Morning Light: The Fetchland Gardening Wire

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Angus Clydesdale Jul 2022 5:30pm, 27 Jul 2022 25,068 posts	0 Angus Clydesdale We’re inundated with soft fruit. Once again it’s pretty much all ripe at the same time. Except the blueberries; they’re still green.
Garfield Jul 2022 5:58pm, 27 Jul 2022 16,802 posts	0 Garfield 3FrenchMs - would growing it in the kitchen window in colder weather be any good?
Hanneke Jul 2022 9:06pm, 27 Jul 2022 91,398 posts	0 Hanneke I grow lettuce year round outside. There are hardy varieties that don't mind being buried under snow. They have tougher leaves though, which not everyone likes.
3M (aka MarkyMarkMark) Jul 2022 10:46pm, 27 Jul 2022 18,765 posts	0 3M (aka MarkyMarkMark) Garfield, I guess a kitchen windowsill ought to work as well. You'd want a decent sized pot though if they're not going to be in the ground. (Same is true of greenhouse in winter, I suppose!l) You might be as well trying something other than lettuce though - you can buy specific salad "microgreens" that after intended to be grown indoors and have a fairly quick/short growing time. I've never done it but see gardenersworld.com !
Garfield Jul 2022 9:24am, 28 Jul 2022 16,803 posts	0 Garfield Thanks so much for that information 3FrenchMs
Ocelot Spleens Jul 2022 9:39am, 28 Jul 2022 34,309 posts	0 Ocelot Spleens I have a mixture of kettle in the ground (raised beds) and in pots. It can be done but you will need family big pots, the raised beds kettle grow quicker and bigger, and regular watering.
EvilPixie Jul 2022 9:45am, 28 Jul 2022 34,380 posts	0 EvilPixie what's the views on the cheap (£40-50) plastic "greenhouses"? and those frames you put on the floor with a glass lid that lifts (can't think of name!) any use for things like lettuce for longer? can peppers and toms be grown in just a single grow bag outside or do they need cover? if you use a grow bag is water OK or must you use feeder?
Eynsham Red Jul 2022 9:59am, 28 Jul 2022 8,880 posts	0 Eynsham Red EvilPixie we have a couple of mini greenhouses (basically a shelf unit with a soft plastic cover and zip opening). They work well for things like lettuce, spinach etc, and bringing on seedlings. Our experience is that they’re ok for spring/summer, but suffer with condensation in the winter (more so than a conventional greenhouse). We’ve not used a cold frame so can’t comment on those.
EvilPixie Jul 2022 10:03am, 28 Jul 2022 34,383 posts	0 EvilPixie cold frame that's the name! So glad you understood what I meant haha I can't afford a full greenhouse or have the space mind you I see you can get (still expensive) wooden small side of house greenhouse which look like a wooden glass version of the mini ones
sallykate Jul 2022 10:42am, 28 Jul 2022 10,076 posts	0 sallykate I have a mini cheapy greenhouse and it's fine - best to tie it to something and put something heavy at the bottom to make it more stable otherwise it might fall over in strong winds. Toms will be fine outside in a sunny spot - you'll still need to feed them weekly for a good crop. Peppers better in a greenhouse I think. I had a small wooden "greenhouse" when we first moved here - wouldn't recommend it, the wood warped and the doors wouldn't shut properly after that.