WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2021

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by ARMANDII, Jan 1, 2021.

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  1. FrancescaH

    FrancescaH Gardener

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    Tomatoes are out! Varieties are: San Marzano; Mucha Miel; Dattero; Purple Ukraine; Ailsa Craig; Costoluto Fiorentino; Amish Paste; Gardener's Ecstasy (not pitctured, it's in the back garden).

    [​IMG]

    Potentionally silly question: if a seed packet doesn't specify F1 / Hybrid does that mean it's heirloom? I have two courgette varieties, one is di Milano which I got from Real Seeds so I know that's heirloom. But I also have Courgette de Nice A Fruit Rond which I'm very excited about. It's a Johnsons seed packet "World Kitchen France" and nowhere does it specify anything about F1/ Hybrid / etc status. Wondering if I can save seed.

    Hello Stuart, I'm in Woking too!
     
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    • Perki

      Perki Total Gardener

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      Are you not worried someone going to pinch some tomatoes @FrancescaH ? looks like the public foot path.

      No heirloom seeds are basically very old variety of plants used donkey years ago , they should come true from seed if harvested . F1 seeds are specially bred for vigour / fruiting / flowering etc . Seeds harvested from a F1 plant don't come true to the parent ( well not exactly ) they could cross bred etc , so seed harvest from a F1 plant which has been pollinated by another F1 or other will be classed as a F2 .
       
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      • FrancescaH

        FrancescaH Gardener

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        Yup it's the front of my house. Had them last year, nobody stole anything. "Needs must" I would rather give it a go and take the risk that someone might steal something than do nothing at all (no space elsewhere). People love them, last year people would walk past and take pictures or bring their kids along to see the tomatoes growing. Last year even one of the tomatoes fell off (it was overripe and I missed it). I was just getting in the car when I spotted it on the ground so thought I'd tidy it up on my way in. By the time I got back someone had picked it up and put it on my fence post for me! I thought that was quite considerate for a bit of road tomato! haha

        I'm aware of the differences between F1 & Heirloom. I just wasn't sure if the packet didn't specify F1 whether I should assume it is or not.
         
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          Last edited: May 15, 2021
        • shiney

          shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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          I would assume it's not - but may be wrong. I'd expect them to boast about it.
           
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          • shiney

            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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            In my garden it's easy to know as I hit solid yellow clay! :rolleyespink:
             
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            • luciusmaximus

              luciusmaximus Total Gardener

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              Found time to make a start on cutting some of the grass in the side garden. I had to do It in stages as the great tits are using the nest box in the Willow tree, so didn't want to disturb them too much. The grass has gotten very long and very thick and will need another cut with the strimmer ( but unlikely to be today or tomorrow ). Got lots of dandelions and daisies in the side garden plus some cuckoo pint, so had to cut around them as best I could. The pink, yellow and white flowers look so pretty together. I intend to leave some of the grass to just do it's own thing. Swept the patio. Cleaned out both bird baths. Sat on Patio watching great tits and rabbit politics.
               
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              • shiney

                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                We got a lot done yesterday. Three wheelie bins full of weeds :hate-shocked:.

                Dug out two large 3ft high by 4ft wide Stipa arundinacea (Pheasant's Tail Grass) and replaced them with young ones. They self seed easily so have also dug out a dozen other young ones and potted them up for sale. The big ones have gone to a new garden being landscaped. There were lots of worms dropping out of the ones we lifted so some went back into the holes and most of the others were collected and placed on the ground under the four bird nests that we know have chicks - two robin and two blackbird. The remainder were put on the ground under the two robin nests that don't yet have chicks hatched. :)

                I started sorting the different beans into boxes ready for collection over the next two weeks.

                Prepared 10 boxes of plants to go to a charity plant sale that a friend is running.

                We also did the usual stint of checking and potting on seedlings.
                 
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                • NigelJ

                  NigelJ Total Gardener

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                  @FrancescaH If it doesn't say F1 or F2 it is an open pollinated variety. The open pollinated types tend to be cheaper and rely on the grower "roguing" out any misfits from his seed producing stock.
                   
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                  • NigelJ

                    NigelJ Total Gardener

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                    I suspect, given the likelihood of showers, I'll be in and out the greenhouse plan on potting up tomatoes into their final containers. Other things will also need potting up.
                     
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                    • wiseowl

                      wiseowl FRIENDLY ADMIN Staff Member

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                      Good morning its raining stair rods here so I have two choices stay in bed under the quilt:heehee: or working on the fence in the front garden so I am going to get wet fixing the fence,enjoy your day and keep smiling;):smile:
                       
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                      • Victoria

                        Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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                        We won't be doing much as we are having the path down the garden paved which also goes to the cars, shed. Jungle Room and dining patio. We shall putter on the Front of House Patio where all my pots are.

                        Path to be paved ...
                        Path2 14 May 21.jpg

                        Materials ...
                        Materials.jpg

                        The materials were delivered at 8am and the delivery guys had "fun" trying to turn their truck around ...
                        Truck.jpg

                        Our guy Andy and his son Bradley arrive at 9am to do the work.
                         
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                        • Sian in Belgium

                          Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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                          The compost bays are in the wooded area of the garden (part of an old woodland, so there are full height oaks and beech trees). There is leaf litter, and rubble, at the base of the bays. Rather than empty them out down to the rubble, I leave a little compost, as a “starter culture” (you can tell I make my own yoghurt!!). It’s just helpful to know when to stop digging!!
                           
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                          • shiney

                            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                            I've been told I have never worked that out! :roflol:
                             
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                            • Sian in Belgium

                              Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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                              ...Last (add-to) bay emptied, and the three little shrew kits put relatively close together in the middle bay. If they keep their racket up, mum will find them.
                              It doesn’t matter what time of year I turn the compost, I upset some wildlife or other. This time it was drama-free, in comparison, so I’m pleased!
                               
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                              • Loofah

                                Loofah Admin Staff Member

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                                me too.

                                Just about managed to cut the grass. The areas that were seeded appears to have more weeds than anything so topped all of that too. Grass is sort of sprouting up amongst the weeds so I'll get there eventually.
                                Also picked up some fish blood and bone to scatter over the front lawn.
                                Just been weeding today in between showers, and sown more sweetcorn after the mice got the last lot
                                 
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