Planting from seed!!

I managed to get my three big pots planted today while the laundry was drying at the launderette.

In the first pot, i have put a cross of lettuce with four red shallots in the quadrants. I have no idea about how to space these things or on how thinly to sow the seeds so it is pure guess work.

The second pot has two lines of carrots and the third pot has a ring of shallots with one in the middle.

When i had finished planting, using my acquired little gardening tools, i came to the conclusion that i am not a seed gardener. I like to see instant results so i think i will be buying small plants in future so i can see something other than soil.

Lettuce - salad bowl mixed (oak leaf).Seedlings usually appear in 7-14 days. For continuous crops sow every 2-3 weeks. Growing on - for baby leaves, thin to 2 inches apart and for mature plants, 10 inches apart. Keep moist. Can have 4 cuts of baby leaves for each plant.

Carrots - amsterdam 2-amice. Seedlings usually appear in 14 - 21 days. For continuous crops sow every 2 - 3 weeks. Growing on - When harvesting select young carrots alternately from row or pot allowing the remainder to develop fully. Keep well watered.

Red shallots - no instructions so i have just planted them with the tips showing and hope that they will be OK

Not enough time

I was hoping to get some more done on the balcony today but I had to spend the day sorting out my mother in the hospital. Maybe tomorrow.

One Pot Pledge

http://www.gardenorganic.org

i got my One Pot Pledge confirmation through and my membership number is 538. Sounds exciting!!! So first things first the carrots. I dont have a light on my balcony so these may come in handy during the winter months!!! One can only hope the myth is true.

Due to the fact i am trying to do this project on a limited budget, i have had to resort to some what less enviable means. My mother has had an indoor garden set sat on her window sill for the last 2 years, well no longer it has been liberated. Never should such a handy piece of equipment be left un-used. Well thats my new moto anyway it helps me feel better!!!

Looking good

Well, I have to say I am impressed with myself. The three big planters have not got anything in them yet as I am trying to work out how to sow lines in a circular pot. But the herbs look good and the fencing looks quite attractive.

Photos of the balcony

Taken on 20th April prior to getting started.

Budget blown already

I had this naive idea that i could set up my appotment with a budget of £50. Well I spent £20 in Wilkinsons yesterday on buying three large planters and six packets of seeds along with some bamboo fencing to fight against the wind. I have just spent another £20 on compost, a couple of little planters and 4 herb plants. So that leaves me £10, mmm i think i need to revise my budget.

I have fastened the bamboo fencing to the back fence of the balcony and I have let it continue round about half a metre. I may need to extend it later. I have observed the sun and basically the balcony is in full sunlight until about 1pm. the fencing should not change that, it should just act as a wind shield.

The four herbs are now planted. In the blue pots, i have put marjoram and chives. These were larger plants so should be well established. In the smaller pots i have put the smaller herbs of parsley and mint. I have a vague idea now that i am writing this that both those get quite big so i may need to repot them.

The Beginning

I bought a copy of the Gardeners World magazine which had an article on growing vegetables on the patio. I decided to have a go at making an appotment on my balcony.