Re: Gardening Thread.

**Sabot** Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:06 am

I accidentally grew a couple of Sunflowers last year, Bonny, from dropped bird seed, but they were very small.
I might have a proper go this year if we look like having a good Summer. Now there's a thought, I could Propagate a few while one Propagator is still switched on.

Thoughts on my Moon Planting experiment to follow shortly.

**bb1** Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:13 am

I wonder why the ones from birdseed are always small, Sabot? No matter; I am sure they will grow very well where you are - they do well in sunny spots further north.

I just hope we don't get a repeat of last summer and the endless rain and cold.

**Sabot** Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:27 am

It was glorious here, Bonny, from April to August, but this is a trifle unusual, so I am hoping for a repeat.
I didn't know that bird seed grows smaller flowers, and thanks for that. I did cut the heads off and stick them on the bird table, and they were eaten, so not a complete waste of time. But not a lot of use compared to the amount of money I spend on buying seeds for the birds.

**bb1** Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:30 am

Given a decent summer, Sabot, I get the huge, traditional sunflowers the size of dinnerplates, so a packet of seed is a good investment, birdwise.

**Sabot** Sun Mar 18, 2012 12:00 pm

I will give it a try, Bonny. I suppose I must be able to but proper seeds. I have seen the odd small field of them, growing here.

**Lamplighter** Sun Mar 18, 2012 12:14 pm

Sabot wrote:
I will give it a try, Bonny. I suppose I must be able to but proper seeds. I have seen the odd small field of them, growing here.

We have huge fields for miles here, just full of sunflowers every year. I love them as they always make me smile, those cheery little faces sunning themselves. LL

Gardening Thread. - Page 4 Assorted026

**bb1** Sun Mar 18, 2012 12:32 pm

I love sunflowers, and the way they follow the sun round the sky over the course of a day.

I don't grow fields-full, Sabot, but they do grow to that size here, when we get a reasonable summer, so you should have no trouble - just stick the seeds in the ground and watch them grow.

**Sabot** Sun Mar 18, 2012 12:47 pm

bb1 wrote:I love sunflowers, and the way they follow the sun round the sky over the course of a day.

I don't grow fields-full, Sabot, but they do grow to that size here, when we get a reasonable summer, so you should have no trouble - just stick the seeds in the ground and watch them grow.

This has given me an idea about what to do with the very small piece of land that I recovered after my son massacred my monstrous hedge. And I can grow them against the fence which faces almost due South. This will prop them up if they get heavy, and then I can leave them there for the birds.

**Sabot** Sun Mar 18, 2012 4:47 pm

Right. Done that experiment for Moon Planting, and the Beans I planted under the same conditions five days after Full Moon took six days to sprout, as compared to seeds planted ten days before Full Moon which took four days to sprout.
Not a huge difference on the face of it, but bearing in mind the slight increase in daylight time, and the fact that this would take longer in outdoor unheated conditions, then the time difference is worth considering. I think. I shall watch to see how the plants themselves behave over the Summer. Hopefully. If they don't die. Or get eaten by slugs or snails when I'm not watching.

Growing vegetables can be brutal and bloody. There is more going on in your garden than you realise.

**lily** Sun Mar 18, 2012 5:21 pm

This thread is really lovely to read. Thanks so much guys. Also, love the picture LL.

**Sabot** Sun Mar 18, 2012 6:59 pm

SLUG BUSTER TIP.

If you feed the birds with Sunflower Seeds the husks will collect in a pile under the bird feeder. Scoop them up and place around the root base of young plants. The slugs and snails have difficulty negotiating the rough husks, and they quite like to eat them as well, so this distracts them from eating the plant. Many a slug and snail has gone over my garden wall with a Sunflower Seed husk in it's mouth.

**lily** Mon Mar 19, 2012 5:53 pm

That is a handy tip, Sabot. Cheers.

**Sabot** Mon Mar 19, 2012 6:20 pm

Have you ever seen a drowned slug, Lily? Their mouths are nearly half as long as their bodies. Quite fascinating, actually. I did try a Beer Trap for a while but it doesn't really work because they never trap them all. And anyway, I can think of better things to do with Beer.

**Sabot** Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:11 am

Utter Disaster. All of my Runner Bean Plants are Dead. This is what happens when you think you know what you are doing.

I was up very early yesterday morning being unable to sleep for worrying about my wretched Leaseholders, so I took the dog into the garden because he often forgets where he is supposed to pee. Can dogs get Alzheimer's?
Anyway, the temperature was 2 degrees. Checked again at 6 am and the temperature had dropped to minus 1 degree. And that was the end of my plants. I had no idea that the temperature can drop at that time in the morning.

But, never mind, there is still time to start again. This is basically what gardening and vegetable growing are all about. Don't allow yourself to be beaten.

I still have all of the French Beans, and Tomato Plants inside, plus the couple of Runner Beans that I grew during the experiment.
I think I will now wait for the next coming up Full Moon to start again as I believe that the plants have a stronger root base.

**sadie** Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:10 am

Really sorry to hear that Sabot. How disappointing. Do you use that fleece stuff to protect them from frosts? Not sure how successful it is

Thought this might bring back memories and cheer you up

**Sabot** Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:20 am

Not possible to use fleece in this sort of situation, Sadie, and I just didn't realise how vulnerable to frost they were.
My Broad Beans are absolutely fine, and have been for the last three months since germinating, so they must be much more hardy.
Actually, I need a Green House, but I have nowhere to put one. I did put cut off Cola bottles over them, but they had grown too tall for that. Perhaps someone should market a taller version of this idea. I would buy some.

**Sabot** Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:00 am

Does no one but Sadie care about my poor dead Beans? And what about me? I am frigging devastated. I desperately needed your care and support in my hours of desolation. Some hope. Fair weather gardeners you all are. I would cry if your rotten Carrots died or got Carrot Worm, or whatever.
Think. Hex up a Carrot Worm Infestation. I never grow Carrots.

There will be a Funeral tomorrow afternoon at 3 pm when you can redeem yourselves with a Two Minute Silence for dead Beans everywhere. And then they will be consigned to the compost heap. But only in a dignified way.

No flowers please. All Donations to The French Clogg Fund. This will be used entirely for my Website devoted to English Runner Beans.
This Fund will be open and transparent and the accounts to be published, including receipts.
Please ignore any mention of alcohol on said receipts as I buy all of my Gardening Products when I go shopping for essential supplies.

**lily** Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:04 am

So dreadfully sorry for not bean there in your hour of need, Sabot.

Am already having a 2 minute silence in case I forget tomorrow as I am a few hours ahead of you. hug

**Lamplighter** Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:09 am

Ma pauvre petite, I am so sorry for your loss, but I have to admit I am lousy at gardening. I can grow tulips and weeds, lotta, lotta weeds. But I am sure the beans will have gone to a better place,, where the sun shines and there is no frost.

Thinking of you! LL hug

**Sabot** Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:23 am

Okay. You two are forgiven. Just don't grow any Carrots this year. Not that I think this is likely, but tell your friends and family because I wouldn't want them to suffer the loss like wot I just have.

PS. Don't forget The Donations.

**lily** Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:26 am

Sabot, who should we make the donation checks to?

**bb1** Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:27 am

Well, I've got a spare packet of wildflower seeds to donate smile

**Sabot** Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:31 am

lily wrote:Sabot, who should we make the donation checks to?

I only take Cheques, Lily. Coupled with a Bank Card, natch.

I will send you my address by PM because I don't want Donations from Forkers. It's a bit late in the season for Forking. I done that weeks ago. However, maybe next year.

**Sabot** Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:37 am

bb1 wrote:Well, I've got a spare packet of wildflower seeds to donate

Have you got any Sunflower Seeds? Only good quality accepted. And besides, you are all going to lurve my pontifications on how to grow Sunflowers. I am already working on it, and I haven't even got any yet.

**lily** Fri Mar 23, 2012 11:24 am

Sabot wrote:
bb1 wrote:Well, I've got a spare packet of wildflower seeds to donate

Have you got any Sunflower Seeds? Only good quality accepted. And besides, you are all going to lurve my pontifications on how to grow Sunflowers. I am already working on it, and I haven't even got any yet.

Sabot. You are an angel. You really are. Almost like having our own Percy Thrower on the forum......

Sponsored content