Kitchen Garden Forum

I've had a sudden realisation this morning which has thrown me into a panic.

I have to go into hospital at the beginning of March and will be out of action for at least 2 weeks. I've not been worried as I've already done some digging and should be able to get on top of the allotment before I go in.

What I failed to allow for (doh) was getting all the seeds sown in the greenhouse. I've usually started all the tomatoes, chillies, peppers, leeks etc, not to mention various flowers but without being able to check on temperatures, watering etc on a twice daily basis, I risk losing everything. Please don't suggest Tim takes over

I also have the onions (from seed) ready to go out when it warms up or could I plant them out during February?

Will everything catch up if I can't sow until mid-late March, possibly even early April? It all seems so LATE!

Dear Chantal, don't start getting yourself all worked up before you go into hospital.
Unless you can find someone to come round to look after your seeds, i would leave them until you are fit and well, most things have a habit of catching up to an extent.
I was just thinking if you started your seeds off now, do you know anyone you could take your seedlings to, to look after them for a couple of weeks.
I think with your onions, it will depend how big they are and the condition of your soil.

Don't worry to much, it will all turn out just fine.

Thanks OH.

I don't know anyone who could look after the quantity of seedlings that I would have, a few perhaps, but it's too much to ask someone to look after so many. I just can't believe I never thought of this aspect of being out of action! I was supposed to be in during December which would have been fine.

Some of the onions are really sturdy jobs, like spring onions, so I guess they may be OK, but the others are so spindly I doubt they'd survive.

Am I right in thinking that if I sowed some leeks in a deep tub just before I left them, they'd only be showing their heads in a couple of weeks so they would be OK?

I don't know what's making me panic more; sowing now and then having to leave them or not being able to sow until so late.

I suppose I could look at it another way. Last year I sowed early and was badly caught out by the lond cold winter/spring. I vowed not to sow so early this year and this is forcing my hand.

You only have to ask Chantal. write me a list and i`ll see what i can do
Seedling

Dear Chantal, another couple of thoughts, with the small onions, you could leave them in a sheltered spot outside so when it rains they will get watered.
Same with the leek seed, pop it into trays water well and leave them out too.

Just wished i lived closer so i could help you out.

chantal im sure it will all get done
seedling has offered so take any help you can get,
as for OH living closer that would be v scary indeedy!
hope alls ok with you

Dear Jopsy, i don't believe for a minute that Chantals that scary, surely you didn't mean me did you.

Eighteen months ago I had to go into hospital for an operation (first week in June) and was out of action for five weeks. I managed to get all my seeds in and asked an allotment neighbour to water for me which he did.

I was more concerned about the weeds taking control but the weather was fine all the time and the weeds didn't get the rain they needed to outflank me.

Good luck

I will have spares of most things Chanters, let me know what you want.

Thanks guys, I'm feeling better about this already. I was chatting with Seedling today about what we can do so that's good and the idea about putting the onions and leeks outside is a good one, thanks OH.

Knowing Piglet's extensive spares are also there is very comforting too.

I still can't believe I didn't think about this before and I was so worried about the digging for God's sake. What a bird brain.

What would I do without you all

I'm sure that between Seedling and everyone's spares you'll be fine. (Might even save you a lot of work in the long run. )
Hope your op goes well and you aren't out of action for too long.

Thanks Jenny, I'm sure I'll be good as new in no time. I'm less worried about being in hospital than what happens to my veg/allotment which is good.

I'm starting to relax having just negotiated a deal with Seedling involving my propagaters, complete with tomatoes and chillis moving into her greenhouse for a couple of weeks.

Dear Chantal, i just knew someone would come to the rescue, so the seedlings are off to Seedling, quite appropriate don't you think.

I'll do anything I can, including sowing/planting more than I need and delivering them to you. You're near enough to drive to rather than depend on the post.

Shame we can't post bits of dug plot to each other. As I was saying to Tigger earlier this is a good cyberspace, lots of help and genuine people.