[mumofstig]

I've not had any trouble with the cats to be honest, don't know if others have, and i don't net....only against butterflies
IMO it doesnt even smell like any of the things that are in it, not pleasant but not gross

[peapod]

A local cat found my new raised bed within 2 days  Cue a shovel and netting for me...

[Bombers]

Don't start me off on the pussy's please.
I wouldn't bother with the BF&B just yet. Your seeds don't need much food to start with, and there's plenty in that MP Compost! - I'd leave it for a month or so.

[Yorkie]

I agree with Bombers re BFB

Out of interest, have you put the saved shrubs in that trough now on the table?  It doesn't look very big, and will run the risk of drying out a lot over the summer - so you run the risk of losing the heirlooms.  If the shrubs are not back in the ground I'd seriously consider it.  And wherever they are, make sure they are watered LOTS as the uprooting will have made them vulnerable.

[chrisb1357]

HI, Ok i will leave the Fish Blood and Bone out for now then. With regards to the items i took out there was hardley any routes on them  but i have put them in that tub for 2 days until someone makes there mind up where to put them. One is Heather and another is a small bush that seems very dry. Not sure if they need full sun or shade.

Chris

[chrisb1357]

Well i have another day in the garden on Thur before it rains. Just put together a list of seeds i might get from Wilko;'s in the morning. See below. I might mark out and sow the area like on here http://organicgarden.org.uk/?page_id=1676 using 1ft x 1ft squares.

Detroit 2 Beatroot - http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0270779

Broccoli - http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0270780

Carrots - http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0270783

Cauliflower - http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0270786

Lettuce - http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0094884

Sprig Onions - http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0270794

Parsnip - http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0270801

Radish - http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0270806

Cabbage - http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0270782

Beans - http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0270874

Tomato - http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0270859

White String / Green String for Making 1ft x 1ft Squares

[chrisb1357]

Well another day is here. Heavy rain all day but not purchased my seeds.

When i sow the seeds am i best to put more than 1 seed in each area as in 3 seeds in each litle hole and then cut the week ones back.

Chris

[chrisb1357]

Another Update from this afternoon. Spent a few hours marking out the 1ft Sqr in my plot (See Image Below). Managed to get 20 x 1ft Sqr and 5 which are a little smaller at the back just under 1ft.

[chrisb1357]

Just been reading all my seed packets LOL and trying to work out what go's where in the plot. I have come up with the plot plan below if anyone can give me comments on any of it as i am still new but learning slow.



Are these sowing amounts on this link ok http://organicgarden.org.uk/?page_id=1676

Chris

[elibump]

Thanks for the organic link chrisb1357.  Problem is I read your post, did the link and I don't know how long I've been there - its getting like this forum, could spend all day surfing and getting nothing done .  On the other hand, its still raining here as it has done for the last week and I can't get out in the garden so...........

I'm well impressed by your plot and how its come along, well done you

Carolyn xx

[mumofstig]

Looks really good i would suggest some climbing french beans or runner beans, if you like them, right alongside the fence and grown up it on some netting? Makes use of all the available space.
Good luck with your new veg bed..........it's addictive you know

[Trebor]

Think you are being optimistic with the space. For example you will only get 1 cauliflower in this layout!

I would cut down the number of crops. Leave the toms and beans alone then put one crop per row (e.g. 6, 11, 16, 21 = row 1). Carrots and Spring onions would go together in one row as they compliment each other and there will be space for this, then either Broccoli or Cabbage in the next row under which you can grow the lettuce and radishes as the brassicas will take a while to get going. Beetroot and Swede in the next row as again they could grow together, then the last row use for one of Broccoli or Cabbage with more lettuce or radish underneath. I would forget parsnip and cauliflower this year as they are likely to disappoint.

DD had a good diagram on how to get the most out of spacing crops which I hope he can add here – it was something like this:

X    X    X     X
   X    X     X     X
X    X    X     X
   X    X     X     X

[chrisb1357]

Hi,

Many Thanks for the advice. Do you mean put carrots in plot 6 & 11 and Spring Onions in 16 & 21.

The Broccoli in Plot 7 & 12 and Cabbage in 17 & 22.

The Lettuce in plot 8 & 13 and Radishes in 18 & 23

Beatroot in Plot 9 & 14 and Swede in 19 & 24

Am a little confused.

Chris

Think you are being optimistic with the space. For example you will only get 1 cauliflower in this layout!

I would cut down the number of crops. Leave the toms and beans alone then put one crop per row (e.g. 6, 11, 16, 21 = row 1). Carrots and Spring onions would go together in one row as they compliment each other and there will be space for this, then either Broccoli or Cabbage in the next row under which you can grow the lettuce and radishes as the brassicas will take a while to get going. Beetroot and Swede in the next row as again they could grow together, then the last row use for one of Broccoli or Cabbage with more lettuce or radish underneath. I would forget parsnip and cauliflower this year as they are likely to disappoint.

DD had a good diagram on how to get the most out of spacing crops which I hope he can add here – it was something like this:

X    X    X     X
   X    X     X     X
X    X    X     X
   X    X     X     X

[Trebor]

No!

1 row of Carrots all the way across beds 6,11,16,21 and 1 row of Spring Onions across the same beds. (maybe room for a second row if you are lucky, see the ‘X X’ plan before for layout, but plant all the way across then the onions and carrots will be close and this will help with certain pest prevention).

Lets say Broccoli in one row across beds 7,12,17,22 and lettuce and radish in the gaps between these plants (same beds). The lettuce and radish mature quickly so will be out before the Broccoli fills the row.

Beetroot in a row across beds 8,13,18,23 with a row of swede in the same beds (the beetroot like a bit of shade so between the taller broccoli and the next row they should be fine).

Finally in beds 9,14,19,24 put in a row of Cabbage again with some lettuce and radish underneath – plant the lettuce and radish gradually over a period of time otherwise you will have a glut and then a famine!

The parsnips are difficult to germinate so I would avoid them – you could try and fit them in with the Carrots and Onions if you must, but be warned. Cauliflower is just a difficult crop and takes up a large amount of space which is why I say avoid it.

[Riala]

Planting in rows kinda completely defeats the point of Square Foot Gardening.