I've just got my second packet of wild flower seed through.

The first packet I sowed in a 'plug' tray but only half a dozen germinated and I am not even sure if these are weed seeds that somehow got into compost.

The second packet is much bigger (20 grammes) and lots of black shiney seeds which other didn't have. I will sow these in a plug tray once I have transplanted the few that have germinated previously.

These seeds seem bigger so instead of broadcasting over the surface of the tray I will put a pinch in a dimple formed in each plug and cover with a tiny amount of compost. Hopefully this will give me better germination.

As these are wild flowers I think I may keep the plug tray outdoors rather than in the greenhouse.

Just posting this to kick start this thread.

Hottest day of the year yesterday and likely to be warm today as well. It must be warm as OH hasn't lit the woodburner.

That's it.

Bye.

It seems to be going quite well. Only one has bolted. They are definitely starting to look like little turnips.

   

Blackbird egg shell. So there’s new life in my garden somewhere.

   

We encourage seed swapping between Forum members - its great to share!
If there is enough interest, we hope to have some seed swap circles in the autumn for you to share your self saved seeds and/or commercial seeds. Arrangements for these will follow.

Swaps between individuals are welcome so, if you have unwanted seeds please offer them here and see what you are offered in return. 
If there are any seeds that you need, just ask. Somebody here may be able to help. You will be expected to pay the postage in any arrangement.

All swaps are to be arranged privately between individuals and the Moderators will not be involved if there are any disputes (have to say that, just in case!!).

First day out

   

As you know, I've been wittering on about this GH for some time.  First came the wish, then came the  site survey and feasibility study, then choosing which particular style, size, glazing, etc. Eventually after much dithering and searching questions from OH ( did I tell you OH is a obsessive planner) I order the thing.  We plan to place the GH on soil with perhaps a brick/block edge surround if needed.  I want to plant directly into the border soil.

Now comes the hard work. Site is grass and  isn't level so we have to deturf, de-stone, dig out potential planting borders as deep as possible, sieve the spoil and return to the border.  Make level.  I will post pics as we go along, but be warned this isn't going to be quick and could be boring.
Here's a before:
   

After deturf:
   

Border 1 dug out:
   

I planted a courgette out this evening to see how it went. I have another three plants but don't want to put all my eggs in one basket and lose the lot. 

Because my toms are still in 4 inch pots they need a lot of water, especially if weather is like today. When I went to water plants this evening 4 of my plants had wilted badly with the heat.
Once I gave them a good soaking and waited a half hour they had picked up thank goodness. 

I left the greenhouse door open for the first time  to give them a bit of airflow .

I need to get them in there final positions so they have more water reserves.

All my onions have been planted in their final positions. The more leaf growth they can make before the days get shorter the better as far as I am concerned.

I have three types of Japanese onions, including reds that have overwintered well.

I have two types of spring sown onion sets

I have spring  sown red torpedo type onions (not red florence)

I have spring seed sown Ailsa Craig onions.

The red torpedo onions were planted out yesterday and the Ailsa Craig this evening. If my crop this year is as good as my crop last year, which I am still eating, I will be a happy chappy.