First Attempt.

[Chesh]

So we bought a couple of plastic canvessed type containers from Wilkinsons, that seem to hold a lot looking at them to get us going as we don't have a soil patch and it's a rented property so can't alter the garden.

We have two potato containers and four others. We are hoping to grow onions and carrots as a main, and maybe a few other things dependent on what we think when looking at seeds.

Also maybe grow some peas up some canes as well.

Now we are going looking at the weekend at buying some soil and compost, but my concern is that I may be to early with the weather and risk ruining everything if it frosts? If I bought a poly tunnel to hide everything under for now would that work?

Anything else that I should be thinking at, at this point while trying to decide things?

Thanks in advance!

[DavidT]

Good evening Chesh and welcome, main question is, where are you based?

[Chesh]

Hi David, I'm in the West Midlands, so middle of the road weather here for the UK!

[DavidT]

The first rule of gardening is patience. I take it you are going to be container gardening? you will need to give them some protection from the elements, and use something like Westlands compost with John Innes.

[Chesh]

Well I am glad to announce that my strawberry seeds have sprouted a couple of green leaves this morning and my onion sets that I planted two weeks ago are starting to shoot up.

My carrots thou, their is no movements in the tray yet although I am wondering if it is slightly too cold in my lean to for them will wait and see I read it took about 17 days for them to start to show so they have a little time yet.

[DavidT]

You`re starting carrots in a seed tray? Bad, bad move. They need to go straight into the ground or deep pots.

[smeagal]

Originally Posted by Chesh

So we bought a couple of plastic canvessed type containers from Wilkinsons, that seem to hold a lot looking at them to get us going as we don't have a soil patch and it's a rented property so can't alter the garden.

We have two potato containers and four others. We are hoping to grow onions and carrots as a main, and maybe a few other things dependent on what we think when looking at seeds.

Also maybe grow some peas up some canes as well.

Now we are going looking at the weekend at buying some soil and compost, but my concern is that I may be to early with the weather and risk ruining everything if it frosts? If I bought a poly tunnel to hide everything under for now would that work?

Anything else that I should be thinking at, at this point while trying to decide things?

Thanks in advance!

Have you room for a small staging or growbags?. I grow 50% of my veg in growbags as my garden is mostly patio as I am disabled. I also use hanging baskets and dustbins for other crops.
Hope this gives you some more ideas.
Smeag

[Chesh]

Reason I put the carrots into trays to begin with was for space within the lean to that everything is starting off on. It is quite deep a good couple of inches. I was going to then transfer them into a circular fabric container once they looked like they were reaching to big for the trays.

I planted them two weeks ago and there is the beginning of green shoots at the top of the tray, so will percivere with them and see how they do. Might have to start again straight outside, but will see.

The onion sets are coming on great thou, and the spring onions are starting to shoot up above the soil, so they seem to be going well.

Also planted my potatos at the weekend, again in fabric, canvas circular bags. So for year one, that is everything planted to see how well I do.

Will keep updating this thread thou, letting everyone know how I get on!

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by DavidT

You`re starting carrots in a seed tray? Bad, bad move. They need to go straight into the ground or deep pots.

Hi Chesh, as David said carrots should be sown direct into the ground or the container you intend growing them in. Carrots have a long tap root which needs a good depth of ground or deep container to grow undisturbed otherwise you end up with mishapen or forked carrots. You can sow the carrot seeds in your container outside now.

[Chesh]

Do you think we have had our last frost then, I didn't want to risk the chance of that?

[kate1983]

My first atempt wasn't in fact too good - seeds probably didn't have enough water and not enough sun - I had to try again.

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by Chesh

Do you think we have had our last frost then, I didn't want to risk the chance of that?

Hi Chesh, carrots are half hardy so they will be fine now. I usually wait until the start of April. What variety are they?

[DavidT]

Originally Posted by Chesh

I planted them two weeks ago and there is the beginning of green shoots at the top of the tray, so will percivere with them and see how they do. Might have to start again straight outside, but will see.

You have to remember the taproot emerges first, so by the time the seed leaves have opened the root is already an inch or more long.

[Chesh]

Originally Posted by Lesley Jay

Hi Chesh, carrots are half hardy so they will be fine now. I usually wait until the start of April. What variety are they?

They are sweet nadines.

[Chesh]

Originally Posted by DavidT

You have to remember the taproot emerges first, so by the time the seed leaves have opened the root is already an inch or more long.

I did wonder how quickly they grew down the way.

I can't look at them due to not getting home in the daylight till Thursday. I don't want to disturb the seedlings at all if there is any chance of saving them and transfering them to a larger container.

Does anyone think I stand a chance of being able to transfering them at all? If so how long should I leave them as to let them establish themselves size wise?

There is still some seeds left in the packet so I could always just start again, but don't want to if I don't have to.

[Lesley Jay]

Chesh I would transplant the carrots into a large container as soon as possible.

[Chesh]

Originally Posted by Lesley Jay

Chesh I would transplant the carrots into a large container as soon as possible.

Thanks Lesley, that's my Thursday afternoon taken care of then, when I am next home in the daylight!

[Chesh]

So my carrots are now transplanted into a larger container as are my spring onions. I have also planted a second container of carrot seeds just in case. The strawberry seedlings also have been moved into a larger pot, although I think they will be moved again once they get bigger.

Potatos, the first one is starting to stick through and I'll wait for the others to come on as well before covering them back up before they reach the top of the bag.

Onions, are still growing tall with some of the shoots reaching about 10 inches I would say, they are struggling to stay upright! The two containers although have another little seedling in each, thanks to my step-daughter who brought some sunflower seeds home from school. Little Minx!

[Chesh]

I am worried about my onions.

All of them now have great big huge shoots of green, which I thought was great and that they must be growing fine. Although I had an incline that something wasn't right so pulled one up today. It hasn't swollen at all and is the same size as the set and is squishy to touch also. There was small white dots on the bulb also which I presume can only be a worry.....

Are they lost becuase they have not swelled up already? What are the white dots on them?

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Chesh, this sounds like the start of onion white rot. If you hadn't pulled one up, usually the first sign of trouble would be the leaves turning yellow and when the onion was lifted the bulb would have white mould eating into it. If it is onion white rot then there is no cure. The onions need burning and it is recommended that you shouldn't grow onions in that spot again for 15 years.