[mushroom]

has anyone here grown scotch bonnet peppers from seed :?:

I suggest you start a new thread with this question.

oh yeah (looks at topic)  :oops:

[David.]

Is harvesting seeds as easy as you'd think it should be? Do you just dry them out?

have a butchers at this link wildeone

http://www.realseeds.co.uk/seedsavinginstructions.doc

Good link! Only parsnips (pick seeds of stems when ripe/dry), leeks (support fowering stems if they look like falling over, when ripe rub between your hands to remove outer husk and blow away chaff) and onions (replant bulbs following year and shake seeds into a bag when ripe) are missing.

[digital_biscuit]

My allotment has cost me approx £300 to set up including a greenhouse, tools, manure, this and next years seeds and some nice plants.

We used to spend £15 a week on fresh veg and little fruit, we are now still spending this, but are buying loads of nice fruit and the more expensive veg (asparagus) until my own crops come through on these!

I personally think in the long run you do save money, but the health benefits of knowing where it came from are huge, the taste is far superior and then the fun element of it! It is a hobby that is truly rewarding!

Just wish the sun would shine a little more so my tomatoes would ripen!!

[SkipRat]

Took on allotment Feb this year. Costs so far.

2 greenhouses, 1 via freeserve, and one given to me from lad giving up. Cost 20 quid to replace some missing glass, managed to scrounge some blocks for base,s.

Shed already on plot, ex ships wheelhouse made of oak so should see me out, as it did the two previous tennants.

Tools via freeserve but have spent 100 pound on Azadas and Stainless steel fork and spade.

Seeds (including potatoes and onion sets etc) about 40 pounds.

Manure I collect for free, pallets I got for free (compost bin cold frame etc), water barrels were free (make manure tea, and rhubarb tea  so save more cash).

30 pound on misc stuff, soil testing kit, slug pellets growmore, fish blood and bone, netting etc.

And just bought 200 metres of scaffold boards for 100 pounds to make raised beds I expect to spend another 20 pound or so on wood preserver and screws. But of course raised beds are not neccesary.

I also need to buy in some top soil to fill beds but have not got a price for this yet.

I have had a reasonable year considering the floods we have had, but have had to work a little harder for it. Also made Jams, wine and just in the process of making some tomatoe based goodies. But as expressed by a lot of the members on here, the sense of well being is the biggest reward of working an allotment.

[digital_biscuit]

One other thing that gives me great satisfaction is when other people taste your pickings and note how they actually taste how they should and not just of water!!!