Friday, April 24, 2009

Caution

It has just occurred to me that growing conditions in the UK are quite different to those i am experiencing here in California, and my frequent references to the Love Apple Farm blogsite may be causing some of you Brits, and folk elsewhere in the world, to take what is written as correct for you.

There are several things that come to mind as considerations:

Planting things deep into the soil may be fine here, where the ground tends to be on the dry side, but will probably cause rot and disease to the stems in cooler or wetter climes.

Constant hydration (watering) to keep the potting soil wet at all times is now always advisable. Allow the surface of the growing medium to dry off between waterings is advised where humidity and temperature differs.

The season starts much earlier here than it does back home, so adjust sowing and planting dates accordingly. Surprisingly the last frosts are expected here on the farm at a similar time to those in southern England. The days, however are much warmer here.

More tender crops, tomatoes, peppers, melons etc do well outside here with plenty of daily warmth, many will, unfortunately require the help of a greenhouse or polytunnel elsewhere.

I don't want to put you off from trying, just to consider differing climatic conditions before proceeding exactly as suggested on the blog.

Happy growing.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

...have got some of my brassicas in and looking okay so far! Also the broad beans (and spuds, garlic, onions, parsnips, turnips & strawbs) But toms, courgettes, sweetcorn, beans etc all still safely in coldframes and greenhouse! We are still getting the odd light frost so fleece at the ready....and until today had had lots of sun hence the colder nights...purple & white sprouting brocc producing nicely yum!!
Doubt we will be as prolific in tom production as Love Apple...but with several types on the go we will hopefully have a few to choose from! You can inspect when you visit!! (and by then help with weeding and watering no doubt!!)

Much love
M&P
xx

joy said...

Cutting the grass and plucking a few weeds and feeding the birds is about as far as I get . .as you well know . .never mind the gardening advice . . how are you? When is your current visa up?? How long wil you have to wait to hear re work application etc take care xx joy