Chillies, Toms & Sweet Pepper Growing 2013

[jevs]

I like the sound of the Chocolate Habenero' s. Where did you get the seed from ? I bought some Jalapeno seed from the Chilli shop in Trafalgar St. as this years project is to grow and smoke them to make Chipolte.

Got them from a seed swap thing in Lewes a few weeks ago. Got red habeneros too.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Tomatoes all up, chillis starting to come through now....scotch bonnets and chocolate habenero showing signs so pleased with that and sweet peppers looking good too.

Might start sowing some salad crops in the greenhouse soon.

How cold is it getting Pappa ? Heard that we might be in for a few weeks of cold

There's as chance of some cold days and below freezing nights next week.

 

[Muzzy]

There's as chance of some cold days and below freezing nights next week.

Thanks for that... Us growers are desperate to get going but March can be a strange month for weather. Come to think of it, every month can be a strange month for us growers.

Today was just false dawn then?

 

[Muzzy]

Got any spare seeds of those choccie seeds [MENTION=2019]jevs[/MENTION]? Wouldn't mind a go of those mate.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Thanks for that... Us growers are desperate to get going but March can be a strange month for weather. Come to think of it, every month can be a strange month for us growers.

Today was just false dawn then?

Yes. very much so... it's more unsettled until Sunday - when it gets colder.

 

[vegster]

Got them from a seed swap thing in Lewes a few weeks ago. Got red habeneros too.

I think I will do one of those next year, I do like trying new chilli varieties but lots from the main seedsmen are F1 s which means you have to keep buying the seed. I would much prefer to find an open pollinated variety and stick with it by saving the seed. This has worked well with some Bird's Eye Chilli seed that was given to me by a friend,the local nursery has a large range for sale in July usually but once again, they are F1's.Doh !

 

[jevs]

Got any spare seeds of those choccie seeds [MENTION=2019]jevs[/MENTION]? Wouldn't mind a go of those mate.

Ill see what comes up mate

 

[Muzzy]

Ill see what comes up mate

great, cheers

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Planted asparagus over the weekend - long term job as first harvest won't be for two years.

Broad beans in cold frame have potential, and chillies from last year on window sill seem to be starting up again.

 

[clapham_gull]

Was in Aldi yesterday, those who go will know the randomness of it. They are currently selling crash helmets....

Anyway - they have some nice cold frames in there. Appear to be aluminium frame with some thick plastic glass. Can't remember the name but the double glazed stuff with air pockets.

Basically a plastic glass box.

They are about a metre wide, half a metre depth and height. Good value I think at £30.



They are also selling some robust looking tunnels.

 

[vegster]

Was in Aldi yesterday, those who go will know the randomness of it. They are currently selling crash helmets....

Anyway - they have some nice cold frames in there. Appear to be aluminium frame with some thick plastic glass. Can't remember the name but the double glazed stuff with air pockets.

Basically a plastic glass box.

They are about a metre wide, half a metre depth and height. Good value I think at £30.

View attachment 40083

They are also selling some robust looking tunnels.

The same cold frames are also in Lidl atm.

 

[clapham_gull]

The same cold frames are also in Lidl atm.

Do they appear a bargain, if you can't be arsed to build one. It was the glass that took my notice. That's going to nice and snug in there.

That plastic is actually quite pricey if you buy it in sheets from b&q.

 

[vegster]

Do they appear a bargain, if you can't be arsed to build one. It was the glass that took my notice. That's going to nice and snug in there.

I did not look that closely but it might be that box section Polycarbonate, if it is, it will be warm and also virtually indestructable.

 

[vegster]

Do they appear a bargain, if you can't be arsed to build one. It was the glass that took my notice. That's going to nice and snug in there.

That plastic is actually quite pricey if you buy it in sheets from b&q.

Just checked, its Polycarbonate but get it in Lidl and its only £24.99

 

[clapham_gull]

I did not look that closely but it might be that box section Polycarbonate, if it is, it will be warm and also virtually indestructable.

Yes that was the stuff. Yep it's definitely doubled glazed poly carbonate. Nice thing about these is the flat pack at the end of summer.

Bugger I was really looking forward to build a mini greenhouse from scratch. I've even drawn out the plans. The sticking point was the glass.

With a couple of these I can move them around to catch the sun. Perfect for chilli plants.

... And they are the same price in Aldi.

I'll have to find another project.

 

[e77]

Got 100% germination rate for the chillies but have all grown a bit stalky due to the low light levels of late.

Started the tomatoes off in the propagator.

 

[BensGrandad]

Not an expert but could this be down to the fact that we have still had some very cold nights even this last week.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Got 100% germination rate for the chillies but have all grown a bit stalky due to the low light levels of late.

I'm a month into my second lot now and both have had a 0% germination rate. Same growing technique as in previous years, just stuck 'em in a big pot and left it on the windowsill. NUL POINT this year

 

[beorhthelm]

ive had a rather successfull start, 3 sunflowers from seeds kept from last year and 6 chilli plants. used those little peat pellets that start half inch think and grow to about 2 inch, brilliant for starting seeds.

anywho, question to the panel is, is it OK to put them out or is it a tad cold still and keep them inside another week or so? no coldframes or other fancyness here.

in other news, two hop plants been repoted to large 50l containers (fetching wood barrels from homebase), one is storming on with 4 6" shoots already. other is meekly having a go, a couple of shoots only so far.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Gardening help needed please!

I have 4 tomato plants that were inside until the weather picked up a few weeks ago - Since they have been outside they look a lot less happier - 2 of them look like they might have WINDBURN as they are wilting and the leaves are yellowing and curling - the other two look healthy, just less happy than they were inside.

I presume this happened because I neglected to harden them up before moving outside, although it did involve a transplant to a larger pot too.

So any advice what I should do with (what I presume is) windburnt tomato plants - should I trim away the severely yellowed/curled branches? (which would end up with hardly anything left!) ... or is it game over for them, so I should just scrap them?

Many thanks!

I would bring them back under cover until it warms up properly - or at least try to keep them out of the wind. I planted out some bean plants yesterday but am wondering whether even they might struggle as it is cold wet and windy here again. Winter is coming.