[skippy1707]

Morning all,
So so far we have planted a few bits on windowsills - lettuce, spring onions, several tomato varieties, strawberries and some peppers......the lettuce is doing well, the tomatoes and spring onions have made an appearance and everything else is well.....yet to start.......I also have some shallots and potatoes to chit.

I've also made a start clearing the garden....I have 60% clear and the last 40% is now my mission but I have salvaged a lot of wood that I found that were off cuts from hubbies shed building and old fence panels which I'm hoping to turn into planters.......I have also salvaged an old set of draws that we took the draws out of and will be adding slats to to turn into a pea planter as it is a good meter and a half long but not too wide so it can sit along the side if the house and have them in there once i start them.

A gardener friend also suggested to me about getting a pallet and turning it into a small garden for the kids so they can grow lettuce, radishes etc in it which my 5 year old will love.

So I am getting there and I have hubby off for a week so can get his expertise :-)
Anything else i should be doing now?

[3759allen]

you're a long way ahead of me and prob a lot of others. i've only just looked at my patch this week for the first time since autumn really due to family commitments and work, i did do a fair bit of work at the end of the season so not too much prep needed thank god.

i don't really bother with anything until it starts to warm up outside. the first couple of years i started growing i started a lot early but got fed up of moving things in and out and hardening off. i also found the crops were never that brilliant and for me, not worth the faf.

personally concentrate on getting any structures and the ground/ beds ready, then take it easy until spring has sprung. good preparation will be re paid with better produce and more time to enjoy the growing over the summer.

[BumbleJo]

I used to start stuff early and then I've learnt it's a bit pointless as I haven't got a greenhouse and if they go out too early they just die and if you keep them in they get too leggy.  I sow all I can direct later and they catch up just fine.  The BBC weathermen say we are in for a cold spell well into March so I'm waiting for a while yet in the meantime lots of weeding and prep to do.  At least the soil is at last drying out at last, the birds are singing and the fun is yet to come!

[skippy1707]

To be honest I've found this already re: The stuff I sown indoors...the lettuce has come up well but seems a bit leggy and flimsy.....also I have a few sprouted tomatoes which I think I might concentrate on for a while yet.

The greenhouse has gone up today....ive rechecked the compost bin which I've been focused on for a good few years so that's well established......and I have made a start at stocking the greenhouse with tubs and bits but no seeds in there yet...   I do think I will be concentrating on beds at the minute....like the cabinet I intend to turn into my pea bed......its a days work to convert it I think but I want to make sure its ideal for growing in first.

I'll maybe leave off then until planting a bit later in the season.

I've also got my spuds and shallots ready to go and husband has had a clear out of the shed and given me a few more shelves for the greenhouse too.

I'm also hoping my neighbour has a hanging basket tree that she never uses so I'm hoping to ask her if she is looking to rehome it - ideally next door to me so I can put a few things in there as well :-)