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Post by wulfcwen on Mar 3, 2007 10:41:48 GMT
Not everyone has a garden so many feel they cannot grow things like vegetables but you would be surprised at what can be grown in pots. Maybe you have a small balcony or maybe a tiny courtyard or even less a few window sills. No matter what you have you can grow something. How about a few herbs in a pot in the kitchen or maybe if you have a window box some salad leaves as well. There are plenty to choose from that are cut and come again and the seeds are cheap so you can have really fresh salad leaves to pick and no nasty chemicals. You can even grow carrots in troughs and I have grown potatoes in compost bags on the patio and got a lot from them as well. Turn the bags inside out so the writing is on the inside and add the compost to roughly half the bag roll down the top and plant the seed potatoes, two to a bag maybe three if it is a big bag, as they grow add more compost until the bag is reasonably full. Then wait keep them watered and when they are ready you have lovely fresh potatoes and no digging either. You need a patio to do this. Why not try growing your own ginger, I am trying it this year. You buy a small piece of ginger from the supermarket that has tiny buds on them and simply plant it in a pot and keep it watered and keep it out of direct sunlight. Eventually you will have a plant and if you keep re-potting it you will end up with a big plant that you can split up and use and grow more from as well. www.theepicentre.com/Spices/ginger3.htmlI have seen them grown in pots rather than in the garden it looks amazing. Here is a site with pictures of how you do it. http://flora_my.tripod.com/ulam/0-planting.htm Have some fun and grow something even if all you have is a
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Post by kath on Mar 3, 2007 20:36:01 GMT
Oooh what a lovely, inspiring post I'm not normally green fingered, but I might have to have a go. What would you suggest for a complete beginner who can barely keep an aspidistra alive ? Cress on cotton wool like we did at school ? Thanks for the brill post wulfcwen.
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Post by wulfcwen on Mar 3, 2007 22:05:35 GMT
For a beginner how about Parsley its easy to grow and you can use it. Also Spinach don't grimace lol if you grow it in a trough and use it in salads it is really lovely and so easy to grow. Herbs in pots indoors are easy get the proper plant not the supermarket ones they have been forced and do not last long. If you grow from seed palce the waterd pot in a plactic bag gather the top and blow into it like you would a ballon and tie the top. This creates a green house and you won't have to water the pot and it will stay warm if placed in a widow sill. It has nver failed me yet. Once the seedlings come through sow another pot that way you get a succession of plants. Don't sow too many seeds in a pot or you will end up with a forest. If you have a garden you can grow runner beans they are easy and boy do you get a good crop from even four plants. You can grow then in large tubs with bamboo canes for them to climb up. www.seedsofknowledge.com/indoorherbs.htmlezinearticles.com/?10-Herbs-You-Can-Grow-in-Containers&id=389833
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Post by kath on Mar 3, 2007 22:36:15 GMT
For a beginner how about Parsley its easy to grow and you can use it. Also Spinach don't grimace lol if you grow it in a trough and use it in salads it is really lovely and so easy to grow. I actually really like spinach, I've never had it in a salad so I might try that. oooh that's a clever tip:) Thanks for all the ideas, I'll have to have a go now I've no excuse
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Post by baz on Mar 5, 2007 12:07:17 GMT
The best way to grow potatoes if you only have a 'yard' or tiny garden is in old car tires. Yes, tires! These can be got for free from most car repair garages, they are only too glad to get rid of them.
It works like this. You place three tires on top of each other and fill with compost. You plant your potatoes in these. As your spuds grow they will need another one or two tires adding and filled with compost to, 'earth up'.
I've seen this system in action and it works amazingly well. And the tires can be used again next season.
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Post by wulfcwen on Mar 5, 2007 14:19:07 GMT
It does work well I have done it like that myself. I painted the tyres as I did not want balck rubber tyres staring at me. I use bags now as I cannot get hold of the tyres.
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