Check-In Post April 4th 2021

[badly_knitted]

Hello to all members, and welcome to our regular daily check-in post. Just leave a comment below to let us know how your current projects are progressing, or even if they're not.

Checking in is NOT compulsory, check in as often or as seldom as you want, this community isn't about pressure it's about encouragement, motivation, and support. Crafting is meant to be fun, and what's more fun than sharing achievements and seeing the wonderful things everyone else is creating?

There may also occasionally be questions, but again you don't have to answer them, they're just a way of getting to know each other a bit better.


Today's Question: No question today.


If anyone has any questions of their own about the community, or suggestions for tags, questions to be asked on the check-in posts, or if anyone is interested in playing check-in host for a week here on the community, which would entail putting up the daily check-in posts and responding to comments, go to the Questions & Suggestions post and leave a comment.

I now declare this Check-In OPEN!

Comments

[annofowlshire]

Oh my, the list is long... I’m doing most everything from seed this year, so I’ve sowed:

Butterscotch Squash
Cucumbers
Cucamelons
Fennel bulb
Kale (Nero di Toscana)
Asparagus
Pumpkin
Jalapeno
Mini corns
Peas
Broad beans
Snow peas mix (mangetout in the UK)
Fiery Leaf salad mix
Beetroot
Brussels Sprouts
Artisan Bumble Bee Blend Cherry Tomatoes
Cardinal (purple) Bell Peppers
Dragon’s Tongue (rocket variety)
Italian Beefsteak Tomatoes
Black Tomatoes (Indigo Rose)
Red Onions
Physalis
Lettuce
Rainbow Chard
Brown onions
Dragon’s Tongue
Cherry tomato plant
Purple Leeks
Yellow Courgette

And several things that really ought to be planted direct like the carrots, another kale, parsnips, purslane, watercress, cauliflowers, etc. That’ll start as soon as this blasted frost goes!

Also a full array of herbs for both the patio and the garden. I have picked up some potted herbs just to get us started since I determined it would cost me more to keep buying cut fresh/dried herbs than investing in a handful of potted ones for our most used in cooking until our seeded ones establish.

I’ve started a few flower seeds, but mostly waiting until I do the baskets and I’ll start them in there.

Mr has also planted a dozen fruit trees and many berry canes.

... we’re not the sort of people do things by halves, I guess XD

I’ve not usually bothered much with doing flowers in past gardening seasons, but the new house has a large, plain frontage with several hooks for baskets already installed, and courtyard patio that is separated off from the garden by the drive, and I feel that all that begs for a lot of baskets, pots, etc filled with colorful flowers to decorate it. I’m also planning on having potted herbs out there in easy reach of the kitchen since it’s a bit of a trek down to the garden.

[badly_knitted]

Wow, excellent selection, and I'm pleased to see the less usual tomatoes. I'm a big fan of unusual varieties. I used to grow a lot but haven't had time in recent years.

Flowers are good among the veggies too, companion planting. I know marigolds are good with tomatoes but I forget what else is recommended.

Just wait until you're enjoying your home grown veggies and fruit! All the effort will be worthwhile.

[annofowlshire]

Our “philosophy” on edible growing is to focus on unusual/expensive/difficult-to-get veg (we have some “common” veg in there as well, because it’s nice to have fresh and to hand). And I also like a colorful plate!

I plan to mix herbs and some flowers in among the veg as well, although all of this assumes I’ve gotten a lot more of those blasted weeds out of the way! But much of it (the warm weather veg) can’t go in until June or so I have time... or so I keep telling myself....

I haven’t done this scale of edible gardening in several years. I’m really looking forward to the summer although I suspect I’ll be drowning in excess veg even if a lot of it fails XD Maybe I can set up an honesty box outside of our gate... XD

[badly_knitted]

A sensible philosophy. I'm sure there will be people who appreciate any excess veg, or you can freeze quite a lot of things for use over winter, make green tomato chutney with unripened tomatoes... The list is endless.

I recommend Bob Flowerdew's book on companion gardening if you're interested, it's a mine of information on what grows best with what.