Questions, questions... answers answers!
Post categories: Sara's garden,Ìýsquash
| 11:27 UK time, Thursday, 7 May 2009
Well, I never thought I would ever have too much to say about growing five vegetables but it appears that might be the case! So instead of blathering on let's jump straight to the ever increasing list of questions Sara's posed for me in her last post.
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1. Watering.
Some people will debate this for days, but I think the general consensus is that first thing in the morning is best. This lets the water be absorbed by the soil and plant during the day and means the leaves are dry overnight - thus stopping mould or mildew forming. You don't want to water in the heat of the day - if the sun is blazing the poor little blighters aren't really ready for rain! Best to water little and often, and try to make sure the water hits the soil and not the plants themselves. And of course, too much water is as bad as too little...
2. Potting out your squash
Hmm, tricky. Are your seedlings really ready to fledge the nest?Ìý How about a picture for next week so we can have a look?Ìý
But if you think they are too big for their current situation then your hunch is probably right.Ìý An intermediate pot might be a good idea, giving them a bit of room while still letting you take them in at night.Ìý Or you could fashion some kind of covering for them in the big pot to protect them from the elements. Perhaps a recycled plastic tub to go over the plant? Ultimately though there might have to be a sacrifice here if your squash to pot ratio is too high. It's a sad day, but sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.ÌýÌý
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3. To manure or not to manure?
Up to you really. The squash will love it (what veggie wouldn't?) but it shouldn't be necessary if they are going in pots filled with compost. Make sure it is well mixed up and watered in before you plant the squash if you do go for it, though...
4. Teeny tiny tomatoes
You should certainly be thinking about 'pricking out' - pulling up the weedy ones if you haven't already but it might still be a little early to get them outside.Ìý They might need repotting into their own personal pots to grow a bit larger before they go outside first.Ìý Are they going into growbags or straight into your patch?
5. Pigeon problems.
He's reporting to me. I needed to check that the Gardeners' World team weren't coming back every day to do the hard work for you!
Hope that helps - though I'm sure there'll be others out there with opinions, so please keep the comments coming.Ìý Everyone develops their own little tricks in gardening, so if you've got one that might help, pop it in a comment. Or if you completely disagree with me, do the same! Just be gentle...
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