Vegetable plants update

Today we received a new supply of vegetable plants for sale in the garden centre. We now have stocks of leeks, spring onion, purple broccoli, sprouting broccoli, spinach, Chinese salad and glasshouse lettuce. All of these should be planted out now to provide a good supply of vegetables for the autumn and spring.

Flea beetle

Now that the pressure from flea beetle has passed we have sown more rocket and oriental mixed leaves. Flea beetle causes holes in the leaves, heavy attacks can kill seedlings and will check the growth of older plants.
Sowing in late summer will avoid the beetle also it is always best to sow when the weather and soil conditions will allow rapid growth and germination.

Pumpkin Update

As I said last week I thought it would be fun to just see how fast the mother of all pumpkins is growing so we started to measure its circumference. So far we have recorded the following measurements:
15th 67cm
17th 70cm
19th 76cm
It is incredible the rate of growth in just six days.
Julian is ensuring each day he cuts off any flowers that are forming to put all the energy into the main fruit, along with feeding it at least twice a week nature is doing the rest.

August seed sowing

To make use of space available in the garden we are currently sowing direct into the ground a range of quick crops:
Carrots Nantes2, Land cress variegated American, various mixed leaf lettuce such as French and Italian mix, Oriental mustards, flat-leaved parsley and a quick crop of radish.
In our raised beds we are sowing various overwintering crops which, when they have grown we will transplant out into the garden. Some of these crops are: Spring cabbage, Chicory, endive, fennel, Pak Choi, spinach and Swiss chard.

Hows my baby

I know it seems to be pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins but look at the baby growing. We are going to start recording its girth every couple of days from now on just to quantify the rate of growth.

Spring bulbs are here

Its just into August and the seasons are changing. The spring bulbs are now in stock. The shop is filling out with Daffodils and Tulips plus many other great spring bulbs. It does seem early but it is the correct time to start to plan and purchase the bulbs before they run out. If you are not intending to plant them, keep them in the cool and dark until you need them

Autumn Bedding

Where has the summer gone, we are now stocking the first of the autumn bedding, great packs of cyclamen and some wonderful outdoor chrysanthemum for some real impact of colours. These chrysanthemums are great value and can be grown in tubs as well as in borders and come in a range of colours. We are also able to supply smaller plants that can be used in tubs and patio pots, all for 8.99 for the big pots and 8.99 for a 4 pack.
The cyclamen are 5.29 for a six pack.