Get Growing!

It is time to get our gardening heads on and make a start in the garden department. As you know I have sown a few seeds but have so far held back on any major sowing yet. We are all often far to eager to get this annual seed sowing under way to give us a head start and then disappointment  follows as things become leggy, die or just don't germinate due to lack of heat and sunshine.

The great Monty Don gardening guru has advised us humble gardener's to hang back and hold off on the seed sowing this year, perhaps he know's something we don't.

The salad seeds have emerged as you can see from the opening photo and yes I did get all excited and dance round the kitchen singing my seeds have sprouted! As yet these are the only things to have shown their little green faces however it is still early days yet.

I have redefined my growing list, I have made a couple of changes to it, I will post the varieties once I am more organised.

Peppers (bell & Chilli)
Tomatoes (gardener's delight and Cherry)
Peas
Beans (dwarf French, broad & runner)
Courgette
Cabbages (golden acre, savoy)
Broccoli & Purple sprouting broccoli
Cauliflowers
Carrots
Onions (Spring & red salad)
Leeks
Fennel
Celeriac
Sweetcorn
Salad leaves & lettuces
Assortment of herbs

I also have the strawberry plants, rhubarb.  The blueberry, tayberry and gooseberry bushes have been planted for two winters so I'm not sure if they will produce anything again this year. I will have to go and do some reading on these.

I have opted for the things we eat a lot of and to try and cut down on our food bill and our carbon footprint.

Growing your own is quite simple and you don't need a lot of space to grow a few things as lots can be grown in containers. For anyone who is new to gardening of thinking about growing their own vegetables I have written an article aimed at the beginner. I have covered everything from what tools are required, how to prepare the ground, seed sowing and feeding and the general care to harvesting your crops.

The article is available by clicking on the following link:
Growing Your Own Vegetables

Here is more information of why not to sow too early. Ben at Higgledygarden blog explains all!

I would also like to introduce you too Kieron who lives in Cornwall and writes an awesomely funny but interesting blog called eatmypig. Kieron's aim is to avoid supermarkets and to just shop locally. I was introduced to Kieron's blog by Ben at higgledy garden who incidentally sells a large selection of seeds online.

I was so engrossed in Kieron's blog this morning that I burnt my toast!

To visit Ben at Higgledy Garden click HERE
and to visit Kierons eatmypig blog click HERE but be warned do not eat or drink whilst reading this blog or you may end up with a splattered screen!

Lots to do, until next time x