivorous and start hunting them down.

Mr PH is not the force strong within you?

Yes, the force is strong in me, but these bunnies are just don't seem to be falling for my Jedi mind-tricks...

Don't want you lot thinking I've lost my touch!

Hi Jenny,
I'm sure I don't know what you mean!!! Even if the occaision were to arise then even if the mind was willing the body has long passed it's sell by date!
Sincerely, Johnboy.

Technically speaking, everything is an experiment for me, as it's the first time i've ever grown anything more than mould... and it's fair to say that I've gleaned an awful lot of useful info from this forum! (And the mag of course... )

Mr Potato Head wrote: ↑Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:01 pm I'm experimenting with my psychic powers. However, initial results are not good... Just 'willing' the rabbits to stay off my carrots is not having much effect. However, I am confident that one of the giant slugs will eventually turn carnivorous and start hunting them down.

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