Thank you philippa smith2 I made the mistake of buying these plugs from Thompson and Morgan to plant out by the end of October, but when they arrived they were really, really tiny and had instructions to put them in pots and plant out by the end of the month. I think I am going to keep them inside until I can see significant size and root and keep them in the conservatory. Thanks for the help
Glad to see @philippa smith2has helped you. I agree with her that this is often the problem with these companies. It's not a great time of year to be receiving tiny plug plants. Re the sweet peas - don't worry about them too much. You can sow at this time of year, but they will need a bit of attention, and just protection from the roughest weather. However, you will also need to keep pinching out to keep them bushy, as they will tend to get a bit lanky. You also don't want to be using a rich compost as that compounds the problem - creating soft growth. You can achieve perfectly good results by waiting until spring - as you're in the north, it'll pay to wait until about April for sowing. That way - you can sow in pots [I do about 3 in a 3 or 4 inch pot] and just keep them tucked in beside a wall or in a sheltered spot, watering as needed. You can also do them directly into the ground, or directly into a final pot, or even do both a few weeks apart, to give you a succession of flowers
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Fairygirl, thank you, really, I was starting to think about enough space to accommodate more tiny plants! I am experimenting with seeds to see if I am lucky to have some extra plants Now, tricky situation: I have just discovered that 2 forgotten courgette seeds decided to show up and they are growing in a pot indoors. I have never heard about Winter courgettes roasting their feet in the warmth inside. Shall I dispose of them? (hate to kill anything, really, I am stupid).
The courgettes won’t come to anything. They need higher light levels ad well as warmer temperatures than we’ll get at this time of year onwards. I’d tip them onto the compost heap ... that way you’re not really ‘killing’ ... they’re simply taking their place in the great regenerative cycle of life 😊
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
@SandraA- as @Dovefromabove says - the courgettes are best consigned to history, and the compost bin if you have one. Don't worry - we've all done a similar thing, and it's hard to chuck out something you've grown. Come back in March or so, and you'll get help with the sweet peas too. Get a feel for your climate and conditions, so that you can decide on the best method for you, and the timing.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you Fairygirl and @Dovefromabove Durham weather is a troublemaker, I had my pear blossoms killed 2 years in a role because we had freakish snow storms after days with warm temperatures. I am just a ninny!
Not at all @SandraA. It's one of the reasons I gave up on Camellias. You wait all that time to enjoy the beautiful blooms, and just at the pertinent moment - a spell of hideous weather removes them You eventually learn to work with what's viable for you and your conditions, and also the size of garden you have. It can be easier with a large garden, as you have more choices available for all sort of plants, but in a small space, plants have to earn their keep. Such is gardening
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you Fairygirl, I have been moving a lot and I am renting a house with a small and neglected garden. Did not help the fact that the 1st year I couldn't do much because I had my kidney removed, and my primary concern was to build some habitats to protect wildlife through the Winter, I had some frogs during the Summer, and I am slowly making my way to clean dead wood, taking advantage of the valuable leaf mould and I am going for flower seeds to have loads of colour, butterflies and ladybugs.
I know only too well the constant moving house scenario, and the desire to have something attractive in a rented house too We have a seed swap thread on the forum [I'll see if I can find the link] and you'll find plenty of people who will happily send you all sorts of things. All very enjoyable
But, Fairygirl, I have nothing to swap... except for loads of dead wood and weeds, and I am securing wildlife protection with the dead wood, so the only thing left are the weeds
Posts
I agree with her that this is often the problem with these companies. It's not a great time of year to be receiving tiny plug plants.
Re the sweet peas - don't worry about them too much. You can sow at this time of year, but they will need a bit of attention, and just protection from the roughest weather. However, you will also need to keep pinching out to keep them bushy, as they will tend to get a bit lanky. You also don't want to be using a rich compost as that compounds the problem - creating soft growth.
You can achieve perfectly good results by waiting until spring - as you're in the north, it'll pay to wait until about April for sowing. That way - you can sow in pots [I do about 3 in a 3 or 4 inch pot] and just keep them tucked in beside a wall or in a sheltered spot, watering as needed. You can also do them directly into the ground, or directly into a final pot, or even do both a few weeks apart, to give you a succession of flowers
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Don't worry - we've all done a similar thing, and it's hard to chuck out something you've grown.
Come back in March or so, and you'll get help with the sweet peas too. Get a feel for your climate and conditions, so that you can decide on the best method for you, and the timing.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
You eventually learn to work with what's viable for you and your conditions, and also the size of garden you have. It can be easier with a large garden, as you have more choices available for all sort of plants, but in a small space, plants have to earn their keep.
Such is gardening
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
We have a seed swap thread on the forum [I'll see if I can find the link] and you'll find plenty of people who will happily send you all sorts of things. All very enjoyable
Here you go - there's quite a few pages though
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1024241/seed-swap-and-plant-sharing-2019/p1
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...