I use turf in the bottom of big pots @debs64. I have a load from removing the back lawn However, if you use some well rotted manure at the base, that's excellent, as it provides nourishment as well as being moisture retentive. Even here, they need lots of watering in summer. You can add some J.Innes soil, or just a good quality compost for the rest of the pot. Or mix it all together - it won't really matter. You can add some slow release food too - the granules or whatever you like. Alternatively, you can use a tomato food at various intervals, which can be good if you're needing to water more frequently anyway. I do both, depending on what compost I add. Granules when planting up initially, and then use tomato food later in the year - late summer usually, when the granules are used up. It all just helps to keep flower production going. I also add some extra compost through the season as the levels drop a bit. Anything that helps hold onto moisture is ideal for the main medium though
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hi everyone, thanks so much for all your helpful responses. Yes I guess I was trying to get ahead of the game and thought I'd simply follow the instructions on the seed packs.
I guess I didn't really need to start them off early just thought I was onto a good thing when they all started to germinate lol
And well, the sweetpea really made me smile when they started to germinate because those seeds I got are nearly five years old, forgot about them and then decided to try them out, got them in the pound shop lol. Don't have any more so will experiment with planting them out in my makeshift lean too greenhouse a bit deeper in larger posts wait a few weeks then plant them outside and take off the tops see what happens.
Regarding broccolli that's another new sowing (hope I got my sew and sow right this time lol) will try same with the broccolli and plant some new seeds as well see what happens.
Older sweet pea seed can be a bit iffy, but why not buy another packet and sow them within the next couple of weeks, then you'll see the difference. The problem with the info on packets is that it can be misleading, because it varies with your location and climate. I made that mistake when I started sowing stuff, and couldn't understand why it didn't work. When I discovered that it's because of my location and climate, it made life easier. Sow a month later. No problems
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Older sweet pea seed can be a bit iffy, but why not buy another packet and sow them within the next couple of weeks, then you'll see the difference. The problem with the info on packets is that it can be misleading, because it varies with your location and climate. I made that mistake when I started sowing stuff, and couldn't understand why it didn't work. When I discovered that it's because of my location and climate, it made life easier. Sow a month later. No problems
Yeah there's a lot to learn, it'll surely shake off the perfectionist in me 🙄😁😃😃
Posts
However, if you use some well rotted manure at the base, that's excellent, as it provides nourishment as well as being moisture retentive. Even here, they need lots of watering in summer. You can add some J.Innes soil, or just a good quality compost for the rest of the pot. Or mix it all together - it won't really matter.
You can add some slow release food too - the granules or whatever you like. Alternatively, you can use a tomato food at various intervals, which can be good if you're needing to water more frequently anyway.
I do both, depending on what compost I add. Granules when planting up initially, and then use tomato food later in the year - late summer usually, when the granules are used up. It all just helps to keep flower production going. I also add some extra compost through the season as the levels drop a bit.
Anything that helps hold onto moisture is ideal for the main medium though
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@fidgetbones
@B3
@Blue Onion
@Jenny_Aster
Hi everyone, thanks so much for all your helpful responses. Yes I guess I was trying to get ahead of the game and thought I'd simply follow the instructions on the seed packs.
I guess I didn't really need to start them off early just thought I was onto a good thing when they all started to germinate lol
And well, the sweetpea really made me smile when they started to germinate because those seeds I got are nearly five years old, forgot about them and then decided to try them out, got them in the pound shop lol. Don't have any more so will experiment with planting them out in my makeshift lean too greenhouse a bit deeper in larger posts wait a few weeks then plant them outside and take off the tops see what happens.
Regarding broccolli that's another new sowing (hope I got my sew and sow right this time lol) will try same with the broccolli and plant some new seeds as well see what happens.
thanks again peeps :-)
Cx
The problem with the info on packets is that it can be misleading, because it varies with your location and climate. I made that mistake when I started sowing stuff, and couldn't understand why it didn't work. When I discovered that it's because of my location and climate, it made life easier. Sow a month later. No problems
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
That's the infuriating thing about gardening!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...