Veg growing lessons I learned in 2007

sweet nasturtium · « **on:** January 14, 2008, 18:47 »

I thought it would be helpful to have this thread running, I have learnt so much from other people's mistakes!

I shall start with:

Plant twice as much as I did last year. Many of my crops failed or were slim pickings.

DD. · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2008, 19:01 »

Buy HALF the seeds I think I need!

David. · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2008, 19:04 »

There was something along those lines in 'The Telegraph' at the weekend - Winners & Losers.

winners - runners beans & salad stuff.

losers - mainly potatoes & tomatoes, and those with roots rotting in the ground.

So what I shall be doing is increasing use of blight resistant varieties, use of raised beds, and especially sowing of seeds in cell trays & guttering.

brucesgirl · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2008, 19:07 »

I am going to grow more winter veg. Am having to buy veg now and it is painful to hand my money over when I could have grown more!

waddecar · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2008, 20:16 »

I was consistently late with transplants last year because of a shortage of space.
Determined to get more ground prepared this year - if it ever stops raining....

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2008, 20:22 »

Don't grow very early maturing cauliflowers. They are ready when many other things are cropping and will only stand for a couple of days before blowing :evil:

ditchdigger · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2008, 20:29 »

Be less trusting and put a lock on tunnel doors so trays of young plants dont disappear.

gobs · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2008, 20:50 »

Remembered to remember the advice by Carolyne Fowley, autumn sowing is usually a guess work, do it twice, or at least be prepared to do so, never know what the autumn weather is going to be like. :oops:

splodger · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2008, 21:32 »

next time i offer my veggies up on a charity auction - i'll make sure that the winning bidder lives near to me - and doesn't disappear for the whole summer holidays :roll: leaving me with a glut of veg :roll:

seriously though - i must grow more parsnips - as i got through mine too quickly - and do less lettuce - as i wasted too much

WG. · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2008, 21:34 »

Never plant more than I can weed!

(especially in a wet summer)

Aidy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2008, 21:35 »

One lesson I have just learnt is to freeze my Bolloti beans, this year I have dried them, just done a stew for tomorrow night and the all gone mouldy so in the bin they have gone, 8lbs of them :cry: and they were really tasty too. Roll on the summer.

gobs · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2008, 21:36 »

Quote from: "splodger"

seriously though - i must grow more parsnips - as i got through mine too quickly - and do less lettuce - as i wasted too much

I must second that one.

DD. · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2008, 21:37 »

I will not grow 400 leeks.
I will not grow 400 leeks.
I will not grow 400 leeks.
I will not grow 400 leeks.
I will not grow 400 leeks.
I will not grow 400 leeks.
I will not grow 400 leeks.
I will not grow 400 leeks.
I will not grow 400 leeks.
I will not grow 400 leeks.
I will not grow 400 leeks.
I will not grow 400 leeks.
I will not grow 400 leeks.
I will not grow 400 leeks.
I will not grow 400 leeks.
I will not grow 400 leeks.

Is that 100 lines yet?

SnooziSuzi · « **Reply #13 on:** January 14, 2008, 21:39 »

I've learned to grow sprouts in firmer ground - most of mine were blown :roll: and the ones which weren't blown were infested with aphids and mealey bugs :evil:

Learn #2; mealey bugs can be removed by boiling the sprouts in salty water and then draining them off before steaming them. Or just don't look at the sprouts when you eat them

gobs · « **Reply #14 on:** January 14, 2008, 21:39 »

Quote from: "Aidy"

One lesson I have just learnt is to freeze my Bolloti beans, this year I have dried them, just done a stew for tomorrow night and the all gone mouldy so in the bin they have gone, 8lbs of them :cry: and they were really tasty too. Roll on the summer.

this was a bl&&&y damp year Aidy :?:

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Veg growing lessons I learned in 2007

sweet nasturtium

David.

splodger

WG.