Thursday, January 5

Something new for 2017 - part 1

We have a go at growing new things every year. During the year we had tentatively discussed trying to grow a melon in the old cold frame that we moved from the garden to the plot. Since its move it hasn't really been made good use of and growing a melon in it was a passing thought.

As most of you will have been doing we have been considering next year's seed order.

Martyn and I tend to go through the catalogues separately each making our lists. Many choices are automatic as they are things that we have grown successfully the previous year. 

If either of is fancy something different we will have a mini discussion and so when I found a likely candidate for the cold frame melon I asked Martyn what he thought.

He gave me an enigmatic grin and showed me his list. There he had included exactly the same choice.

One of the phrases in the description that had attracted both our attentions was, 'tolerant to low temperatures'. We have tried to grow melons unsuccessfully in the past so we are not confident of success but you have to keep trying don't you?

This time we are thinking of trying the Victorian method of warming up the cold frame by using manure. Has anyone tried this?

 Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

Posted by Sue Garrett at 5:20 pm

18 comments:

  1. CJJanuary 05, 2017

    I was just trying to explain to the children the other day the taste of a little homegrown melon. We grew them in the greenhouse when I was a child, they were utterly delicious. Supermarket melons are a real lottery, I rarely buy them. I shall look forward to seeing how you do. Fingers crossed the hotbed thing works, I've heard it mentioned quite a bit.

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    Replies
    1. Sue GarrettJanuary 05, 2017

      I just hope that we ger to taste a homegrown one, CJ.

      Delete
  2. SnowbirdJanuary 05, 2017

    Well, there you go....great minds think alike. Looking forward to seeing how they get on.xxx

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    Replies
    1. Sue GarrettJanuary 05, 2017

      Maybe it's what happens when you live with someone for decades, Dina.

      Delete
  3. MargaretJanuary 05, 2017

    I remember now that one of the new things I wanted to grow this year was melons. The variety you have chosen seems a good one to grow in the north.
    I will grow just one plant in the greenhouse I think.

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    Replies
    1. Sue GarrettJanuary 05, 2017

      Let's hope it lives up to the blurb, Margaret.

      Delete
  4. Bonnie KJanuary 06, 2017

    That sounds great. I will have to look for the little fella and try it in my greenhouse.

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    Replies
    1. Sue GarrettJanuary 06, 2017

      We will probably have one in the greenhouse too, Bonnie

      Delete
  5. SueJanuary 06, 2017

    I will be watching the progress on your melon growing escapades this year. I struggle with an extremely short season and cool temps as well. I always swear I'm not trying melons anymore, but I persist. Last year, I actually had a ripe melon. The darn squirrels chewed it up before I got to it!!! I was livid, but it showed me I can get a melon here.
    Best of luck. I love your coldframe, by the way.

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    Replies
    1. Sue GarrettJanuary 06, 2017

      I am just wondering now whether this will work with the coldframe having glass sides, Sue.

      Delete
  6. Bag End GardenerJanuary 06, 2017

    Have a look at Charles Dowding's website. He uses a 'hot heap' every year in a corner of a greenhouse or tunnel to provide bottom heat for seed germination. I think on one of his videos a number in the region of "10,000 seedlings" was mentioned.

    http://www.charlesdowding.co.uk/
    Worth looking for his channel on YouTube too :)

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    Replies
    1. Sue GarrettJanuary 06, 2017

      I will, Jayne I have already viewed the Gardeners' World video and I am now wondering if our glass coldframe is suitable.

      Delete
    2. Sue GarrettJanuary 06, 2017

      Just watched CDs videi ab=nd interested that he made a frame with wooden pallets.

      Delete
    3. Bag End GardenerJanuary 06, 2017

      Could you make a frame out of timber/pallets to contain the manure and put your cold frame on top?

      If you Google "Jack First Hotbeds" you might find some interesting stuff. I bought his little book last year, makes SO much sense .... unfortunately I lost my regular supply of pony poo but if I can arrange another supply I'll be trying some of his ideas.

      Delete
  7. Annie_HJanuary 14, 2017

    Ooh sounds good Sue, look forward to seeing how you get on! A hot bed does sound like it would be a good idea too.

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    Replies
    1. Sue GarrettJanuary 14, 2017

      Just hope that we manage at least one fruit, Annie

      Delete
  8. DickyFebruary 05, 2017

    I was thinking a hot bed would a good idea for this, be interesting to see what happens.

    Dicky

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    Replies
    1. Sue GarrettFebruary 06, 2017

      Our intentions are good, Dicky but will we achieve them?

      Delete

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