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Dens, I am creating a new veg patch on a former paddock. Last summer I covered part of it with pure manure, pickings off the field (we have horses on site so I know the history of it) and planted it this year. Crops have been magnificent, and in some areas the manure, which I guess became compost over the winter, has all but disappeared. Have covered another area this year for cropping next year. Even with our own supply, getting enough compost to prepare it all and keep the beds refreshed is still the limiting factor.
Got mine from Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd, but it looks just like the one in the photo above.
That’s reassuring Charles. Many thanks.
Derek
Charles, the netting is 7mm square. Described as soft butterfly netting from Harrod Horticulture. A bit more expensive than other available, but I feel the quality is worth it.
Sandra, I don’t enjoy photography, am not any good at it and don’t have a good camera. I take most of the pictures on a mobile phone or an old compact which should have been retired years ago. However, being able to look back and see how things have changed I find motivational.
If the upload works, here are picures of the patch last year and this year. What a difference a year makes!
Cabbage whites galore, great to see them frustrated by the netting. On the other hand, a few lettuces succomed to wireworms earlier in the year and the rabbits are currently attacking my carrots. Brilliant yield however from a new patch; very pleased!
Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.Earlier on in this thread I mentioned I had boltary seeds from Plants of Distinction with poor germination rates. Also had some mixed lettuce seeds from them with the same result. (Other seeds were fine)
At the time I dropped them an email suggesting they may like a word with their supplier, didn’t ask for any replacemenets or anything.
I never hear anything until, in the post last week, I received a couple of packets of replacement seed. Seems they do take note of comments, and I praise their customer service!Mike, at a previous house I grew strawberries for many years (at least 12 I think) in the same bed replacing a third of them each year with new plants from the runners. Didn’t seem to do them any harm and had some great yields.
DerekVermiculite comes from a mineral deposit, therefore by definition it surely cannot be organic?
I have what I suspect are the smae type of fly on the top of a compost bin. Seen them before and just assumed they were there as it was warmer than elsewhere. I have never worried about it or done anything about them.
Too large for mice. Too small for rabbits. Rats would be my guess.
An interesting observation:
I too have had trouble with Boltardy beetroot seed. A packet bought this year from Plants of Distinction sown in different composts at various intervals has produced a grand total of 6 seeds germinated.
At a local garden club meeting I won a couple of packets of beetroot seed (different varieties) in the raffle. The sow by dates were 2017 and 2012!. I was not expecting much so sowed them thickly in modules. After less than a week they are both showing healthy germination rates.I am beginning to wonder if the boltardy problem is more than just a slight age problem?
The chemical generally used is Chlorpropham. For potatoes it used to be marketed as “sprout nip”, it may still be but my info is historical.
Derek
No intention of buying any, but out of interest just looked up my local council product and it is £4 per 60l bag, 3 for £10. Take the lower price and it works out around £55 per 1000l. You do have to collect it though from a local tip site.
Anyone have any experience of CPA Horticulture? They seem to be cheap if you buy a decent amount.
Derek
30th November 2017 at 11:46 am in reply to: No dig bed preperation – Option 1. Can I use horse manure as my organic matter? #43635Back in the summer I used a 6inch layer of pure horse manure, partly rotted, to create new beds. This was virtually pure droppings gathered from the fields, very little stable litter contained in it. The plan was to leave it covered under polythene till spring and plant in 2018 however impatience won through and I planted some overwintering crops in it during September/October. (Spring cabbage, onions, garlic, strawberries) Never seen growth like it. Amazing.
Looking forward to next season if this is anything to go by.Thanks for that Charles.
Derek
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