SoS: Upcycling, Weeds, Seeds and a Challenge

We’ve had glorious weather again this week and the night time temperature has not fallen below 10C in our micro-climate. Unfortunately, we’ve had no rain so once again we rely on our temperamental irrigation system.

1. Upcycling Plastic in the Garden

As I’ve been struggling to find plastic plant markers in the shops, I decided to make my own by cutting strips from plastic packaging. These were made from lids.

I created these individual cloches from 6L plastic bottles. I only cut the plastic half way so the basic structure of the bottle was still intact.

2. Weeds Glorious WEEDS!

I should have known better than to buy bags of soil from a pottery shop. But I was desperate. Desperate for soil with more substance than compost. I bought one bag then because the texture of the soil was exactly what I was looking for, I bought two more bags. Little did I think I would be buying bags full of soil with bad sementes. I am tempted to return the soil complete with weeds and demand a refund. Maybe I’ll ask for the complaints book and see what reaction I get. They are probably bagging up soil and selling for ‘cash’ as a sideline.

I first noticed a different type of weed appearing in my newly planted onion container. Yes, I’d topped up the container with the new soil mixed with some compost.

Then the pot I was preparing for my cucumber plants

3. Nasturtiums

I’ve not grown Nasturtiums since I was a child, however, I recently read you can add nasturtium flowers and leaves to salads to give them more zing! I thought why not? Has anyone tried this?

So… when we were in Lidls and looking for something else (plant markers) I found two types of nasturtiums, Indian Cress ( Tropaeolum majus) which is a climber and a Dwarf bushy mix (Tropaeolum minus).

4. Growing Herbs from Seeds

So far I’ve not had much luck growing herbs from seed. The basil and parsley seeds I planted in cloches in full sun and sheltered location on the 21st Jan, have yielded nothing more than weeds. Unfortunately, I mixed some of the contaminated soil with compost and I have a pot full of weeds and no basil or parsley. It is the same story for the rocket, and petunias.

The Chives were planted in virgin compost (thank goodness) and are now ready to be potted on into a large pot.

5. French Beans, Radish and Peas

The following seeds were planted on the 7th February.

French Beans Judia: These are a bush variety. There is no mention of harvesting expectations but studying the pictures on the pack I’ll hazard a guess about 90days. Rather than plant directly in the ground I’ve planted these in recycled yogurt pots and then moved to a mini-cloche:  As below I’ve now planted in the raised vegetable area and covered with plastic crates until they have settled.

Peas Dulce de Provenza: these are a bush variety (35cm) which are ready for harvesting in 65 days- planted directly into the ground. Seeds planted directly in ground: These have have now sprouted. OH has inserted pea sticks.

 

I have since read the bean seed packet and apparently I should plant 4-6 seeds together. Oops!

QUESTION: Should I plant the beans closer together or plant more seeds between each plant?

Radish National: planted in container. Harvest: 6-8 weeks?  Unfortunately I topped up the radish container with the weed infested soil and removing the weeds I think I may have also removed many of the radish seedlings. I planted some more seeds. We will see. ( Taking this photograph, I spy more weeds).

6. How to Ruin Terracotta Pots – a Challenge

Last summer in a moment of madness I planted the hydrangeas directly into these terracotta pots. Which, considering the bulbous shape of the pots, was pretty stupid as the only way I can now remove the plants is to let the soil dry out and then dig them out piece-by-piece. Normally I plant in plastic pots and not directly in the containers.

The hydrangeas have proved problematic due to white mold from the outset so rather than continue to fight nature for another summer, I will concede defeat and find plants that are happy with our humid conditions.

 

That’s it for this week! Happy Gardening. Please don’t forget to check out The Propagator’s blog to catch up on other Six on Saturday garden bloggers