Kitchen Garden Forum

whos still holding back from sowing yet,and who has gave into temptation.i keep telling myself every year that im going to delay things a bit.but bloody hell after all those long winter months its really hard to hang on.im now finding myself sitting in the greenhouse staring at my sweet peas in their roottrainers waiting for the first sign of progress.before i get shot down off hundreds of folk telling me im to early, im not they will be fine once they get through,its just as we get older were supposed to get wiser dont believe it.it might cost me an extra bottle of gas for the season,but its been fantastic just to get some compost riddled and seeds sown.i often find myself sitting at the pc and staring at the wireless thermometer to make sure it sticks at 60f.im now thinking the older we get the more we appreciate that wonderful thing called nature and yip we get more impatient.good growing all

i went my plot today at 9.10am and got stuck in to clearing out the crap that i always think will come in usefull,but never does.i cleared the front and side bed of my greenhouse,plus the front and side bed around my shed,i can now see the daffs starting to show.next i filled all the beds with a mulch,then had a cupper while watching the crap i had saved on the bomb fire,then found more crap ,then more next thing i knew my mobile alarm was going off telling me it was 3.00 pm,dosnt time fly when your enjoying ye self.and yes i cant wait to get planting

yeah nice one,these days seem to be getting just that little bit longer

I'm taking a day's leave this Friday to make an impression on my sowing and tidying up. Can't wait!

well they are through,sweet peas are showing their heads tonight,about 20 through out of 350 approx quite surprised, they were sown on wednesday night so six days at between 56-60c seems to look like the new propogation bench is working ok.good luck to everyone else peterf.

Not having a greenhouse I have managed to resist temptation so far. Having to content myself with making lists and drawings of new bed arrangements. Went to the plot for the first time this year on Monday afternoon and it was great to do some digging and just get out in the fresh air.

The best bit of all was that I took my son with me for the first time - he is 2. When I saw him in his little boilersuit and his wellies making "sandcastles" in the soil I thought I would burst with pride. It was one of those really special moments that stick in your mind forever! Happy sowing everyone.

by, youve took me back a bit now haggis with that post.my lads 10 now and what you posted was almost identical to his first intro to the allotment.it makes you feel so proud and content, to be able to sit in the shed with the little man and pinch his bait hahaha.the thing is now hes 10 he dosent find it to hard to beat me in our locall giant pumpkin show.ps(if you want a few seeds to amaze the little chap just pm me)all the best peterf.

Hi Haggis

It's great watching the little ones learning about plants. I can just see him in his little boilersuit getting all involved with things. i like seeing little kids getting all mucky and running over with the worm that they've found. It's the look on their little faces. You'd think that they've found gold. Grock hides gnomes, fairies and stuff on her plot and the kids go on an adventure looking for them. I think it's fab. It won't be long before he wants to plant his own stuff.

Oh, forgot to say that i'm itching to get planting too. My strawberries arrived yesterday and I can't wait to get them planted out. I've got my seeds ready to start planting in the house. I'll start in the greenhouse in March.

I love this bit. I find it very theraputic sitting there sowing my seeds. A lot of thoughts go into that action and a lot of hope. Will they germinate? How many will germinate? Will I have enough room in the coldframe for everything? What will the new stuff turn out like?

Yep, definitely my favourite time of year. You can't beat the thrill of finding those little shoots popping out of the top of the compost. Get's me every time.

arrrh haggis i luved ye letter,my 2 youngest are nearly 5,and i have a 6yr old,they were babies when i got my plot.they luv digging for worms and other orrable things,but love going down the plot.when my 6yr old was 3 ,she took a tomatoe plant into nursary and told the teacher how to look after it.when there was enough toms the kids all made their own tomatoe and cheese butties.its amazing how many kids don't know were veg comes from.keep up the good work with the little darling,and we might see the next alan or sr

I've washed the propagator and seed trays and they're sitting on the kitchen floor until halfterm next week, when I'll get started.

Crikey,

I have just module sown celeriac and beetroot, have sown loads of flower seed for the lottie for cutting and realised that I sowed too many peppers after pricking out 4 score of two varieties with 3 still to germinate. Does any body local want some interesting varieties of pepper plants in a few weeks time.

This prompted swift heating of the greenhouse as I am short of windowsill. Tomatoes (5 types) are sown so I really need to get the homemade polytunnel finished rather quickly.

bloody hell,how many acres have you got to plant,if thats just the early sowing i would love to see how busy you get when pricking out time arrives

Yes please Piglet, I'll swap you for some tomato plants. Let me know when they're out of intensive care and able to travel. I'll have to come and visit your shed at last.

That will be grand,

they should be potted on and out of intensive care in about 4 weeks. There are 3 varieties of sweet (not bell) peppers and a couple of medium hot ones and two varieties of really hot mothers I am still waiting to hatch.