My last post was a bit 'doom and gloom' so I thought I would do one on a more positive note. The greenhouse is empty now of everything but tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. I don't feel as though as I am gasping for air everytime I walk in there with every nook and cranny filled with seedlings and growing plants, waiting to be planted out.
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cordon tomatoes |
The tomatoes are reaching great heights now and tomatoes are starting to form
I have been worried about the greenhouse being a bit damp and cold but have kept the door open a little to make sure that the air was circulating enough to keep them healthy.
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| grafted cucumber |
After a slow start the cucumber has started to climb and has several fruits - one or two of which are getting to a good size
These are the long 'Telegraph' type cucumbers - I prefer the half size ones really but I had problems with them rotting off so I will just have to be content with the only one I have left.
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Aubergine - Black Prince |
After announcing to the world and his wife that I have no luck with aubergines and wasn't going to bother with them again - I succumbed and bought a plant - and you can see that although it looks a bit moth-eaten, it is producing fruit - I shall just have to wait and see whether these develop to a decent sized fruit.
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| Chili and Sweet Peppers |
These are growing well in the mini-greenhouse and small fruits are beginning to form
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| Tomato plants from cuttings |
The cuttings that I took from my original tomato plants are growing well and starting to form flowers - they are on their way to catching up with the 'mother' plants.
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| Container strawberries |
The greenhouse strawberries are just about finished but the ones in hanging baskets are starting to ripen so we will have a bit of continuity on the strawberry front.
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| Tumbling Toms in hanging basket |
These have been very slow to form fruits - I almost decided to take them indoors as it has been so cold - there are very few tomatoes on them so far - a little bit disappointing - the same goes for all the outdoor tomatoes - maybe they will catch up a bit if we have some warmer weather.
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| Tumbling Tom |
And finally although they aren't growing in the greenhouse - I thought I would show you the container peas
It won't be too long before they are ready for picking - they are filling out nicely, as are the broad beans
So there is some progress in the garden and together with some calabrese that I picked this morning - I think we are going to be all right.
I have been worried about the greenhouse being a bit damp and cold but have kept the door open a little to make sure that the air was circulating enough to keep them healthy.
These are the long 'Telegraph' type cucumbers - I prefer the half size ones really but I had problems with them rotting off so I will just have to be content with the only one I have left.
It won't be too long before they are ready for picking - they are filling out nicely, as are the broad beans
So there is some progress in the garden and together with some calabrese that I picked this morning - I think we are going to be all right. 
Hope the weather is kind to them, we seem to be having all 4 seasons in one day here.
ReplyDeleteIt has been fine and dry here - just bloomin cold - I though it was officially summer!
DeleteI have pea envy. Everything seems to be shooting along much further on that our greenhouse stuff!
ReplyDeleteThe peas aren't as tall as they usually are - they seem to have been stopped in their tracks - but the greenhouse stuff doesn't seem to be struggling too much.
DeleteIt's all looking good! My aubergine plants aren't growing very well, even the greenhouse hasn't been that warm most of the time :(
ReplyDeleteI never do very well with aubergines and there's no reason to think that it will be any different this year.
DeleteOh Elaine,
ReplyDeleteYour plants are so far along from mine!! My tomatoes are only just starting to flower in the greenhouse...and no sign of any aubergines or peppers yet...
If we could have a few days of warm weather in a row - I am sure it would speed things along nicely.
DeleteLooking really good Elaine! I'm quite impressed by your Telegraph cucumbers...I'll bet they'd make some nice Tzatziki.
ReplyDeleteWhen they really get going I turn them into all sorts of things - not sure we'll get many gluts this year though.
DeleteWow, Elaine....all your veggies seem to be way ahead of mine too, even in the tunnel. Your aubergine is smashing, mine have no flowers yet!And I only have 1 small tiny pepper yet!
ReplyDeleteWell done!
From what I've seen of your veg you've had plenty more than me so far - I just hope they keep on going and don't give up the ghost with all this awful weather we're having.
DeleteI did say in my last comment that you win some, you lose some. You're certainly on a winning streak in your greenhouse. My tomatoes haven't even been potted up in to their final positions yet, never mind them producing flowers. I think it will be a case of green tomato chutney for me this year.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm sure you catch up Jo - and anyway I like green tomato chutney.
DeleteI am so impressed (and quite a little bit jealous) by your aubergines and peppers, mine haven't even flowered. Everything in your greenhouse looks fabulous. Good for you. x
ReplyDeleteI shouldn't be too jealous Maggie - there's plenty of time for things to go wrong - they usually do.
DeleteI'm impressed Elaine, not that you don't have it in you but your tenacity is overwhelming me (envious to be truthful) as I gave up this year I'm afraid. You must post your chutney receipe as I am sorry to say I can't see any tomatoes in either UK or Ireland getting a lovely red with this shocking Summer :(
ReplyDeleteI must admit I have felt like giving up this year as well - but I'm a stubborn old goat and will keep on keeping on till my last breath. I hope the rewards will be worth it.
DeleteYour remaining greenhouse plants look in excellent condition. Just 3 Tomato plants left in mine. My Cucumbers and Peppers have been planted out down the plot, big mistake this year I think. Oh! guess what, its raining here yet again.
ReplyDeleteMy outdoor cucumber plant looks pathetic compared to the greenhouse one - I wish I hadn't bothered. Not raining here so far but very cold.
DeleteYour plants look great Elaine, and much further along than mine. Do you have a secret formula for feeding them, or is the weather just that much better where you are?
ReplyDeleteNo secret formula - just regular tomato feed alternated with a comfrey tea. I did start my plants off in March which perhaps gave me a head start.
DeleteI'm also way behind you so I've been reassured by the other comments :-) My raspberries have recently started to turn red but everything else is green or yellow! It's rained a lot today... but we did have about 10 minutes of sunshine earlier!
ReplyDeleteI'm way behind you on raspberries mine are nowhere near ready yet
Delete- it hasn't rained today but it is cold - had a fire this evening - can't believe we had to do this at the end of June.
My toms have been out a while but not much sign of flowers compared to last year, lots of leaves, look lush enough but no sign of fruits. Cucumbers are hanging in there. Thanks for sharing your veggie update x
ReplyDeleteChecking back on last years posts I would say everything is at least a month behind last year.
DeleteEverything looks like it really thriving there, also very healthy looking. You would be well into your summer now, it is quite the opposite here, our best time for growing is in the autumn, winter and early spring.
ReplyDeleteWe are supposed to be well into summer - when in fact the weather is still winter-like - and the crops reflect that - they are really suffering this year from too much wet and not enough sun - the slugs love it.
DeleteWow, it's all looking wonderful. I grow Aubergines too, but I've never had slug damage like that (I presume that's what it is). Mine are only just coming in to flower.
ReplyDeleteI cheated and bought the aubergine plant they aren't on top of my favourites list but I regard them as a challenge.
DeleteWonderful, I felt quite envious for a brief moment seeing all your lovely produce.....but well done, I am so pleased that everything appears to be doing well.
ReplyDeleteI am no great lover of aubergine on my plate, but I think they are the most attractive fruit :)
Everything is ticking along nicely - as for aubergines - well I don't find them particularly useful in the kitchen - ratatouille and moussaka are the only things that spring to mind.
Deleteyour tomatoes are amazing!
ReplyDeletei am hoping mine will catch up soon... they are a late sowing after the first lot all departed when the grow house blew away, so no fruit yet... but i have my fingers crossed!
Well done you!
It has been touch and go but I think we're well on our way now
DeleteAbba Patio Walk In Greenhouse from Bizarkdeal
ReplyDeleteArrives in a 62 pound box. Super easy to put together. It really needs two people to assemble in about half an hour, though I think one could pull it off with more time. Installing the cover was the most difficult part, getting all the seams lined up correctly. I added some ground anchors to keep the wind from taking it away.
Pros:
- Only tool needed to assemble was a #3 phillips screwdriver
- Can be easily disassembled and stored in the spring
- Metal support structure could support some hanging plants
- Cover plastic seems pretty durable
- Very roomy inside
- Plenty of venting for hot days
Cons:
- Challenging to get the cover correctly positioned, and if it's off the window velcro is difficult to get lined up to seal.