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Post by roofgardener on Jun 8, 2015 15:49:52 GMT
Daitheplant, my Sister is WELL chuffed... the whole garden issue was getting her down.. and now she (actually, both of us), can see light at the end of the tunnel. She has finally given me permission to publish photographs, so I'll take some next week. Meanwhile.... as promised.....  |
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Post by daitheplant on Jun 8, 2015 19:51:57 GMT
Those spuds are obviously half baked  and the onions half cut,  stop watering them with saki.  |
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Post by Cherry on Jun 9, 2015 6:09:20 GMT
I thought how nice that your sister has relented and we can see the fruits of your labour, but look what we got!! |
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Post by roofgardener on Jun 14, 2015 8:47:01 GMT
Well, "rain stopped play" at my Sister's this weekend, so no photographs yet. A few of the petunia's have thrown flowers out, so by NEXT weekend we may even have a bit of a display. Now then.... on with the News. Sprinkler News I stole this idea from KC several weeks ago, but only got around to trying it out two weeks ago. She mentioned putting holes in a fizzy-drinks-type bottle, and using it as a watering can for small seedlings. I decided to give it a try. I wasn't sure whether KC meant that the holes should go in the top of the bottle, or just the cap, so I just did the cap. (cheap battery drill with a REALLY small drill bit).
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The image is uploaded to RoofNet, so you can click on it for a larger version
It works REALLY well. By tipping it over the seedling, you get just a gentle "drip drip drip", so no danger of drowning it.
Give it a squeeze, on the other hand, and you get a classic spray of water suitable for larger seedlings, but still more gentle (and more controlable) than even my small watering can.
I've tried it with a 2-litre plastic milk bottle, and that works as well (though it tends to dribble on 'low power', so its really only any good at higher powers, on the more developed plants). What is interesting (in both cases) is that you can direct the jet of water, like a really small hosepipe, so you can focus it on the base of the plant.
I'm going to make several of these. as KC pointed out, if you leave them in the greenhouse (or any sunny spot) they warm up, so your seedlings get nice tepid/warm water !
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.. The times they are a' changing ....
Well, it started - as perhaps it did for many of you - with a basil plant on the kitchen windowsill. And - like the basil plant - it grew ! I've enjoyed growing vegetables, and got a REAL kick out of moments where I think ".. this stew needs some Thyme", or "..I could do with some runner beans to go with this", and instead of heading to the larder, I stick my head out of the door and just PLUCK some. But its always been a load of plantpots sitting around on the tarmac terrace, or perhaps stuck on the odd 'standing' shelf unit. Functional, but not particularly aesthetic. And then disaster struck... I joined this forum, and started seeing some of the magnificent spaces you lot had created. Different sizes, different styles, but all beautiful, both visually and.. well, radiating a sort of enthusiasm and love of all things botanical. And it set me thinking..... Actually, it set me moaning, as befits all good gardeners. I have frequently grumbled about how fantastic your gardens et al look. You can't compare between them, because they are all so different. I AM, however, going to dedicate this blog article to KC, who's use of decoration within a small space particularly fired my imagination. If SHE can do it, why can't I at least make an attempt ?(PLUS... she bribed me with Blueberry seeds.. and THAT will be an article in and of itself. ) So, without furthar ado....
| In the beginning.... this is the Roofgarden circa March. As ever, the images are uploaded onto RoofNet, so you can click to see a larger version.
I wonder what's growing in the polytunnel ? Shall we pop in and see ? |
| WHAT THE ?
Where have all the seedlings gone ?
(long time planting)
Where have all the seedlings gone ?
(long time ago)
Where have all the seedlings gone ?
Put in Plantpots, every one.
When will they grow ?
When will they grooooo-ow.
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| THATS where they went ! |
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Oh... and a few more 'coming on' over here... plus the 'halfway house' overflow greenhouse.
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The south-facing wall. If you click, you can JUST see the bean sprouts climbing the poles (just to the side of the heather).
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The North-facing Wall. Needs tons more work... hanging baskets perhaps.. or a trellis ? (what grows well in the shade ?? )
Still, at least it attracts insects. Or at least.. one LARGE insect. (click to expand, and check out the onion pot on the floor).
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Just a couple of hanging baskets at the moment, but I'm toying with putting under-window troughs, and perhaps a standing basket arrangement. However, they wouldn't get much sunlight. Hmmm.....any suggestions ?
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This isn't finished. In fact, it's barely started... it's kind-of a pilot scheme to get a feel for what works, and what doesn't. Still, I think it's an improvement, and I enjoy sitting outside now even more. And IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT.... rofl. So here's to everyone at Garden Friends - give yourself a round of applause, and help yourself to some cake !  |
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Post by peony on Jun 14, 2015 12:56:34 GMT
roofgardener, what an improvement on the first photos you showed us of your roof garden, congratulations, its looking really good and very productive too I have a lot of shade in my garden and have found the best flowering annuals for baskets and troughs in shade are bedding begonias, tuberous begonias, New Guinea Impatiens, and for a trailing plant Bacopa does well too 
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Post by SueA on Jun 14, 2015 21:08:28 GMT
Thanks for the cake roofgardener , really yummy! You've definitely caught the 'decorative bug' now. I'd go with under the window troughs with some of the plants peony's suggested & maybe some ivy as well or you could plant them up with different coloured 'cut & come again' salad leaves if you want to stick with something you can eat which looks pretty too. |
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Post by grindle on Jun 15, 2015 4:23:08 GMT
You've been working so hard roofgardener and it really shows now everything is maturing as for shade plants you could try Heucherellas, ferns and hostas as well as those already suggested, just have to watch for the s & s |
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Post by KC on Jun 15, 2015 8:51:16 GMT
Looking great yeah I meant the holes in the bottle cap, though I punched the holes in mine with a hammer and nail  |
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Post by Cherry on Jun 15, 2015 9:13:58 GMT
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Post by KC on Jun 15, 2015 12:03:11 GMT
It works a treat. I've 4 on the go lol all in different areas: kitchen, greenhouse and 2 sheds |
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Post by roofgardener on Jun 17, 2015 14:34:16 GMT
Well, with the completion of the main plant-out, I've re-organised the Pollytunnel. It is now a MASH tunnel ! As individual plants have problems, they can be moved into the PT to be dealt with.
Having said that, there WILL be some "residents" ... the Capsicum plants, and perhaps one tomato plant (just to see how it compares with the outdoor one.
And I WILL be planting SOME more seeds. Pak Choi, Radishes, and salad leaves will be on permanant rotation until the end of summer. Plus I WILL be sowing a "second wave" of courgettes, peas, perhaps a runner bean or two, and the aforementioned tomato plant.
But MOSTLY the PT will become a plant hospital/temporary recuperation area.
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Post by daitheplant on Jun 17, 2015 19:40:26 GMT
I take it the spuds will be the first into the MASH tunnel then?  |
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Post by roofgardener on Jun 18, 2015 8:12:48 GMT
Groan That was AWFUL, Daitheplant. Actually, it was rather good ! Daitheplant, as a reward for brightening up everybodies day with your humerous comment, you may now take a short Holiday ! ... ... ... Did you enjoy it ? |
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Post by daitheplant on Jun 18, 2015 18:45:52 GMT
Nah, it was much too hot,  and the bar was shut.  |
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Post by roofgardener on Jun 24, 2015 13:35:11 GMT
The bar was shut ? (.... daydreams ... ) [.... my very own bar..... which never closes.... ]  |
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and the onions half cut, 
stop watering them with saki. 
and the bar was shut. 
