[StringfellowParticipant]

Thanks for the info Simon.

I will certainly be avoiding spreading any raw manure etc. on my plot and I hope that my intended brassica patch will enjoy any increase in alkalinity that the mushroom compost brings to it.

If the mushroom compost could supress the horsetail I am pulling on almost daily basis, that would be fantastic! I won’t hold my breath…..

[StringfellowParticipant]

Even at my entry level of veg growing it didn’t seem to make sense. At the very least, I figured incorporating it would would put the stuff right where the roots would be!! However, I didn’t want to spend £70 – £100 on something that might be counter productive, so many thanks for the reassurance.

I guess something along that theme may appear in your ‘Myths’ book next March!

I think the main thing that impressed me about the photos was the sheer amount of plants you have managed to get in the ground and growing successfully – it makes me wonder where your garden will be in 2 – 3 years time and beyond…. the very best with it.

[StringfellowParticipant]

Thanks for this Ashleigh, will give it a go…

[StringfellowParticipant]

Apologies for hijacking an old thread but it did seem relevant.

Does anyone have any experience of creating, applying and seeing the results of these teas? I’m interested and prepared to give it a go. I found a potentially useful pdf from someone in the US explaining most eloquently about building your own brewer for @ £30

http://pittsburghpermaculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Deuleys-brewer.pdf

Having read ‘Teaming with Microbes’ I wondered what counts as ‘high quality compost’ for use in the brewing process – well rotted manure, worm castings – would these be appropriate?

This seems to be quite big business in the US tho most growers I have talked to over here know very little about it. Another useful addition to the soil improvement tool box perhaps? Many thanks for any thoughts on this, Tris

[StringfellowParticipant]

Thanks for your help, as always.

I’ll leave the mulch in place then save for adding any additional organic matter that comes to hand, if I go with the two season approach, which is probable due to the weeds prior domination of a large area.

I chose the 800 gauge sheeting to really cut out all light, as opposed to the membrane stuff which does let a little in. For those it may help, the 800 gauge plastic is pretty tough stuff; certainly strong enough to walk carefully over without ripping and, providing it doesn’t go brittle over the next couple of years, should last a long time.

[StringfellowParticipant]

Thanks for this great tip Dazzarelli – being limited, at least for the moment, on a warm and light enough place to bring on frost sensitive seedlings, this could really help out until I sort something a touch more permanent and appropriate. Even then, the idea could be beneficial in some form.

Happy gardening!

[StringfellowParticipant]

Thanks to you both for your responses.

It will be interesting to see how many of the broad beans I sowed back in early November end up tillering naturally. In addition, I may try Will’s method on a couple of plants from February sowings to see what happens.

Back in October I sowed a couple of rows of broad bean, closely spaced, for leaf as a quick salad bowl addition, doubling as a green manure (as in ‘How To Grow Winter Veg’). Following nipping out the tops for salad, I fleeced the plants in an attempt to over winter them. Some plants have survived, so far, and most have tillered – I just didn’t know that this was the name for it.

Can any other plants be treated in this manner, as a possible way of increasing yield?

[StringfellowParticipant]

Will be interesting to hear how they turn out on your clay soil – hinging also on the quality of our summer ahead of course!

I’ve been looking into getting alot of my seed supply from Tuckers this year (they seem to have a good range on the whole) and they stock Conservor F1 seed. If I had more space I’d try two varieties but at least half the plot is covered in black plastic battling against some rather fierce horsetail. So trying different varieties will have to wait ’til at least next year for me. Patience is a virtue and all that….

Thanks for the tips and good luck with it all anyway.

[StringfellowParticipant]

…Andy, this is very helpful. I will give these ideas a go in the next month or two, though I will now probably go with a different variety of onion and multi-sow.

Wishing you the best with your growing efforts over the next year and beyond.

[StringfellowParticipant]

This is helpful as I am hoping to do the same as Ginamccon this season re: onion sowing.

I wondered if the multi-module sowing method is okay for the variety Kelsae – in that, they have the potential to grow very large? Are six seeds per module still advisable/ okay?

Shallots are also on the list (perhaps Zebrune) and I am unsure about module sowing and final planting spacing. 2-4 seeds per module will create 2-4 shallot bulbs, spacing the clumps at 25cm x 25cm? Apologies if this is a basic question!

Many thanks,

Tris

[StringfellowParticipant]

Many thanks Charles, that is helpful – I had not thought about the dark colour of ground coffee helping to warm the soil – seems so obvious!

Upon receiving your most recent book as a Christmas gift, I have very much enjoyed reading it. I look forward to the next and certainly a day course in the next few years – when I can fit it in around everything else going on in my life!

Tris

[StringfellowParticipant]

Thanks for the link Ashleigh – it does shed some light on the subject. Acidity is not a problem and it does offer worms some nice food.

Following reading ‘Organic Matters’ of Charles’s latest book – spent coffee grounds class as an uncomposted organic matter and should therefore not be incorporated ‘as soil nutrients will be used in their decomposition, rather than for growing plants’.

So, I as a novice wonders, is it okay to spread them on the surface (probably during winter?) or is it best to simply add it to compost heaps and let all the magic happen in there?

Tris

P.S. Got a beautiful copper trowel for Christmas – family wondered if it was an ornament as opposed to a tool!

[StringfellowParticipant]

Diagnoses appreciated, many thanks.

Although I think I’m getting the watering of my salads about right, I’m probably not allowing enough ventilation in my greenhouse (I read that you leave your polytunnel open at both ends during the winter – if I remember correctly?) and I have probably squashed one too many clumps of seedlings into each mushroom box! All learning for me and part of what makes the process enjoyable and fascinating.

I’ll persevere with the plants and try and bring them back to health, putting this setback down to experience!

I have just started reading Joy Larkcom’s book on Oriental Veg’ and I’m enjoying it. Lots to learn and potentially grow

Thanks again,

Tris

[StringfellowParticipant]

Thanks for the input everyone – they certainly sound like a good long-term investment. The additional benefits regarding slugs are interesting and it certainly can’t but help in the battle!

I’ll start by asking for a trowel and then see how things go over the next year….

Best to all,

Tris

[StringfellowParticipant]

Charles, thanks again for your time and knowledge. Your new book is the only one I have yet to purchase and read – Xmas is just on the horizon tho……..

I may do half paper mulch and half black plastic as a little experiment. The results could be interesting.

Little couch grass but plenty of horse tail so if I have some cardboard I’ll probably add it for good measure.

I am very much enjoying my own ‘grow my own’ revolution and find your books both helpful and inspirational.

Cheers,

Tris

[Author]

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