Veg plans for 2021

Bill Hook · 27-03-2021 11:55am

It's probably hit and miss with the store-cupboard gardening but always worth a try.

I find linseed from the health food shop grows well. Last year I scattered the end of a bag of chia seeds from Lidl into a pot and it grew no problem. It was too late in the year for it to do anything so I thought I'd try again this year but so far my efforts with chia seed from Tesco have not been successful. I might try some from the health food shop and see if that works.

Zardaz · 27-03-2021 12:27pm

I use mustard seeds from the Indian shop to grow microgreens. At a couple of euro for a 1Kg bag, its a great deal. Using a teaspoon a day for the microgreens, a single bag lasts for 2-3 winter seasons.
If I used ordinary mustard seed packets at a euro or two each, it wouldn't be cost effective.

CelticRambler · 27-03-2021 1:59pm

My objectives tend more towards the macro than micro!

Veg-wise, 2021 has got off to a messy start, on account of deliberately planning to take both of my beds out of commission at the same time, then getting behind schedule for various reasons; but I'm now running at about 90% self-sufficiency in fruit, vegetables and herbs (including feeding parties of up to 10 vegetarians! :pac: )

It looks like it'll be touch-and-go as far as the last of the potatoes go (I've replaced almost all my rice and pasta with potatoes, and stopped buying frozen chips, so using more than before) so I need to increase my yields from this years crops. The same goes for peppers and chilis, and last year's tomatoes were very poor too, so they're all on "must do better" list. Other than that, I'm aiming to have about 6-18 month's worth of food in the stores (depending on whether it's dried, frozen, pickled, etc) which is where the new-and-improved veg beds come in.

Speaking of which, I should go out ...

MacDanger · 08-04-2021 2:56pm

Hi

I had pencilled in this weekend or next to sow some seeds (carrots, peas & lettuce) in the veg patch. The temperatures forecast for the next two weeks are looking like this:

Friday 9th April: High 7C/Low 1C
7/0
8/5
9/6
11/2
10/2
11/3
Friday 16th April: 12/3
11/2
12/5
13/5
12/5
12/5
Thursday 22nd April: 14/4

Looking at those, am I as well holding off until the weekend of the 23rd before planting?

Living Off The Splash · 09-04-2021 9:59am

I planted out my Broadbeans, Peas and Mange Touts. Concerned about the temperatures now. I am holding off in planting out my Spinach and French Beans plus salad leaves.

laoch na mona · 09-04-2021 10:21am

I'm holding off my planting this weekend. no real point in putting seeds in the ground when I know its well below germination temperature.

I've a few trays I can start more plants in for transplanting though

Living Off The Splash · 12-04-2021 8:25am

How do you, use seaweed as compost in your garden?

If I collect a few bags of it and throw it in to my compost heap, not to be used until next year, is that a waste of goodness?

The Master. · 12-04-2021 3:47pm

Living Off The Splash wrote: »

How do you, use seaweed as compost in your garden?

If I collect a few bags of it and throw it in to my compost heap, not to be used until next year, is that a waste of goodness?

If I remember correctly I went down to killiney beach after a stormy day at the end of last year . Collected two big bags of washed up seaweed.
I have raised beds and I had finished growing anything so just lobbed the seaweed on top and covered with paper and cardboard sheets I had and by the spring it had nearly all decomposed.
Things I would have done differently are
1 waited until the washed up seaweed had gone dry and crispy on the beach before carrying it back to the car because the wet stuff weighed a ton.
2 I would have tried to wash off the salt in a bucket or hose it down before spreading it on my beds.
I'm only new to gardening and the first time I've done this so I don't know the results but seeing how my potatoes are all frostbite and black it may all just have been a big waste of time and money!

Anyone else know if the frosted potatoes will come back or should I try to replace them with a few spares I have.

DeadSkin · 12-04-2021 4:23pm

My spuds have succumbed to the frost too :-(

CelticRambler · 12-04-2021 5:49pm

The Master. wrote: »

Anyone else know if the frosted potatoes will come back or should I try to replace them with a few spares I have.

They'll be grand. It'll only be the top growth that's been traumatised; you'll see new green shoots in a week or so.

macraignil · 12-04-2021 5:50pm

DeadSkin wrote: »

My spuds have succumbed to the frost too :-(

It was mentioned on BBC Gardener's World last week that once it is just the leaves that get a bit frost damaged the spuds should recover. Earth them up a bit more if there is more frost forecast for your area. I've got good crops eventually in the past from spuds that got a bit of frost damage to the leaves from late frosts.

The Master. · 12-04-2021 8:05pm

CelticRambler wrote: »

They'll be grand. It'll only be the top growth that's been traumatised; you'll see new green shoots in a week or so.

Thanks. I had the covered with fleece so its mostly just the tips of the leaves that are dead. Many have yet to break the ground yet.
Surely that must be the end of the frost by now! Feels like it could get cold tonight.

SouthWesterly · 12-04-2021 8:18pm

The Master. wrote: »

Thanks. I had the covered with fleece so its mostly just the tips of the leaves that are dead. Many have yet to break the ground yet.
Surely that must be the end of the frost by now! Feels like it could get cold tonight.

To be cold tonight and possibly another night or 2 later in the month.

MacDanger · 20-04-2021 9:37am

MacDanger wrote: »

1. 2 x Tumbler and 1 x Moneymaker
2. Just bought them at the weekend, ~10-15cm tall I'd say
3. The window is medium size, maybe 0.8m * 1.2m
4. Faces W-SW
5. Not really

These tomato plants are coming along reasonably well, little flower buds starting to show on them (see pics) - how often should I be feeding & watering them at this stage?

Thanks

Harry Palmr · 20-04-2021 9:55am

Thank goodness for the rain. It's light but steady for about 10 hours. The soil is partched down here.

MacDanger · 21-04-2021 9:32am

MacDanger wrote: »

These tomato plants are coming along reasonably well, little flower buds starting to show on them (see pics) - how often should I be feeding & watering them at this stage?

Thanks

Anyone?

Living Off The Splash · 21-04-2021 9:41am

Living Off The Splash wrote: »

I planted out my Broadbeans, Peas and Mange Touts. Concerned about the temperatures now. I am holding off in planting out my Spinach and French Beans plus salad leaves.

Update. The peas and mange touts are all showing their heads above the soil now, just about 3 weeks after planting direct in to the soil.

The broad beans not as good, a few sticking their heads up.

Tomato plants on the window sill about 6 inches tall. I will need to transplant these on in to larger pots this week.

I am going ahead with planting out my French Bean and Spinach seeds direct in to the ground this week as temperatures due to be about 15 degrees. I will put a fleece over them as night temperatures will be as low as 3 degrees.

hirondelle · 21-04-2021 11:59am

MacDanger wrote: »

Anyone?

I'm growing some on at the moment- the obvious answer is "as often as they need to be"- meaning, if the compost is drying out or if the leaves start to droop. So, regularly basically- it is also getting to the point where the nutrients in the compost are used up- I noticed lower leaves turning yellow, so I added some Baby Bio to the water and that has perked them right up.

it really is a case of nursing them along until they go out or into the greenhouse etc.

PMBC · 21-04-2021 5:16pm

What depth of soil is needed for growing lettuces, radishes in boxes? My BH is on a campaign growing some from seeds.

macraignil · 21-04-2021 9:25pm

PMBC wrote: »

What depth of soil is needed for growing lettuces, radishes in boxes? My BH is on a campaign growing some from seeds.

Probably get some crop with 100mm depth but the deeper you go the more you will avoid them drying out and this can lead to plants bolting to make seed sooner than you would normally expect. Best to plant the lettuce and radish a few every couple weeks so they all don't mature at the same time.

Got lettuce little gem started in a windowbox of less than 100mm but going to plant them out here in the next couple of weeks. Going to use some to mark out a row of scorzonera which I have never grown before.

Happy gardening!

Living Off The Splash · 25-04-2021 9:16am

Planted out my Runner bean and French bean seeds yesterday. Covered them with a fleece.

I could do with another fleece type covering that I can water through. I think I got my last one from Amazon many years ago.

Anyone know where I might get one locally at a reasonable price.

okedoke · 26-04-2021 11:47am

I've got sweetcorn, pumpkin and courgette growing in pots atm. They were in the house - now they're outside during the day and in the shed at night (I might bring them into the house later this week - cold snap expected. How soon could i (reasonably) safely plant them outside?

I know courgette and pumpkin are very tender but I've read conflicting advice about how tender sweetcorn is.

I'm in Cork city btw

cuculainn · 26-04-2021 1:22pm

okedoke wrote: »

I've got sweetcorn, pumpkin and courgette growing in pots atm. They were in the house - now they're outside during the day and in the shed at night (I might bring them into the house later this week - cold snap expected. How soon could i (reasonably) safely plant them outside?

I know courgette and pumpkin are very tender but I've read conflicting advice about how tender sweetcorn is.

I'm in Cork city btw

I'm in same situation, running out of indoor space and pots......need to move them out but it is still very cold!!

beggars_bush · 26-04-2021 2:05pm

okedoke wrote: »

I've got sweetcorn, pumpkin and courgette growing in pots atm. They were in the house - now they're outside during the day and in the shed at night (I might bring them into the house later this week - cold snap expected. How soon could i (reasonably) safely plant them outside?

I know courgette and pumpkin are very tender but I've read conflicting advice about how tender sweetcorn is.

I'm in Cork city btw

way too early to plant out sweetcorn

SouthWesterly · 26-04-2021 10:34pm

Bought some perennial cabbage this evening.
I actually think its a kale but time will tell.

CelticRambler · 27-04-2021 12:20pm

:mad: Think I'll give up on veg planning for this year. Had no end of trouble getting things to germinate in Jan-Feb, and was going to post saying I'd had trouble getting things to germinate in April, but anything sown in March was doing really well.

I've just done my daily check on the March seedlings (tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, pumpkin, melon, gerkhins, basil, parsely, ginger ... ) and the whole lot are incinerated. :mad: Since yesterday. :mad: :mad:

I have a couple of back-up trays of tomatoes that were hammered by the frost a couple of weeks ago, but about a quarter seem to have survived. Not sure I have the enthusiasm for planting what seed I have left.

The weird thing is: it's only the veg that's being destroyed - the flowers are doing great (except sweet peas - again, very poor germination this year).

Living Off The Splash · 28-04-2021 11:24am

I was just adding up the amount of hours that I have spent in the garden this year between the early tidy up, preparing raised beds, collecting my compost, creating frames for beans, peas etc, organising seeds, planting out, watering, covering/pampering. Watching the weather. It all adds up.

A visit to Tesco and I can buy a kilo of frozen this...... or a head of fresh that....... for less than €1.

Am I enjoying my gardening? Yes I am? Would I be better off being somewhere else, doing something else......possibly.

I still look at the long term property rentals in Spain though, but wonder how I would fill my day......I could walk the promenade in the sun, maybe go on a day trip somewhere.....

Maybe next year...

youllbemine · 28-04-2021 12:46pm

Living Off The Splash wrote: »

I was just adding up the amount of hours that I have spent in the garden this year between the early tidy up, preparing raised beds, collecting my compost, creating frames for beans, peas etc, organising seeds, planting out, watering, covering/pampering. Watching the weather. It all adds up.

A visit to Tesco and I can buy a kilo of frozen this...... or a head of fresh that....... for less than €1.

Am I enjoying my gardening? Yes I am? Would I be better off being somewhere else, doing something else......possibly.

I still look at the long term property rentals in Spain though, but wonder how I would fill my day......I could walk the promenade in the sun, maybe go on a day trip somewhere.....

Maybe next year...

The way I look at it is this. If you could be spending your time doing something else that you enjoy more or that is going to make you money then possibly look into spending your time at that. If you enjoy the gardening more than those other things then sure what else would you be at.

I'm 29 and big into growing veg. I've friends and acquaintances who think it's a bit odd that I spend so much time out there working away. They also find it odd that I've such a passion/obsession with it. If I had another source of income outside my 9-5 I'd spend my time on that but I don't. So it's a hobby of mine (one of possibly too many). It's not like these people are making bags of money outside of their spare time or learning an amazing skill. They're watching tv/on their phones/drinking/playing sport (I do all of these things too, especially sport, but split my time differently).

Plus I worked out that I grew around €3,000 worth of food in the garden last year. I've expanded this year and reckon it'll be at least €5-6,000 saved on veg groceries. Sitting in front of the tv definitely doesn't save you that coin! Unless you're on Gogglebox!

2011abc · 28-04-2021 8:28pm

Living Off The Splash wrote: »

I was just adding up the amount of hours that I have spent in the garden this year between the early tidy up, preparing raised beds, collecting my compost, creating frames for beans, peas etc, organising seeds, planting out, watering, covering/pampering. Watching the weather. It all adds up.

A visit to Tesco and I can buy a kilo of frozen this...... or a head of fresh that....... for less than €1.

Am I enjoying my gardening? Yes I am? Would I be better off being somewhere else, doing something else......possibly.

I still look at the long term property rentals in Spain though, but wonder how I would fill my day......I could walk the promenade in the sun, maybe go on a day trip somewhere.....

Maybe next year...

The physical exercise is a big part of it for me .It cant ever make sense purely financially for many but as a lifestyle hobby its grand .If bored or even if not, completely quitting November to March is wise .

LurkerNo1 · 28-04-2021 8:54pm

Living Off The Splash wrote: »

I was just adding up the amount of hours that I have spent in the garden this year between the early tidy up, preparing raised beds, collecting my compost, creating frames for beans, peas etc, organising seeds, planting out, watering, covering/pampering. Watching the weather. It all adds up.

A visit to Tesco and I can buy a kilo of frozen this...... or a head of fresh that....... for less than €1.

Am I enjoying my gardening? Yes I am? Would I be better off being somewhere else, doing something else......possibly.

I still look at the long term property rentals in Spain though, but wonder how I would fill my day......I could walk the promenade in the sun, maybe go on a day trip somewhere.....

Maybe next year...

Im in a similar situation. Been growing alot of veg for the past 10 years and this year im just growing some greens and herbs in a small area. Turning the rest over to perennial flowers and grasses. Ive enjoyed the veg growing but less and less the past few years. I agree with all the time and effort put in i dont find the rewards enough and i find myself sacrificing my own peace of mind because there is always another job to do or something to look after and i cant just up and leave whenever i like during the growing season. It just feels like im tied to it and i dont want that anymore. I love gardening but i also love my freedom.
The perennial flower beds have been amazing and i get so much more joy out of them as do the wildlife and the passers by. The input is minimal, a little bit of weeding and thats it, come June most of the ground is covered so little room for weeds to germinate. If i want to do work thats an option but if i choose not to thats ok too. I can leave for a break or holiday and not have to organise someone to look after a crop and watering.

If you move to Spain you can walk to the farmers market, amazing produce for next to nothing.

CelticRambler · 28-04-2021 9:14pm

youllbemine wrote: »

If you could be spending your time doing something ... that is going to make you money then possibly look into spending your time at that.

Waaaay back in the mists of time, I had someone come to do a "performance review" of my business. On the day in question, my receptionist had taken a half-day's leave, so I stood in for her myself - nothing like doing the work of your staff to understand what challenges they face. Anyway, yer man's summary was that not only should I be employing someone on minimum wage to do the receptionist's work, but based on our (my) profit margins, I'd be better off employing a new graduate to do my work, and subcontracting my more experienced self to another organisation for more money.

That was day I decided that I'd had enough of living a capitalist-consumerist lifestyle. Soon afterwards, we sold up (in England) and moved to France.

Living Off The Splash wrote: »

I still look at the long term property rentals in Spain though, but wonder how I would fill my day......

Can't speak for Spain, but here in the next country up, I can tell you I'm not short of ways to fill my days!

Yesterday was depressing, after I found so many carefully nurtured seedlings had been frazzled in the space of a few hours; but today started as a wet Wednesday and (somewhat paradoxically) that cheered me up - the ground is wet - that makes it three days so far this year!

The cost is largely irrelevant - it's hope and challenge and stimulation and satisfaction that makes it worth while.

Harry Palmr · 29-04-2021 6:49pm

Growing a tray of seedlings in late April early May should be easy enough, but I'm moving mine in/out every day! :mad: Just can't risk them at night even inside a greenhouse.

Igotadose · 29-04-2021 9:29pm

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Growing a tray of seedlings in late April early May should be easy enough, but I'm moving mine in/out every day! :mad: Just can't risk them at night even inside a greenhouse.

Same. Too damn cold at night still, and going to stay that way for a bit.

Per one older neighbor in West Kerry: "Sometimes we get a week of nice weather in April, and that's the summer." Hopefully not this year. Go, global warming, go!

CelticRambler · 29-04-2021 10:32pm

Ye can keep yer global warming over there in West Kerry, or anywhere on the island. Here, the first water restrictions of the year went into effect today. Fortunately not yet for my area ... but I don't doubt we'll be joining the others soon.

SouthWesterly · 29-04-2021 11:00pm

Very dry here all month according to my weather station

Saw rain 3km from me today but never came near. I was less than impressed.

beggars_bush · 30-04-2021 7:23am

Killer frost for seedlings last night
Our kitchen floor resembles a mini forest

Living Off The Splash · 30-04-2021 10:13am

Planted out all our hardened off tomato plants yesterday. Used as much fleeces and other coverings that I could find. I am hoping that they survived last night.

Still looking for a recommendation to get some fine mesh to cover my plants. The prices seem to be all over the place.

SouthWesterly · 30-04-2021 2:18pm

Living Off The Splash wrote: »

Planted out all our hardened off tomato plants yesterday. Used as much fleeces and other coverings that I could find. I am hoping that they survived last night.

Still looking for a recommendation to get some fine mesh to cover my plants. The prices seem to be all over the place.

Scaffold netting.

madhgtaloney · 30-04-2021 6:54pm

Absolute nightmare so far this year, planted seeds (carrotts, onions, parsnips) about three weeks ago directly into the ground, not a single seedling so far and I don't think there will be any either given the freezing cold. Pea seedlings came up strong but we're destroyed by the blackbirds and robins nesting in the trees and ivy above. Had a look at the forecast last weekend and thought temperatures were picking up so two days ago I tried reseeding what I'd done and adding beetroot but the frost last night might've gotten them too. I have spinach, brocolli, cabbage and swedes in starter trays on top of the boiler outside (don't laugh) but the heat from the boiler actually keeps the soil nice and warm but means I don't have to harden them off really, but still far too cold to put them in the ground. Forgot to bring tomato plants back in the other day and they've shrivelled up despite being put in the hot press under grow lamp. All round disaster so far this year and don't see any improvement coming soon and it's getting late.

CelticRambler · 30-04-2021 7:04pm

madhgtaloney wrote: »

Absolute nightmare so far this year ...

Glad it's not just me.

That said, ever since I reluctantly agreed to do a short contract in May, we've had a bit of soft rain, which has at least stabilised the situation a little for me. My beetroot was self-seeded last year, so didn't need any hardening off. I lost about half of the seedlings I transplanted due to severe drying wind, but those that survived are looking great. I've a load of red lettuce coming on nicely too, and between the two, a line of coriander sown about a month ago has decided to germinate.

Carrots are hit and miss. Mostly miss. But everything oniony is doing well.
The early spuds are well above ground now (will earth them up next week). Happiest of all, this week, are two spinach plants that escaped the slugs during the winter, and three red cabbages.

Living Off The Splash · 02-05-2021 9:14am

We planted out some more tomato plants yesterday. Running out of space to plant stuff. Just a few more lettuce to plant out and that's it for the year.

French beans and runner beans still not showing their heads above ground.

Our Sunflower seeds are all showing. Again nowhere to plant these. Need to make more space.

madhgtaloney · 04-05-2021 10:16am

I bought some Big Tom tomato planters in the garden shop the other day for planting my seedlings into in a few weeks. Has anyone used them before ? Are they worth it? And what do you do when the roots become too large? Any advice welcome.

As well, is there any truth to crushing a dry eggshell into the bottom of your hole when transplanting tomatoes? I've seen other people using rock phosphate as well. Anyone have any experience with these? Thanks!

2011abc · 04-05-2021 2:07pm

madhgtaloney wrote: »

I bought some Big Tom tomato planters in the garden shop the other day for planting my seedlings into in a few weeks. Has anyone used them before ? Are they worth it? And what do you do when the roots become too large? Any advice welcome.

As well, is there any truth to crushing a dry eggshell into the bottom of your hole when transplanting tomatoes? I've seen other people using rock phosphate as well. Anyone have any experience with these? Thanks!

The eggshell thing can't do any harm .I think they need the calcium in them .Epsom salts supposed to lead to nicer tasting tomatoes and strawberries .Theres one of the health food shops in Liffey Valley ( the one near Dunnes) does a tub for under a fiver .Many health food shops now looking for extortionate prices for their wares ( trying to find Glucosamine and chondroitin joint supplements that don't require a remortgage is fruitless as far as I can see)

2011abc · 04-05-2021 9:50pm

Freezing overnight on 6/7 May this year ?! Ouch !

Fann Linn · 05-05-2021 7:29am

2011abc wrote: »

Freezing overnight on 6/7 May this year ?! Ouch !

Just on this. I've just planted seed potatoes last Saturday and enquiring what precautions I should take it any?
First time planting spuds.

CelticRambler · 05-05-2021 7:46am

Fann Linn wrote: »

I've just planted seed potatoes last Saturday and enquiring what precautions I should take it any?

None, they'll be grand. Frost is only a problem for potatoes when they've already put leaves above ground level and suffer hard frosts for days (or weeks) on end. Once they're established, even if the foliage looks destroyed by a frost such as the one forecast, they'll recover soon enough.

Living Off The Splash · 05-05-2021 8:43am

madhgtaloney wrote: »

As well, is there any truth to crushing a dry eggshell into the bottom of your hole when transplanting tomatoes?

I try to be as comfortable as possible with all the bending over so I am not sure?

As an experiment this year we filled a number of "litter bins" that we found dumped in a skip with soil. We have put two tomato plants in each bin. We then cut the bottom off those 5 litre water bottles that you get in the supermarket to create a mini glass house. So far so good. They seem to be growing well.

Still no sign of my French beans or Runner Beans planted out from seed growing yet.

CelticRambler · 05-05-2021 9:19am

The joys of climate change!

Photo taken two days ago, one of two perfectly ripe Gariguette strawberries, outdoor grown with no protection of any kind. Even when making an effort to get an early crop, I've never had fully ripe strawberries in the first week of May before.

These are the product of our early spring heat wave and got going before the subsequent frost; the main crop for this variety is still a couple of weeks behind ... but also at least a couple of weeks ahead of schedule.

Igotadose · 05-05-2021 12:35pm

Celtic can you send some of that heat wave to West Kerry? It's still too cold for me to put anything out! Maybe this weekend but the predictions are for cold temps overnight, too. Very frustrating, colder than last April/May imo.

CelticRambler · 05-05-2021 1:52pm

Living Off The Splash wrote: »

I try to be as comfortable as possible with all the bending over so I am not sure?

Glad it's not just me who thought that gardening is tough enough on the auld body without putting broken eggshells in your hole!

Igotadose wrote: »

Celtic can you send some of that heat wave to West Kerry?

Sorry, IGAD, it's been and gone. We're now back to typical March November April September weather. At least until tea-time. :mad:

Veg plans for 2021

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