I have made a new propagating bench which is sitting on top of a layer of insulation on top of a slatted bench, the box is made with 1 inch thick timber, internally it is lined with two layers of polythene and filled with a 2 in. layer of sand and a heating cable placed over it this was then covered by a further 2-3 in. layer of sand the sand was then sprayed with a watering can of boiled water and the cable switched on through a thermostate the temperature went to 17.5c then started to lower so I then plugged the cable directly into the electricity and the temperature held a 16.5c overnight. I have set up propagators several times over the years but have never had this problem, the cable has never been used before but was purchased over 18 months ago so can't go back, but is there anything that I could be missing

Trying to fit in all my dreams this year is hard - think my melons are finally not gonna get sown and debating about aubergine, as I really enjoyed the vast range of tomatoes, cucumbers and leaves last year  I also collect unwanted plant pots and give young plants away locally or for a small donation to Tiannas pocket money and Cat Protection.

I get to look after our greenhouse nd polytunnel, I sneak in my sweetcorn outside, and added garlic and squashes last year. While Mr M does the hard labour of digging and puppy proofing the veg areas, Last year was...

Outside
Runner beans, broad beans, peas, broccoli, brussels,  leek, onions, squash, beetroot, turnip, swede (failed), parsnip (failed), rainbow carrots,  strawberries, soft fruit, herbs, Potatoes 1st and 2nd,

Inside
Tomatoes, more tomatoes, cucumbers, Melons (sob), sweet peppers, basil & seedlings, pea shoots,

Tubs
Salad leaves, carrot tops, spring onions, herbs, radish.

I love cooking, eating and growing aubergines and know I'm lucky to be able to grow them outoors. I seem to grow a few more plants each year!

On the list this year - 

Italian Long Purple
Rotunda Bianca Sfumata di Rosa
Violettea di Firenze
Thai Green pea - didn't get a harvest last year as they took over two months to germinate, but have over-wintered three plants.
Tsakoniki
Turkish Orange

Afternoon All

I am contemplating whether or not, to launch a Garden and Gossip You Tube channel.

It would allow us to upload videos about our plots, gardens or advice.  As it will be branded as Garden and Gossip, and inline with our original promise of you being party to any decision we make, would do you think?

Now the seed swap is in I'm deciding what varieties to grow.  Some are easy, I will grow these each year willy nilly, it's the new ones I can spend agonising over.

I'm trying to choose between Brandywine or Cherokee Purple.  Any experience  anyone?  One factor that might make my decision is that I have some brandywine and will have to buy Cherokee purple.

Send in your photographs of flowers in bloom this spring. The winner will receive a £15 e-voucher of their choice.

Closing date for entries 15 March 2021

Congratulations TMTT

As you probably know, I have a weakness for Kale - growing it, not necessarily eating it!
So many different colours and leaf shapes, curly and flat. Some large, some small, some annual, others perennial. 

I have a vague plan to sow a few varieties a week until I've worked my way through my Kale Collection (including some other brassicas that resemble kales - like Tree cabbage). 

This week its the A kales:-
Asparagus
Afro
Altmarker Braunkohl
Asturian Tree Cabbage.

ROSE PRUNING!

Don't leave it to late - these are best pruned January or February.

Established Shrub roses - cut down all stems to half the average height of the shrub. Don't worry about slanted cuts or cutting to a bud. Make sur all foliage is removed and cut stems disposed of - put in your green bin. 

Established Climbers. Cut all side shoots on each main stem to around 2 to 3 inches. Ensure all foliage is removed.  Tie in new stems. 

Easy.....it was my job today but it was so cold I've got 2 more climbers to do!

Scarlet has had a clear out of saved tomato seeds - some interesting varieties - and we're looking for volunteers to grow them on with a view to saving seeds for the next swap. 

Everyone in the current seed swap will be receiving them but there are spares that need homes. 
I also have flowers, chillies, beans............all sorts!!

We'd rather they were grown than sit around in a cupboard, unloved. 
No rules, no length of membership requirements, just add your name here, with what you're interested in growing and I'll sort something out for you. 

Thanks.

Saw this on twitter today, a weird thing our brains do. This stuff fascinates me. Hopefully links to twitter allowed apologies if not.

https://twitter.com/OwenJones84/status/1...67951?s=19