Greenhouse Growings | A Plan

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Although the title of this post contain the words 'A Plan', this is more of a brain dump, general thoughts and musings about garden related stuff... a pre-plan let's say. I'm determined to be more prepared this year. I often plant things later than I could because it takes the temperature to rise for me to even think about planting seeds.

I asked for, and received, two propagators for my birthday last year and they've been sitting in my greenhouse patiently waiting to be filled.

Sophie alerted me to the fact that coral coloured sun flowers exist and I've been itching to plant seeds ever since. I grew sunflowers for the first time last year and enjoyed them so much I'm going to grow a lot more this year.

I'm also planning on growing more peas, not one single pea made it to the kitchen last year. They were all eaten, sun-warmed, directly from the plant. Delicious!

Cabbages will be planted again and this year but I'll be covering them up to protect them from being eaten by caterpillars. Cucumbers always grow well and I won't plant so many tomato plants this year as Andy is the only one who likes them. I always end up with many more than I can use or give away. 

If I'm really organised I'll get into a routine of planting spinach and lettuce leaves at regular intervals.

I have Bunny Tails grass Ammi, Honesty and Amaranthus seeds left over so they'll be planted again. The Bunny Tails I'll dry and pop into small vases around the house. I want to find other flower varieties that are good for drying too.

I need some more shrubs around the patio, and some for containers. I think box shrubs for the containers (which will stand either side of our patio steps), and I'd like some grasses to sway in the wind, and a few small trees for the hedgerow, but I'll need to investigate which varieties will stand the rigors of our open garden and not grow too big - any suggestions would be gratefully received :)

I was given a Magnolia plant for Christmas and wonder if it can be grown in a pot as rabbits, hare and deer eat almost everything planted in our front garden (they don't seem to venture into the back garden but the front is constantly being nibbled, we provide quite the buffet for local wildlife).

Strawberries! I want strawberries for the summer. And if I can get a fruit cage organised I'd love some raspberries and gooseberries too. This might be a step too far for this year, but we'll see.

I have some holes in the Beech hedge that need filling, which I think will need to be planted in early spring. And I want a lot more snowdrops for next year, and some more crocuses, I need to find out when to plant these, it's a piece of information that always escapes me. My forget-me-nots don't seem to do very well, they often get mildew, so I need to investigate. And after trying, and failing, to grow Erigeron from seed last year I might see if I can buy some plants instead and dot them around the garden.

I was given some solar lights for my birthday last year which need to be given outside homes, some will festoon (what a great word) our new pergola, others will hang in the trees.

I think that's enough to keep me occupied. I'm off to write a list and figure out what I need to do and when. I have a feeling that, with March almost upon us, some of these things can be done imminently so I better get a wriggle on!

The thought of spring arriving, and all these garden plans have put a smile on my face, I'm excited to get started!

xx

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10 comments

  1. Plans are exciting! Jon's written a list but I haven't looked at it yet, I've decided our growing will start on 1st March and not a minute before! xxx

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  2. your plan sounds excellent - Cabbages take up a lot of space but if I had space would grow red cabbage as it's lovely in salads and so colourful - also beetroot as it's my favourite raw veggie and also nice roasted. I like nasturtiums and plant them everywhere as they are so bright and cheery. Your sunflowers should be spectacular - I have never seen orange ones - I have a packet of seeds but don't expect much from mine as they don't like our clay soil. Good luck with all those plans and can't wait to see little things sprouting in your propagators soon :)

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    1. I plan to grow cabbages in large pots, just a few to see if I can do it.
      I have ordered the sunflowers and I can't wait for them to arrive! Our soil is heavy but with plenty of compost around the roots they did OK last year. It's lovely to have had some sun and to have been garden pottering already.
      xx

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  3. I've also been determined to be more prepared this year, and it might be that this time it is really working. As we had gorgeous Springlike weather last week, I already spent quite a bit of time in the garden, mostly pruning like mad!
    You've just reminded me that I do have a heated propagator somewhere in our basement. Haven't used or even seen the thing in years. Perhaps I should dig it out and sow some seeds? That said, my plan should really be to take into account the small size of our garden and limit myself :-) That Bunny Tails grass looks amazing, though ... I love Erigeron, and planted some last year. I hope they'll flower as exuberantly this year as they did last year ... xxx P.S. Your cat napping in that basket lining made me smile :-)

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    1. Yay for plans! I find that there is always room for just one more plant... :)
      One of the Bunny's Tail grasses survived so I have a head start on that one, and I've got all the seeds out and checked when I can start planting, sunflowers have been ordered, and the sun is shining (some days) so I'm good to go!
      Socks will sleep just about anywhere but he does love the warmth of the greenhouse, some times I wonder how he doesn't cook himself.
      xx

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  4. Yay, for lots of growing. I like to make a plan for what seeds I need to sow and when; most are grouped in monthly bundles for when to get them growing. Inevitably I run out of space by mid April and things get frustrating and chaotic until tender annuals can be taken out after 'the last frost' risk has passed. We got into spinach last year, must have eaten loads of the stuff. xx

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    1. The greenhouse does often get a little crowded, but I always just about manage. I noticed today that some honesty I planted last year has come up again, so this will sit with the sunflowers and amongst the fennel :) I'm never sure what will come back and what won't!
      I love spinach as it's so satisfyingly quick to grow, lettuce leaves too.
      xx

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  5. I love hearing about your plans! I just got a big wooden planter for out the front and want to plant things in it- not sure what though and whether they will grow since it is the opposite to our South-west facing garden! Still, I am excited about trying! I bought some Gladioli bulbs today and a few Dahlias as well as some other seeds. Maybe sunflowers too!
    Mmmm, I want peas too!

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    1. I love the excitement of a new planter, and spring, and the promise of summer and fresh sun warmed veg to enjoy! I have so many plans for the garden but have no idea how I'm going to do them all!
      xx

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