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NMA
  • NMA
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28 January 2025 13:57:13

In the front garden we have loads of the things, well drained sandy soil they are in the beds in the ground. They have leaves on all year round, easy to split and propagate and act as great weed suppressors.

Originally Posted by: StoneCroze 


You must have an evergreen variety.
The deciduous one grows here which is hardier. Considering the sun has yet to reach the back garden, I'm pleased they survive out the back.
The arum lilies Zantedeschia look a bit worse for wear but they always do at this time of year. Roll on spring.
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
+1
Northern Sky
04 February 2025 14:03:10
It's the time of year when on a nice day it's very tempting to start sowing seeds. I did this last year and on the whole I'd say it was mostly a bit pointless. Most things grew - in the end, but I'm fairly certain that sowing them 2 months later would've made zero difference. I'm talking about seeds which the packets state can be sown from Feb onwards. 
Is anyone else sowing anything at the moment?
NMA
  • NMA
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09 February 2025 11:33:51

It's the time of year when on a nice day it's very tempting to start sowing seeds. I did this last year and on the whole I'd say it was mostly a bit pointless. Most things grew - in the end, but I'm fairly certain that sowing them 2 months later would've made zero difference. I'm talking about seeds which the packets state can be sown from Feb onwards. 
Is anyone else sowing anything at the moment?

Originally Posted by: Northern Sky 


No. But I've got my night scented stock seeds (thanks for the heads up Bolty), sweet cicely seeds (chilling out in the fridge at 0C), Garlic Chives for the first time in several years, Betony and Vipers Bugloss. Will sow in due course but not yet.

Lilium martagon, some Iris germanica, Christmas rose, and Lambs Ears on their way from somewhere. I'm growing Canna Black Night for the first time and these arrived yesterday. Will sit in a damp, frost free place for now.
Unless you have a (heated) greenhouse, not really worth sowing anything now. Chillies and Toms an exception perhaps.
Years ago, parts of the Channel Islands had a large tomato industry. They came across in bulk to Weymouth I think. Maybe Poole? The flavour of these wasn't exactly great according to some people.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/guernsey/content/articles/2009/03/18/tomato_growing_feature.shtml 

Nowadays, we are spoilt for flavoursome choice, especially if you grow your own.

Heading off on a tangent, I remember when growing up in Poole, the Onion Men from Brittany complete with berets and strings of onions on bike handlebars. My Mum would buy a string of these vegetables that would last into the autumn.
https://downbytheseadorset.blogspot.com/2015/10/onion-johnnies.html 
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
+1
Sasa
  • Sasa
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09 February 2025 11:41:22

It's the time of year when on a nice day it's very tempting to start sowing seeds. I did this last year and on the whole I'd say it was mostly a bit pointless. Most things grew - in the end, but I'm fairly certain that sowing them 2 months later would've made zero difference. I'm talking about seeds which the packets state can be sown from Feb onwards. 
Is anyone else sowing anything at the moment?

Originally Posted by: Northern Sky 


I am sowing tomato seeds that I plan to grow in the greenhouse. Later this month, after the 20th, I will sow more tomato seeds for outdoor growing.

The best varieties for growing in the UK are Crimson Crush and Crimson Blush. The latter is more of a beefsteak variety with a richer flavor, but both are outstanding and highly blight-resistant—essential qualities for our climate.
Kingston Upon Thames
+1
speckledjim
09 February 2025 11:53:51

It's the time of year when on a nice day it's very tempting to start sowing seeds. I did this last year and on the whole I'd say it was mostly a bit pointless. Most things grew - in the end, but I'm fairly certain that sowing them 2 months later would've made zero difference. I'm talking about seeds which the packets state can be sown from Feb onwards. 
Is anyone else sowing anything at the moment?

Originally Posted by: Northern Sky 


Not yet, far too early. I'm very tempted though to purchase one of these which I would use for lettuces, herbs etc....

https://vegepod.co.uk/ 
Thorner, West Yorkshire


Journalism is organised gossip
+1
NMA
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15 February 2025 13:57:35

Not yet, far too early. I'm very tempted though to purchase one of these which I would use for lettuces, herbs etc....

https://vegepod.co.uk/ 

Originally Posted by: speckledjim 


Not sure about me though. It would keep that dog in the photo off though.
I did though buy some seed trays earlier today as my older ones are brittle.
Still too early for seed sowing outdoors though I might start the sweet cicely in a tray soon.
They should have had enough frost in the fridge to stratify them by now.
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
Bertwhistle
18 February 2025 13:28:39

It's the time of year when on a nice day it's very tempting to start sowing seeds. I did this last year and on the whole I'd say it was mostly a bit pointless. Most things grew - in the end, but I'm fairly certain that sowing them 2 months later would've made zero difference. I'm talking about seeds which the packets state can be sown from Feb onwards. 
Is anyone else sowing anything at the moment?

Originally Posted by: Northern Sky 


Salad, mustard and radish seeds but in the non-seed categories, broad beans and garlic already done. Nothing else yet and certainly not the non-hardy ones like tomatoes. Some plants might germinate and get going in a mild spell, only to be kicked back by a later cold spell. Many tomatoes, for instance, can survive below 10C but not thrive, and will be killed off in frost if not protected.
I might put an early pea crop in soon.
Bertie, Itchen Valley.
Retire while you can still press the 'retire now' button.
+1
MRazzell
03 March 2025 09:13:02
It looks like winter may have a final bite come the middle of the month.
I've been monitoring an Echium Pininana seedling that grew into a mighty plant last summer and has held on through the winter so far. Unusual for us here at elevation in E-Sussex but we've been lucky as our few cold spells this winter have not been accompanied by too much rain, which in combination with frost is a real killer of tender plants.
Far north of East Sussex. +150m asl.
+1
Bertwhistle
04 March 2025 12:25:35
Best snowdrop and crocus display for years- 10 at least - nuances of this year's season I guess.
Bright sunshine has brought a rash of pulmonaria, primroses and miniature daffodils but the nights are so cold (-3 for the last 3) I have to hide the kaffir lime and banana overnight!
Bertie, Itchen Valley.
Retire while you can still press the 'retire now' button.
+2
NMA
  • NMA
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08 March 2025 08:41:22
Deep gardening read.
https://www.noemamag.com/how-to-build-a-thousand-year-old-tree/ 
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
NMA
  • NMA
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15 March 2025 09:24:50
It's been quite dry this month but I was still surprised going to Weymouth earlier to see a sprinkler in full flow on a bowling green near the sea front. Someone I guess has spread fertiliser or a lawn treatment and needs to wash it in.

Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
Bertwhistle
16 March 2025 14:33:39
It has been dry, Nick, but I'm keeping my watering to the midday region as the nights are still so cold here.
So many pulmonaria out now the bee-flies are about, restless little things; normally see them later in March or not until April some years. 
Crocuses are almost over and snowdrops gone so quickly, but wood anemones in our woodland bank budding and lesser celandines smiling in the sunshine.
Planted a peach tree in a sunny, sheltered spot, which is hopefully showing signs of life (very slow so still unsure about the green bits on the buds). It'll act as a memorial tree for my father in law who passed a year ago yesterday. Bess (my wife) told me they had a peach in their garden in Zambia years ago which I didn't know when I chose it, so I'm pleased and hope it thrives. All advice on this one welcome, as although we have apples, plums, figs & walnuts and various currants and berries, this is my first sort-of exotic!
Bertie, Itchen Valley.
Retire while you can still press the 'retire now' button.
+1
NMA
  • NMA
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16 March 2025 16:13:53
It has been dry though many people don't notice it at this time of year.
Peach leaf curl is something to watch out for.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/disease/peach-leaf-curl 
Seen it done it and know it's an issue in the UK.

Pomegranates are another 'exotic' you might want to try. I knew a garden in Christchurch Dorset which had flourishing fruiting tree against a red brick south facing wall.
My Evereste crab apple has green buds as does the potted fig (done to encourage fruiting).
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
+1
Roger Parsons
16 March 2025 17:27:52
For me two fruit trees stand out, the Greengage and the Quince! Head and shoulders above the other excellent and delicious options.
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
+1
NMA
  • NMA
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17 March 2025 06:57:18
For something a  little different Bertie - The Medlar.

https://www.tiptree.com/products/medlar-jelly 
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
+2
DEW
  • DEW
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17 March 2025 07:24:11

For something a  little different Bertie - The Medlar.

https://www.tiptree.com/products/medlar-jelly 

Originally Posted by: NMA 


Yes - but only if you're prepared to cook it, as indicated.

The only person I've met who had a kind word for medlars off the tree was someone who had been at a boarding school and kept on short commons. At Christmas she and the other girls picked the medlars for Christmas end-of-term 'treats', scooping out the rotten flesh as is recommended. It tastes like bruised apple.

For me, nothing beata a Victoria plum.
War does not determine who is right, only who is left - Bertrand Russell

Chichester 12m asl
+2
NMA
  • NMA
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17 March 2025 08:30:49
It must have been a boarding school bordering on a concentration camp.
A tree more for talking about than it's culinary highlights though I still like to see them.
For a more positive spin from the RHS, though perhaps gloss over the Chaucer and the French descriptions.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/features/fascinating-facts-medlars 

One more tree and one that grew in the Christchurch garden.
The Black Mulberry.
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
Bertwhistle
17 March 2025 12:30:28

For me two fruit trees stand out, the Greengage and the Quince! Head and shoulders above the other excellent and delicious options.

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 


Haven't got either Roger but adore them both. A nearby quince on public land produces a glut every year and now I have a proper jam thermometer I'm able to set very passable quince jelly.
My plum is a yellow then slightly reddening variety which I take to be a Victoria. Didn't fruit last year but the fruits are intensely sweet.
Bertie, Itchen Valley.
Retire while you can still press the 'retire now' button.
+1
Northern Sky
17 March 2025 22:05:25
I was perusing the seed collection at the local garden centre today looking for something unusual to grow. I like to try something new to me every year, with shall we say, varying success. 
Last years choice of lemon cucumber being perhaps the worst of all. I grew one plant which was covered in beautiful looking fruits but I'm not sure if anything I've ever grown has tasted as bad - and that includes turnips... Each one I tried throughout varying stages and sizes had a lingering rancidly bitter sourness, and that's being generous. Never again.
I'm still undecided on the new one for this year.

DEW
  • DEW
  • Advanced Member
17 March 2025 23:37:54

I was perusing the seed collection at the local garden centre today looking for something unusual to grow. I like to try something new to me every year, with shall we say, varying success. 
Last years choice of lemon cucumber being perhaps the worst of all. I grew one plant which was covered in beautiful looking fruits but I'm not sure if anything I've ever grown has tasted as bad - and that includes turnips... Each one I tried throughout varying stages and sizes had a lingering rancidly bitter sourness, and that's being generous. Never again.
I'm still undecided on the new one for this year.

Originally Posted by: Northern Sky 





Salad plants

New Zealand spinach? Doesn't taste like spinach, best grown as a climber as it's difficult to wash free of soil if grown as a trailing plant.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetragonia_tetragonioides 

Miners' lettuce? as eaten by the 49-ers in California. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claytonia_perfoliata

You're probably too far north to grow Cape Gooseberry aka Chinese lantern (Physalis peruviana) outside, though I have managed to ripen them outside in a warm summer in the south https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physalis_peruviana
War does not determine who is right, only who is left - Bertrand Russell

Chichester 12m asl
+1
Sasa
  • Sasa
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17 March 2025 23:57:02

I was perusing the seed collection at the local garden centre today looking for something unusual to grow. I like to try something new to me every year, with shall we say, varying success. 
Last years choice of lemon cucumber being perhaps the worst of all. I grew one plant which was covered in beautiful looking fruits but I'm not sure if anything I've ever grown has tasted as bad - and that includes turnips... Each one I tried throughout varying stages and sizes had a lingering rancidly bitter sourness, and that's being generous. Never again.
I'm still undecided on the new one for this year.

Originally Posted by: Northern Sky 


Why not try yellow raspberries? They have a delicious taste, are autumn-fruiting—starting in late August and continuing until the first frosts—and best of all, they don’t attract the maggots that have started appearing in red raspberries and blackberries of late. apparently some stupid fly has made its way over here and its absolutelly disgusting.

IMO, you cannot go wrong. Highly recommend.

https://www.blackmoor.co.uk/raspberry-all-gold-p1001971 
Kingston Upon Thames
+1
Windy Willow
18 March 2025 07:54:19

Why not try yellow raspberries? They have a delicious taste, are autumn-fruiting—starting in late August and continuing until the first frosts—and best of all, they don’t attract the maggots that have started appearing in red raspberries and blackberries of late. apparently some stupid fly has made its way over here and its absolutelly disgusting.

IMO, you cannot go wrong. Highly recommend.

https://www.blackmoor.co.uk/raspberry-all-gold-p1001971 

Originally Posted by: Sasa 


Golden Raspberries are very delicious indeed. Unfortunately my plant died, still not sure why, I haven't had much luck with them. I'm hoping my 3 new plants have survived the winter here, but the new plants are red ones.
Another golden fruit that is wonderfully delicious is the golden gooseberry, it's a really sweet tasting gooseberry which you can eat straight from the plant, no cooking necessary. I'm hoping for a really good crop this year as my plant is now coming on for 5 years, and is quite a good size, which has been grown in a pot. It's a giggles patio variety, if anyone is interested.
South Holland, Lincs 5m/16ft ASL

When I saw corruption, I was forced to find truth on my own. I couldn't swallow the hypocrisy.

Barry White


It’s the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine) - R.E.M.
speckledjim
18 March 2025 08:17:56

Golden Raspberries are very delicious indeed. Unfortunately my plant died, still not sure why, I haven't had much luck with them. I'm hoping my 3 new plants have survived the winter here, but the new plants are red ones.
Another golden fruit that is wonderfully delicious is the golden gooseberry, it's a really sweet tasting gooseberry which you can eat straight from the plant, no cooking necessary. I'm hoping for a really good crop this year as my plant is now coming on for 5 years, and is quite a good size, which has been grown in a pot. It's a giggles patio variety, if anyone is interested.

Originally Posted by: Windy Willow 


You've inspired me, just bought 2 gooseberry giggles gold as I fancied growing some fruit in containers. Also purchased a 'brown turkey' fig.
Thorner, West Yorkshire


Journalism is organised gossip
+1
Roger Parsons
18 March 2025 08:19:35

Golden Raspberries are very delicious indeed. Unfortunately my plant died, still not sure why, I haven't had much luck with them. I'm hoping my 3 new plants have survived the winter here, but the new plants are red ones.
Another golden fruit that is wonderfully delicious is the golden gooseberry, it's a really sweet tasting gooseberry which you can eat straight from the plant, no cooking necessary. I'm hoping for a really good crop this year as my plant is now coming on for 5 years, and is quite a good size, which has been grown in a pot. It's a giggles patio variety, if anyone is interested.

Originally Posted by: Windy Willow 


We had an excellent rhubarb plot at our last place. Worth its weight in gold! I used to force it using a huge old leaky water butt.
And while we are thinking about fruit - I see the other half has got out a jar of her Bullace jam. Wonderful stuff.

https://www.foragingcoursecompany.co.uk/post/foraging-guide-bullace 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
+1
DEW
  • DEW
  • Advanced Member
18 March 2025 08:25:01

Why not try yellow raspberries? They have a delicious taste, are autumn-fruiting—starting in late August and continuing until the first frosts—and best of all, they don’t attract the maggots that have started appearing in red raspberries and blackberries of late. apparently some stupid fly has made its way over here and its absolutelly disgusting.

IMO, you cannot go wrong. Highly recommend.

https://www.blackmoor.co.uk/raspberry-all-gold-p1001971 

Originally Posted by: Sasa 


And IME the colour confuses the birds, so they don't get eaten. For another raspberry-type fruit which birds seem to leave alone, try a wineberry (looks like a red blackberry, tastes like a raspberry). You need some space for the fruiting canes - I train mine along the fence. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubus_phoenicolasius



But avoid Tayberry, a raspberry-blackberry hybrid, second only to cacti in vicious thorniness.

War does not determine who is right, only who is left - Bertrand Russell

Chichester 12m asl
+2

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