Tag Archives: Seeds of Italy

Hotbeds, no-dig gardening

How to make a Hotbed

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Using the Great No-Dig concept but adding the age old technique of constructing a HotBed we can create a growing space that will allow us to harness the free heat generated by composting manure to grow early crops.

I have used this method for years and although its simple it gives great results

This technique was used at Chatsworth and Heligan to grow pineapples and Citrus in purpose made beds I have just taken this technique and adapted it for Vegetables using readily available Horse Manure

 

If you would more information on Hotbeds I have compiled a resource post which contains all my films on hotbeds,  just click the link below

Hotbed resource post

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balcony gardening, container gardening, Greenhouse growing, no-dig gardening, Salad

Sowing and Growing Carrots

Sweet and juicy straight from the Raised- bed new season carrots are a real treat and providing you give them the right conditions and protection dead easy to grow.I show you how i use the broadcasting method to sow them and why fleece is an essential to protect then from Carrot Root Fly

The early sowing can use fast maturing variety’s or the small round variety’s which also grow well in containers,and the latter sowing use Main crop variety’s to store for winter use

 

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no-dig gardening, Problems with vegatables

SOWING AND GROWING PARSNIPS

Now is the time to be sowing your parsnips for the winter.  These are one of my all time favourite vegetables!  They can be tricky but well worth the effort and they really do respond to having well prepared soil and being kept weed free over there long growing season

If your soil is heavy its always a good idea to incorporate some grit or “Rock Dust” into the growing deb and use a proper rake to create a fine tilth for sowing

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balcony gardening, Chillies, container gardening, Fruit growing, Greenhouse growing, Herbs, no-dig gardening, scented plants, Tomatoes

MARCH-THINGS TO SOW IN THE GREENHOUSE AND GARDEN

Time to get your greenhouse or cold frame  working for a living,even if there not heated there are lots of vegetables that benefit from a protected start,and a few produce bigger yields if you ‘multiple seed’ then.

If you haven’t already got you seeds or young plants ordered still plenty of time to get those chooses made

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Chillies

RESOURCES–Chillies

You only need a single plant to grow enough chillies to make enough “Chilli Powder” to be a useful addition to the kitchen ,but as Chillies take up surprisingly little space and come in a variety of tastes and strengths from mild to blisteringly hot,Its easy to see why its worthwhile growing a variety to use in all sorts of ways.I have grown numerous variety’s over the years and i recommend the ones that have given me the best results but moreover the most fabulous tastes

1.CHILLIES – SOWING AND GERMINATION

2.CHILLIES-OPTIMUM PLANTING FOR MAXIMUM CROPPING

3.CHILLIES-WHY THE CORRECT SIZE CONTAINER MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

4.CHILLIES-LATE SUMMER – HOW TO TELL IF YOUR CHILLIES ARE RIPENING

Once you have your ripe Chillies Here are some ways to preserve them to use throughout the year

a.CHILLIES  PRESERVING YOUR HARVEST

b.How to make Sweet Chilli Jam

c.How to make Harissa using fresh Chillies

 

 

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