I have been lying on the bed practically comatose after a severe bout of digging at the plot. My poor old body just isn't used to such strenuous activity. And to add insult to injury I shifted a whole compost bin full of horse manure to spread round the fruit bushes. No wonder I feel like a zombie. But the sunshine was just too good to miss and I knew I couldn't waste the day, when according to the weather forecast, rain is on the horizon.
I have been sowing lots of seed too like a mad seed-sowey thing - the greenhouse is steadily filling up and I am already starting to run out of space. But you know what - it feels great to be doing something positive in the garden at last, after all those months being shut in and looking out of the windows longingly.
The cucumber seedlings that I sowed last weekend are through as are the tomatoes
Last year the cucumbers started off okay but deteriorated rapidly so I bought a grafted plant
they are quite expensive compared to normal cucumber plants, but well worth it as I didn't have any problems with stem rot or mildew like I normally do
I always grow them in a mini-grow house inside the greenhouse which is covered with mesh netting to give them some shade. Because tomatoes like a dry atmosphere and cucumbers like it humid I spray the plants with water every day when it is hot (fat chance of that last year) but it seems to keep the growing conditions right for them.
This year I may try to grow one or two in bottomless containers outside as well (see YouTube video below) and see how they fare. Any spare cukes are made into Cucumber and Onion Sandwich Pickle and a Chilled Cucumber Summer Soup, although this didn't happen last year as the weather just wasn't conducive to large harvests.
Will you be trying your hand at growing cucumbers this year - indoors or out - if you have a growing method that you have perfected I would love to hear about it.
I have been sowing lots of seed too like a mad seed-sowey thing - the greenhouse is steadily filling up and I am already starting to run out of space. But you know what - it feels great to be doing something positive in the garden at last, after all those months being shut in and looking out of the windows longingly.
The cucumber seedlings that I sowed last weekend are through as are the tomatoes
Will you be trying your hand at growing cucumbers this year - indoors or out - if you have a growing method that you have perfected I would love to hear about it.
Elaine you poor thing, Radox in the bath after a heavy session on the plot is my remedy, I imagine you did too much after waiting so long for some decent weather hope you are better soon. I grew mini cucumbers in the plot greenhouse in 2011 and couldn`t believe how much tastier and juceier they were compared to supermarket offerings, will grow them again this year in the hope of a better summer (please god)
ReplyDeleteOh I'm sure I will survive - it's just a shock to the system - I also think I'm still twenty - big mistake. Good luck with the cukes this year.
DeleteI've never been hugely successful with cucumbers but I'm giving a few varieties a try this year, Crystal Lemon which I've grown before, Mini Munch which is a variety which produces small fruit, and Fanfare which is an outdoor variety, has a bushy habit and is ideal in containers. Surely one of these will do ok for me.
ReplyDeleteI grew crystal lemon last year but wasn't terribly impressed although they did look remarkably like lemons I expected them to have a lemony taste but they didn't which was a bit of a disappointment. I may try and get hold of Fanfare though I didn't know you could get bush types.
DeleteYou sound as if you need a turn under the Growlights! (Heat therapy is good for muscular pain, you know!). In retrospect your hard work will seem worthwhile! The rain has already started, down here, and the forecast for the next few days talks of lots of wind. Yuck.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you are right Mark but I'll have to make do with a hot water bottle. No rain here yet but I'm sure it won't be long in coming.
DeleteHope you recover for more gardening soon. I too felt the pain after hours in the garden on Sunday. My cucumbers will be sown this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI am sure I'll be fine once I get back into the swing of things - I do enjoy digging and seeing the fresh earth when it is turned over.
DeleteI know just how you feel Elaine! Can't believe how tired I am after a few days of rushing about trying to beat the weather. . But the rain has started in the West Country now too, so hopefully it was all worth it.
ReplyDeleteI grow the mini cucumbers. I can't stand them, but Mike loves them, so a smaller size works well for us. It sounds like I should be mist spraying them though.
I like the mini cucumbers too just the right size for a couple of salads, but when you grow them yourself they last far longer than the supermarket ones anyway.
DeleteOh Elaine, you put me to shame.I havent sown anything yet, am way behind with everything.I am hoping to get some compost this weekend to make a start but wont be going too mad.I'm going to buy a couple of plug tomato plants rather than sow my own seeds.I have got some carrots and peas and lettuce to sow though.
ReplyDeleteWe're all in the same boat with sowing Anne - no point in rushing it when it is still cold not much will germinate anyway - everything will soon catch up when we get a long stretch of warm weather - (hopefully)
DeleteHi, ellen. I'm not really a green thumb but I just love following your gardening "exploits!" ---the pictures but most especially your infectious enthusiasm. thanks for this blog and the rest of the blogs you write. Maybe one of these days, I will be planting cucumbers to the delight of my kids!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comment. You never know you may be good at growing vegetables - give it a try.
DeleteYep, loads of seedlings waiting patiently on the bench in readiness for the first sign of a bit of heat.Hope your back is ok soon,I know how that feels, once we see a dry day we go hell for leather...lol!
ReplyDeleteTell me about it. I never learn - just one more row I keep saying to myself - then when I can't stand up straight I wonder why.lol.
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ReplyDeleteIt's great to be able to get outside and do some digging again isn't it - well at least it is until you realise you've done too much! Hope you recover soon, the forecast is looking good so your plot will be needing lots of attention...
ReplyDeleteAt the moment there aren't that many weeds to deal with so that's a positive but the weight of the snow seems to have flattened the earth into a sort of crust which is very dry.
DeleteWell you know what they say Elaine - no pain, no gain! You will feel great though to have got so much underway. I will be growing cues this year and hope to get them in this week. Just read your last post - my peas only went in a couple of days ago. Rain forecast here too but we need it.
ReplyDeleteI woke up this morning with a stiff neck and shoulders after all that digging - know any good masseurs?
DeleteIsn't it wonderful to see the new leaves emerge! I did trellis cukes last year and was successful..first time!! Every year is different though as you know. Loved seeing your cukes..shades of harvest to come. If it would just warm up! Have a good soak in the tub and all will be well. Be kind to yourself. B.
ReplyDeleteYes Bren it is - I have noticed leaves coming on the hawthorn hedges - always a good sign that spring is around the corner.
DeleteHope you are recovering, I know how you feel. My sowing/planting is just getting started slowly. Praying is definitely on the menu this year so far.
ReplyDeleteIt has got to be better than last year Rooko - surely
DeleteWe used to grow Ridge Cucumbers, which were for picking small and pickling. Since those days I don't bother; we eat so few. No tips I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteI had it in my mind that you grew gherkin type cucumbers - must be someone else I'm thinking of.
DeleteOh no! Poor you, Elaine. We all know we should start gardening gently after winter, but when the sun is shining and the soil is warming, it is irresistible. I hope you are much better today and feeling rather satisfied with all you've achieved.
ReplyDeleteI haven't managed to get a greenhouse yet, so this year I will be growing cukes outside - I am trying cucumber 'Marketmore', which is one I haven't grown in the past. It has germinated very well - fingers crossed it continues in the same vein.
I tried Marketmore last year - I think that's the one with a prickly skin - very sweet and juicy if I remember rightly.
DeleteWe only grow outdoor cucumbers and they were one thing that seemed to love last year's conditions. It was lovely yesterday to feel the sun on my back.
ReplyDeleteWere they a type specifically for growing outdoors or just a normal cucumber? I agree it is lovely to feel a bit of sun for a change.
DeleteThey were Burpless Tasty Green which can be grown inside or outside.
DeleteI always enjoy seeing seedlings emerging. They bring hope of things to come... hopefully good crops!
ReplyDeleteI agree Kelli I always get a thrill when seeds emerge - it's just keeping them alive that brings the problems!
DeleteI know the feeling as it's taken a while to get used to plotting again after sofa flying for far too long!
ReplyDeleteI always try to grow cucumbers outdoors, and succeeded for the first time last year. I'll be trying again this year with a couple of plants started off at home and a couple of direct sown seeds in the hope that I get two plants. Flighty xx
I hope they do well for you this year as well.
DeleteIsn't it always the way! We see the sunshine and try to fit in absolutely everything in one day before the weather turns again...and then can't move for the next few days. I'm waiting for my seedlings to make an appearance after spending last weekend in the greenhouse (and dodging exploding patio doors - don't ask!). I've yet to sow my cucumbers but they are definitely being grown this year. Take care. Chel x
ReplyDeleteIt's the same every year I agree but there are so few sunny days at the moment you have to pack as much in as you can. I do love working in a warm greenhouse though - seed sowing is my favourite part of gardening.
DeleteI hope your body has recovered by now Elaine, I felt the same yesterday. Honestly, us gardeners should be as fit as fiddles with all the exercise we do! It's lovely to see all your seedlings doing well. Interesting about your grafted cucumber too.
ReplyDeleteYes it has thanks Paula I'm ready for another session now - except that it is raining so everything is on hold again.
DeleteOuch, I sympathise, as my delivery of compost got dumped by the incompetent driver at the entrance to the estate and I had to barrow the bags up to the house - I didn't even get to mulch anything for my pains! I've never grown cucumbers, though I might give them a try next year when the greenhouse isn't so full of plants for the front garden.
ReplyDeletelike you I've been trying to make the most of what little sunshine we're getting. I've managed a couple days of digging between rain and snow. This time of year always feels a bit like a race. I wonder if the type of cucumber makes a difference to rot? I planted some Tasty Jade last year and they went absolutely crazy. I ended up having to give cucumbers away I had so many. Did absolutely nothing special to them. they grew out of their boxes and across the lawn then into another garden bed. it was a particularly hot year here though.
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