PATCHWORKVEG.COM

Some Myths about Growing your own Veg.

2013-04-11T12:25:00.001+01:00

Growing your own is Easy peasy!!

The Ray Darcy Show did a piece on growing your own and living "The Good Life" on radio this week and while listening to it I realised that when you are involved in growing yourself you forget that some people have absolutely no idea how to do it or where to start. Some of the texts Ray was getting was for example was one person that thought the Growing season only lasted for 3 weeks or so. And those of us that think we know a bit,know that it lasts all year if you plan a wee bit and don't sow all at once etc.

So with all that in mind it has sparked me to finally share some of my acquired knowledge and maybe put to rest some fears that novices may have. In layman's terms, because we have all had to learn. You don't need the Latin names to succeed. ( Oohh the horticulturists are now berating me)

Get a good book!!!! Buy one that is small and to the point and gives the info you need. You don't need to know if the authors granny gave them tips or that the dog loves digging. No you are on a mission. You are now starting "The Good Life". One I always go back to is "The Garden Expert" range. Simple and easy to follow.
Start small with a container or a raised bed or even dig up a patch in your own garden and make sure you have a decent soil. A good rule of thumb is if you have loads of worms in your ground then you are off to a good start.

If you buy some soil/compost make sure it has a good mix i.e. if its all compost it will dry out very quickly but if its a good mix of soil as well then it will hold moisture but also allow drainage.
The growing season can last as short or as long as you want it depending on what you sow. For example winter cropping veg will be sown early in the year but will take a while to get to harvest.In the meantime you can be growing salads and herbs and other short time to harvest veg that will keep coming all year if you sow little and often. Alot of herbs once planted may last a few years e.g. rosemary.
Your growing plants do need to be looked after but not obsessively. Pick an odd weed now and again to give the seedling the best chance of survival. Prick out as well(no not a bad word). This means you have to be cruel to be kind i.e. if loads of seedling push up from the soil and are all bunched together, don't think "oh I will loads". Pick out the weaker plants and give the required space to the ones left. Sometimes you can replant in a new area and in the case of some seedlings as well it can set them back 2 weeks which is good if you have too much sown. Water and feed as required. Do not over water. Some plants need more than others so refer to that Veg bible you have bought.
If you are reading this and you have done a wee bit of gardening I do not need to tell you of the brilliant De-stressing qualities growing your own gives you. I myself have had a rough few years but if you come home wound up and worrying about things grab a rake or the hose and do a bit of watering and before you know it you have forgotten what the problem was. This has been proven in loads of different research papers on mental illness.
On the whole "saving money" debate, I'm 50/50 on that one. The reason is when you see carrots for 29 cent in Aldi its hard to argue the cost, but the ones you grow yourself will definitely taste better. On the other hand if you grow a crop that has to be flown half way around the world to be on your table then its a no-brainer that growing mange-tout or sugar snap peas is the way to go. They are so productive and in fact they hardly ever make it inside my kitchen because the kids eat them from the bush. So sweet and tasty and FRESH. So that is up to you what to grow but I would say after a good few years growing my own, is to grow what you will eat and not what is the trend on the TV.
KIDS love growing and planting seeds!! Fact. We had a fussy eater in our house and when she sowed some seeds and it turned into food she ate it.

Because she saw where it came from. Imagine if we can bring a generation forward that will know even how to grow some salad and herbs.It can be done.
I know this is a very vague piece but I hope it may encourage you to grow something. Try some lettuce leaves( cut and come again) or spring onions etc. to get going. Here are some easy veg to start with. I am writing this to help as I am passionate about growing and am not out to rule the world just to enjoy my garden and hopefully you can enjoy yours too. Sean Gallagher

Limited Offer - Massive Discounts off Installed with soil Raised Bed prices

2013-04-10T09:06:00.002+01:00

Warm Weather is on its way- get your reduced raised beds with us TODAY

To welcome the warmer weather hopefully coming our way, from today 10/04/2013 until 20/04/2013 Patchworkveg are giving a massive Discount off prices on our 2 or more beds installed with soil offer.
An example of this is Two 6ft x 3ft raised beds installed with veggie mix soil is normally € 500 but for the duration of this offer will be € 450 !!!! THATS €50 OFF

The Three 6ft x 3ft raised beds installed with veggie mix are normally € 700 but for the duration of this offer are only € 600 !!!! THATS €100 OFF

This offer does not apply to our single bed which is still € 280 installed with veggie mix soil.
There may be a diesel delivery charge outside Dublin depending on order size.. Please call to discuss.
So please don't wait and get your orders in today.
We are also giving a discount on our Custom built raised beds.
Call Sean now on 0862311961 or 016270452 or email us patchworkveg@gmail.com

March In the Garden

2013-02-25T15:58:00.000Z

Its March lets get growing some food.

If you are a new grower and are a wee bit phased by all the terminology and new words out there to do with horticulture,dont worry real experience comes with trying and maybe failing,but then using your experience to get it right the next time,

Most of my limited knowledge comes from exactly the above and from wise words from old wise gardeners be it a back yard city gardener or and old farmer in the country. Give it a go. Once you start and you smell or taste the fruits or veg of your labour ,you will be hooked.My city wife couldn't believe that carrot smell so much of carrot.

Also dont forget to get the kids involved and check out our kids growing blog http://www.patchworkjunior.blogspot.com/

March can be a funny old month, with temperatures rising in the greenhouse and polytunnel on sunny days, but still the threat of frost at nights. You will need to be vigilant, particularly in caring for young seedlings.There are alot of experts saying hold off ( and they are correct) ,watch the frost,but for me as an impatient grower, I like to see a few seedlings popping their heads up early.My motto is if I lose them,I start again. But if you take a few precautions and cover with a cloche etc,you will have success. The reward, if the weather is mild, is the first tender harvest of early-sown salads. Still at this time of year when you see the frost and clear skies in the morning ,you know you are going to have a lovely afternoon.

So what can you be doing.

• Sow in pots or modules for planting out undercover: Tomatoes*, peppers*, chillies*, aubergines*, courgettes*, French beans*, basil*, cucumbers*, half-hardy companion plants (such as French marigolds, cosmos)*

• Sow in pots or modules for planting on veg plot: tomatoes*, summer cabbage and cauliflowers, parsley, leeks, broad beans

• Sow direct undercover: Carrots, beetroot, second batch of cutting salads (leaf lettuce, rocket, cress, oriental greens); green manures

• Plant undercover: Calabrese, cabbage, lettuce, kohl rabi, sugar peas, spring onions (all sown in pots or modules last month), leftover onion sets

(* crops which need extra heat)

Early-mid March is the last chance to sow tomatoes, aubergines and peppers if they are to give you a worthwhile crop. Otherwise you will need to buy plants. To be sure of a choice of varieties, order now from mail-order catalogues for April or May delivery rather than rely on the garden centre.

When planning a vegetable garden, remember that you want to plant all warm season vegetables after the last frost. Pay attention to these frosts, and plan accordingly in order to choose the best, safest growing option. Planting zones and recommended times are usually listed on the back of seed packets. But as you know the weather can be unpredictable,Just this time last year we were delivering beds to Roundstone in Galway and there was snow on the mountains.

In mild areas, sow courgettes, French beans, and outdoor varieties of cucumber in heat for planting out in polytunnel beds. They only take three to four weeks to be ready for planting, so only sow if you will be able to keep the plants frost free by then – otherwise wait until early next month. Greenhouse cucumber plants need to be maintained at higher temperatures (at least 15C/60F), so early sowings need heated greenhouses.

While the soil we supply is nutrient enriched you will still need to feed your vegetables. Proper fertilizer is essential for your new vegetable garden. Water soluble or granular fertilizer is the best option. 15-15 or 20-20 fertilizer is a good choice, as it affords your plants the correct balance and mix of essential nutrients and ingredients they need. You should fertilize the soil before planting the seeds by at least a week or so before. The fertilizer should be worked into the top soil six inches deep. After your plants begin to grow, you can always add more fertilizer to your vegetable garden as the need arises.

It is not an exact science and all growing seasons/temps are different between Donegal and Cork and Dublin and Galway. So have a good season.

February in the garden

2013-02-25T15:52:00.000Z

Get out there.

What better way to spend the weekend than in your garden preparing for the year ahead.

There are alot of tasks that can be tackled, that is if your ground isn't like concrete with the frost, as mine is this fresh morning.

Below are some jobs I will be doing this weekend and in the next few weeks.

So get out there and enjoy the longer evenings and prune off those winter blues.!!!

But if you are otherwise busy ?? this weekend why not contact www.patchworkveg.com and get your raised bed set-up in your garden. All you will have to do is sit back and decide what you want to grow.

You can start many seeds indoors this month. Herbs grown from seed are a great way to have an indoor or windowsill garden.

As long as the ground isn’t wet or frozen, it’s a good idea to cut the grass, no matter how early in the year. It’ll keep your lawn looking tidy and avoids the grass getting long and awkward to cut. Collect up the cuttings and add them to the compost heap or put them in your green waste bin if your council provides one.Avoid injury to the lawn when the soil is frozen by keeping foot traffic to a minimum.

Hardy crops that are usually grown outdoors can be sown under cloches or in the soil beds of a greenhouse or polytunnel. They will romp ahead and give welcome fresh produce at a lean time of year.
Here are a few crops that you can think about sowing indoors.

Sow lettuce undercover
Lettuce - loose-leaf or seedling varieties are best
Carrots
Radish
Rocket
Baby beetroot - use an early variety, resistant to bolting
Spinach
Salad onions
Peas - mangetout or sugar snap are best
Potatoes - compact early varieties
Turnips

Unless your greenhouse or polytunnel is frost free you will need to protect these crops if a frost is forecast. Horticultural fleece, in single, or double or even triple layers works well. Keep a few pieces, cut to suitable lengths, on hand.

Some custom built beds

Sowing in containers or raised beds

Vegetables suitable for container growing (minimum 45cm depth and width) in February are: Broad beans , carrots , loose leaf lettuce , salad onions and spinach . Keep watered and cover with fleece if frost is forecast.

Preparation of the ground for spring planting can be carried out whenever the weather permits. Place protective covering over soil in areas where you are going to plant or sow seeds. This will assist in the warming up of the earth so that sowing can take place earlier.

Have a good one.

JANUARY IN THE VEGETABLE PATCH

2013-01-05T10:03:00.001Z

JANUARY - a new start

Happy new year to all you budding (pardon the pun) grow your own enthusiasts.

JANUARY is a quiet time in the garden, but it is also a time where you can wander around with a new stride in your step.I will be surveying what I did wrong last year and yes believe it or not it does happen to me an odd time.
But as with all growing that is where your experience comes from. You can read all the books you want about growing your own vegetables but at the end of the season only you can know what worked or didnt work.Like life itself you learn and you move on.And even here in Ireland growing in Cork can be alot different than growing in Donegal. So the motto for all you beginners is not " I cant grow any veg" but "I CANT GROW ANY VEG YET" .

So what can you do this month.

Start clearing any old plants that may not have survived the cold.
Keep harvesting leeks and kale etc if you still have them
Turn over your compost heap -you will soon need some
Some apple or pear trees can still be pruned
Get your coldframes ready for action or build some
Turn over soil in your beds or top up if needed-the frost will break down lumps for you
Think about getting your pest control ready as in nets etc to keep your seedlings safe later on
Get out a good seed catalogue and read and chose.
One veg to check out is mange tout-this gave me loads last year-easy to grow

And lastly dont be a stranger if there is any information I can give you please contact me-you dont even have to buy anything. But it would be nice if you did!!
patchworkveg@gmail.com
0862311961 Sean is the name.

Easy Access/ Waist Height Raised Bed

2012-08-02T22:55:00.000+01:00

Our Latest Raised Bed that really is Raised.

Easy access Grow Table

Comes fully assembled

€190 + delivery

Installed filled with soil €250

This is the 900mm high (3ft) bed. We can make them to whatever height you choose. The actual bed dimensions are 1800mm (6ft) long by 690mm (2ft4ins) wide and with a growing depth of 11ins. The outer depth as shown is 14 ins. The main advantages of a raised bed like this is the easy working height and off course it would be easy to keep slugs off with some modifcations to the legs such as grease or copper tape.

Here in this next picture you can see a lower version at 750mm (2ft6ins) high against the higher (900mm) bed.

At 750mm it is the same height as most dining tables so this is perfect for an elderly person that may want to use a chair to sit on while gardening. The bed dimensions are the same as above.

These beds are built to last. Thick 44mm pressure treated timber used.

No more bending. Easy working height
Will sit neatly outside your back door for easy access to salads
Can be used as a year round herb Garden
Brilliant for wheelchair users
Makes it difficult for slugs to get at your food.
Handmade like all our beds and definitely stronger than any other planter on the market.

So call us now on 0862311961 and order yours or email patchworkveg@gmail.com

TV Exposure on Saturday Night 28th July

2012-07-27T09:11:00.000+01:00

Believe it or not I will be on Saturday Night with Miriam tomorrow night. She is doing a piece on businesses that have been started because off or during the long recession we are having.I think there will be a few others on as well. Its exciting.

I am really grateful for the opportunity to show one or two of our products. Without sounding like a gobshite sometimes people tar all raised beds with the same brush but we put that extra bit of work into ours. Yes I know its not rocket science but I believe that if a job is worth doing its worth doing right. That is the reason we use pressure treated timber 44mm thick in all our assembled beds. We also use the best screws as sometime nails can pull because timber over time will try and move and warp. This is also kept to a minimum in our beds because we also line them with a waterproof liner which in turn keeps moisture-and we have alot this summer- from being in constant contact with the timber.
What more can I say but thanks to everyone that has helped and supported us over the years. You can be sure I will never give up and we plan to have a range of products all over Europe within a few years. That is real folks and I still have to pinch myself to believe that from cutting a few bits of timber in the yard that we hopefully have a great future ahead of us. I have been lucky through doing shows and networking that I have met a few people with excellent European distribution contacts.
So thanks again and do tell your friends to tune in to Saturday Night With Miriam on Saturday night at 9.45pm.

July in the wet wet wet veg patch

2012-07-09T18:21:00.000+01:00

Myself and Kay Synott in the garden she designed for The Volvo Ocean race with some of our raised beds

SOME NEW AND ONGOING JOBS

Water plots, beds and containers in dry weather ( Good one). Containers may need watering every day in very dry warm weather. Best done in the evening

Feed container grown plants once a week from the 2nd week of the month
Feed hungry plants such as courgettes once a week
Mulch plants if possible
Start removing side shoots and tips of outdoor grown tomatoes
Remove growing tips of trailing courgettes and marrows
Continue staking plants where necessary
If slugs and snails are a problem apply a slug killer to the soil as early as possible. This July have to be re-applied especially after rain.
Keep a look out for pests and diseases and treat as necessary
Continue to thin seedlings
Continue earthing up potatoes
Hoe or hand weed regularly
Continue sowing crops such as Carrots, Radish and Lettuce to ensure a continuous supply of crops throughout the season , also keep sowing Beetroot, Calabrese, Chard, Endive, Kale, Kohl Rabi, Leaf Beet, Peas, Spinach Spring Onions, Turnips

HARVESTING VEGETABLES
Continue harvesting broad beans, climbing, French and runner beans, beetroot, sprouting broccoli, summer cabbage, summer cauliflower, carrots, chard, endive, leaf beet, early lettuce, parsley, peas, early potatoes, radish, spinach, spring onions, turnips

Start harvesting globe artichokes, courgettes, outdoor cucumbers, Kohl Rabi, peppers, maincrop onions (sets), shallots (sets), squash, tomatoes
If you have a surplus which happens, freeze or otherwise preserve excess crops (click the brilliant link below for good information)
Freezing is a really good way to store and keep the nutrients in your fresh vegetables if you are stuufed to the gills already. This site that I have suggested has some good practical information.
http://www.allotment.org.uk/allotment_foods/Storing_the_Surplus_Freezing.php

Enjoy

Square Foot gardening.

2012-05-12T17:39:00.001+01:00

Square foot Gardening Method

Plan out your garden. Think about what you really want to grow. Keep in mind that square foot gardens tend to produce more than traditional gardens. Then have a look at what we can do to help Patchworkveg

Follow the directions on the seed packet. This means that some squares will only get one seed (tomatoes) and some can get lots more (carrots or radishes).

Store left over seeds in the original packet in an air tight container for up to two years in the refrigerator.

Weed your garden weekly. Because you know exactly what you planted and where you planted it you will be able to get the weeds before they can even develop roots. Weeding will be a snap. You can label each square if you prefer.

Water your square foot garden on a daily basis (preferably in the morning). Because of the limited size this will only take a few minutes. No more watering for hours on end.

Use a trellis to train the vine plants (cucumbers, beans, tomatoes). This will keep them from invading the other squares and it will keep the vegetables safe off the ground.

Plant spacings in a Square Foot Garden

Plant spacings are the distance apart you plant several of the same plant. In square foot gardens, that can be expressed as #/sqft (how many plants per square foot) or simply by inches in each direction. For instance, carrots are planted 16/sqft or 3" apart, because there are 4 3" segments in a foot (so square that, 4x4=16). The only exceptions are certain vining or very large plants that do not fit into individual square feet.

Please be aware that special varieties will require different spacing than is listed here. The spacings given here are for the most typical or common of the type of plant.

A rule of thumb for vegetables is to space root crops at twice the expected diameter of the mature produce. Other vegetables should be spaced so the leaves from adjacent plants overlap only sightly. Closer spacing often results in smaller sized vegetables but doesn't necessarily reduce yield because of the increased quantity. And many leafy plants will rot at the base if planted too close. How to space vining vegetables depends on the variety and whether they are grown on cages, trellises, stakes or allowed to run free.

Please Click on this link to go planner

You can find the link to this planner on my links tab

BELOW IS A GUIDE ONLY THAT HAS WORKED FOR ME.

Basil: 1/sqft

Beans: bush-type 9/sqft; pole-type 8/sqft

Beets: 16/sqft

Broccoli: 1/sqft

Cabbage: 1/sqft

Carrots: 16/sqft

Cauliflower: 1/sqft

Celery: 4/sqft (6")

Chard(Swiss): 4/sqft

Cucumbers: 2/sqft in a row of 4 sqft

Garlic: 4/sqft (6")

Leeks: 9/sqft

Lettuce: 4/sqft

Marjoram: 4/sqft

Onions: 16/sqft

Oregano: 1/4sqft

Parsley: 4/sqft

Peas: 8/sqft

Peppers: 1/sqft

Potatoes: 1/sqft

Radishes: 16/sqft

Scallions: 36/sqft (2")

Spinach: 9/sqft

Squash, Summer: vine-type 3/4sqft bush-type 1/3sqft

Squash, Winter: 1/2sqft

Sweet Potatoes: 2/sqft

Thyme: 4/sqft

Tomatoes: bush-type: 4/4sqft (see special grid); vine-type 1/sqft (in row of 4 on trellis)

GOOD LUCK AND GIVE US A BUZZ AND WE WILL HELP www.patchworkveg.com

April In The Veg Patch

2012-04-03T07:53:00.002+01:00

•Sow - Beetroot, Broad Beans, Broccoli (early sprouting) end month, Calabrese (early) (protect), French Beans (end of month), Runner Beans (protect), Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots (early), Carrots (maincrop) mid month, Summer Lettuce, Maincrop Onion seed, Spring Onions, Peas (early and maincrop), Summer Radish, Sweet corn (protect), Tomatoes (indoor and cloche).

Our new Diy raised bed kit- €79 Click for more info

•Plant - Onion sets, New potatoes, Maincrop potatoes,

•Harvest - Broccoli (late sprouting), Spring maturing lettuce, Summer Radish (cloche protected), Forced Rhubarb,

•Other Jobs - Start sowing inside and out.

If you don't have a greenhouse use windowsills in the house, or create your own cold frame outside. Sheets of glass or clear plastic on some bricks is a start, as it keeps the rain off the seed trays/pots, and warms up the soil. Another way is to put trays and pots in a clear polythene bag, and put it in a sunny spot or under a cloche.

Plants may come on more quickly if you sow them in trays/pots this month rather than sowing then directly into the ground. You can then transplant them into open soil. The exceptions, are the root vegetables which like to be sown direct, but you may get away with planting them in biodegradable pots (or loo roll cardboard inners) under cover. When the shoots appear, transfer the whole pot into the soil.

Towards the end of April, you can sow everything directly outdoors.

Seedlings that have been grown in trays or pots, or under a cloche, need to be `hardened off` by being given limited time out in the real world, With a cold frame - just open the lid. With a cloche - you can lift it off during the day, and return it at night. Seedlings grown inside should spend the day outside and then be returned inside, or be covered at night.

It is better to sow a little and often so that you can harvest over a longer period. Keep sowing crops like rocket, lettuce, radish, salad onion all summer long, you'll want a small amount over a long period.

You’ll be able to pick off loads of slugs before they do their damage if you take a look at your plot at night if it’s warm, and has been raining.

New Diy Raised Bed kit

2012-03-29T07:18:00.001+01:00

What you get along with 16/ Reisser 80mm screws

6ft x 3ft x 14ins high = €79.00

The ends come assembled

DIY Raised Bed Kit € 79.00
This is our new Diy raised bed kit.

It comes part assembled to make it a doddle to put together.

All timber is pressure treated .

Size is 1800mm x 900mm x 350mm high.

Timber thickness is 35mm.

Use secure Paypal to purchase. Delivery in Ireland only.

Cost 1800 x 900 x 350 high = € 79.00

Or have a small 7 ins bed = € 40.00

Use secure PayPal to purchase- Delivery in Ireland only

Please contact us for delivery charge ( approx € 6.50)

Email patchworkveg@gmail.com with order and we will send you a Secure Paypal payment request.

7 ins High Top Hat to give 21 ins in total

MARCH IN THE VEG PATCH

2012-03-02T06:16:00.000Z

Its March lets get growing some food.

Also dont forget to get the kids involved and check out our kids growing blog http://www.patchworkjunior.blogspot.com/

So what can you be doing.

• Sow in pots or modules for planting on veg plot: tomatoes*, summer cabbage and cauliflowers, parsley, leeks, broad beans

• Sow direct undercover: Carrots, beetroot, second batch of cutting salads (leaf lettuce, rocket, cress, oriental greens); green manures

• Plant undercover: Calabrese, cabbage, lettuce, kohl rabi, sugar peas, spring onions (all sown in pots or modules last month), leftover onion sets

(* crops which need extra heat)

It is not an exact science and all growing seasons/temps are different between Donegal and Cork and Dublin and Galway. So have a good season.

Why Patchworkveg? Why not? Have a look for yourself!

2012-01-03T11:34:00.001Z

Why do I love growing my own food?
One of the main driving forces are my kids aged 7 and 9.Its their enthusiasm for all things outdoor and mucky.
I love watching their faces as they run out every day or hour as some cases may be,to see if the little seed they planted has started to peep its little head up.
They say a watched kettle never boils but I have evidence that a watched seed does grow!!

There is something very special about growing plants.Its a wee bit like magic and that makes you the grower,the magician.
Take one little seed,add some soil, water and sunlight and watch it turn into a plant.The hard seed case bursts open and from that leaves and a stem pop out and grow.A flower begins to unfold, the fruit expands and ripens. That is the real magic that still amazes me to this day and I am an old codger in this game.
You will have to commit yourself and keep the plant happy,feed it,give it some light, and a nice bed to relax in while it grows-similar to the way you like to be treated yourself.
And at the end of all your work there is a reward you get to eat the fruits or veg of your labour. The taste is totally different than what you will eat from the supermarket that maybe has been flown thousands of miles. Not to sound like Willie Wonka but a carrot tastes like a carrot ,a pea tastes like a pea, and a potato with a bit of real butter is heaven.
Now lets begin our journey and have some fun on the way.

Have a look at my little video explaining some basic reasons why you should grow your own
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isO13wwJD-Y

A Sleepy Cold Winter in the Patchworkveg Garden.

2011-10-28T09:47:00.000+01:00

Winter in an Irish Patchworkveg garden.

Is there a good argument for throwing anything that has been written before this year about Growing in an Irish Garden into your compost heap??? Maybe we wont be that rash.

This year in my garden I do as I always do and experiment with different styles and ways of sowing and planting. And when it comes to gardening experts I do as I would do when it comes to recipes ,I gather loads of pieces of information about the food or vegetable and I try and work out what is best for me. I give it a go and if it doesn't work, I take on board what I think went wrong and then I give it a go again.

The whole fun for me and allot of novice gardeners growing their own food is waiting for that first little green speck to peep through the soil and when it does it is a great feeling (sad as that may sound). It is normally the start of spring and what that brings with it is hope and a glimmer of sunshine that allot of us need now.

Growing is good for you, it opens your mind in a very simple way. How? Grab a watering can or a rake and go out a spend five or ten minutes doing a bit of watering or cleaning up and you will find any wee worry you had has been composted to the back of your mind.You wont know it but you will be sub-consciously be looking at different plants,insects etc. in your little haven.

Now to go back to my first sentence about losing the plot and throwing away your mentors writings, what I mean is sometimes you have to think outside the gardening book or vary a little from what the seed packet says. The weather for growing in Ireland this year has been strange to say the least. We started of with a great April/May and we were in full swing sowing and planting. Then we got a fierce cold wind that killed or stunted allot of plants. And then after a wet time we get a small Indian summer that helped bring on and give some late cropping of veg .My courgettes and mange-tout are finishing now.

Anyway enough waffle from me as there are plenty of "experts" out there to tell you what to do.
What can you do in the garden now to help you be ready for next year????

Firstly look after your winter crops. The one major thing I did last winter was secure netting over my kale,cabbage and Brussels sprouts.The birds are hungry and pigeons especially could wipe out a few plants of a morning. A cloche or some heavy polythene and old blankets etc. are good for keeping the cold away from your tender veg. Kale is one of the toughest out there and my own survived about minus 14 degrees Celsius last winter. It may sound silly but plants may need some water if its dry and sunny for a long period ( unlikely you say). Harvest any vegetables that would be killed in severe frost although your parsnips will benefit from a wee frost which will improve the flavour.
Secondly look after your raised vegetable beds. November rain or the rain we got last week will wash all the goodness and nutrients out of your soil. What I do is cover with some old carpet or black polythene.This will protect against the weather but it will also kill any old weeds or grass if its a new vegetable plot.
Thirdly get your compost bin in order and turn over if it needs it. Maybe dig come into your soil before you cover the beds so it will be ready for next year. Get a separate leaf mould bin going beside your compost bin. Make a cylinder shape by curving some chicken wire or similar and packing old leaves down into it.

And lastly go absolutely crazy and buy yourself a gardening magazine. One of my favourites "Grow your own" magazine. Its always topical and gives seasonal tips.Soon and come early spring they will include a seed catalogue. Get reading this a decide what type vegetables you want to grow and also what particular type of seed you would like that may suit your area.
And being the cheeky devil I am, if you or your friends are thinking about growing please have a think about calling me to help you out. What I do and my prices are available here
Thanks for reading and the message we can all take from Winter in our gardens is--Spring is coming and there is loads of light at the end of the tunnel.

Happy Growing
Sean Gallagher www.patchworkveg.com

Grow it yourself and do the work youself- Soil and assembled raised bed to your drive.

2011-06-14T19:05:00.001+01:00

For the Diy Guy we are offering a special offer giving you a ton bag of our veggie soil and one of our standard 6ft x 3ft x 14ins high raised bed.
All this delivered to your drive for € 200. Offer is available in Dublin and surrounding areas.
We are aware of the pressures on all our pockets at the moment so hopefully this offer will give you the option to go for top quality raised beds at a reasonable price.
These are NOT flat pack (all assembled)-and our price will not be beaten for this quality of raised bed and soil.

And this is the soil - full of organic matter.

You get one of these top quality raised beds and a ton bag of soil for €200

Click here for link to Patchworkveg product Stockists
Get this offer now and save and get growing the Patchworkveg top quality way at a knock down price.
Call Sean now on 0862311961 or 016270452 patchworkveg@gmail.com

GROW SALADS AND HERBS AND BECOME A REAL FOODIE.

2011-04-29T09:59:00.003+01:00

Growing Salads and Herbs in your garden will turn you into a real foodie.
When someone asks me "If I could only have one raised bed or container in my garden", what would I grow in it that would be quick growing and that would save me a few bob ?--the answer that I immediately give without hesitation is Salads and Herbs.

If you have even the slightest bit of interest please get growing these things and you will soon reap your rewards be it some basil for your pizza, some lettuce for your sandwich or even some rosemary for your roast and thyme for over your roast potatoes.
First of all lets look at some food to grow as Salads- no need to go too fancy if your only starting out but wouldn't it be nice to pick something from your garden that hasn't been flown thousands of miles and more importantly is still fresh.
LETTUCE; ( for sowing times etc click this link )

Leaf Lettuce

Would you believe that there are some books that give 3 pages to the topic of lettuce-something many of us thinks is an iceberg head in the supermarket. Well be fooled no more-There are 4 main types which are Cos-Butterhead-Crisphead and my favorite which I will talk about The loose-leaf variety that you can just pick leaves off as you need them and keep it growing for ages.
What you will look for in your garden centre when sowing is Salad leaves or even oriental salad leaves.
You can use a window box which is ideal up on your cill away from slugs- get some good quality compost and almost fill-Sprinkle a fine layer of seeds over the moistened compost and cover with about half inch fine compost and remember to water gently. There you go its as easy as that. Within 6-8 weeks or earlier you will be eating your lettuce.
SALAD ONIONS;

Otherwise known as scallions or spring onions are white skinned and nice and mild flavoured. What I use is a variety known as White Lisbon.
Basically use a container or sow in rows beside your carrots in your raised bed or patch and use the same depths as for the lettuce.I don't need to thin as I sow sparingly and I start to pull them as if thinning when they are about half inch thick.
RADISH;
Love it or hate it this is a fast growing salad staple that if you don't want to eat,can be used as a garnish.
As its fast you can sow it in rows between some of your slower growing vegetables. Summer varieties can come in about 3-6 weeks.
BEETROOT;
Can take about 10-11 weeks to come from sowing but this will really wow your friends at the barbecue if you produce some fresh beetroot. Sow 2 seeds at about 4 ins apart because if when you look at seed you will see it is a little cluster of seeds.Some say soak in water for a while before sowing. Thin as they grow and use as baby veg.
That might be enough to be getting on with at the moment as you will also want to get some herbs in.

GROWING HERBS Click HERE to see video
When it comes to growing herbs in the Patchworkveg garden the only one I sow is basil indoors in a big bowl so I can pick as needed and outdoors all over the place.

I find it handier to buy small pots of herbs from a nursery as there are many varieties and I can just stick them in their final growing space.
Some herbs can be grown year after year if you protect it from the frost in the winter.My thyme,fennel,lemon balm and mint have all come back to life among others.
So what herbs will you use in your everyday kitchen. My top ten herbs are;

Thyme

THYME-I keep picking from this as I sometimes mix it through my roasted veg and potatoes mixed with a bit of lemon balm. There are different flavours of thyme out there so pick your favorite.
ROSEMARY- Very versatile- roast chicken with some sprigs tucked in between legs and breast with lemon quarters will give you a delicious flavour. A great tip also -if you use a gas barbecue and feel its not smoky enough for you ,soak a sprig or two in water and put at the edge of your rack out of direct heat and soon you will have a lovely rosemary smoke all over your food.
SAGE-All I can say is sage and onion stuffing.
MINT- More and more people are getting to like this refreshing herb and maybe its because we have learnt to make mojitos.

Rosemary and Mint

BASIL- I would grow this all over my garden as its a great companion for tomatoes be it in the pot or when its growing. Lovely smell and it can be added to your sauce or as the main ingredient in pesto.
PARSLEY- Parsley sauce comes to mind as well as a tasty garnish on top of loads of dishes.

Fennel and Lemon Balm

FENNEL-I use some of this in my sauce when marinading meat and fish. Its give a lovely aniseed hint of flavour if used properly. Worth trying.
LEMON BALM- Try a few leaves chopped in through your lettuce leaves and yes it is lemony.
CHIVES- Finely chopped these can be added to salads,dressings and omelettes.
MARJORAM-Sprinkle over meat and poultry before roasting or add a a garnish to soups.

Oriental leaves starting

Even if you have a balcony or the smallest garden in the universe, you can still grow some or all of the above.
Get some pots going so you can move them around during the growing year. This will definitely save you money and give you an abundance of fresh herbs and salads nearly all year round.
If you are looking for some inspiration on how to use your herbs head to my buddy Donal Skehans website and find a recipe to suit you.
And if you want some tips and would like some help starting your garden with Patchworkveg products please contact us by clicking here. patchworkveg@gmail.com
Happy Gardening.
Sean

GROW TOGETHER DEAL.

2011-03-28T14:21:00.001+01:00

GROW TOGETHER DEALS
THIS DEAL CAN SAVE YOU AND 2 OF YOUR FRIENDS MONEY ON EACH BED BY COMBINING YOUR ORDERS INTO ONE DELIVERY. eg.If you only require 2 standard beds with soil (normal cost €500) you can get them for €445 IF you persuade a friend/neighbour to purchase a third (normal cost for one bed with soil €280) they get their standard bed for €255 so total for full order is € 700 between you saving you €55 and your neighbour €25.
*standard bed is 6ft x 3ft x 14in bed with soil installed
CONDITIONS
Orders must be placed on the same day.
Orders must be in the same area or small town.
Orders must be delivered on the same delivery load.
SO GET YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY GROWING AND SAVE TOGETHER.
Please call Sean with any questions. 0862311961 patchworkveg@gmail.com

COMPANION PLANTING - WHAT AND WHERE !

2011-03-10T08:36:00.001Z

WHAT IS COMPANION PLANTING.

Companion planting is when you plant different types of plants beside each other so they will help ward off diseases and hopefully pests and even attract beneficial insects so you will end up with a healthy,thriving ,lovely green garden.

This method of gardening is particularly attractive to the organic grower where they may be able to keep pests and diseases at bay without harmful chemicals.
I wont waffle on any more other than give you the inportant info on what to plant and where to plant it.
Some gardeners will look at this list and say "oh no, thats not right",but I will say again EVERY garden is different in every part of the country and the world. The same way bees gather pollen locally to make honey locally and that then can be used as a remedy to help keep hay fever at bay by the local people,Im sure the same principal works for companion planting.
Check www.patchworkveg.com for loads more tips

Asparagus -----Parsley, capsicum, basil, lettuce and tomato

Basil----- Tomato, most vegetables and herbs

Beans----- Potato, corn, lettuce, cucumber, strawberry, celery, carrots, cauliflower, radish, spinach,

Beetroot----- Onion, lettuce, spinach and silver beet

Broccoli----- Onions, leeks and celery

Brussells Sprout -----Potato

Cabbage----- Onion

Carrot----- Peas, leeks, lettuce and chives

Cauliflower----- Onions and leeks

Celery -----Tomato, leeks and beans.

Corn----- Lettuce, peppers, cucumber, beans and peas

Cucumber----- Radish, lettuce, beans, peas and artichokes

Leeks----- Cabbage, celery, onion and celeriac

Lettuce----- Beetroot, strawberry, radish and corn

Mint----- Cabbage and tomato

Onion----- Lettuce, cabbage and carrots

Parsley----- Tomato, asparagus, carrot and peppermint

Parsnip----- Shallots, chives and lettuce

Peas----- Cucumber, radish, turnips, corn, carrots and beans

Pepper Chili----- Cucumber, squash and lettuce

Potato----- Tomato, cucumber, sunflower, green beans, peas and broad beans

Pumpkin----- Corn

Radish----- Peas, lettuce and nasturtium
Shallots----- Carrots, beetroot and mint

Spinach----- Strawberry and most plant

Strawberry----- lettuce and bush beans

Tomato----- Asparagus, peppers and basil

Zucchini Courgette----- Parsley, tomato, silver beet, spinach, squash, corn and capsicum

THE GOOD OUL POTATO- some info.

2011-03-02T20:46:00.000Z

Who doesn't like potatoes.

We call them spuds,tatties or bruisys depending what part of the world your from. They remain our basic vegetable the main partner for meat ,poultry and fish. You hear an odd time the comment " oh full of carbs, I cant eat them",but I'm sure you all agree its hard to beat a new potato boiled and served with a wee bit of butter and salt and a cold glass of milk-the simple pleasures are the best.
Anyway when I was growing up in Donegal and used to help my Father sow a few acres of spuds for our own use, it was as simple as taking the seed out of the bag and placing it in the drill and waiting for it to grow and then eating it. I didn't know about "Earlies or Maincrops" and that there were other potatoes besides Kerrs Pink and Pentland Dell.
So why dont I tell you a bit about them, and which are Earlies and which are Maincrop. Because it can be confusing when you go into a garden centre and see all these bags that look the same and have fancy names.
I am not going to give you the full list only maybe the basic ones to get you started. There is also First Earlies and Second Earlies an I will just mention the varieties today.If this is new to you keep it simple.
Here Goes.
I will assume you already know how to plant a potato and all about earthing up as it really is a simple veg to grow.
So what varieties do you want and when.I will give you a few of each.
FIRST EARLIES-------- Plant in mid to late March--Harvest June or July
Duke of York--------Pentland Javelin---------Maris Bard--------Epicure

SECOND EARLIES------Plant in early to mid April--Harvest in July or August
Maris Peer---------Nadine-----------Marfona

MAINCROP--------Plant in mid to late April---Harvest some if required in August and for storage Sept/Oct
Kerrs Pink-----Maris Piper-----King Edward------Desiree----Golden Wonder-----Pentland Dell---

LOOKING AFTER THE POTATOES AS THEY GROW
If you think there will be frost when you see shoots emerging pull a little soil over them for protection.
When the green growth (haulm) is about 9in high hoe up some loose soil around this about 6in high.This will encourage more tubers to grow from the stem.
Water well in dry weather as the tubers as they form will require quite a bit.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO HARVEST
With Earlies wait until the flowers open or the buds drop.Remove soil from the first part of the ridge and examine the tubers.If they are the size of a hens egg you can harvest as New potatoes.

With Maincrops for storage cut of the haulm once the foliage has turned brown and the stems have withered.Remove the cut haulm and wait ten days then lift the roots and let the spuds dry for a few hours.Place them in a wooden box or potato sack and store in a dark frost-free shed. they should keep until spring.
Enjoy.

HOW TO GROW SEEDS.

2011-02-02T09:25:00.004Z

PROPAGATION AND GERMINATION

Growing from seed is easy. Every packet has detailed instructions to guide you through the stages. Most seeds require warmth and moisture to germinate; some require light and cold stimulation. Seeds that need to be sown in early spring usually require some bottom heat (heated propagator treatment) to get them started early enough so that they fruit, flower or crop in the same season.

Fill a pot with seed sowing compost. Firm it down gently

Shake the pack gently to loosen the seed and then open the seed packet and tip a few seeds into your hand. Tiny seeds can be scattered over the surface of the compost.For larger seeds make a hole using your finger in the compost. Individually place a seed into the hole.

Cover over with a thin layer of fresh compost and water with slightly warm water.

Label the pot carefully with the date and seed variety and place in a suitable place for germination. Seeds that require heat can be placed in a heated propagator. Seeds that need a frost-free environment can be positioned in a cool (frost free) greenhouse or on a windowsill. Ours are on windowsills and it will soon start to look like a rain forest. All good though

FEBRUARY IN THE GARDEN

2011-02-01T18:28:00.000Z

Get out there.

What better way to spend the weekend than in your garden preparing for the year ahead.

There are alot of tasks that can be tackled, that is if your ground isn't like concrete with the frost, as mine is this fresh morning.

Below are some jobs I will be doing this weekend and in the next few weeks.

So get out there and enjoy the longer evenings and prune off those winter blues.!!!

If you have got a small vegetable garden, sow broad beans and peas directly into the ground from mid-to-late February. They will be ready in early summer. Add a little fish, blood and bone fertiliser to the soil before you sow.* Sow early salad crops like lettuce and radish under glass or in a frame or cloche during mild spells. If you just have the window sill you can start garlic cloves off in pots about 2cm deep.* Buy seed potatoes, and spread them out end-up in a box to sprout (or chit) in a light but cool window sill or shed.

You can also start many seeds indoors this month. Herbs grown from seed are a great way to have an indoor or windowsill garden.

Hardy crops that are usually grown outdoors can be sown under cloches or in the soil beds of a greenhouse or polytunnel. They will romp ahead and give welcome fresh produce at a lean time of year.

Sow lettuce undercover

The following crops are also suitable to sow under cover

Lettuce - loose-leaf or seedling varieties are best

Carrots

Radish

Rocket

Baby beetroot - use an early variety, resistant to bolting

Spinach

Salad onions

Peas - mangetout or sugar snap are best

Potatoes - compact early varieties

Turnips

Garlic: It is your last chance to plant garlic. Printanor is recommended for late winter and early spring planting.

Sowing in containers

Spike lawns with a fork if surface drainage is poor. You can even give the lawn a light trim towards the end of the month - if weather conditions permit!

Cut down faded foliage on herbaceous perennials before new growth starts. Lilies can still be planted. Now is the time to divide and replant snowdrops. Plant lily of the valley crowns,

Winter and spring bedding plants need to be dead-headed to encourage a long flowering period with many more blooms.

Have a good one.

JANUARY IN THE VEG GARDEN

2011-01-04T12:07:00.000Z

The Secret Garden

Our Bloom Display

Start clearing any old plants that may not have survived the cold.
Keep harvesting leeks and kale etc if you still have them
Turn over your compost heap -you will soon need some
Some apple or pear trees can still be pruned
Get your coldframes ready for action or build some
Turn over soil in your beds or top up if needed-the frost will break down lumps for you
Think about getting your pest control ready as in nets etc to keep your seedlings safe later on
Get out a good seed catalogue and read and chose.
One veg to check out is mange tout-this gave me loads last year-easy to grow

AUGUST IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

2010-08-22T10:51:00.001+01:00

AUGUST IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

Lift carrots as needed. Start lifting maincrop potatoes. Let the skins dry for a couple of hours before storing in a dark, frost-free place.

Outdoor tomatoes are unlikely to ripen much more if left on the plants so pick all trusses and bring them indoors
Water runner beans in the evening. Pick before they become tough and stringy. To check, snap a bean and pull the two halves away from each other; if a "string" down the margin of the bean remains attached, the bean is too old and will not make good eating.

STORING YOUR LOVELY VEG
Storing the harvest

Successful storage of fruit and vegetables starts early, before the harvest has even begun. Plants that have been grown in optimum conditions produce the best crops for storage. Immature crops, or those that have struggled to survive through lack of water, nutrients or pest and disease damage will not keep well.

Fragile - harvest with care!

Careful handling is essential. Once harvested, crops have no means of repairing any damage. Even quite sturdy-looking crops can easily be bruised. The damage may not show up immediately, but the likelihood of rots getting in later is greatly increased.

Select the best
Store only the best quality. Anything that has broken skin or shows any sign of pest or disease damage should not be stored.

Storage conditions

Although no longer actively growing, crops in storage are still alive and continue to breathe. Air circulation is important to provide oxygen and carry away the heat and moisture produced. Crops have different requirements for temperature and humidity (see below). Providing the correct conditions for each crop ensures the best results.
Location

The storage location must be frost-free, safe from pests, rain-proof and ideally at a constant temperature. A garden shed or garage can be used, but may need extra insulation in severe weather. Basements, cellars or unheated rooms are also suitable. Attics are not very good due to fluctuations in temperature and humidity.

Frequent health checks

Check stored produce regularly, preferably weekly. Remove anything showing signs of decay to prevent rots from spreading. The unblemished parts can often be salvaged for eating after cutting out the decay. If you end up only eating rotting produce, something's wrong! Either storage conditions are incorrect or the produce was not good quality to start with.

Vegetable storage

Carrots, parsnips, celeriac, beetroot, turnip, swede, kohlrabi, horseradish:

These crops all require the same conditions. They usually last well, as most are the storage organs of biennial plants, so would naturally stay dormant in the soil overwinter. Harvest carefully, taking care to avoid skin damage. Do not wash unless grown in very heavy soil or pest/disease damage is suspected. Harvest on a cool day or cool before storage. Remove leaves by twisting off close to crown. Place in layers in shallow crates/boxes separated with a damp packing material such as leafmould, sand, sieved soil, sawdust (from untreated wood only), coir.
Ideal temperature: 0°- 4°C.

Potatoes:

Require slightly different conditions from other root crops. They must be kept dark to prevent them turning green and protected from low temperatures. If stored below 5°C the starch turns to sugar, giving them a sweet taste when eaten. Harvest in dry, cool conditions if possible. Remove any damaged tubers; store good ones in thick paper sacks closed at the neck to conserve moisture. Do not use plastic sacks - the humidity will be too high, which stimulates sprouting. Give extra insulation before weather becomes very cold.
Ideal temperature: 5°- 10°C.

Onions/garlic:

Lift garlic when only 4-6 outer leaves have turned yellow. Leave onions longer, until the tops have completely died away. Do not bend tops over prematurely. Both need to be dried until skins "rustle", either in the sun or under cover. Store in nets, old tights or make into strings , and hang in a cool, dry place where air can circulate.
Ideal temperature: 2°- 4°C.

Pumpkins/winter squash/marrows:

Being of sub-tropical origin, these store best at a higher temperature with lower humidity than most other crops. They are very affected by growing conditions, as they need a few weeks of warm sun in August/September to develop a tough skin for successful storage. Harvest before the first frost, leaving as long a stalk as possible. Check for skin blemishes, and store in a dry, airy place, preferably on slatted shelves or hanging in nets.
Ideal temperature: 10°- 15°C.

SOWING

There are still quite a few things you can sow in August.

•Spring Cabbage
•Chinese cabbage
•Kohlrabi
•Lettuce (sow a hardy variety for winter use)
•Spring Onions (White Lisbon winter hardy)
•Radishes
•Spinach
•Turnips

GREEN MANURE

When you have harvested your potatoes you might like to consider sowing a green manure crop. Mustard is fast growing and is supposed to confuse the potato eel worm into breeding at the wrong time. It is a brassica so don't use it if you suffer from club root.
Another fast growing crop you can use as a green manure is French beans. Even if you have enough beans to feed an army, the plant produces a fair amount of leaf and stem plus the roots, as with all legumes, have nodules containing bacteria that fix nitrogen from the atmosphere. Free fertiliser as well as organic matter.

JULY IN THE VEG PATCH

2010-07-15T16:47:00.000+01:00

SOME NEW AND ONGOING JOBS

Water plots, beds and containers in dry weather. Containers may need watering every day in very dry warm weather. Best done in the evening

Feed container grown plants once a week from the 2nd week of the month
Feed hungry plants such as courgettes once a week
Mulch plants if possible
Start removing side shoots and tips of outdoor grown tomatoes
Remove growing tips of trailing courgettes and marrows
Continue staking plants where necessary
If slugs and snails are a problem apply a slug killer to the soil as early as possible. This July have to be re-applied especially after rain.
Keep a look out for pests and diseases and treat as necessary
Continue to thin seedlings
Continue earthing up potatoes
Hoe or hand weed regularly
Continue sowing crops such as Carrots, Radish and Lettuce to ensure a continuous supply of crops throughout the season , also keep sowing Beetroot, Calabrese, Chard, Endive, Kale, Kohl Rabi, Leaf Beet, Peas, Spinach Spring Onions, Turnips

NEW EASY ACCESS RAISED GARDEN BED FOR LIMITED MOBILITY GARDENERS

2010-06-15T09:56:00.003+01:00

We are proud to show our new Easy Access Raised Garden Bed to cater for the demand by all our limited mobility customers.While exhibiting at Bloom 2010 we got alot of questions about extra height raised gaden beds. So we decided to get stuck in and make a strong sturdy raised bed.These are also an excellant way to grow on your balcony or small back garden.
The Raised Beds come in 2 sizes;
900mm long x 690mm wide x 900mm high (which can be cut to suit different customers.)
1800mm long x 690mm wide x 900mm high ( this can also be cut to different heights )
All beds have a working soil depth of 240mm ( 9 1/2 inches deep)
All have a goetextile covered slatted base to allow for drainage.
The 1800mm long bed has 6 legs as opposed to 4 legs on the 900mm long bed.

Price options are
900mm long raised bed supplied € 120 plus delivery
1800mm long raised bed supplied € 175 plus delivery

If you require us to install the above with soil in you garden, prices are;
900mm long raised bed with soil € 180 installed
1800mm long raised bed with soil € 250