What changes can we make to our lives to deal with the economic and energy crises ahead? Have you already started making preparations? Got tips to share?
Andy Hunt wrote:
The South-facing kitchen windowsill is directly above a radiator too, which should help!
I use the south facing windows without a radiator. I find the radiator burns the plants and dries them out - heat extremes are not good.
The sill is about 6 inches above the radiator, so hopefully they should be OK for the moment, although I will move them into the greenframe when the weather gets warmer.
Apparently these melons, pumpkins etc need a decent temperature to germinate, and the greenframe is just too cold at the minute.
RenewableCandy wrote:Just a quick warning, there's supposed to be a cold snap next week, so all you lot who've beat me to it with the planting, get yer bubblewrap/fleece/newspaper at the ready...
Thanks for the 'heads up' on this RC, you may well have saved my seedlings!
Always glad to be of service. Interestingly it coincides with a dip in mean temperatures from the Central England Temp series that someone put up recently. The forecast says it'll be over by the w/e.
Andy Hunt wrote:The weather's been stunningly beautiful here. The bitter cold, clear blue skies and strong sunshine have been an amazing combination.
That's what the "Campaign for Real Winter" is all about Look on the bright side it'll kill orf yer slugs and snails. Also for people who get allergies and the like, pick a night with a really hard frost (-7 or below) and hang out your bedgear overnight (erm you'll have to borrow someone else's ) kills off the dust-mites!
Andy Hunt wrote:I have kale, cabbages, leeks and bunching onions coming up in the greenframe thingy.
Also just planted some tomato seeds on the weekend, but none of those have come up yet. Have put a pumpkin seed, butternut squash, melon and cucumber into pots indoors on the kitchen window sill, plus sowed some celery, chillis and basil indoors.
The South-facing kitchen windowsill is directly above a radiator too, which should help!
Nice one!
I'm trying for as many outdoor sowings as possible this year. I also think that alot of my crops died at the hands of snails last year due to planting them out too early when they were struggling with the cold and not really 'getting away'. The hot May and wet June obviously didn't help.
I'm using planting times from this book this year;
His planting times are based on avoiding a plants pests and diseases rather than struggling against the odds to get something as early as poss. The whole book seems to make an awful lot of sense. Only time will tell though and the variable weather certainly doesn't help.
Jim
For every complex problem, there is a simple answer, and it's wrong.
"Heaven and earth are ruthless, and treat the myriad creatures as straw dogs" (Lao Tzu V.i).
Andy Hunt wrote:My problem . . . impatience, coupled with a conviction that climate change is making traditional planting schedules irrelevant.
Will see what happens.
Yes, you could be right there. You never know which month is going to be hotter, March or July
From my amateur observations, I think that temperature is a factor, but that available sunlight/daylight is probably more relevant to plant growth patterns.
Andy Hunt wrote:My problem . . . impatience, coupled with a conviction that climate change is making traditional planting schedules irrelevant.
Will see what happens.
Yes, you could be right there. You never know which month is going to be hotter, March or July
From my amateur observations, I think that temperature is a factor, but that available sunlight/daylight is probably more relevant to plant growth patterns.
I think soil temperature makes a big difference too.... and exposure to wind. A sheltered semi shady place is often better than and exposed sunny one so I've heard.....
It's not easy is it? There really is alot to this food growing malarkey....
Jim
For every complex problem, there is a simple answer, and it's wrong.
"Heaven and earth are ruthless, and treat the myriad creatures as straw dogs" (Lao Tzu V.i).
My 'terra preta' from last year has turned the soil in my raised beds very dark this year. I chucked some 'locally produced' charcoal from B&Q on them last year, and now it's all softened and broken up into the soil, it has given it a very pleasing dark appearance.
Not sure if it will make any difference to yield though - have to see!
I've just dug another bed (going to put sorrel and sunflowers in it later) also put in some garlic, and broad-beans in pots (the theory is the pots of newly-bought compost have no slugs in!).
Now all I have to do is remember to water everybloodything because it seems to have given up raining for weeks.
Did anyone see Jamie Oliver with his strawbs in hanging-baskets on Friday and something that looked like quails strutting around? [Garden envy]
RenewableCandy wrote:Now all I have to do is remember to water everybloodything because it seems to have given up raining for weeks.
That's half the fun - having to water them get's you out into the garden, excitedly looking for those first signs of life, those first and second sets of leaves, those first fruit... it's miraculous and thrilling stuff
Having said that, I'm going to install a drip feeding system over easter - otherwise I'll never be able to get away on holiday later this year!
"If we don't change our direction, we are likely to wind up where we are headed" (Chinese Proverb)
Nice thought but this is Hyperboreal Yorkshire and I get home from work late...I'll be doing my watering in the dark 'til end of March.
Will have to get the kids to report! Having said all that, we have the windows open at work today (heating's still on, natch) and it smells like spring.
RenewableCandy wrote:Nice thought but this is Hyperboreal Yorkshire and I get home from work late...I'll be doing my watering in the dark 'til end of March.
Me too, but I go out with a torch ( )! In fact, this morning, also by torchlight, I discovered the first signs of life sprouting up from the "realseeds" turnips I planted ten days ago. Made my day it did!!
"If we don't change our direction, we are likely to wind up where we are headed" (Chinese Proverb)
Look on the bright side it'll kill orf yer slugs and snails. Also for people who get allergies and the like, pick a night with a really hard frost (-7 or below) and hang out your bedgear overnight (erm you'll have to borrow someone else's 
) kills off the dust-mites!
)! In fact, this morning, also by torchlight, I discovered the first signs of life sprouting up from the "realseeds" turnips I planted ten days ago. Made my day it did!!