The gardening thread

[giraffe]

My carrots didn't come up, but the parsnips are thriving. How do you know when broccoli is ready to pick? It's looked like broccoli since it was tiny, but it keeps getting bigger. How do I know when it's due to be picked?

[dcfanjo]

You are a busy lot.... I don't really have a garden I can grow those sorts of things in anymore now I have moved but I have in the past grown cucumbers, green beans, pumpkins and strawberries.

Sorry I can't help you regarding your broccoli question Giraffe.

[eirian]

when we moved in, our garden had lots of fruit bushes and some raspberry canes. It now has weeds.... (much to the disgust of Wulf, who's rather good... and probably hasn't replied to this thread because she's been busy in her garden!)

[katsmom]

I've been reading this thread and am alsomst afraid to ask for advice on my christmas tree.

You all know so much more than me. I send Miss N. to the market to buy our fruits and vegetables. But then they are fresh and relatively inexpensive here and since I don't think I can put my balcony to grow vegies I'll make due.

Now my tree...Why does one side of it keep getting brown needles, even though I do turn it. I figured it was sun burn so started a daily rotation of it, but I'm still getting brown needles. And before anyone asks, yes it was put into a bigger pot this spring and the roots were untangled and clipped.

[SparkOut]

My carrots didn't come up, but the parsnips are thriving. How do you know when broccoli is ready to pick? It's looked like broccoli since it was tiny, but it keeps getting bigger. How do I know when it's due to be picked?

Floret Size - The size of the individual florets or flower buds are the most reliable indicator. When the florets on the outside edge of the head get to be the size of the head of a match, then you can start harvesting broccoli from that plant.

Also listen: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/NR/rdonlyres ... occoli.mp3

[giraffe]

We have a new lawn mower!

[chazzie]

are you sure it will just be the lawn? would hate to hear that the broccoli has disappeared before you know when to harvest it!!

[giraffe]

Well, something ate my runner beans and cauliflowers I think perhaps he's not as cute as he appears at first sight.

[kathlyn]

we've got loads of those furry things in our garden eating everything in sight and brrowing in the flower boarders:evil: just wish they were purple ones

[chazzie]

Methinks you need Mrs Boingybott to make a call to get him off your land....... he (interesting how we all think the bunny is a he!!) ain't cute and cuddly if you're trying to grow veg

[giraffe]

Perhaps if I thin the jungly stuff at the bottom of the garden he would get the message. He may however bring his relatives to stay, if they have been smoked out of their homes.

[Bunnylump]

Phew. I'm so glad I dyed my fur brown so no one recognised me. Very nice veg, Giraffe. Thanks for advertising it on here!


We have the perfect antedote to rabbits in the garden (not that we have had any). We have foxes. My friend Janet (yes, the "psychiatric nurse", S/O ) who lives 11 doors away had a mummy fox and 3 cubs in her garden the other day!

Katsmom - two things about the Christmas tree. Firstly, try some plant food. Secondly, if you've got any pine cones kicking about, stick them in the soil round the roots. Apparently Christmas trees (and other trees of the same ilk) sometimes benefit from a fungus which grows on pine cones. I know that sounds ridiculous (it was one of those old wives' tales my sister in law is fond of), but I have to say it did work with both our Christmas tree, our Giant Redwood, and our Scots Pine. You also might find that the needles go brown just before new growth begins. Don't know why but they do. So fingers crossed!

[Laura]

I have to say it did work with both our Christmas tree, our Giant Redwood...

Where the heck do you live, to fit all that in your garden? A stately home??????

[Bunnylump]

Well, one does like to do a tour of the grounds to check that the groundsmen have been keeping everything tickety boo... and it's just SOOO convenient to have the foxes on one's own land for the hunt party, what what?



No, sorry, it's just a very overcrowded garden!!

[LAT]

We get both foxes and rabbits in our garden, not necessarily at the same time. And the occasional deer too. They eat all the flower heads
In fact we just saw a very young fox on our way home this evening, he was about to sit down in the road in front of our car when luckily he thought better of it and trotted off into the bushes.

We have a small blueberry bush in a pot which we've had for a couple of years. The first year we got about 5 berries which all got eaten before they were ripe enough to pick. Last year we got about 15 and I managed to pick one after the birds had had all the rest. This year I have rigged up a tripod shape round the pot and tied netting all round it in the hope of getting a few more berries for us to eat.

[Laura]

I'm feeling very left-out The most exciting wildlife I have in my garden is a blackbird.

[clvrlad]

well i dont even have a garden

[giraffe]

We've not had rabbits before this year, I wouldn't have thought we were rural enough. (Village on the edge of modern sprawly town) We back onto the vicarage though and their garden connects to the village cricket ground, so I suppose the bunny may have become disorientated after being hit on the head by a cricket ball.

[Bunnylump]

...or possibly by some dinosaur poo...

[Laura]

so how many points do you score in cricket for hitting a rabbit on the head????
Is it bonus points for accuracy, or minus points for cruelty?