We haven't ordered so many different varieties of Potatoes this year. We've ordered some Earlies that we shall spilt between outside planting and the Polytunnel, and some Maincrop.
We missed planting any Garlic in Autumn - too busy lazing around on a beach - so we have ordered some for Spring planting. We've never done a Spring planting so that will be interesting for us. We still have quite a lot stored to see us through the gap to harvest time.
Our Order is pretty much 'Bog Standard' for us but with some different varieties which I shall introduce over the year if I think they're interesting enough.
We saved Seeds from our Melons so we shall be giving them another go. If they don't take I shall have to dash out and get another variety to try.
The Asters I ordered last year turned out to be Dwarf - should have read the bumf more closely! Whilst they were pretty in the garden, they were only good for short vases. This year I have ordered Chrysanthemums for my cut flowers.
Thanks Wulf!
I first read about Tree Spinach on his Blog, where he has several interesting posts about it. You can find them here.
I expressed an interest and he very kindly sent us some seeds so that we could try it. Does anyone else grow this?
We are also part of a small Seed Circle on the Over The Gate Forum and this years Seeds arrived with us just before Christmas.
This is a fun way to share Seeds and try new varieties.
Last year we got some Yin Yang Beans (amongst other things) from the Circle and we were really pleased with them. I shall be adding some of my saved beans back into the Circle this year, along with some other goodies before posting on to the next person.
Finally, we have many Seeds that are a bit old. This year we are going to scatter the suitable ones on a spare bed and if they grow we shall have supplement food for this years pigs.
Are you growing anything new this year?
I did my first ever 'proper' seed order a couple of days ago and most of them will be things I haven't grown before as we didn't have a garden to speak of at our old house. I've dabbled a little since moving here in June but this year the 'serious' stuff starts. I'll be learning the hard way, I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteThat will be great fun, Alison. We look forward to reading about how you get on.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post! I'm not growing anything new this year, and fewer varieties.
ReplyDeleteI'm aiming for 'less but better' and trying to do succession planting properly. We shall see... Flighty xx
So glad you're 'back on the job!' Hooray!
ReplyDeleteWe've been trying celery the last couple of years. This year I'm going to start 'cutting celery' which makes flavorful tops, not stocks.
Unexpectedly, we've found celery to be one of the most fragrant plants in our garden. That alone makes it worth growing. Like everything else you grow yourself, homegrown celery tastes so much better, too.
Never heard of tree spinach I'll check that one out. New this year for me is asparagus although I'll need to be patient. Best wishes for the New Year.
ReplyDeleteStart of gardening isn't that fr away. When do you start early seeding
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are in for a busy and exciting Spring. Because there are animals roaming around the garden, (deer, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels...) I have learned the hard way that anything I plant ends up chomped by them, therefore I just enjoy the plants and fruit that grow annually. I do plant window boxes because I love flowers. I also have a little rose garden that I have gated off! Here's to a great gardening year!
ReplyDeleteI've been growing Tree Spinach for a few years now-think I originally bought seeds from Sarah Raven. Not many grew from original sowing, but it's a prolific self seeder, so have had plenty of plants since then and have transplanted seedlings to spread throughout the allotment. Love this vibrant pink veg-looks great in salads and great on the plot too.
ReplyDeleteMo, I never manage to plant garlic in Autumn because I'm too busy doing something else.
ReplyDeletePlanting in Spring works well for me, I start cloves off in pots in the g/house and then plant out. If you go this route, don't let them get pot-bound, they don't like the check to growth.
Tree spinach...I'm intrigued. What is this Circle you mention? Is it a seed swap group?
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a good plan, Flighty. My succession planting always seems to peter out.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tim! Although I really do need to catch up with the Blogs we follow too, and update our Blog List.
ReplyDeleteI dislike Celery and Steve says growing it is not worth growing just for him. Your comments about fragrance are interesting though and I may be tempted for that reason.
It is a Stock making ingredient that I always omit. Maybe if we grew our own I would include it.
Happy New Year, Damo. If we had started Asparagus when we first thought of it, we would be harvesting now! Each year we look and decide it takes too long. Perhaps it is time we bit the bullet.
ReplyDeleteWe started our main sowings in Feb last year, Red. We are lucky to have the Polytunnel. This year is much milder too, so we may be tempted to start early.
ReplyDeleteGlo, you're belssed to have so many critters visiting, although I can imagine the damage they can do. My Grandad used to keep a seperate Rose Garden, I loved it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, outofmyshed. I had heard it could be a bit 'prolific' and that you need to keep eating it! I'm looking forward to having pink veg :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Bilbo, it is good to hear from someone who does Spring planting of garlic. Your comments have made us more confident. Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteHi Tanya. Happy New Year! Yes, the Circle is a Seed Swap group. Do you have one over there?
ReplyDeleteNo we don't! I'm actually organising an island-wide allotment seed swap and pub day for next month though. I think it will be the first time it's been done here though.
ReplyDeleteNice to see I'm not the only tree spinach fan out there. I love the way it blends edible and ornamental - I've still got a little stand of it which is long past eating but a decorative patch by the entrance to my polytunnel. I'm looking forward to lots of self propagated seedlings later this year and trusting that their colouring will make them easy to pick out.
ReplyDeleteTanya, that's great! I just know you'll be Blogging about it - can't wait to hear how it goes. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm so looking forward to seeing it grow, Wulf - thanks again!
ReplyDeleteUmmm, I've decided I'm going to grow a monster pumpkin and I've chosen far too many peas and beans. Should be an interesting year ;)
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Look forward to hearing about your pumpkin! ;)
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