Archive for the ‘Planting climbers’ Category

9 Jun

GROWING TOMATOES ON AN UPSTAIRS SOUTHFACING WINDOWSILL – SECOND WEEK IN JUNE 2010.

Posted by Trevor Sargent in Planting climbers, Tomato. Tagged: , .

No more space for tomato plants in the phone box sized greenhouse. The 2 plants in there already are filling out and starting to flower. So with plants to spare, I needed another south facing growing space under glass. Time to experiment and try a windowsill. Not wanting to destroy the wooden window sill, I lined 3 window boxes with plastic and then filled each with a mix of soil and compost. 3 tomato plants to each window box and position them on an upstairs window sill to get maximum light.  This is not ideal as light from one side is not as good as light from different angles in a greenhouse. Nevertheless with nine plants I should get some tomatoes.

Once the plants grow tall and tomatoes form supports will be needed. So I tied twine from each window box close to where each plant was growing and fixed each length to a cane spanning the brackets holding the curtain rail. Just need to water and feed now to encourage healthy growth and fruiting.

The variety is Brandywine. I may have been a bit late in sowing in late April but time will tell. I’ll post up a couple of photographs when I get a chance.

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1 Jun

STAKING AND TYING UP SUNFLOWERS AND TOMATOES IN THE NICK OF TIME – FIRST WEEK IN JUNE 2010.

Posted by Trevor Sargent in Planting climbers, Tomato. Tagged: .

With watering most mornings and calm warm weather, I have seen all young plants as well as hedge and lawn put on a spurt of growth. Unfortunately, injury to my right arm, (pulled ligament – 6 week recovery ahead – don’t ask, long story!), has curtailed me in the garden. So the lawn and hedges, front and back, are growing away to their hearts content, cheered on by a good crop of runaway weeds.

However, it is time to be ‘glic’ and engage more brain than brawn. The sunflowers and tomatoes are growing taller by the day. As long as winds are light – no problem! But just as the motorist and passengers have to wear safety belts, the gardener needs also to support plants which could be flattened if winds get up.

So, out come the stored bamboo canes from the shed for another year of use. Out come the twine and scissors, also. No heavy lifting needed (thank God!), just snipping and tying of twine after pushing stakes into soft soil (using left hand only)!

Just in the nick of time too. Last night heavy rain fell and the potato haulms were fairly bowed down as a result when I left to catch the train this morning. The potatoes are sturdy enough to recover. However, had I not staked and tied the sunflowers, I’ve no doubt I’d be counting losses today.

Meanwhile, the tomatoes are tied up under glass. I see small yellow flowers beginning to form. So when the tomatoes follow the flowers  and fill out, those trusses will be already supported enough to bear the weight of the mouth-watering aromatic fruits.

6 May

RUNNER BEANS – FIRST WEEK OF MAY

Posted by Trevor Sargent in Beans, Planting climbers. Tagged: .

Cloudy weather in Balbriggan but average temperature. Taking a chance to plant out runner beans. Seeds were sown 14 April and germinated on sunny windowsill. The variety is ‘Enorma’ bought by mail-order from The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim. As the name suggests, these beans grow tall. Before planting, I therefore constructed a support wigwam using a tall pole and stay ropes held down by test pegs. See the pictures and video for more.

[YouTube=http://www.youtube.com/w/?v=Q6qdl-6llbU]