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NMA
  • NMA
  • Advanced Member
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
  • Advanced Member
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
  • Advanced Member
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
  • 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
  • Advanced Member
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
  • Advanced Member
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

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