Any Interesting or unexpected results?

littlebug

So last years experiment was to get the kids to scatter lots of seeds (general mixed stuff) around the front flower beds. The result to some may have been a big mess but to me was a beautiful sea of colour and I had flowers right up until the start of December. Ok some of the sizings were a bit off but I thought it worked great as an experiment so much so that I've done it all over again!

One of the strangest results was 4 or 5 cherry tomato plants in the middle of it. I've no idea where they came from Would a few stray seeds have made their way into some of the mixed flower packets or could they have come from the compost (half our own compost and half shop bought) though I think there was less of our own compost in the part where they grew.
I've been watching whats popping up out there now and I think it looks like there are a couple of them coming back this year.. can't be sure though. I'll keep an eye on them.

The best thing about not really knowing what I'm doing in the garden is these unexpected results. Has anyone else had any strangelings in their garden?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

It's quite common to get Tomato and Strawberry plants as a result of seeds in homemade compost.

TequilaMockingBird

I have a topiary type tree, which has sprouted "something" from the sideof the stem, it totally ruins the look of the tree, but it looks interesting so I'll leave it and see what happens!

I'll post a pic and maybe someone can tell me what it is.

10-10-20

The tomato seeds could have come from anywhere.
They may have been picked up by a bird or dog and 'deposited' on the bed.

aggresso

My compost heap grows lots of excellent things completely unaided.

That includes:
tomatoes
melon
pumpkin
weird-shaped carrots
snapdragons
english marigold
tagetes
wild strawberries
spuds

If I do nothing the spuds take over. But I tend to favour the pumpkin (recommended variety for eating: hokkaido). The three strongest plants need to be well watered and protected from slugs (me favourite method is a combination of sharp sand and beer traps).

I live in Berlin, though. We have a relatively reliable summer here.

angelface2008

sueme wrote: »

I have a topiary type tree, which has sprouted "something" from the sideof the stem, it totally ruins the look of the tree, but it looks interesting so I'll leave it and see what happens!

I'll post a pic and maybe someone can tell me what it is.

Hi Sueme,it sounds like maybe you have a grafted topiary tree if that is the case then the root stock used is probably just growing new shoots,its best to cut these off so as not to stress the graft and allow it to get well established,if its not grafted then you might be lucky enough to have a sport,take a cutting and pot it on:)

littlebug

Helen Spicy Circus wrote: »

It's quite common to get Tomato and Strawberry plants as a result of seeds in homemade compost.

It hadn't even crossed my mind that could happen. It was the first time I used our own compost. That also might explain the one sunflower I didn't remember planting:o Mightly stuff. I'll be on the lookout for spuds and pumpkins then this year