I potted them up individually in very good potting compost. I have finally realised that cheap compost contains little or nutrients. So I bought two and get one free bags of Shamrock potting compost.
They have lived in my polytunnel and I have potted them on twice and regularly watered them.
It's certainly not 'flaming' June down here on the Irish Riviera and I think we could all soon have webbed feet.
Any road today I have decided to let my cheap plants enjoy the showers and experience outside life in the countryside next to the sea:
They turned out well in fairness and if I over winter them in 'Portugal' my beloved polytunnel they will live for years. I could even make some cuttings in September. Hmmmmm 🤔.
They look nice and colourful Dave. I like a bit of colour in the polytunnel along with all the green things. They are growing well now the have been fed.
ReplyDeleteYes, I certainly do remember because I was very envious!
ReplyDeleteI bought six for around £3 so you got a real bargain. Mine have been outside in a pot and, although they have grown a bit with lots of big leaves, there's no sign yet of any flowers. Yours look to have some good blooms already.
Thanks Rachel. They look well amongst the plants and weeds and grass. I must get weeding.
ReplyDeleteIt's a strange year weather wise JayCee. I hope the rains don't remove the Geraniums petals now I have placed them outside. At least we won't need to water them for a while.😊
ReplyDeleteI think what you say about compost is right. The cheapest stuff may look like compost but how good is it? Are there regulators checking the nutritional value of bags of compost? Somehow I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteYes YP. I think most compost is bark and peat. I have bought lots of cheap compost from supermarkets and I find it crusts and lacks food nutrients. I often think that soil or compost is like a bank account. You can't keep withdrawing cash without paying money in. I use to buy grow more to add to the growing medium but now I buy organic pelleted chicken manure. Plants also benefit from tomato food and garden teas like comfrey, seaweed and nettles.
ReplyDeleteYou should have your own TV gardening show - though I have probably suggested that before. Don't forget to smile into the camera after the opening credits have rolled... "Top of the mornin' to you and welcome back to The Irish Riviera. I'm Dave and this is my garden... (Cut to aerial view and cue "People of the South Wind" by Kansas).
DeleteSounds good to me YP. I would feature people's polytunnels, allotments, Prog Rock accompanying music, throw in a few walks and you could put in a few guest appearances along with JayCee and my other blog friends and a weekly trip to a carboot sale interviewing punters and sellers.
ReplyDeleteLots of nice colour. We need colour in the winter but I need it in the summer too when everything is brown. Geraniums seem to go on forever.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda. Yes very hot and vibrant colours. Easy to take cuttings when it's not too hot. Very mixed weather here with heavy showers. Good for the plants and weeds and good for pasture and silage.
ReplyDeleteYou have done well there. Even the leaves are decorative. I hope they enjoyed their day out. Explain to them how stressful it would be coping with wall to wall sun and punishing heat.
ReplyDeleteGood idea Tigger. I must talk more to my plants.
ReplyDeleteThey look good
ReplyDeleteThanks Traveller.
DeleteMy sister is a champion at overwintering geraniums. I suck at it. Not sure why. But she over wintered mine for me. Right now I've got such huge geraniums out front. It's amazing. She took advantage of the situation to do clippings for herself as well. It seems that plants are the gift that keeps on giving. I have never frozen new potatoes. In thinking of it, I don't see why not though. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteThey root and over winter very easily if they have shelter from frost and you don't over water them Debby. Yes most vegetables can be froze. Have you read The Potato by Larry Zuckerman? It's the story of it's humble origin in the mountains of Peru to its connection to Europe... It's fascinating.
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