What should we be doing in the garden?

[preppingsu]

I thought I would start a thread,to help us all learn, about what we should be doing in the garden/greenhouse NOW!

If we could all add hints and tips, suggestions etc then members new to growing their own would be helped and those of us that don't plan very well would be reminded when to get things done.

(This is all because I would like to plant some wild garlic in the garden but it should have been done in the autumn! )


This is the time to give the greenhouse a good clean. My job for today!!!! Clean the glass and burn a sulphur candle to get rid of all nasties. I will probably opt for an Eco friendly garlic candle

http://m.ggmob.co.uk/products.asp?id=11

[12mp82]

Well we should be getting some air into the soil for a starter, and maybe getting some homegrown compost in there as well.

[Arzosah]

Can't do too much to the soil round by me at the moment - its all clay, and my route to the compost heap looks like I have a herd of cows traipsing through ... at the moment, I'm standing on the concrete path and leaning over as far as I can to tidy up, cutting back an overgrown buddleia.

Great idea for a thread, tho, I want to do much more in the garden this year, and I'm ready now, but don't know too much. I think people are starting to plant seeds tho, yes?

[jansman]

I have germinated chillies and leeks. Potted some on and just keeping them frost free. I like to start leeks early for best results. Sown field beans in cells, and they are germinating. Spuds are chitting, and 12" pots are filled ready for forcing earlies in the polytunnel. The coldframes are all in good order and dug over with fresh compost. Ready to take early salads. Me and the dog have cut and stacked plenty of hazel poles from the local common. I will NOT buy canes at 50p a throw. I use 100 at a time!

[edward.21]

http://www.allotment.org.uk/month-by-month/february

[junmist]

not doing a lot in the garden as the ground is still to wet Have washed the old pots ready to start with the seeds which will be started on the windowsill hoping to get round to it this week now that there is some day light in the evenings down here. Also brought two 14 inch hanging baskets to try and grow dawf peas in.

[borderlands]

Same here i'm afraid! Had a quick tidy up but everything is so soggy. I am terrible though and the first sight of a dry day and some sunshine and I feel guilty that something needs doing!

Not sure how advertising works here and Im not saying this just to profit myself but have access to a lot of canes on a bulk level so could help out Preppers if required! Nice idea on Hazel whips though, I had a fleeting thought about trying to convince some gardening newcomers to use Willow whips as canes but then thought better of it...!

A good job for today was to sit out there and imagine all the great things you'll be able to do in another month or so!

[PreppingPingu]

Thanks Sue - great thread to start.

I think this time of year, especially after such a horrid wet winter, in to prep the garden/ground/growing areas for when you are able to put stuff in, weather permitting. Digging the soil over, added manure etc, fixing any fences and preparing a new compost bin from old pallets. In the allotment I am making some raised beds and laying out some paths, as last year being the first year of growing in an allotment and doing it from scratch, it was somewhat of a hit and miss affair. I don't want to be cutting grass paths all summer long this year so I am putting down some old gravel and a weed membrane I have no need for anymore in my own garden and digging over more of the plot for planting. (As it had been my first year I didnt want to over welm myself so only dug over half the area, using slightly less for actually growing so this year its time to expand.)

[Arzosah]

As far as canes go ... that buddleia of mine has a *lot* of long straight branches, all very slim. Not any more, mind you chopped up and into the recycling bin ... and I was pulling up more grass yesterday too, ready to chuck those bark chips down ...

I have a million books on gardening, but I'll check out that allotment link, thanks Edward ... its just *easier* to do it online

[junmist]

put a new tap on one of the water butts today and hopefully have fixed the other on as well but won't know until it gets full again