My D.IY Veg Bed.
Ok, here it is.
It took me ages to dig out as I had to do it in 15-30 minute intervals as I was on my own and it was the Summer holidays, the kids constantly needed me for one thing or another. I took this photo sometime in mid-August. To be honest the summer holidays have been one big stressful blur. As I imagine it has been for a few parents.
It was fun. It is far from perfect but I can't see the point in going to a massive expense when I might not be very good at growing anything at all.
Against all odds, up to now they seem to be doing well. You can't see an awful lot of soil anymore, the plants have grown and have already surpassed my expectations!
Starting with the ones nearest to us I have planted 2 rows of Butterhead Lettuce, 1 row of rocket lettuce, 1 row of beetroot, 2 rolls of winter cabbages, 2 rows of purple broccoli and last but not least we have 2 rows of cauliflowers. The snails, slugs and caterpillars seem to have taken a shine to my lettuce plants however and I am discovering little holes in the leaves during the morning water. Hmmm. I don't really want to use slug pellets but I have no idea what to do.
As well as this bed I also have a potato growing bag with 5 'Charlotte' tubers in. I'm especially concerned about these as although they seem to be growing excellently - I didn't chit them. I am an absolute novice and didn't even know what chitting was until I stumbled across it online. I don't think it's done them any harm, they're definitely growing well, it's getting very green and bushy in that little potato bag! I have been doing everything else right, I think. After planting them I waited for little green sprouts, then covered them again with compost, then waited and topped up with compost again. I hope this is right. We'll know in about 10 weeks time.
Chitting is where you place the tubers in a suitable holder - often an eggbox or planting tray - leaving the 'rose' facing up until strong green little sprouts form. Then you're supposed to plant them.
Anyhow, I also have a shallow square vase on the kitchen windowsill that I'm using to grow Mint. It's looking good. I bought them as tiny 'plugs' for 25p each and they've grown very very tall now.
I love this grow your own stuff. It makes me feel I'm actively doing something to attempt to become a little more self sufficient, I know I'm not growing a lot yet but I hope to grow lots lots more if I'm successful with this little patch.
I've dug a second bed out ready for use in the Spring, this is likely to be filled with other common veg, onions, cabbages, tomatoes... I have a feeling I'm going to need another bed or two as well as Sophie wants to grow raspberries and pumpkins, Rio wants to grow strawberries too. And I want some flowers as well.
We have plans to grow Sunflowers next year too. I am intending to purchase some Springtime bulbs also for nice seasonal colour.
Well, I know it's been a long time since I wrote but I really struggle to find the time to write on here lately. It won't always be this hectic. I promise I'll make more time for you.
Thank you very much for reading.
Lots of Love
K xxx
It took me ages to dig out as I had to do it in 15-30 minute intervals as I was on my own and it was the Summer holidays, the kids constantly needed me for one thing or another. I took this photo sometime in mid-August. To be honest the summer holidays have been one big stressful blur. As I imagine it has been for a few parents.
It was fun. It is far from perfect but I can't see the point in going to a massive expense when I might not be very good at growing anything at all.
Against all odds, up to now they seem to be doing well. You can't see an awful lot of soil anymore, the plants have grown and have already surpassed my expectations!
Starting with the ones nearest to us I have planted 2 rows of Butterhead Lettuce, 1 row of rocket lettuce, 1 row of beetroot, 2 rolls of winter cabbages, 2 rows of purple broccoli and last but not least we have 2 rows of cauliflowers. The snails, slugs and caterpillars seem to have taken a shine to my lettuce plants however and I am discovering little holes in the leaves during the morning water. Hmmm. I don't really want to use slug pellets but I have no idea what to do.
As well as this bed I also have a potato growing bag with 5 'Charlotte' tubers in. I'm especially concerned about these as although they seem to be growing excellently - I didn't chit them. I am an absolute novice and didn't even know what chitting was until I stumbled across it online. I don't think it's done them any harm, they're definitely growing well, it's getting very green and bushy in that little potato bag! I have been doing everything else right, I think. After planting them I waited for little green sprouts, then covered them again with compost, then waited and topped up with compost again. I hope this is right. We'll know in about 10 weeks time.
Chitting is where you place the tubers in a suitable holder - often an eggbox or planting tray - leaving the 'rose' facing up until strong green little sprouts form. Then you're supposed to plant them.
Anyhow, I also have a shallow square vase on the kitchen windowsill that I'm using to grow Mint. It's looking good. I bought them as tiny 'plugs' for 25p each and they've grown very very tall now.
I love this grow your own stuff. It makes me feel I'm actively doing something to attempt to become a little more self sufficient, I know I'm not growing a lot yet but I hope to grow lots lots more if I'm successful with this little patch.
I've dug a second bed out ready for use in the Spring, this is likely to be filled with other common veg, onions, cabbages, tomatoes... I have a feeling I'm going to need another bed or two as well as Sophie wants to grow raspberries and pumpkins, Rio wants to grow strawberries too. And I want some flowers as well.
We have plans to grow Sunflowers next year too. I am intending to purchase some Springtime bulbs also for nice seasonal colour.
Well, I know it's been a long time since I wrote but I really struggle to find the time to write on here lately. It won't always be this hectic. I promise I'll make more time for you.
Thank you very much for reading.
Lots of Love
K xxx