The Kitchen Gardener

[Avo]

Wow thanks guys, this makes interesting reading!!

I am very much an amateur when it comes to gardening. Last year I spent time digging up my entire back yard (it IS postage stamp size!) and laid turf, with beds around the edges where I plan to grow veggies this spring/summer. I will soon need to start reading up and equipping myself with the knowledge I need (will look out for Alan Tichmarsh's book at the library! ). I took photos of my progress from Square One last year, and will do so again this time around ... will post a few at some stage, as I am very chuffed with what I have achieved so far

Oh yes, besides the actual planting etc I also want to paint my fences (they look gross) and get rid of a few very straggly conifers that are DEFINITELY the wrong plants in the wrong place.

[Bokkie]

Alpine Box 5.jpgDill and Sage 2.jpg

Marjoram.jpgParsley 5.jpg

Rosemary.jpg

I don't have a garden, so I grow herbs in the window boxes and I have great success. Used daily in cooking and the rest I dry..

[piglet]

Wow Bokkie , success is an understatement Good idea with the egg boxes , thanks for the tip. Have you ever thought of growing tumbling toms or gardener delight tamotoes ? Will need to be grown from a shelf though as they trail .

Avo Congrats on all the work so far . If you do get the book there is a chapter on preparing and planning the garden , which is worth a read .

[Bokkie]

I can't usually grow anything with flowers, but last year started an alpine boxie which looked lovely. The packets said the plants would last in the winter but they have mostly died.

I think I will stick to the herbs. Trailing might not be a good idea as it could annoy the peeps downstairs, lol... and the estate manager is not happy with my window boxes as they have a tendancy to 'plop' off in high winds, so need to be secured.

[piglet]

I think I will stick to the herbs. Trailing might not be a good idea as it could annoy the peeps downstairs, lol... and the estate manager is not happy with my window boxes as they have a tendancy to 'plop' off in high winds, so need to be secured.

I was thinking of indoors ( thought your herbs where grown indoors ) . I have Chillies and a grenadella growing indoors . The chillies(miniature variety ) are bearing Loads of firery chillies . The grenadella was not meant to be indoors . Brought it in has it was not doing to well . Now is flourishing . Still not flowering though.

[Afrikan]

dunno if youve tried it but planting by the moon actually works !!! haha I know it sounds kinda wierd but give it a go

http://www.plantea.com/planting-moon-phases.htm

[Afrikan]

moon planting makes this good stuff.....

nothing better than free food no chemicals

[piglet]

dunno if youve tried it but planting by the moon actually works !!! haha I know it sounds kinda wierd but give it a go

http://www.plantea.com/planting-moon-phases.htm

My mother in law plants by the moon . I'm too disorganised , plant when I have time and remember I need to do gardening.

That is an impressive harvest though . Congrats!!

[Afrikan]

That is an impressive harvest though . Congrats!!

hey thanks ill pass that on to my moms, shes the luna planter haha

[Pampered]

Thanks piglet - best to mention that this is for those in the UK...

Interesting that I 'should' be outside right now clearing the ground to plant - not even sure that the spade would make a dent in the icy soil out there. Will have to try closer to March rather... (should the urge grab me of course...)

My last attempt at gardening was eaten by my dog, beautiful stalks sans flowers left standing to attention all over the place.

My son ATE all the buds for my lilleis last Summer.