The "Grow Your Own" Thread

[Jabbawolf]

I've decided not to bother with veg this year. Got some roses and other bits in and it looks nice and it's a lot less effort than fruit and veg.

Despite doing everything correctly (or so I thought), the takeup of grass seed has been utterly shite. It's had 3 weeks and it's getting mowed in a fortnight, regardless.

Too hot and dry for grass right now.

 

[arklowolf]

egg shells go in the composter mate.

Be carefull/watchfull with that LJ! I used to compost them, but have stopped after finding rat droppings in the compost bins.
I've since read that eggshells will attract rats.

 

[Pablowolf]

Too hot and dry for grass right now.

I've been watering it at night, well about 8pm, but I guess you're right.

Oh well, I guess I've missed the boat so I'll give it another go in September.

 

[Pablowolf]

Slightly 'left at the traffic lights' but I have a problem with the local cat doing his dirty toilet business in my front garden planter. Now, there's nothing actually planted in the this year besides a lovely Japanese Maple, but I'd rather him not cack in there.

Is there anything I can leave there to make him fuck off? I'm no fan of cats but I'm not going to kick him up the arse, but I don't want to go and spend a load of money on lion musk.

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

You can get pepper dust although not entirely sure how effective this actually is.

 

[lemonjelly]

orange peel mate. cats hate citrus, so none will go there.

 

[Pablowolf]

orange peel mate. cats hate citrus, so none will go there.

So just keep the peel of a couple of oranges and put it on the soil?

 

[Pablowolf]

You can get pepper dust although not entirely sure how effective this actually is.

What about ground pepper? I've got loads of that.

 

[lemonjelly]

So just keep the peel of a couple of oranges and put it on the soil?

Exactly that. leave the peel on top of the soil.

 

[lemonjelly]

What about ground pepper? I've got loads of that.

will affect the soil, and kill whatever plant is in there, or gets planted in there later.

 

[Pablowolf]

Cheers for the advice! Oranges for breakfast!

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

will affect the soil, and kill whatever plant is in there, or gets planted in there later.

How?

 

[lemonjelly]

I meant pablo's idea of ground pepper. It will affect the soil acidity or alkalinity, especially if/when it rains. a mate of mine did similar, and it was fine when sunny. It rained, the pepper was washed into the soil. 2 days later all his plants were dead.

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

I wouldn't have thought that ground pepper was any more soluble/acidic than the powder they sell, but I'm certainly no expert.

Do the orange peels work well then? I've noticed, or rather my dogs have noticed that the cats are using our garden as a toilet and keep on rolling in it, the dirty buggers!

 

[lemonjelly]

It's possible my mate put other stuff as well as pepper down, I'm not sure. I just recall that happening. But yeah, orange peel definitely works.

 

[Paul]

If you put chips down it will keep Langers away

 

[Langers]

If you put chips down it will keep Langers away

Only in an Indian restaurant because I don't want to insult the chefs....

 

[darlowolf64]

Sandra was so pleased with the bed I made for her 2 weeks ago that my day off today started early so that we can beat the rain...
Bed #1 has been planted in



And bed #2 & #3 have been built today...

 

[darlowolf64]

Dont know why the 2nd picture is on its side, but...

 

[lemonjelly]

I sowed another load of leeks, more sprouts, more lettuce, and a big tray of parsnips, as no parsnips have germinated yet. A friend dropped a tray with 15 germinated pepper plants the other evening too.
This forthcoming cold snap is a pain. The peas could do with planting out, and those peppers, the cucumbers, and maybe the tomatoes need potting on, but I'm low on greenhouse space (need to get those peas out) so everything is going to hang fire for a week I reckon. Pleasingly it looks like a fair few sweetcorn have germinated, and we also have sweet peas (finally). Looks like there are about 30 tomatoes germinated.