A mixed weekend and it’s all been about the temperature.
First hard frost of the year and, much to Emma’s amusement, I decided to do a bit of digging and sort the bed that will be used for the peas and beans. Started by stripping off the old turf, despite the frozen ground. The thermometer recorded an overnight min of -9 in the greenhouse so the ground was like iron. Fortunately the frost hadn’t penetrated too deep so once I’d cracked through the surface it didn’t take too long to clear the top layer. Then a couple of buckets of kitchen waste mixed in with a good dose of shredded paper into the bottom of the bed will help to maintain moisture – just what the legumes will love (I hope). Only enough for half the bed at the moment but it won’t take long to produce enough for the rest of it.
A thin covering of dirt will keep it all in place for now. Nearer planting time we’ll top up the bed with some fresh compost and the beans will have no excuse not to give us a bumper crop.
That’s enough for outdoors. Now for the nice warm indoor jobs…
Chilli Seeds Planted
Ever since the envelope of seeds dropped through the front door I’ve been itching to get planting. Of course for most things it’s still way too early but, as it’s now officially February, we really should get the chillis in, shouldn’t we? Fortunately, we happened to drop into the local hardware store and there on the shelf was a nice little, very reasonably priced, electric propogator. Long story short, we now have our first cayenne chilli pepper seeds planted up (along with some sweat peas).
Bring on those hot summer curries…
February 6, 2012 at 11:27 am
We’ve just bought a little electric propargator and the sweet peas sown last weekend are already up! Hadn’t considered starting off chillis now. It makes sense as they take so long to grow. Last year our chillis were just fruiting at the end of the growing season. Once started in the propargator will they cope if kept in pots in the house until it’s warm enough to plant them into an unheated greenhouse?
February 6, 2012 at 5:57 pm
I’m hoping so. This is the first year we’ve grown chillis and that’s exactly what we intend to do. We’ve planted a few seeds to allow for any failures so we should be able to experiment. Might even try one outside if it’s dry enough.
February 7, 2012 at 7:01 pm
Our chilli’s and peppers have been up for 2/3 weeks now (started in the electric propagator). Once they appeared, I have left them on a windowsill in the bathroom, and even though its been minus 18 outside, they have been absolutely fine. So you shouldn’t have any problem getting them going and as they take forever to actually produce the fruit, its worthwhile getting them started.
February 7, 2012 at 7:42 pm
I can hardly wait. I keep checking but as it’s only been three days since we planted them I guess I’m being a little eager… I get the feeling that by the end of the month we’ll be wishing we bought a bigger propagator.
February 7, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Our first peppers were up in 8 days, rather than the normal 21 – so give it a week and you should be seeing something. I have 2 of the small B & Q propagators and that amount is fine, as long as you take out the pots that have started, and then pop another new one in to take its place.
February 7, 2012 at 7:53 pm
I won’t feel guilty if I keep checking then. (Just checked and they’re not up yet!)