tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post6692861453666977238..comments2023-07-22T11:18:20.469+01:00Comments on A Woman of the Soil: Small Space Gardeningelaine http://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-51619488557514178312012-08-25T09:22:04.553+01:002012-08-25T09:22:04.553+01:00It's lovely to see everything so well organise...It's lovely to see everything so well organised, Elaine. The veg garden here is a small space which I have to be very creative about. This year I haven't done so well as sunflowers have shot up to shade the compact bean plants, fennel herb has self seeded everywhere and strawberries have taken over the ground. Next year I'm determined to be much more decisive about controlling what grows where and I've made note of a couple of really good tips from your post. Super post as usual - much more enjoyable to catch up here than trawling through a magazine!! xxCarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317388242574705433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-59052706554343503152012-08-21T22:12:50.835+01:002012-08-21T22:12:50.835+01:00I tend to use the containers as a back-up in case ...I tend to use the containers as a back-up in case of failure at the plot. Some years I don't really need it but this year the containers have been a bonus.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-27406785194550526582012-08-21T20:57:41.880+01:002012-08-21T20:57:41.880+01:00Your garden looks amazing in this difficult year. ...Your garden looks amazing in this difficult year. A really inspiring post. I think I'm going to start growing more in containers in my garden even though I've got my allotment, you can have so much more control over the slugs and I can keep a closer eye on them.Annie_Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03140041665657746319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-90102208272050478202012-08-21T08:20:58.836+01:002012-08-21T08:20:58.836+01:00It hasn't been a good year for anyone this yea...It hasn't been a good year for anyone this year - don't give up on your veg patch just yet - things can only get better!elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-50258711797245247252012-08-20T22:39:35.754+01:002012-08-20T22:39:35.754+01:00That's amazing that you grow so much veg in th...That's amazing that you grow so much veg in that space. I was thinking of replanting my poorly performing veg patch with perennials next year but you've got me rethinking now.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16769705418477727909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-55162769060879739362012-08-19T20:12:56.724+01:002012-08-19T20:12:56.724+01:00Oh that's a shame after all your effort - now...Oh that's a shame after all your effort - now you will have to see how much you can squeeze into your garden at home.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-88426474090284085652012-08-19T20:10:51.201+01:002012-08-19T20:10:51.201+01:00I agree Bridget - you can squeeze so much into a s...I agree Bridget - you can squeeze so much into a small area and it only takes a bit of commitment to keep it all watered - but most people take the easy way out - there is no comparison though between home-grown and supermarket.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-44838393342028318362012-08-19T18:57:28.826+01:002012-08-19T18:57:28.826+01:00Very inspiring especially as I have just decided t...Very inspiring especially as I have just decided to give up my allotment due to time and distance pressures.<br /><br />I do love your last photo - gorgeousHelen/patientgardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02164036792673009326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-10289681462570978472012-08-19T18:17:45.624+01:002012-08-19T18:17:45.624+01:00If only more people used their space as efficientl...If only more people used their space as efficiently as you they could have fresh chemical free produce from their garden. Especially important now with food prices rising all the time.Bridgethttp://www.arignagardener.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-89695363587646379012012-08-17T17:10:12.555+01:002012-08-17T17:10:12.555+01:00It's not so hard on your back either - picking...It's not so hard on your back either - picking stuff at waist height or so is definitely a bonus.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-72771729185579724882012-08-17T17:08:24.830+01:002012-08-17T17:08:24.830+01:00I try and spread the cost by mixing in my own gard...I try and spread the cost by mixing in my own garden compost along with the multi-purpose - but I suppose the cost is the one drawback.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-70854179765784644522012-08-17T17:06:26.526+01:002012-08-17T17:06:26.526+01:00I had a go at that last year - but I think it need...I had a go at that last year - but I think it needs a bit more thought from me as to where to plant what in relation to one another.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-34786745062501266622012-08-17T17:04:44.181+01:002012-08-17T17:04:44.181+01:00Fine by me - always happy to share ideas. Fine by me - always happy to share ideas. elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-83471512869076156342012-08-17T16:06:22.292+01:002012-08-17T16:06:22.292+01:00Hi Elaine,
Super post extolling the virtues of co...Hi Elaine,<br /><br />Super post extolling the virtues of container growing! I do so much agree that in a small space you can be productive with a little time and care...<br /><br />Green Dragonettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11577026799637153889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-11019050669234461372012-08-17T10:43:26.530+01:002012-08-17T10:43:26.530+01:00Lovely post Elaine, though I always think the unse...Lovely post Elaine, though I always think the unseen cost of container gardening is the cost of compost, good quality stuff is expensive, and although salads and some other crops are happy in cheaper stuff, I have found that beans, in particular, are more demanding. Have you found the same?<br /><br />I gardened in pots for several years before I finally got an allotment, and as you say, it works really well, provided you select the right sized pot for the crop. In fact, I think some things are just better grown in pots - cut and come again salad leaves are much easier to pick from a pot. Even when I get my veg patch up and running I can't imagine life without some veg in pots too.Janet/Plantaliscioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15605580157193047780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-27799957952990389812012-08-17T10:28:54.471+01:002012-08-17T10:28:54.471+01:00You've managed to squeeze a huge number of pla...You've managed to squeeze a huge number of plants into a small space Elaine - it's inspiring to see. I've been experimenting with square foot gardening this year to try to get more produce in a small area.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-72064109550759122202012-08-17T08:37:59.533+01:002012-08-17T08:37:59.533+01:00Thanks Tanya. I use water retaining gel mixed in ...Thanks Tanya. I use water retaining gel mixed in with the compost but I do water every day when necessary. The other useful tip is to plunge. I keep a dustbin full of water nearby and plunge the smaller pots in it until bubbles stop forming. That is a good way of making sure the whole of the compost is thoroughly soaked.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-38746981402114350602012-08-17T08:28:24.409+01:002012-08-17T08:28:24.409+01:00What an inspiring post Elaine! It's amazing ho...What an inspiring post Elaine! It's amazing how much you have growing in your little garden and you really lead by example when it comes to showing how productive a small space is.<br /><br />Do you have any pointers for making sure your containers are well hydrated? I've started sprinkling gravel on the tops of mine but have to confess that I'm fairly irregular with watering. That's all well with my herbs but it's definitely not a good thing when you're trying to grow strawberries. I think I just may end up moving my more water intensive crops into the garden next year but would like to hear any more ideas.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03861108457109878599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-36705048101584896102012-08-16T22:54:44.430+01:002012-08-16T22:54:44.430+01:00Great post Elaine. I am so impressd with how much ...Great post Elaine. I am so impressd with how much you fit in to a small area, I've spotted a few ideas I may have to borrow. xQuite giftedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15255662318341307040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-27037888793837777242012-08-16T22:04:10.405+01:002012-08-16T22:04:10.405+01:00Sounds like you have got it sorted Cath - I'm ...Sounds like you have got it sorted Cath - I'm all for keeping things simple and making life easier - after all it should be a pleasure not a chore.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-76098137150856721942012-08-16T22:01:38.192+01:002012-08-16T22:01:38.192+01:00I must admit that at times this year I have felt l...I must admit that at times this year I have felt like giving up - everything seems to have been against veggie gardening. All we can do is keep trying - it's worth it in the end.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-11727544530320232742012-08-16T21:59:52.666+01:002012-08-16T21:59:52.666+01:00You may be right - but I think it's mainly dow...You may be right - but I think it's mainly down to common sense.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-42694156826987598972012-08-16T21:59:08.142+01:002012-08-16T21:59:08.142+01:00It's surprising how quickly they dry out even ...It's surprising how quickly they dry out even with the copious amounts of rain we have had (although you do feel a bit stupid watering with an umbrella up).elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-1495685355092936522012-08-16T21:57:54.699+01:002012-08-16T21:57:54.699+01:00I love having a go just to see if it can be done -...I love having a go just to see if it can be done - there's nothing to lose and everything to gain.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-82820759153424453442012-08-16T21:56:23.587+01:002012-08-16T21:56:23.587+01:00Yes, it hasn't been the best year and lots of ...Yes, it hasn't been the best year and lots of things have gone wrong (through no fault of our own) we can only keep on keeping on!elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.com