Micks Container gadening

by Mick Colein
(Stratford on Avon UK)

I said last year that I would be building some new raised beds this year so here is the update.

First I had to clear the piece of ground that had been a shrubbery for the last 30 years it had got overgrown and choked with weeds.

The plan was to have it cleared and weed free by the end of February unfortunately due to a very wet start to the year and more weeds and roots than I thought this didn't happen.

Now mid March and most of the patch is done but still not there yet so the plan is to have ready by the end of March or there abouts, fingers crossed.

However I have not been completely idle in the mean time and have been starting veg off in the 6 x 6 greenhouse ready for when I get the raised beds built.

Red onion sets (Red Barron), white onion sets (Sturon) and shallots (Golden Gourmet) are all showing about 4 inches of fresh green growth....all of these are from Poundland btw.

Forgot to say they are all in individual pots and they will go straight into the beds once ready as is the Garlic which has about 6 inches of growth.

Also last weekend I potted up 45 leek plants which are in pots of 9 spaced about an 1 inch apart, hoping this gives them a good start when they go outside.

I also have a tray of lettuce (come & cut variety) and a couple of other lettuce varieties that have just started to chit.
The beetroot had started to come through this morning when I looked but not the carrots.

Early potatoes (Rocket) in a couple of bags have been shooting for a couple weeks now and will be going outside soon.

Thats about it in the greenhouse apart from a few herbs that I sowed and they are just starting to chit.

In the house on the windowsills I have the more tender plants, 3 types of Tomato Cedrico, Piccolo and Mr Stripey all potted on and growing rather fast.
3 types of Chilli Long Red, Sizzle and Numex also sweet peppers and Cucumber have all been potted on and going well.

I have to say the wife is not to happy with her windows being inundated with small pots because there are also 48 fuchsia plants on there as well but she does love me.

Will post more updates when I get the raised beds in place with some photos as well.

Mick