I have three green pepper plants that I have grown in a big pot on the
bedroom windowsill (nice and warm and sunny). I just bunged some seeds from
a green pepper my bf was eating in a pot in March on a whim, and now here
they are !

So, I understand I can put them outside in the very sunny spot alongside my
tomatoes (which are already out there, first time of having them so we'll
see if I put 'em out too early) later next month. Question is - do I have to
pinch any side shoots or whatever, like one does with certain tomatoes (I
got "Shirley" ? I think it's called, or maybe that was who grew it - I
bought it as a small plant in a charity shop for fifty pee :-) and a
variety of cherry tomato that escapes me right now). I don't know what sort
of green pepper they are - Sainsbury's specials, I imagine. ;-)

Also, I don't do chemical fertilisers - will these fruiters be happy with
nettle soup ? I got quite abit of that hanging about.


Rachael

In article , Rachael of Nex, the Wiccan
Rat writes
I have three green pepper plants that I have grown in a big pot on the
bedroom windowsill (nice and warm and sunny). I just bunged some seeds from
a green pepper my bf was eating in a pot in March on a whim, and now here
they are !
Just as well you didn't sow the pot! :-)

So, I understand I can put them outside in the very sunny spot alongside my
tomatoes (which are already out there, first time of having them so we'll
see if I put 'em out too early) later next month. Question is - do I have to
pinch any side shoots or whatever, like one does with certain tomatoes (I
got "Shirley" ? I think it's called, or maybe that was who grew it - I
bought it as a small plant in a charity shop for fifty pee :-) and a
variety of cherry tomato that escapes me right now). I don't know what sort
of green pepper they are - Sainsbury's specials, I imagine. ;-)
Green peppers are just a little more tender than tomatoes. We always
grow ours in a greenhouse, but it depends on your locality. Don't pinch
out any side-shoots. Tall growing plants can be pinched off at the top
to make them bushier, but that is not essential. Give them a stake each
for support. Hand pollinate the first flowers on each plant.
We don't wait for the fruits to become completely ripe, or to change
colour. We pick them early to encourage more to grow.

Also, I don't do chemical fertilisers - will these fruiters be happy with
nettle soup ? I got quite abit of that hanging about.

Yes indeed. That's what we always give ours. It improves their flavour
and it helps to protect the plants from ailments. Don't overdo it
though, too much feeding or watering leads to mushy flesh texture.
Same goes for tomatoes etc.

If you get a glut - they freeze very well.
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

"Alan Gould" wrote in message
...
In article , Rachael of Nex, the Wiccan
Rat writes
I have three green pepper plants that I have grown in a big pot on the
bedroom windowsill (nice and warm and sunny). I just bunged some seeds
from
a green pepper my bf was eating in a pot in March on a whim, and now here
they are !

Just as well you didn't sow the pot! :-)

I can't believe they just upped and sprouted. I am pleased, I didn't think
it would be that simple. Of course, I have to tend to them outside now,
which opens up a whole new can of worms !


So, I understand I can put them outside in the very sunny spot alongside
my
tomatoes (which are already out there, first time of having them so we'll
see if I put 'em out too early) later next month. Question is - do I have
to
pinch any side shoots or whatever, like one does with certain tomatoes (I
got "Shirley" ? I think it's called, or maybe that was who grew it - I
bought it as a small plant in a charity shop for fifty pee :-) and a
variety of cherry tomato that escapes me right now). I don't know what
sort
of green pepper they are - Sainsbury's specials, I imagine. ;-)

Green peppers are just a little more tender than tomatoes. We always
grow ours in a greenhouse, but it depends on your locality. Don't pinch
out any side-shoots. Tall growing plants can be pinched off at the top
to make them bushier, but that is not essential. Give them a stake each
for support. Hand pollinate the first flowers on each plant.

Hand polinate .... new to all this veggie stuff - how do I go about doing
that ?

We don't wait for the fruits to become completely ripe, or to change
colour. We pick them early to encourage more to grow.

OK. Noted.


Also, I don't do chemical fertilisers - will these fruiters be happy with
nettle soup ? I got quite abit of that hanging about.

Yes indeed. That's what we always give ours. It improves their flavour
and it helps to protect the plants from ailments. Don't overdo it
though, too much feeding or watering leads to mushy flesh texture.
Same goes for tomatoes etc.

Right. How much is too much, or is that a nebulous thing ?


If you get a glut - they freeze very well.

I reckon the bf will eat them off the plant if I'm not careful - he loves
them, so I probably won't have to freeze any. Thing is, I *don't* actually
like them - I told you I sowed them on a whim ! Heheheheh. ;-)



Rachael

"Alan Gould" wrote in message
...
In article , Rachael of Nex, the Wiccan
Rat writes
I have three green pepper plants that I have grown in a big pot on the
bedroom windowsill (nice and warm and sunny). I just bunged some seeds
from
a green pepper my bf was eating in a pot in March on a whim, and now here
they are !

Just as well you didn't sow the pot! :-)

I can't believe they just upped and sprouted. I am pleased, I didn't think
it would be that simple. Of course, I have to tend to them outside now,
which opens up a whole new can of worms !


So, I understand I can put them outside in the very sunny spot alongside
my
tomatoes (which are already out there, first time of having them so we'll
see if I put 'em out too early) later next month. Question is - do I have
to
pinch any side shoots or whatever, like one does with certain tomatoes (I
got "Shirley" ? I think it's called, or maybe that was who grew it - I
bought it as a small plant in a charity shop for fifty pee :-) and a
variety of cherry tomato that escapes me right now). I don't know what
sort
of green pepper they are - Sainsbury's specials, I imagine. ;-)

Green peppers are just a little more tender than tomatoes. We always
grow ours in a greenhouse, but it depends on your locality. Don't pinch
out any side-shoots. Tall growing plants can be pinched off at the top
to make them bushier, but that is not essential. Give them a stake each
for support. Hand pollinate the first flowers on each plant.

Hand polinate .... new to all this veggie stuff - how do I go about doing
that ?

We don't wait for the fruits to become completely ripe, or to change
colour. We pick them early to encourage more to grow.

OK. Noted.


Also, I don't do chemical fertilisers - will these fruiters be happy with
nettle soup ? I got quite abit of that hanging about.

Yes indeed. That's what we always give ours. It improves their flavour
and it helps to protect the plants from ailments. Don't overdo it
though, too much feeding or watering leads to mushy flesh texture.
Same goes for tomatoes etc.

Right. How much is too much, or is that a nebulous thing ?


If you get a glut - they freeze very well.

I reckon the bf will eat them off the plant if I'm not careful - he loves
them, so I probably won't have to freeze any. Thing is, I *don't* actually
like them - I told you I sowed them on a whim ! Heheheheh. ;-)



Rachael

"Alan Gould" wrote in message
...
In article , Rachael of Nex, the Wiccan
Rat writes
I have three green pepper plants that I have grown in a big pot on the
bedroom windowsill (nice and warm and sunny). I just bunged some seeds
from
a green pepper my bf was eating in a pot in March on a whim, and now here
they are !

Just as well you didn't sow the pot! :-)

I can't believe they just upped and sprouted. I am pleased, I didn't think
it would be that simple. Of course, I have to tend to them outside now,
which opens up a whole new can of worms !


So, I understand I can put them outside in the very sunny spot alongside
my
tomatoes (which are already out there, first time of having them so we'll
see if I put 'em out too early) later next month. Question is - do I have
to
pinch any side shoots or whatever, like one does with certain tomatoes (I
got "Shirley" ? I think it's called, or maybe that was who grew it - I
bought it as a small plant in a charity shop for fifty pee :-) and a
variety of cherry tomato that escapes me right now). I don't know what
sort
of green pepper they are - Sainsbury's specials, I imagine. ;-)

Green peppers are just a little more tender than tomatoes. We always
grow ours in a greenhouse, but it depends on your locality. Don't pinch
out any side-shoots. Tall growing plants can be pinched off at the top
to make them bushier, but that is not essential. Give them a stake each
for support. Hand pollinate the first flowers on each plant.

Hand polinate .... new to all this veggie stuff - how do I go about doing
that ?

We don't wait for the fruits to become completely ripe, or to change
colour. We pick them early to encourage more to grow.

OK. Noted.


Also, I don't do chemical fertilisers - will these fruiters be happy with
nettle soup ? I got quite abit of that hanging about.

Yes indeed. That's what we always give ours. It improves their flavour
and it helps to protect the plants from ailments. Don't overdo it
though, too much feeding or watering leads to mushy flesh texture.
Same goes for tomatoes etc.

Right. How much is too much, or is that a nebulous thing ?


If you get a glut - they freeze very well.

I reckon the bf will eat them off the plant if I'm not careful - he loves
them, so I probably won't have to freeze any. Thing is, I *don't* actually
like them - I told you I sowed them on a whim ! Heheheheh. ;-)



Rachael

"Alan Gould" wrote in message
...
In article , Rachael of Nex, the Wiccan
Rat writes
I have three green pepper plants that I have grown in a big pot on the
bedroom windowsill (nice and warm and sunny). I just bunged some seeds
from
a green pepper my bf was eating in a pot in March on a whim, and now here
they are !

Just as well you didn't sow the pot! :-)

I can't believe they just upped and sprouted. I am pleased, I didn't think
it would be that simple. Of course, I have to tend to them outside now,
which opens up a whole new can of worms !


So, I understand I can put them outside in the very sunny spot alongside
my
tomatoes (which are already out there, first time of having them so we'll
see if I put 'em out too early) later next month. Question is - do I have
to
pinch any side shoots or whatever, like one does with certain tomatoes (I
got "Shirley" ? I think it's called, or maybe that was who grew it - I
bought it as a small plant in a charity shop for fifty pee :-) and a
variety of cherry tomato that escapes me right now). I don't know what
sort
of green pepper they are - Sainsbury's specials, I imagine. ;-)

Green peppers are just a little more tender than tomatoes. We always
grow ours in a greenhouse, but it depends on your locality. Don't pinch
out any side-shoots. Tall growing plants can be pinched off at the top
to make them bushier, but that is not essential. Give them a stake each
for support. Hand pollinate the first flowers on each plant.

Hand polinate .... new to all this veggie stuff - how do I go about doing
that ?

We don't wait for the fruits to become completely ripe, or to change
colour. We pick them early to encourage more to grow.

OK. Noted.


Also, I don't do chemical fertilisers - will these fruiters be happy with
nettle soup ? I got quite abit of that hanging about.

Yes indeed. That's what we always give ours. It improves their flavour
and it helps to protect the plants from ailments. Don't overdo it
though, too much feeding or watering leads to mushy flesh texture.
Same goes for tomatoes etc.

Right. How much is too much, or is that a nebulous thing ?


If you get a glut - they freeze very well.

I reckon the bf will eat them off the plant if I'm not careful - he loves
them, so I probably won't have to freeze any. Thing is, I *don't* actually
like them - I told you I sowed them on a whim ! Heheheheh. ;-)



Rachael

"Alan Gould" wrote in message
...
In article , Rachael of Nex, the Wiccan
Rat writes
I have three green pepper plants that I have grown in a big pot on the
bedroom windowsill (nice and warm and sunny). I just bunged some seeds
from
a green pepper my bf was eating in a pot in March on a whim, and now here
they are !

Just as well you didn't sow the pot! :-)

I can't believe they just upped and sprouted. I am pleased, I didn't think
it would be that simple. Of course, I have to tend to them outside now,
which opens up a whole new can of worms !


So, I understand I can put them outside in the very sunny spot alongside
my
tomatoes (which are already out there, first time of having them so we'll
see if I put 'em out too early) later next month. Question is - do I have
to
pinch any side shoots or whatever, like one does with certain tomatoes (I
got "Shirley" ? I think it's called, or maybe that was who grew it - I
bought it as a small plant in a charity shop for fifty pee :-) and a
variety of cherry tomato that escapes me right now). I don't know what
sort
of green pepper they are - Sainsbury's specials, I imagine. ;-)

Green peppers are just a little more tender than tomatoes. We always
grow ours in a greenhouse, but it depends on your locality. Don't pinch
out any side-shoots. Tall growing plants can be pinched off at the top
to make them bushier, but that is not essential. Give them a stake each
for support. Hand pollinate the first flowers on each plant.

Hand polinate .... new to all this veggie stuff - how do I go about doing
that ?

We don't wait for the fruits to become completely ripe, or to change
colour. We pick them early to encourage more to grow.

OK. Noted.


Also, I don't do chemical fertilisers - will these fruiters be happy with
nettle soup ? I got quite abit of that hanging about.

Yes indeed. That's what we always give ours. It improves their flavour
and it helps to protect the plants from ailments. Don't overdo it
though, too much feeding or watering leads to mushy flesh texture.
Same goes for tomatoes etc.

Right. How much is too much, or is that a nebulous thing ?


If you get a glut - they freeze very well.

I reckon the bf will eat them off the plant if I'm not careful - he loves
them, so I probably won't have to freeze any. Thing is, I *don't* actually
like them - I told you I sowed them on a whim ! Heheheheh. ;-)



Rachael

In article , Rachael of Nex, the Wiccan
Rat writes

Green peppers are just a little more tender than tomatoes. We always
grow ours in a greenhouse, but it depends on your locality. Don't pinch
out any side-shoots. Tall growing plants can be pinched off at the top
to make them bushier, but that is not essential. Give them a stake each
for support. Hand pollinate the first flowers on each plant.

Hand polinate .... new to all this veggie stuff - how do I go about doing
that ?
Tickle the inside of a flower with a very fine, small brush, or you can
use your fingers, or a feather etc. Transfer some pollen to another
flower and it will be pollinated most times. Once a plant has been
pollinated, it does not usually need doing again.

Also, I don't do chemical fertilisers - will these fruiters be happy with
nettle soup ? I got quite abit of that hanging about.

Yes indeed. That's what we always give ours. It improves their flavour
and it helps to protect the plants from ailments. Don't overdo it
though, too much feeding or watering leads to mushy flesh texture.
Same goes for tomatoes etc.

Right. How much is too much, or is that a nebulous thing ?
I only apply nettle infusion as liquid feed to the plants once in a
season, twice at the very most. That is because I ensure that the soil
they are growing in, i.e. my own made organic compost, already has
plenty of nutrients in it. The motto is - feed the soil, not the plants
- then the plants take as much as they want from it when they wish to.

If any aphids arrive, I apply nettle infusion to the leaves. When the
aphids have gone, usually next day, the infusion becomes ingested into
the plant through the leaves. Then it acts as a plant tonic and provides
nutrients, minerals and trace elements wherever they are needed.


I reckon the bf will eat them off the plant if I'm not careful - he loves
them, so I probably won't have to freeze any. Thing is, I *don't* actually
like them - I told you I sowed them on a whim ! Heheheheh. ;-)

That's gardening Rachel - best wishes to both of you.
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

"Alan Gould" wrote in message
...
In article , Rachael of Nex, the Wiccan
Rat writes

Green peppers are just a little more tender than tomatoes. We always
grow ours in a greenhouse, but it depends on your locality. Don't pinch
out any side-shoots. Tall growing plants can be pinched off at the top
to make them bushier, but that is not essential. Give them a stake each
for support. Hand pollinate the first flowers on each plant.

Hand polinate .... new to all this veggie stuff - how do I go about doing
that ?
Tickle the inside of a flower with a very fine, small brush, or you can
use your fingers, or a feather etc. Transfer some pollen to another
flower and it will be pollinated most times. Once a plant has been
pollinated, it does not usually need doing again.

Also, I don't do chemical fertilisers - will these fruiters be happy
with
nettle soup ? I got quite abit of that hanging about.

Yes indeed. That's what we always give ours. It improves their flavour
and it helps to protect the plants from ailments. Don't overdo it
though, too much feeding or watering leads to mushy flesh texture.
Same goes for tomatoes etc.

Right. How much is too much, or is that a nebulous thing ?
I only apply nettle infusion as liquid feed to the plants once in a
season, twice at the very most. That is because I ensure that the soil
they are growing in, i.e. my own made organic compost, already has
plenty of nutrients in it. The motto is - feed the soil, not the plants
- then the plants take as much as they want from it when they wish to.

If any aphids arrive, I apply nettle infusion to the leaves. When the
aphids have gone, usually next day, the infusion becomes ingested into
the plant through the leaves. Then it acts as a plant tonic and provides
nutrients, minerals and trace elements wherever they are needed.


I reckon the bf will eat them off the plant if I'm not careful - he loves
them, so I probably won't have to freeze any. Thing is, I *don't*
actually
like them - I told you I sowed them on a whim ! Heheheheh. ;-)

That's gardening Rachel - best wishes to both of you.
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

Alan / Joan,

You've probably answered this a hundred times already! - I assume that
'nettle infusion' is an organic pesticide - how do you make it?

Cheers,


Andrew

In article , ajr
writes

You've probably answered this a hundred times already! - I assume that
'nettle infusion' is an organic pesticide - how do you make it?

More like a thousand, but no problem :-)

NO it is not an insecticide, (there's no such thing as an organic
insecticide) it is an insect repellent. '-icides' kill things,
repellents just send them away.

Basically you soak young nettle leaves in water until they biodegrade -
10-15 days, than it's ready to use. Full details in the urg FAQ at:
http://www.nugget.demon.co.uk/MetaFAQ/nettle.html

Have a good supply of pegs ready! :-)
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

In article , ajr
writes

You've probably answered this a hundred times already! - I assume that
'nettle infusion' is an organic pesticide - how do you make it?

More like a thousand, but no problem :-)

NO it is not an insecticide, (there's no such thing as an organic
insecticide) it is an insect repellent. '-icides' kill things,
repellents just send them away.

Basically you soak young nettle leaves in water until they biodegrade -
10-15 days, than it's ready to use. Full details in the urg FAQ at:
http://www.nugget.demon.co.uk/MetaFAQ/nettle.html

Have a good supply of pegs ready! :-)
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

"Alan Gould" wrote in message
...
In article , Rachael of Nex, the Wiccan
Rat writes

Hand polinate .... new to all this veggie stuff - how do I go about doing
that ?
Tickle the inside of a flower with a very fine, small brush, or you can
use your fingers, or a feather etc. Transfer some pollen to another
flower and it will be pollinated most times. Once a plant has been
pollinated, it does not usually need doing again.

Ok, I'll do that. Just call me Cupid of the Pepper Plants ... chuckle


Also, I don't do chemical fertilisers - will these fruiters be happy
with
nettle soup ? I got quite abit of that hanging about.

Yes indeed. That's what we always give ours. It improves their flavour
and it helps to protect the plants from ailments. Don't overdo it
though, too much feeding or watering leads to mushy flesh texture.
Same goes for tomatoes etc.

Right. How much is too much, or is that a nebulous thing ?
I only apply nettle infusion as liquid feed to the plants once in a
season, twice at the very most. That is because I ensure that the soil
they are growing in, i.e. my own made organic compost, already has
plenty of nutrients in it. The motto is - feed the soil, not the plants
- then the plants take as much as they want from it when they wish to.

I'm hoping the soil is pretty good - the bf says it is, anyway, he knows
more about that part of the garden than I do. We'll see how things turn out
I guess.

I keep going out into my little patch of garden and I can't get over how
much it's changed in the last year and a half.
In January '03 it was a total disaster area.
(I did write a whole big thing about the work done on my garden to sort it
out - and it was no small amount of work that required some quite extensive
clearing of borkwn glass and other crap and moving of earth and fencing and
building of steps and so on before I could actually plant anything - but it
was too long and I sounded like a totally obsessed loon, so I deleted it.)

Bods talk about the sense of achievement in gardening - but I reckon you'll
never know just how much that cannot be underestimated until you've done
some of it. It's my little world out there. I decide what goes where and I
tend to it and care for it. I now see why gardeners go all out for it.
I've ordered a composter from my local council (what a bargain !) and
hopefully it will soon arrive. Which will be another thing for me to get
excited about. ;-)



If any aphids arrive, I apply nettle infusion to the leaves. When the
aphids have gone, usually next day, the infusion becomes ingested into
the plant through the leaves. Then it acts as a plant tonic and provides
nutrients, minerals and trace elements wherever they are needed.

That's a useful tip, thanks.



I reckon the bf will eat them off the plant if I'm not careful - he loves
them, so I probably won't have to freeze any. Thing is, I *don't*
actually
like them - I told you I sowed them on a whim ! Heheheheh. ;-)

That's gardening Rachel - best wishes to both of you.

Thanks. And to you.


Rachael