November 10th, 2010 - It's been a year since The Plant Nursery started and so I've deleted all my gardener's chat and am starting a new year. It's a funny time to start a New Year I suppose, but then again it isn't. For me the 1st planting of the year is garlic and this is done in November every year. I've ordered mine and am waiting for it to be delivered later this week. After that, it's time to sit down, look through all the seeds that I have for next year, dig out the seed catalogues and start to make lists of what I would like to grow. Over the next few weeks I'll be having a clear out of my plant list and up-dating what I'll have available for 2011. Don't think that just because it's dark by 4 o'clock your gardening has ended for the year; a new year starts right now with planning and looking ahead.
January 26th, 2011 - Happy New Year. Two weeks ago, I eventually managed to get the garlic planted. The ground was frozen for over 2 months and normally the cloves would have been planted in November but I'm sure they'll grow fine and I'll have a lovely crop again in August. Like I said last year, garlic grows fantastically well in Scotland. So, give it a go.
March 1st, 2011 - What a glorious weekend. The garlic has started to grow which is a relief seeing as it was planted late this year. I managed to empty one compost bin and riddle the contents. What a satisfying job. Hard work, but satisfying none the less. I used the resulting compost to plant the first lot of potatoes in tubs in the greenhouse. Maris Peer are supposed to be second earlies, but the shoots were the strongest of the 3 varieties I've been chitting, so I decided to get them started. They'll stay inside the cold greenhouse for probably most of their life; but hopefully I'll get a nice early crop from them.
Plan your veg growing - It might seem an obvious statement, but all too often (me included) we grow far too many crops and end up wasting fruit and veg that we've spent many hours and lots of cash cultivating. Be realistic about what you can grow and what you can use. Sow a little and often. Grow produce that is expensive to buy fresh. You can't have failed to notice the hike in the cost of fresh fruit and veg; this is your chance to do a little to help your pocket and grow your own. I'm happy to help with advice if I can and grow small pots and plants ready for you to plant in your own plot, on your balcony or in your garden. Make 2011 the year that you grow your own.
March 5th, 2011 Now that the veg plot is planned it's time to think about what fowers to grow this year. I will grow almost anything to order, so please place your orders early. I like to grow the more unusual flowering plants that you can't find in garden centres and DIY stores. The garden looks a bit bare at the moment, but a few months from now it'll be bursting with colour. Don't you love spring?
April 18th, 2011 I've not written for ages but it's been a busy time in the greenhouse. It's bursting with new plants that I can't put out until the risk of frost has passed. I've been tempted with putting out a few cabbage and brussells sprouts, but even with these, I've made sure that I've kept a few back in case the frost gets them. A few annuals are sown but not too many. As I'm sure you've guessed by now, I love my fruit and veg. Fresh fruit and veg from the garden, there's nothing like it. I've put in a new strawberry bed, but there's still a few spare plants available if you'd like to give them a go. It's Easter next weekend and I hope it's nice weather again.
May 7th, 2011 Although it's tempting, don't plant any tender plants out just yet. Give it a couple more weeks and the risk of frost should have passed. Thank goodness for the rain the last few days. Although the sunny weather is lovely for working in the garden, no rain really slows down the growth of plants. I try not to water the garden. In fact I never water the flower garden, only the veg plot when it's absolutely necessary and any plants growing in pots. This means that plants grow stronger because their roots have to go deeper to find water. Thus, enabling them to cope with dry spells much better as they grow. Remember to keep feeding the birds. They'll help to rid the garden of pests.