Hi, I'm new to growing vegetables & need a little help. I've got a good sized veggie patch, with raised drills containing farmyard manure & a top layer of compost. Last weekend I planted carrots and lettuce which my dad assured me would be fine at this time of year. I have seeds for cucumber, corgettes, corn, beetroot, red onion (bulbs), pumpkins etc. I'd also like to grow cherry tomatoes but I'm at a complete loss as to how to start them successfully.

Also, I would like to grow a few blackberries & rasberries but I'm not sure of the best place to purchase the plants. I saw plants in a local 'Instore' the instructions said the roots should be soaked in water for an hour before planting, but would these particular plants be of enough quality & would I see any fruit this year?

I live in Northern Ireland, so I don't want to plant anything too early and risk any unwelcome weather. However, most people I've spoken too think April is the right time to plant most things.

Sorry to sound so clueless, I'm just a student who wants to make use of the land I have at home & hopefully get some delicious vegetables some time in the future!

Thanks.

Freedom_Spark wrote in
:

*snip*


I live in Northern Ireland, so I don't want to plant anything too early
and risk any unwelcome weather. However, most people I've spoken too
think April is the right time to plant most things.

The most important thing is your last frost date. Last night, here in
Illinois (US) it got down to 26F degrees. This should be the last of the
cold until fall, but I'm not holding my breath. My garden's prepared,
but I haven't planted anything yet.

Sorry to sound so clueless, I'm just a student who wants to make use of
the land I have at home & hopefully get some delicious vegetables some
time in the future!

Don't worry about being clueless. You'll probably learn more the first
three years of gardening than you will the next three. I'm happy to
answer questions, especially beginner ones here (because I might know the
answer! lol)

Thanks.


You're welcome.

Puckdropper
--
You can only do so much with caulk, cardboard, and duct tape.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

Freedom_Spark said:



Hi, I'm new to growing vegetables & need a little help. I've got a good
sized veggie patch, with raised drills containing farmyard manure & a
top layer of compost. Last weekend I planted carrots and lettuce which
my dad assured me would be fine at this time of year. I have seeds for
cucumber, corgettes, corn, beetroot, red onion (bulbs), pumpkins etc.
I'd also like to grow cherry tomatoes but I'm at a complete loss as to
how to start them successfully.

Beets and onions could also be started outdoors now, along with the
lettuce and carrots.

The tomatoes should be started indoors now, for transplant outside
later, after the days are consistantly warms and night time temperatures
will reliably be above 50F (10C) degrees. Give them plenty of light,
and gradually acclimatize them to being out in the sun. They can
be transplanted outdoors once the night time temperatures are
consistantly

Corn would come next (outdoors) when soil temperatures are
consistantly above 50F (10C). Where I live, usually I can start
planting corn in early- to mid- May. (Planting when "the oak leaves
are the size of squirrel's ears" is the old phenomonological rule.)

Cucumbers, courgettes and pumpkins would be seeded only after the
weather was consistantly warm. (Where I live, very late May.)


Also, I would like to grow a few blackberries & rasberries but I'm not
sure of the best place to purchase the plants. I saw plants in a local
'Instore' the instructions said the roots should be soaked in water for
an hour before planting, but would these particular plants be of
enough quality & would I see any fruit this year?

Starting with bare-root plants is commonly done. Even with potted
plants, you shouldn't expect to be harvesting a crop of berries this
year, though. Most varieties of raspberries and blackberries have a
pattern of growing new canes this year which will bear fruit next year.

--
Pat in Plymouth MI ('someplace.net' is comcast)

Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)

In article ,
Pat Kiewicz wrote:

Freedom_Spark said:



Hi, I'm new to growing vegetables & need a little help. I've got a good
sized veggie patch, with raised drills containing farmyard manure & a
top layer of compost. Last weekend I planted carrots and lettuce which
my dad assured me would be fine at this time of year. I have seeds for
cucumber, corgettes, corn, beetroot, red onion (bulbs), pumpkins etc.
I'd also like to grow cherry tomatoes but I'm at a complete loss as to
how to start them successfully.

Beets and onions could also be started outdoors now, along with the
lettuce and carrots.

The tomatoes should be started indoors now, for transplant outside
later, after the days are consistantly warms and night time temperatures
will reliably be above 50F (10C) degrees.

My book (Gardener's Bible) says ground temp should be 70F (20C).
Corn needs ground temp of 80F for germination and 65F-75F to grow.
But these temps work for you. Hmmm.
Give them plenty of light,
and gradually acclimatize them to being out in the sun. They can
be transplanted outdoors once the night time temperatures are
consistantly

Corn would come next (outdoors) when soil temperatures are
consistantly above 50F (10C). Where I live, usually I can start
planting corn in early- to mid- May. (Planting when "the oak leaves
are the size of squirrel's ears" is the old phenomonological rule.)

Cucumbers, courgettes and pumpkins would be seeded only after the
weather was consistantly warm. (Where I live, very late May.)


Also, I would like to grow a few blackberries & rasberries but I'm not
sure of the best place to purchase the plants. I saw plants in a local
'Instore' the instructions said the roots should be soaked in water for
an hour before planting, but would these particular plants be of
enough quality & would I see any fruit this year?

Starting with bare-root plants is commonly done. Even with potted
plants, you shouldn't expect to be harvesting a crop of berries this
year, though. Most varieties of raspberries and blackberries have a
pattern of growing new canes this year which will bear fruit next year.
--

Billy

The Murder of Rachel Corrie
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article1248.shtml

Thanks for the advice, I'm not sure if there is still a risk of frost here, we did have snow a few weeks back so nothing is out of the ordinary as far as our climate is concerned. So is it definitely possible to plant out beets & onions now?

I got the rasberry plants on the way home today, the stems actually look quite brown on is that normal pre planting? The blackberry plant looks great though, I've soaked the roots in water for a few hours now & I'm going to plant it this evening.

As for the tomatoes, I'd really love to get them right, can I just start them in the house, when you say give them alot of light, do you mean natural or artificial light? Also would they get enough heat this way? If I get them to the point where they can be planted out should I put them in a green house? (we only have a small one suitable for a growbag)

Are there any fool-proof vegetables aside from the ones I've already mentioned that a complete beginner might be successful with?

Thanks again

Freedom_Spark said:



Thanks for the advice, I'm not sure if there is still a risk of frost
here, we did have snow a few weeks back so nothing is out of the
ordinary as far as our climate is concerned. So is it definitely
possible to plant out beets & onions now?

Well, if it was safe to plant carrots and lettuce, it would be the same
for beets and onions.

I've had my peas for a couple of weeks. It snowed a bit Sunday
morning, though nothing stuck. (It *always* snows after I plant
my peas.) The daffodils are just starting to bloom, so it's time
to set out some lettuce soon.


I got the rasberry plants on the way home today, the stems actually
look quite brown on is that normal pre planting? The blackberry
plant looks great though, I've soaked the roots in water for a few
hours now & I'm going to plant it this evening.

All I see in my raspberry patch right now are brown stems...
I expect that you have a normal dormant plant. You might not
be able to make out any buds if it's fully dormant. Best get them
in the ground as soon as you are able. Don't let them get too
warm or dry out in the mean time.

As for the tomatoes, I'd really love to get them right, can I just
start them in the house, when you say give them alot of light, do
you mean natural or artificial light?

Could be both! I start some plants indoors at an east-facing window
with supplemental flourescent lights, some in the utility room with
a metal-halide light fixture, and (before I had the windows replaced
and lost my ledge space) I used to start some plants in my south-
facing windows.

Room temperature (20C, 70F should be sufficient for germination,
though a little warmer would be better.

(My old heat mat apparently has failed, so I've just put my
pepper and eggplant trays on top of the flourescent light I use
to supplement my orchids. *grumble* It's only on 12hrs.)

Also would they get enough heat this way? If I get them to the
point where they can be planted out should I put them in a green
house? (we only have a small one suitable for a
growbag)

Does it get very hot in summer? (mid-80s F, 30C)
If not, maybe it would be best to use a greenhouse.

Are there any fool-proof vegetables aside from the ones I've already
mentioned that a complete beginner might be successful with?

Green beens should be a snap (bad pun!). There are bush
types and runner types (which would need support of some
sort). You could go for the slender French type or the broad
Italian types (my favorite).

Peas. In my opinion, edible podded peas are the best use of space
in the home garden as opposed to shelling peas.

--
Pat in Plymouth MI ('someplace.net' is comcast)

Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)

Billy said:


In article 20080416-104723.15.0@Pat-
Kiewicz.newsgroups.comcast.net,
Pat Kiewicz wrote:

The tomatoes should be started indoors now, for transplant outside
later, after the days are consistantly warms and night time
temperatures will reliably be above 50F (10C) degrees.

My book (Gardener's Bible) says ground temp should be 70F (20C).
For germination? Or for transplanting outdoors? I'd agree with that
as a tomato germination temperature.

When the night time temperatures are consistantly above 50F here,
the daytime temps average in the mid-70s and above. Plenty warm
enough to transplant tomatoes out. (Wait a bit more for peppers and
eggplants, though.)

Corn needs ground temp of 80F for germination and 65F-75F to grow.
But these temps work for you. Hmmm.

Corn *needs* a ground temp of 80F for germination? I think you
are confusing maybe optimum with minimum. I can guarantee that
the soil temp is nowhere near 80F when I seed my earliest corn
(anywhere after May 10, usually). The daily mean air temp is
nearing 60F in mid-May.

I'm pretty conservative. The farmer's start seeding corn before me.
Corn would be a heap more expensive (and the corn belt much, much
smaller) if you had to wait until ground temps were 80F.

Grr. I can't remember the term for using the sequence of blooms and
such to 'tell time' ("when the Forsythia bloom" "when the oak leaves
are the size of squirrels' ears" etc.)

Got it! Phenology! Some of it is maybe bogus (predicting weather
months in advance) but the use of it to set planting dates ("potatoes
when the shadbush blooms") actually coresponds pretty well with all
the 'degree days accumulated' figures as guidelines to local conditions.

Anyway, things are running late this year (locally) compared to the
last few years, based on blooms and buds. Or maybe I should say,
back to the 'old normal' this year.

I keep an eye on the oak trees and sycamores (that'd be plane trees,
to those across the Atlantic) to cue me in to how any particular
spring is going. Once the sycamores finally begin leafing out, the
weather will be reliably warm.

--
Pat in Plymouth MI ('someplace.net' is comcast)

Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)

Are there any fool-proof vegetables aside from the ones I've already
mentioned that a complete beginner might be successful with?


Well it depends on your definition of a fool, I suppose

Keep in mind I've never been to Ireland. Yet.
Cool season crops should do well now: lettuce, beets, peas, cabbage,
potatoes, beans. If you have good light (as in strong but not enough
to fry little plants) then you could start indoors tomatoes,
cucumbers, melons, squash.

Your little greenhouse might not be ideal b/c if too small, it's a bit
like your auto - fast to heat up. You need to keep it vented if you
don't want to crisp your seedlings!

Once you do have transplants to set out, you need to harden them off:
gradually get them used to life outdoors. A little sun, protect from
wind, etc.

Thanks everyone, you're all so helpful :-D I'm starting the tomatoes this weekend, but I will probably need to put them in a greenhouse, our highest summer temps are only around 24C, usually we're lucky with 18-19C I know our climate is terrible!

I'll get the onions & beets planted as well, my dad seemed convinced it was ok to plant the carrots & lettuce. When should I expect to see some progress with those btw? I only planted them about 4-5 days ago

So with dormant rasberry plants, what should I expect this year? Should the stems get healthier/greener?

Peas, beans, cabbage & potatoes are a great idea actually (more typically Irish veg, well at least the cabbage & potatoes, I know alot of people grow them here) I'll probably attempt a few of those as well!

Thanks again everyone it'll probably take me years to get the hang of this but I'll only ever learn by my (many) mistakes!

Freedom_Spark said:

I'll get the onions & beets planted as well, my dad seemed convinced it
was ok to plant the carrots & lettuce. When should I expect to see
some progress with those btw? I only planted them about 4-5 days
ago

1-2 weeks, maybe.

So with dormant rasberry plants, what should I expect this year?
Should the stems get healthier/greener?

Those stems won't get greener, but you should see new, green
shoots coming up from the roots. These will be brown canes
will turn brown. Then next spring, they will bud out and flower.
And the spring after, they will be gray, dead canes (if you haven't
pruned them out the previous autumn).

That's the way it goes with the more typical "fruit once in summer"
raspberry varieties.

Do you have a variety name for your plants?


--
Pat in Plymouth MI ('someplace.net' is comcast)

Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)

Thanks everyone, you're all so helpful :-D I'm starting the tomatoes
this weekend, but I will probably need to put them in a greenhouse, our
highest summer temps are only around 24C, usually we're lucky with
18-19C I know our climate is terrible!


You can probably grow tomatows outdoors if you:
a) use reinforcing panels to make sturdy cylinders - they end up about
4 feet tall, 16-20 inches circumference.

b) wrap this with clear plastic - et voila, a one-plant greenhouse!

snip

Carrots (and Parsnips) will fork if sown in freshly manured ground. It needs
to have no manure on for about a year. They are still edible, just difficult
to peel.

Tomatoes: There is a variety that is suitable for cooler growing conditions.
It's Sub Artic Plenty, available in UK and I assume Ireland from Thompson &
Morgan. UK telephone no: 01473 68821, e-mail . The
variety has the following characteristics: has a unique ability to set fruit
under cooler conditions, producing small red fruit ripening very early and
with plenty of flavour. Needs no staking or side shooting and capable of
producing 9lb of fruit per plant. I'm trying it this year as last year was
so cool and wet in the UK that tomatoes were poor.

PDM.

Great tips everyone! Whether or not I can put them into practice remains to be seen. So I'm going to end up with crooked carrots then :-D as long as they're edible thats all that matters.

Are corgettes difficult to grow? My friend mentioned seeing some plants for sale, I didn't really want to cheat but I would really like them to work out!

I've now planted my onions (red barons) Some radishes, garlic & beets *fingers crossed* some of them will work out!

I've also planted a tray full of cherry tomato seeds, they're on a window sill & they're getting some doses of artificial light.

I saw something on 'gardeners world' which said that a small layer of cling film over the tomatoes until the seedlings appear is a good idea, any thoughts?

Freedom_Spark said:

I've also planted a tray full of cherry tomato seeds, they're on a
window sill & they're getting some doses of artificial light.

I saw something on 'gardeners world' which said that a small layer of
cling film over the tomatoes until the seedlings appear is a good
idea, any thoughts?

You might want to prop up the cling film with some toothpicks or
such so that it's not drooping right onto the surface. Otherwise
some sort of cover to keep the soil surface from drying out is a good
thing. I re-use deli trays with clear plastic lids to house the peat
pellets I use for seed starting.

My tomatoes (started April 12) are up, with some possible failures
among the heirloom types. (Good thing I start far more than I
require.) The eggplants (aubergines) are sprouted and most of
the peppers are up, except for Roumanian Rainbow (an heirloom
variety). There's something to be said for hybrid vigor, eh?

--
Pat in Plymouth MI ('someplace.net' is comcast)

After enlightenment, the laundry.

Hi All,
"Freedom_Spark" wrote in message
...

Great tips everyone! Whether or not I can put them into practice remains
to be seen. So I'm going to end up with crooked carrots then :-D as long
as they're edible thats all that matters.

Are corgettes difficult to grow? My friend mentioned seeing some plants
for sale, I didn't really want to cheat but I would really like them to
work out!

I've now planted my onions (red barons) Some radishes, garlic & beets
*fingers crossed* some of them will work out!

I've also planted a tray full of cherry tomato seeds, they're on a
window sill & they're getting some doses of artificial light.

I saw something on 'gardeners world' which said that a small layer of
cling film over the tomatoes until the seedlings appear is a good idea,
any thoughts?

A sheet of glass, or ridgid plastic wiil do the same job. I have sheets of
plastic cut to fit over seed trays which I use year on year. Hope this helps
you.

Richard M. Watkin.


--
Freedom_Spark