Rachel's Journal

I would love some Astrantia seedlings, please. Thanks!!!!

Rachel, I would love to try a Nepenthes please. I am bringing lots of Kniphofia, and a few other bits and pieces, you can take your pick.

Your name is on them, Krista and Fran.

I have more if anyone else is interested.

And if anyone wants loo rolls - I have loads and have finished sowing my sweet pea!

Rachel, I have never planted sweet pea before, but am trying it this year, I have some germinated, but was wondering if a window box appx 6 inches deep would be suitable for growing them as I want to put them up on a wall where there is no soil, - Also, can you tell me about using the loo rolls for sweet pea? thanks

The window box should be fine for sweetpea, Ros. I sow the seeds in loo roll cores as they don't like root disturbance yet need a long root run. The whole thing can then be planted out later as the loo roll will bio-degrade.

Never thought in a million years I would be asking for loo rolls..... but could I have some please. I did a quick tidy of the shed last week and threw my supply out by mistake. Went to get them out the other day and opened a bag bits and pieces I meant to throw out.

Laughing to myself here - the word 'frugal' comes to mind Fran................

Rachel, I thought sweet peas liked a deep run?  I saw your sweet pea photos  in last year's album - so you know what you're talking about.  I'm wondering every day whether or not to put my October grown s. peas out into the ground.  Too early??

Ha ha, okay, Fran. I know how it is. Last year I couldn't get enough loo rolls m and was given a bag from the primary school (they always have loads of that kind of thing for art). I had to fight my daughter for them earlier this season because she wanted them for teaching practice and I wanted them for sweet pea. But now we are both finished : )

Sally, sweet pea do like a deep run hence the loo rolls - they're quite long! I have never planted my sweet pea out this early but I've been told you can. Are yours in the greenhouse? Apparently you could have left the pots outdoors in a sheltered place and they would have germinated!!! You might contact Chris - the resident garden.ie sweet pea expert : )

Usually sew sweet pea in loo rolls or halved kitchen towel rolls in Nov. and plant them out in april and away they go. was late this year (ill) and only sewed them this week, and are peeping up already