Anyone grow their own vegetables, herbs etc?

I've hardly got much space so I can't grow much at all unfortunately, I have got a good supply of chives and one tomato plant that is really flourishing on the front - it's growing like a monster. I don't know if it will survive the winter though.

I'm also really trying to get my own supply of Basil off the ground but I'm not having much luck, I don't think that I have fertilized it enough. It seems that Basil requires a lot of fish fertilizer, I'll try and start that up again tomorrow with a fresh batch again as I am determined to get a good crop of basil as I love the stuff in pasta. Of course both tomatoes and basil love the sun, so that's obviously lacking in mid August in the UK!

Next year, I'm thinking of getting a few large tubs and growing carrots, I've just watched a video on it (real raver!) and it seems easy enough if you get the soil right, a good potential yield too and delicious into the bargain. Really the majority of supermarket stuff is just junk, no taste - plastic, I hate all of that.

Really though, I'm a bit frustrated with all this season business, plant in the spring, yield in the summer, I want to start them up now.

It's a bit late to start basil this year, Neely - why not go to your local supermarket and buy one of their growing herbs? You could keep the pot on your kitchen windowsill (keep it well watered but also allow it to drain) then you can take leaves as you need them. You can get a whole range of growing herbs but you may find they do not live as long as your own plants, they've been forced for instant use. Trim them back and freeze the trimmings.

Your chives may not survive in usable form once the frost sets in - cut it back and chop and freeze for winter use.

The tomato plant is unlikely to survive the winter - nip out the growing tip beyond six trusses/flower sets so that the plant puts its energy into developing fruits rather than leaves; keep it well watered and feed it. (Tomarite is good, for anything that you want to flower and so produce fruit.)

Have a look at the growing bags if you are thinking of growing in tubs - they are not too expensive and look good for their purpose - some suppliers have a sale on at the moment so you could invest for next year.

Good luck in your garden. Keep us posted with your results, please.

You might check out "The Allotment King", guy called John Harrison. Believe it or not, we went to Grammar School together, which shows how wrong a system can be! I'm told, not by John, that he's pretty good with advice. Personally, the only thing I've ever grown was a Verruca.

Oh great thanks, I've got one of his pages up now - mind you I think I am going to be a long way from self-sufficiency, I'd be happy with a few dozen carrots!! Oh and my basil to work, I want basil.

Is your basil Fawlty? (Sorry, couldn't resist it!)

In my garden:

• Redcurrant
• A small cherry tree
• wild & ordinary strawberry
• Several Grapevines (With lots of nearly ripe grapes on them right now).

In the forest near our house:

• Wild berries and mushrooms.

In my office window (Guess what my coworkers think? :out:) :

• Several Chili plants.

/Claes

Hi Neely,

We've had an allotment for a few years and just acquired the second half. I've been spending the summer digging over the new beds and planting in them.

You can grow potatoes in containers in a small space too.

Neely, there's something called (I think) The Nether Edge Allotment Society, near here, who have some space spare, I believe. Head south up Abbeydale Rd, turn right on to Carter Knowle rd, second right at the crossroads, angle right at the next junction and its up on the left hand side just before Nether Edge Rd. Any problems, email me.

http://www.online-literature.com/for...pictureid=7557

This is the new half we took on at the beginning.

http://www.online-literature.com/for...pictureid=7556

This is the shed. It looks as though it will fall down at any moment, but it is held up with railway sleepers and could survive a direct hit from a... big thing.

I have chives and carrots in my garden, in my sun room I have a tomato plant, a melon tree, avocado tree (but it won't grow the fruit 'till it's 3 or 4 years old, it's 2 now) and working on a peach tree. next spring I'm gonna try a paprika and chili plants.

Great stuff!!!

Claes, fantastic. :thumbsup: All of those sound really good and tasty indeed and grapes? I may be showing off my limited (non-existent) knowledge of food growing, but how do you manage to grow grapes in Sweden, I thought is was, well mostly cold there, to grow grapes anyway. :blush:

Hi Paul, I didn't know you had an allotment, looks great, what are you growing?

Thanks for the info dafydd, I'll bear that in mind, but I think I am going to start small and see how it goes - I like the idea of one though.

Oh and Basil Fawlty, very good, very good - I think it is me that is Fawlty though...

Oh thanks Kasie, I've just looked back and seen your post, I must have missed it. Thanks for the advice. I didn't know that about tomatoes, that must explain why I have loads and loads of leaves and only four tomatoes then?

Yes, I wondered about growing the basil, but on the packet it said suitable for all year round (indoor seeding) though I suppose it is determined on sun. The chives I've had in for a couple of years so I'm hoping they will survive again. In the past I've bought the supermarket pots, but they tend to die on me after a couple of weeks. Maybe I'd be better giving that another go though, instead of using basil seeds though, do you think?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Neely

I've hardly got much space so I can't grow much at all unfortunately, I have got a good supply of chives and one tomato plant that is really flourishing on the front - it's growing like a monster. I don't know if it will survive the winter though.

---

Chives will survive the winter. Tomatoes are annuals, or at least I've never heard of anyone keeping them over the winter. The only vegetable that I know that is not an annual is peppers. If you can bring a pepper plant in or keep it from freezing, it will survive at least a second year.

Quote:

---

I'm also really trying to get my own supply of Basil off the ground but I'm not having much luck, I don't think that I have fertilized it enough. It seems that Basil requires a lot of fish fertilizer, I'll try and start that up again tomorrow with a fresh batch again as I am determined to get a good crop of basil as I love the stuff in pasta. Of course both tomatoes and basil love the sun, so that's obviously lacking in mid August in the UK!

---

I've never had any problems with basil, and I'm not aware they need speacial fertilizing. Most herbs hardly need any fertilizing. They do need sun. That must be it. Also you will want to squeeze off the tips when they start seeding. Unless of course you want the seeds for next year.

Quote:

---

Really though, I'm a bit frustrated with all this season business, plant in the spring, yield in the summer, I want to start them up now.

---

You're going to have to ask mother nature to change her cycles. :lol:

You should get a good book on vegetable gardening. There's no shortage.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ClaesGefvenberg

Several Grapevines (With lots of nearly ripe grapes on them right now).

---

Really? I didn't think grapes survived the Sweedish winters. Do you know what type?

I have a white concord and it's just about ready for culling too.

These are pictures off the internet, but it's essentially what I have.

http://www.tytyga.com/product/image4...jpg?1219497023

http://www.johnsongardencenter.net/u...76/2473221.jpg

I've dug quite a lot of it now - 7 of ten beds. We've just put in 450 japanese onions, broccoli, cabbage, wallflowers and sprouts.

I had already set off courgettes, pumpkins, potatoes, runner beans, leeks, peppers, sunflowers and sweetcorn. We had the broad beans earlier in the year.

My wife was the gardener, and wanted the allotment, but now i'm quite into it - especially with the shed and the ability to have a cuppa now.

I grow stuff. Right now I've got romaine lettuce and swiss chard that I'm picking as I need it, and there are carrots, peas, potatos and beets growing. My mom's growing tomatoes, cucumbers and watermelon in her greenhouse and I get a bit of that as they ripen.

I also collect things from the woods that are edible. The raspberries'll be coming out soon, and there are ALWAYS dandelions (the perfect food, lots of iron + vitamin C and you can make glue out of the sap and painkillers out of the flowers).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Neely

I may be showing off my limited (non-existent) knowledge of food growing, but how do you manage to grow grapes in Sweden, I thought is was, well mostly cold there, to grow grapes anyway. :blush:

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Virgil

Really? I didn't think grapes survived the Sweedish winters. Do you know what type?

---

Not only do they survive. They grow and spread like crazy, producing more grapes every year. I have several types, but I can't remember the names. You have a point though: They are tougher than most types grown further south.

/Claes

Paul that sounds fantastic, I bet it is good to get out of the house and dig over a little too. You can always take your book as well when you stop for a drink. I think when I get a little more time and experience I will look into getting a small plot myself maybe.

Virgil, thanks for the advice. I think you are right about getting a book on it, as already with your pointers and that of Kasie's I've realised that I've not done obvious things. Yes the chives have grown bulbs so they will probably survive. I read yesterday that you should get rid of some of the flowers (unless you want seeds) to help develop the stems - I guess that is the same with a lot of veg and herbs.

The video on basil I watched yesterday said that every two weeks you should spray fish fertilizer on them, so I don't no.

It is a shame that the tomato will die, I'm quite attached to that, I love the smell of the leaves if nothing else. I'm wondering if I cut a few of them off though if I am likely to get more than four tomatoes or is it too late now? I think I am going to get this book from the fellow dafydd recommended sounds good for what I want and it comes direct from the author with free seeds! http://www.allotment.org.uk/book/sma...ce-growing.php .

It's my ambition to grow my own now. I have already 4 walnut trees. I am getting lots of berries of different sorts off my parents. And then I have now peppers on my windowsill and tomatos.

And chives, oregano, basil (although a Fawlty plant :lol: daffyd!), thyme, rosemary, mint (great grower and fresh mint tea when we want it), sage.


There is no need for a big garden, Neely. Things like tomatos, pepper, beans, courgettes, pumpkins, berries, beetroot, cabbage, broccoli, peas etc, anything that hasn't got deep roots like carrots, you can grow in pots. Fertilise, though, but otherwise, no problem.

My father says peppers and courgettes are great, you get a lot of one plant and it's not difficult. Hot or cold is always good.

Excellent Kiki - yes peppers sound great as well then, I love the Mediterranean stuff. True it seems you can grow a lot from tubs and anyway I don't want to take too much on just yet, learn to walk and all that.

Just been and bought a load of stuff - a lot of seeds are half price so might as well get a few things now. Also got some tomato feed for my lovely tomato plant on the front as well as a load of pots and things, compost - I've also got the best ever pump action water sprayer - I can't wait to use it!!!

Edit:

Quote:

---

I've also got the best ever pump action water sprayer - I can't wait to use it!!!

---

It was right good. :)

Neely - I can see you've been bitten by the Gardening Bug: I'm sorry to have to tell you, this is now in your blood and is a life-long affliction, you will never be cured except by spending long periods in contact with your particular few yards of earth. I started off with one book, too, Basic Gardening by Alan Gemmell (Penguin): I have 5 foot of shelving devoted to gardening books now, one book too big to fit on any shelf and twelve magazine holders to try to keep the monthly mags in order - that's thirty years worth of accumulation, however. Just warning you, that's all....

kiki - mind where you plant the mint: if you put it directly into the soil, contain it in some way or it will run wild and take over everything. I've heard of people sinking bottomless buckets or some such cylinder into the ground to try and contain the roots. When I had a raised bed, I had a walled off section just for mints to try and contain them which worked well.

haha, Kasie, no I have them in pots! No way I am planting them in my garden! Because they indeed go wild, and I mean wild.

@ Neely:

I think it is too late to sow now. I don't think your plants will be big enough for the winter. But try doing it on the window sill. Then they stand in the warm and they won't freeze to death with their two little leaves, bless them.

Oh Kasie I didn't realise you was such a keen gardener. I'm off to the library today to hunt for books and to take back my overdue Idomeneo. This is partially in order to get more information of growing veg and partially to avoid relatives who are coming over shortly - it is not that I am anti-social, it's just that four kids running around the house isn't my idea of fun. Anyway I want to read up on stuff - I'm also meeting my brother for a few Belgians - not many mind, I don't like afternoon drinking as a rule, but I can't resist a couple of quality brews today.

Yes I've got a few plant pots on the window sills with basil, I keep on trying to raise the basil (Dafydd don't even comment!). I've also planted some mixed salad, though that's outside as it is an outside container and I don't think it likely to come up never mind. Of course I'm just messing around a little, next year I'm going to do it properly and get larger pots for the back. I definitely want carrots, tomatoes, peppers and I haven't decided what else yet, I'll read. I could do with something that grows well in shady conditions as half of the back is in almost permanent shade, I don't know what is likely to suit that though, not much I would have thought. Oh I want to move to a bigger house and garden!!

Kiki - the most beautiful mint garden I ever saw was in a walled garden of a big country house (open to the public for charity) - there were six or eight huge terracotta pots, thigh-high, lining the steps down into the garden; each pot contained a different variety of mint, growing luxuriantly, of course, and was labeled with a slate name stick, written on with silver ink. I aspire to such grandeur, naturally.....

Oh, Neely, be careful what you wish for - it may be granted.....

I'm more a flower and shrub person - I was taken to Wisley one summer and stood at the end of the herbaceous borders and sighed 'Oh, I wish I had borders like that!' Many years later we moved to a house with a three acre paddock - unbeknown to me, my husband arranged for the neighbouring farmer to come in and plough two long strips down the field. When we got home from work, he said, 'There's your Wisley borders - get on with it...' and it's taken me twenty years to get it to my liking. There were three further strips at the bottom of the field where he created his longed for orchard and soft fruit garden. I can't do so much myself any more - I fall over if I bend down, still running in the new hips - but when my husband first fell ill a friend stepped forward and offered to help and, bless him, he's still helping, though he considers it to be 'our' garden rather than mine! I can't grudge him the credit though!

Were I younger and self-reliant, I think I'd be going for vegs myself nowadays, though the flowers have given me much pleasure over the years.

Wow three acres and twenty years! Yes that would be scary but a great story. Yes I like flowers too of course (who doesn't) but ultimately I have always liked the idea of growing your own fruit and veg, herbs etc and taking one small step towards the romantic notion of self-sufficiency and cutting out the Tesco bills! Of course the reality is all very different, but the notion is all very comforting when you are stuck in a city and have to think about teaching for a living - a big house in the country somewhere to escape and all of that. Well, we might as well locate to a farm near the sea and we can catch fish while we are at it!!!

Really though next year I would be happy with a small supply of tomatoes, carrots, peppers and things, basil, definitely basil - it's all good for the kids too of course - get them involved, they love it, a few tubs will not be too much trouble anyway. Still need a bigger house and garden though, this damn cramped terrace is too small for my needs, I'm not fussy, a grand country mansion will do...by the sea...

I'm currently looking after a friend's allotment while he's away on research leave, and its very relaxing to spend a few hours every now and then pottering about in the sunshine.

It's a huge allotment, though. There's loads of potatoes (serval different kinds), courgettes, runner beans, broccoli, kale, peas, onions, beetroot, swede, cabbage, lettuce, and all sorts of herbs. There is also a very productive cherry tree.

It's great fun, but there's no way in hell I could eat even a fraction of it, the amount of veg produced is so great - I'm giving loads away to friends and co-workers.

That sounds great Loka. That's the thing though, there is so much that can be potentially grown by an individual or a small group of individuals - plenty enough to give away to friends and family or even to trade for other goods. The potential is all there. It is not just the quantity though of course, but the all important quality; you can't beat the fresh stuff free from artificial growing and all that pumping them full of things that make them stay bright on the supermarket shelves, but consequently leaves them tasteless.

Well, our family has in our country home about 25 apple trees, about as much plum trees, some cherry trees, several gooseberry bushes, carrots, peas, potatoes, onions, garlic, dill, basil, parsley, rucola, beans, strawberries, in the greenhouse cucumbers, bell peppers and tomatoes. And maybe something else that I have forgotten. And of course you can go the forest for berries and mushrooms when the season is right.


I think that this is rather common in Estonia, however, sometimes I think that it might be somewhat too much. It takes quite some work which can mean that one doesn't get much rest since one has to work in the garden. When one does it for fun, I guess it's okay but when it becomes a thing that one must do, then it becomes somewhat annoying. And it isn't like as if our only options are buying from the supermarket or growing our own - there is rather a nice market in our town where one can buy vegetables and other stuff like that.

aw, I envy all you guys who have a proper garden or allotment.

What do you have to do to get an allotment? Do you have to buy it or can you rent it? How long do you have to wait to get one?

Neely, when you put basil into your pasta sauce, do you add it first or last or somewhere in the middle? I can never get it right and it just tastes bland.

Speaking about grapes. Here they are:

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...a/IMG_4863.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...a/IMG_4864.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...a/IMG_4865.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...a/IMG_4869.jpg

/Claes

On my balcony I have a pot where I throw seeds from mangos, cantaloupe, cherries, peppers, anything really. Right now I have two distinct types of plants sprouting up. One looks like it's going to be a tree the other is getting vine-y.

Wow. Taliesin and Claes fantastic stuff. I just love those grapes Claes and the seating area. I would be out there with a glass and a book all the time.

It seems that people have got their heads screwed on in Estonia. In the UK it is common practice to buy inferior fruit and vegetables from the supermarkets which have travelled a thousand miles instead of buying fresh, local produce or growing some of it yourself. I personally always try to get as much fruit and veg from the daily market in town as I can, because it just makes sense on every level. Of course there are great exceptions, especially if you live in rural areas, but I just get a feeling that too many people have become used to the convenience of supermarkets and have forgotten much about taste to even think about it. Sad really.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SleepyWitch

aw, I envy all you guys who have a proper garden or allotment.

What do you have to do to get an allotment? Do you have to buy it or can you rent it? How long do you have to wait to get one?

Neely, when you put basil into your pasta sauce, do you add it first or last or somewhere in the middle? I can never get it right and it just tastes bland.

---

Hi, you don't need a big garden (apparently) as you can grow a lot from tubs or window boxes. Of course it is going to help if you have got a big garden or access to an allotment, but you can still get quite a few things from small spaces - or so they say.

I was reading about allotments yesterday and apparently it is law that the local council provide so many allotment spaces per percentage of the local population, so they should be something available near to most people. You have to rent them from the council for a small annual fee and what is available will vary from place to place, as will the waiting list, so the best thing to do is to check out your local council's website for details.

As for the basil, you add it at the very last minute, seconds even. Basil will quickly lose its flavour if you cook it. Also don't cut it up, just put whole leaves in the finished pasta, lots of it, and it is guaranteed to bring the whole thing alive - add a little goat's cheese too. Serve with red wine!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ClaesGefvenberg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...a/IMG_4865.jpg

---

Claus - Those look like Concords also. They are very hearty. Mine is the white variety. I'll see if I can take a picture.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Virgil

Claus - Those look like Concords also. They are very hearty. Mine is the white variety.

---

There are actually two types in this picture: Both are blue, but the smaller one ripen later.

/Claes

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ClaesGefvenberg

There are actually two types in this picture: Both are blue, but the smaller one ripen later.

/Claes

---

Oh I see. The smaller ones probably aren't concords. Now that i think of it, Concords are native to North America. Do you think they would have planted Concords in Sweden? Anyway, here's wikipedia on concord grapes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concord_(grape).

Well I've been doing a lot of reading and planning on the subject and today I've bought three of these bad boys:

http://www.primrose-london.co.uk/vic...?cPath=734_755

These to me look a fabulous idea, great to pick fresh potatoes on demand and will maximise the available space. Fantastic. I wish that I had placed an order on the strawberry one at the same time, never mind.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Neely

Well I've been doing a lot of reading and planning on the subject and today I've bought three of these bad boys:

http://www.primrose-london.co.uk/vic...?cPath=734_755

These to me look a fabulous idea, great to pick fresh potatoes on demand and will maximise the available space. Fantastic. I wish that I had placed an order on the strawberry one at the same time, never mind.

---

I had a couple of rows of potatoes in the allotment, and ran out of space for more. So I kept some in 6 bags - similar to your containers. We haven't bought taties for about three months, and the last are in the cupboard. Are you planting now for xmas?

Great stuff. I considered some plastic/polythene bags instead but went with the Victorian tubs as I think they'll last for a long time. In terms of planting for Christmas, do you think I'll get a crop going if I did plant now? Isn't it too late?

Wow Claes, that looks really nice.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Neely

Great stuff. I considered some plastic/polythene bags instead but went with the Victorian tubs as I think they'll last for a long time. In terms of planting for Christmas, do you think I'll get a crop going if I did plant now? Isn't it too late?

---

I'm a mere novice, and it's my first spud year, but it should be alright. I think you'll need a bit of fleece to cover the tops when, (I was going to put if - ha!), it gets frosty.

Great then, I'll give it a go. I can try from nothing anyway, cheers Paul.

I've found some info about planting potatoes in August, great stuff:

http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/plant_...sow_august.asp