Sowing for 2012

First seeds are in the propagator: cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, patty pan. Although it's a bit earlier than the packets suggest for sowing, I like to get them started early and then they can go out to the mini-greenhouse to harden off and grow a bit more before planting out. Sowing them now means they are ready in about 4 weeks to be potted up and go in the greenhouse, then even tender plants can be risked in the garden mid-April, beginning of May is usually safe in London.


Getting an early start means also that the tomatoes have a chance to ripen before September :) Have got some very early ripening ones this year so see how that goes. More stuff to sow but they can go into the greenhouse or direct into the soil.

Seed list 2011

Just had a quick look through my box of seeds, gearing up for the new season. I still have loads of seeds left from last year which should still be good enough (germination rate won't be as good but then again it's worth a try).

So here is this year's list of contenders:

(Note to self: I will not over-sow. I will NOT over-sow).

• Patty Pan Squash 'Pattison Orange'
• Patty Pan Squash Mixed
• Cucumber Crystal lemon
• Tomato 'Red Pear'
• Tomato ‘Tigerella’
• Tomato 'San Marzano'
• Tomato 'Costoluto'
• Tomato 'Orangeberry'
• Tomato 'Ildi'
• Rocket Oakley (mixed with Mixed Leaves from the BBC Dig In project)
  
• Carrot Chantenay Red (also from the BBC)
  
• Climbing Bean Panthenon
• Squash Turks Turban
• Beetroot 'White'

I also have Kale Dwarf Green Curled on order, along with peat pellets which gave me very good results last year. I may also try and steal some seeds from the green-skinned pumpkin from the Turkish supermarket down the road ;) Now I just have to find a slightly bigger garden...

Seeds and fruit

Today I did a big clear-up of the garden, making the most of the break in the weather - plenty of weeding, cutting back and general tidying up which made the compost pile grow to enormous proportions. I also harvested some green beans which I left on for seeds and reached over the fence to retrieve a winter squash which had rambled over (the neighbours don't really do anything with their garden so I felt entirely justified).


I already have saved some Turk's Turban winter squash seeds but unfortunately the seeds of the other pumpkin went moldy. I should have spread them out more but I completely forgot about them and I obviously didn't take enough of the flesh off. Never mind, I came face-to-face with the kind of pumpkin it was in the Turkish supermarket round the corner the other day - that's where I must have got the seeds from in the first place. I'll have another go with the seeds from the one above, even though it grew into a slightly strange shape. The beans should be fine, hopefully.

The raspberries are still producing fruit and I am getting slightly worried about them, much like you would with a workaholic friend. You admire them in a way but also you are hoping they'll take a break soon before they wear themselves out. At this rate I will have fresh raspberries for Thanksgiving but I hope they don't decide to give up the ghost next year!

Talking of seeds and fruit, I should really get stuck into the catalogues...it's that time of year.