Following on from my post yesterday with my potato growing efforts I thought I may as well catalogue my garlic experiment. As you know I am a complete novice and as such do not respect the seasons and when things should be planted etc etc! Ok that’s not entirely true but until I started looking on the net this week I wasn’t aware that garlic should be planted in or around October (I think that’s right!).

Oh well, too late now! It probably won’t work but hey, there’s no harm in trying is there ! (all photos taken using the iphone 3G)

I planted the garlic on Saturday the 13th June 2009 and was rather shocked at how quickly the first signs of life appeared! The first shot (below) was taken on the 16th June just four days after initial planting.

I have kept an eye on the growth over the last few days and I have been amazed at how quickly things change with garlic. Is this normal?! Again, not sure if this is the right thing to do but I’ve kept the pot in the small greenhouse since planting.

Taken this morning (22nd June)

The garlic is an organic variety bought from Tesco (on the 13th) for 40p I think it was! If it does work or at least give me something to work with later this year it will be something.

Day 10 in the big Garlic Howz !!!!

Not content to stick to potatoes I decided to put my hand to growing carrots. I was warned by many friends and colleagues that growing carrots was difficult. I’m sure I’ve made a mistake planting so many seeds in a pot but I think I’ve left it too late to take them out and re plant them now. Anyway, a small slide show of a day in the life of a carrot!

Carrot Seeds were planted on the 23rd April 2009 (once again all pics were taken with my iphone 3G)

a few weeks on …..

side on view, where’s Bugs Bunny when you need him ?

Taken today (21st June, 2009)

Taken today (21st June, 2009)

It’s been a while since I wrote anything on this blog and although I was tempted to write about Big Brother 10 this summer, it really hasn’t captured my imagination. The lack of live feed, terrible presenter and a God awful cast has allowed me free time to experiment in the garden! Please remember I am a novice and I’m learning – daily! It’s great fun to watch things grow! (Updated 27th June, 2009 – scroll down for update!)

Here we go then, I can’t remember how long it took for the first signs of life to show but it was exciting! I bought three types of seed potato – total cost including bags was £6. (Forgot to say, all pics taken with the iphone 3G)

A little further on and things have developed somewhat!

As you can see they are starting to look fairly healthy, the combination of water and sun makes a big difference doesn’t it!

I wish I had taken a pic showing how tall they were but alas I didn’t so you’ll have to imagine that!

So there you have it, the last healthy pic I took (above) of the pots in the bags. The next picture was taken a month later (this week in fact) and show the damage done by the heavy winds and heat.

I wasn’t quite sure if I should harvest the bag but given my limited experience and knowledge I thought nothing ventured nothing gained! The result is as follows ….

Update on the potato growing! (Saturday 27th June, 2009)

Decided to have a go at harvesting the second bag of potatoes and have to say delighted with the results! The variety is called “Orla” and planted a few months ago, unfortunately I didn’t keep a date. I used 3 seed potatoes in the bag. Total yield was 7lbs or 3.2Kg. Is that good ?

Orla potatoes 7lbs dirt optional extra ! Orla and her sisters scrub up well !

and another one for good measure! Because I’m proud!