AmateurInAwe's Garden

[Amateurinawe]

[mention]MsCowpea[/mention] Thanks for the idea! I have ordered some 5 gallon fabric pots to place out front. Like the idea of air pruning so curious to see it for myself. I remember the root ball sizes of the tomatoes this year and apart from the way oversize laterals, they should fit quite nicely. Might need to contain the tomato height a bit but we'll see and support might be interesting for indeterminants. I've got a number of f1 crosses I need to seed so I probably only need a couple or three trusses.

I like the idea of potentially moving the pots around depending on growth in the main beds and other pots to maximise Sun exposure time in the growing season.

Could possibly do some of the peppers in them but I think the aubergine root size was very large so either I get bigger fabric pots or raise bed those (as long as they grow from seedlings.....some have germinated but not they are slow growers.)

So thank you for the great idea, I'm gonna be listening out for all the great tips you container gardeners have! You never know, it might even tempt me on the micros too!

[Amateurinawe]

Having now received the five gallon fabric pots, not so sure they will be big enough. I might need to try a topple test. They will be good for the f1 grow out which I will not grow to full height but then I think I will reserve them for the chillies. I am liking the look of the ten gallon fabric pots with a trickle hose setup for some of the tomatoes, so will buy a few once Christmas is out of the way.

Aubergine still eluding me with very low germination rates, but they are early so will try some more in the new year. Absolutely no sign of my Brazilian starfish, not one germination. All tomatoes crosses 100%.

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[Amateurinawe]

That was some storm last night, and such a mild day today. Wind up to 104mph recorded off the needles. I need to figure out some new structures for the other two beds anyhow.

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[karstopography]

Goodness gracious, the wind really can be destructive.

[GoDawgs]

Wow, it sure tore up your trellis. At least the fencing is still standing! But it looks to be a good sturdy fence so I'm not surprised.

I had to Google-map Emsworth to see just where in the UK you are. It looks to be a pretty area. Does the water moderate your climate? And about how far from London are you? Probably far enough to be away from hustle, bustle and bedroom communities!

[Amateurinawe]

[mention]GoDawgs[/mention] Yes , i would hope the fence stayed up - its only just gone up

Emsworth is quite a small waterside village on chichester harbour and 65 miles or so from london so not too much hustle and bustle here. The sea does moderate the temperatures somewhat but also the Isle of Wight provides a little shelter - but not so, it seems, last night.

I need to rethink what i will do for support this year as i am looking to use multiple beds for tomatoes and last years weight of 18 plants was much heavier than i thought - perhaps this year i may lop off the tops before they get too high.

[Amateurinawe]

Crosses coming on, need to think about what to do with the main bulk of seedlings which I shall plant in about a month or so.

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[Amateurinawe]

Been so wracking brain about how to get more propagation going. Measuring the back garden seems that with some alteration of plants, we might be able to fit in a lean-to greenhouse, with front loading doors. Would be horticultural glass, and anodised aluminium frame and being on a south facing wall would afford a lot of protection but also a lot of sunlight hours. Gonna have to move some established blackcurrants and red currant plants but would like to pot these up anyway for the front.

Some further thinking but with a lead time of up to 20 weeks I'll need to move soon. Wife thinks i am a couple of sandwiches short but i reckon it will fit and won't look too chocka down that part of the garden.

[Amateurinawe]

The lean to greenhouse has been ordered, it will suffice as a propagation/intermediate area for seedlings and small plants. Due in 12 weeks, surely won't take that long, it ain't bespoke - just bog standard. There will be room for some chillies and small peppers especially the late maturing kind later in the season.....I WILL get some red peppers! Need to level the area and move some stuff to clear a space.

[Amateurinawe]

The ten gallon fabric pots against the five gallon ones. Will be interesting to see the root growth against last year's and the ones in the raised beds this year.

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[Amateurinawe]

Lots of seeds germinating, although might have to give the peppers and chillies a bit more heat as they are slower. Light levels still low atm in southern uk, but spring is definitely coming.

I think another 100 or so will be planted this weekend and fingers crossed greenhouse arrives soon or I will be in a pickle.

[Amateurinawe]

First shoots of asparagus coming through, they look tasty....

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[Amateurinawe]

Greenhouse arrives on the 23rd March, just in time for easter - just in the nick of time.....

[MissS]

Greenhouse arrives on the 23rd March, just in time for easter - just in the nick of time.....

Lucky you!

[GoDawgs]

Gotta love those nicks of time!

[Amateurinawe]

The triffids are taking over....

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But no despair, the greenhouse is here, just need to get the high and low temps and a kerosene heater and we can get the house back...

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It is South facing, and will get Sun for a full 12 hours, but just a quick test today had a cooked value of 28.5C late afternoon, so need to see how it behaves.

(If I never see another nut and bolt for a while yet, I'll be made up....)

[Amateurinawe]

Mmmm and there is something to eat now.....

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[Amateurinawe]

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So some of the plants spent the whole night out in the greenhouse - naughty stopouts. The heater did a marvelous job and kept things a toasty 19 C and hopefully let out a bit of CO2 for the plants overnight as well, that was a lot warmer than i thought it would be but it is a big heater in a small greenhouse.

If i remember back, my grandparents used similar heaters back in the day.

[bower]

Wow that looks like luxury accomodations to me! My tomatoes are lucky to get a hot water bottle when the weather is rough. Very nice setup!

[Amateurinawe]

Spring is coming, some random shots...

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