I grew blush celery last year from seed, it took a while to get them to germinate but we got there eventually and some are still standing today, even after the frosts!
I am in the west of Ireland so have to wait few more weeks before I can sow my seeds. I did harvest the rest of my carrots and radishes, and all my Jerusalem artichokes few days ago so got plenty of good food - which I'm busy preserving. Still got loads of cabbage, spring onions, parsley, kale, and spinach in the garden as well, plus garlic and onions I planted last October. I'm not doing too bad.
Huw...it was great to see you out in your garden sowing seeds and getting ready for Spring. We have been locked in with clouds and rain for quite some time in KY, USA and we're ready to see the sun and get outside. Thanks for your knowledge and experience and for allowing us to learn from you. Congratulations on the new book!
Howdy Neighbor! Being socked in with rain and clouds in Kentucky is far better than being socked in with snow and ice, as we have here in Colorado! I envy you lucky dogs who live at low altitude where you can start your gardens early! When Hugh talks about planting in February in Wales (or Charles Dowding down in Somerset), I naturally add two months, and plan to start the same plants in April in Colorado! I'm thankful to have four horses, and a tractor. Those cooperate to provide us with a huge compost supply, which allows us to construct hotframes in spring and fall. Without hotframes, it would be very hard to grow significant food in our short growing season.
Hey, Ted...yes, I like the longer growing season here but the beauty of CO is awesome. My heart comes alive when I'm able to visit CO and spend time in the mountains. We are already seeing signs of spring and also have snow in the forecast and so we're too early to do much of anything outside as far as planting but definitely getting areas ready to plant. Your compost source would be a great advantage. We compost with yard/garden and kitchen scraps and so we get a nice supply but not nearly what I want or need. Would enjoy hearing and learning more of what you do in CO to make it all work...gardening pen pals. @@tedpreston4155
Regarding early potatoes: I highly recommend the varieties "Solist" and "Rosalind". They have a growing period of 60-90 days and can be planted outdoors (in Germany) from mid march onwards. Meaning you get a may/june harvest without a polytunnel or any cover and they will be out of your beds before the potato beetles start their season. :)
Jaysus Huw lad, you've fair patience with some of these comments LOL Book ordered. We're moving in March to a new place with almost 2 acres of land that's been kept organic for the best part of a decade. I can't wait to get cracking on having a garden again! Have kids to feed (and involve) this time. It's gonna be mighty!
I started bean before only to learn the cell tray was too small and they were bursting out. Moved them into little pots and cover them with a yogurt tray. Nothing happened so I check them today, they seemed to have vanished😮😂 They were inside a mini greenhouse and within the greenhouse So I will be doing new ones again
Hi mate, thanks for this, incredibly useful. I have a reccomendation for your next video. It would also be good to see a video thar includes when/ how to sow companion plants. I jeard for example that marigolds along with tomatoes need to be planted two month prior to tomatoes going in because of the roots getting fixed (don't know the ins an outs I think it was to ensure They wernt competing but co-operating. Anyway, a video on the companions alongside would be soooooo useful. I'm gonna sow everything in pots. I've bought your book BTW! Can't wait to read it.
I’m so excited for this growing season. It’s my second year on my allotment and I’m so much more prepped. Last year was just one step forwards… two steps back because of couch grass, bind weed and mares tail. I’ve reduced at least two out of three of those! 😂
We're going to have about 130m2 of beds to fill in our first year - videos like these are fantastically helpful for us as beginner allotment gardeners!
Your about a month ahead of me here on the east coast of Canada. We still have a foot of snow on the ground. It’s getting close though and can’t wait to get started. Wondering what you are planting this year for experiments or things you haven’t grown yet? Cheers
This year in the UK there are no international kidney seed potatoes due to a big storm in Jersey and Guernsey. I've had to change my earlies to Charlotte and Nicola, which are chitting on the windowsill right now.
i moved to scotland last year from the forest of dean. its definitely colder here which is a shame as here they grow their toms in greenhouses. so ile grow more mixed loose leaf lettuces in their place.
Thank you for the list of tasks for this month to start my own gardening, it's very inspiring. I've already started planting some herbs but aubergines, peppers and chilies will definitely get on my list too. I love using them for my cooking and having them produced in my own garden will be much more satisfying.
Huw, one question regarding peppers. I kept my bigger plants indoor to try and get them through to the next season as perennials, now I'm wondering how to get them to start coming out of their winter induced dormancy. Got any tips on that?
I have read about growing celery in the hole of a cement building block (breeze block in UK terms, I believe). That will hold them in and they will grow up, not out.
Thank you so much for your great videos, which I enjoy all year round. I am watching from the north coast of Brittany, and I have to say that your climate is extremely similar to ours.
Good evening, I love watching you on TH-cam, you’re very knowledgable. I have sown my tomatoes and they have germinated, Can I put them out into my polytunnel as I am concerned they will get leggy?
Can I recommend Kalettes as a veg to try!! Tall, purple stemmed, handsome plants with loads of leafy florets which taste like a cross between a Brussels and Kale .. my first year of growing them and will definitely grow more this year !!
I found your channel just recently and I have to say I love it! I just have one question - I noticed you mention polytunnels and plastic trays pretty frequently and I was wondering how you feel about microplastics? Especially with the frail nature of plastic foil, I would be a bit afraid about leaking the little buggers everywhere
Huw, you're an inspiration and im dying to get back into gardening.. Question, your book, does it cover the Southern Hemisphere?? I'm in Australia and would love a "multi purpose / multi hemisphere" gardening book to work with.. maybe you could do some flash ups for us down south for our respective months too?? hugs
Hello Hew, where can I buy organic seeds. Any recommendations would be appreciated. I live outside the UK. Love your video's and I can't wait to start my own garden. ❤
Book order placed! Don't know why everyone says celery is tricky to grow: I planted loads this year and it all germinated and thrived, indoors and out: Bit too much really!
@@alandeacon1988 Good question. The seeds I got were from U.K. yet, despite my best efforts, they didn't do well. Very few germinated, and those that did failed to thrive. Same with celeriac so I gave up on them.
Thanks, wonderfully full ofinstructions as usual. Please could you tek me where I can buy field beans and what name they are marketed under? I have tried Chiltern seeds, Thompson and Morgan seeds and Plant world in Torquay but they can't tell me. Also here in Canada there is West coast seed, harvest heritage seed , Halifax seed , OSC seed but they are lost too. Would Vroma be classified as a field bean? I can buy broad windsor anywhere but no packet of seeds is ever called "field beans" It is a huge puzzle. Please help!
Yes, now is the time to start sowing 🌱 Today I was wondering if I should harvest some sunchokes for dinner. They are so great and I would recommend them as well.
You inspire me once again to get sowing, but the problem is my garden got covered in brambles last year and my little veg plot is very shaded! How I wish I had a plot that is open like yours. Where do we purchase your latest book please? I have all your other books, very interesting and informative, but my plot is a nightmare for someone who wants to grow! Thanks.
@@HuwRichards I know you are in a different country but if you had to guess would that be zone 6b or so? I'm in 5a and you seem to be able to grow year round and we are not able to, which is fine but I'm always trying to see what we can grow comparatively.
Inspiring video, thanks Huw. You say onion sets do not need any heat source, but do they not tend to go into seeds later on when exposed to cold weather in their early stages?
Depends on the variety of onion. Sturon for example doesn't ever go to seed if planted from sets in Feb. I've had most problems with sets going to seed from autumn planting and red onion varieties like Baron.
I only buy seeds online now really; real seeds, she grows veg, tamar organics, kings seeds, wales seed hub, vital seed, premier seeds etc should get you started
Hi do enjoy your videos live in grow zone 9B .Would it be early to try new peotatoes. Do love em 😋 any help would be much appreciated thanks Dave co Donegal 🇨🇮
Would you recommend multi-sowing onions from seed? I have limited space and thought, instead of single onions, I could experiment with a clump of onions. Your thoughts please. Thank you 🙏
Any advice about moving a gooseberry place? We are moving in a couple of months so need to move the gooseberry bush to the allotment... Im a little worried
@@CWorgen5732just an idea of what I personally did, I moved mine into growbags so that we could move them with us. We are hoping this year we can get them in the ground again but if we miss it it’s ok they been in the grow bags for 4 years and doing well every year get a good amount off them. Maybe this will help ya.
While it's dormant, during the winter months right now is the best time to move it! You can dig it up and put in a pot with some soil for transferring; just make sure the roots don't dry out. If you move it while it's dormant, it won't even know it's been moved when it wakes up in the spring.
🇨🇦 as you are sitting in your garden making this video , is it February there ? Just want to know how I can compare our weather to yours . My garden still has a snow drift in it 😉
When will you be showing us how to make a hoop tunnel? Im sure you said you were going to? I need to make one this year to save my leafy greens from cater-pillocks 😂
February isn't the same in all places, and you should have mentioned the location (or hemisphere) this video applies to. For us in Australia, spring starts in August/ September
I don't comment on Australian gardeners and request the same thing because they're Australian and I don't expect them in their free videos to try and cater for absolutely everyone
Why not find Australian growers then, instead of bitching at Huw? All you needed to do was to click on his channel info to find out he's in U.K., or are you too lazy to do it?
Love your passionateness as always Huw 🙌 when you get the Yacon growing you will be able to enjoy “the crunch” all winter too 💚 I’ve got Garlic kale from @shegrowsveg which I’m pretty excited to try ✌️🌿
I grew blush celery last year from seed, it took a while to get them to germinate but we got there eventually and some are still standing today, even after the frosts!
I am in the west of Ireland so have to wait few more weeks before I can sow my seeds.
I did harvest the rest of my carrots and radishes, and all my Jerusalem artichokes few days ago so got plenty of good food - which I'm busy preserving.
Still got loads of cabbage, spring onions, parsley, kale, and spinach in the garden as well, plus garlic and onions I planted last October.
I'm not doing too bad.
You're doing v gd Dave co Donegal 🇨🇮
Thanks @davidmullarkey4316. Hope the storm didn't cause much damage where you are.
Huw...it was great to see you out in your garden sowing seeds and getting ready for Spring. We have been locked in with clouds and rain for quite some time in KY, USA and we're ready to see the sun and get outside. Thanks for your knowledge and experience and for allowing us to learn from you. Congratulations on the new book!
Crestwood@@JamieSantos
Howdy Neighbor! Being socked in with rain and clouds in Kentucky is far better than being socked in with snow and ice, as we have here in Colorado! I envy you lucky dogs who live at low altitude where you can start your gardens early!
When Hugh talks about planting in February in Wales (or Charles Dowding down in Somerset), I naturally add two months, and plan to start the same plants in April in Colorado!
I'm thankful to have four horses, and a tractor. Those cooperate to provide us with a huge compost supply, which allows us to construct hotframes in spring and fall. Without hotframes, it would be very hard to grow significant food in our short growing season.
Hey, Ted...yes, I like the longer growing season here but the beauty of CO is awesome. My heart comes alive when I'm able to visit CO and spend time in the mountains. We are already seeing signs of spring and also have snow in the forecast and so we're too early to do much of anything outside as far as planting but definitely getting areas ready to plant. Your compost source would be a great advantage. We compost with yard/garden and kitchen scraps and so we get a nice supply but not nearly what I want or need. Would enjoy hearing and learning more of what you do in CO to make it all work...gardening pen pals. @@tedpreston4155
Perennials are the most exciting❤
Regarding early potatoes: I highly recommend the varieties "Solist" and "Rosalind". They have a growing period of 60-90 days and can be planted outdoors (in Germany) from mid march onwards. Meaning you get a may/june harvest without a polytunnel or any cover and they will be out of your beds before the potato beetles start their season. :)
Thank you
Thanks for the recommendation! Greetings from S-H 😊
Your videos are like Pinterest to me. I come here to get motivated to work on my gardening skills and plan my garden for the foreseeable future. ❤
Love the idea of hidden gems. More please❤
Jaysus Huw lad, you've fair patience with some of these comments LOL
Book ordered. We're moving in March to a new place with almost 2 acres of land that's been kept organic for the best part of a decade. I can't wait to get cracking on having a garden again! Have kids to feed (and involve) this time. It's gonna be mighty!
I started bean before only to learn the cell tray was too small and they were bursting out. Moved them into little pots and cover them with a yogurt tray. Nothing happened so I check them today, they seemed to have vanished😮😂
They were inside a mini greenhouse and within the greenhouse
So I will be doing new ones again
Hi mate, thanks for this, incredibly useful.
I have a reccomendation for your next video.
It would also be good to see a video thar includes when/ how to sow companion plants. I jeard for example that marigolds along with tomatoes need to be planted two month prior to tomatoes going in because of the roots getting fixed (don't know the ins an outs I think it was to ensure They wernt competing but co-operating. Anyway, a video on the companions alongside would be soooooo useful. I'm gonna sow everything in pots. I've bought your book BTW! Can't wait to read it.
Thank you! :) im based in south uk. @@brightsunshinyday
@@brightsunshinyday I planted mine after the tomatoes and they still did well.
Huw - you MUST try 'Asperagus' Beans or 'Yard Long Beans' - It's an oriental bean and they are a metre long but taste like sweet asparagus
It's Time YAY! 🌱
Love the sense of humor! 🤭
I’m so excited for this growing season. It’s my second year on my allotment and I’m so much more prepped. Last year was just one step forwards… two steps back because of couch grass, bind weed and mares tail. I’ve reduced at least two out of three of those! 😂
Happy second growing season! 🌱 I also made a lot of learnings last year and feel so much more prepped and excited 😄
We're going to have about 130m2 of beds to fill in our first year - videos like these are fantastically helpful for us as beginner allotment gardeners!
congratulations on your new allotment! 🥳 Have a great growing season 🌱
Planting up peppers this weekend.
So nice to see, we've got ice and snow almost everywhere here where I'm at.
Your about a month ahead of me here on the east coast of Canada. We still have a foot of snow on the ground. It’s getting close though and can’t wait to get started. Wondering what you are planting this year for experiments or things you haven’t grown yet? Cheers
He's a month ahead of everyone in the UK too, don't worry about it.
This year in the UK there are no international kidney seed potatoes due to a big storm in Jersey and Guernsey. I've had to change my earlies to Charlotte and Nicola, which are chitting on the windowsill right now.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, you are a wonderful person.❤
Please do more on your hot beds. We have made 3 hot beds since I saw your earlier video on this system. Thanks for an information filled video.
i moved to scotland last year from the forest of dean. its definitely colder here which is a shame as here they grow their toms in greenhouses. so ile grow more mixed loose leaf lettuces in their place.
I like your garden...many vegetable plants,happy planting😊
This is making me so excited about spring!! Your videos are always such a pleasure to watch.
Awhh I am pleased to hear!! And thank you so much!
Looking forward to sowing this season. Thank you.
Have fun!
What are your favorite short day spring onions? What climate zone are you in? Can't wait to get your book here in the USA in May!
It’s super good to know nowish is the right time to plant perennials. I have quite a few in pots, and will be planting them out soon. ❤. Thank you!!!
Start of my growing season when I see videos like this coming out!
Woop woop!
Thank you for the list of tasks for this month to start my own gardening, it's very inspiring. I've already started planting some herbs but aubergines, peppers and chilies will definitely get on my list too. I love using them for my cooking and having them produced in my own garden will be much more satisfying.
Oi m8 you're a whole month ahead of me! You're such a tease! =D
Huw, one question regarding peppers. I kept my bigger plants indoor to try and get them through to the next season as perennials, now I'm wondering how to get them to start coming out of their winter induced dormancy. Got any tips on that?
I have read about growing celery in the hole of a cement building block (breeze block in UK terms, I believe). That will hold them in and they will grow up, not out.
My climate is harsher than yours so I’ll be employing your ideas 4-6 weeks later. Best, TeresaSue
Hi Huw, As always a helpful and down to earth :-) video. Also, great to hear you talking about polytunnel growing. More please! Many thanks
🐝 Thanks for the great video 🌻
When is your average last frost date? I need to adjust this to fit my Pennsylvania calendar
Around mid-May :)
Thank you so much for your great videos, which I enjoy all year round. I am watching from the north coast of Brittany, and I have to say that your climate is extremely similar to ours.
Thank you so much! And yes I am not surprised!
Good evening, I love watching you on TH-cam, you’re very knowledgable. I have sown my tomatoes and they have germinated, Can I put them out into my polytunnel as I am concerned they will get leggy?
Yet another amazing video, great tips for early sowings, keep up the good work 👍
I appreciate that thank you!!
Can I recommend Kalettes as a veg to try!! Tall, purple stemmed, handsome plants with loads of leafy florets which taste like a cross between a Brussels and Kale .. my first year of growing them and will definitely grow more this year !!
I found your channel just recently and I have to say I love it! I just have one question - I noticed you mention polytunnels and plastic trays pretty frequently and I was wondering how you feel about microplastics? Especially with the frail nature of plastic foil, I would be a bit afraid about leaking the little buggers everywhere
We're still covered in snow and ice! I don't know where to begin this year :(
Huw,
you're an inspiration and im dying to get back into gardening..
Question, your book, does it cover the Southern Hemisphere??
I'm in Australia and would love a "multi purpose / multi hemisphere" gardening book to work with..
maybe you could do some flash ups for us down south for our respective months too??
hugs
I think it makes more sense to find books and TH-camrs that are in the same part of the world as yourself.
Hello Hew, where can I buy organic seeds. Any recommendations would be appreciated. I live outside the UK. Love your video's and I can't wait to start my own garden. ❤
Great vid Huw 👍
Nice vegetables- I am a beginner - how do you stop pests and snails?
Book order placed! Don't know why everyone says celery is tricky to grow: I planted loads this year and it all germinated and thrived, indoors and out: Bit too much really!
You could try making celery salt
Thanks@@Silverstreamhomecrafts; I might very well give that a try :)
I find it impossible to grow.
@@theclumsyprepper I wonder if there are any varieties that like the Irish weather better...
@@alandeacon1988 Good question. The seeds I got were from U.K. yet, despite my best efforts, they didn't do well. Very few germinated, and those that did failed to thrive. Same with celeriac so I gave up on them.
Aw awesome, very informative video, I'm trying hardy kiwi this year, because unable to find meiwa kumquat tree for pnw -Washington State zone 8.
Thanks, wonderfully full ofinstructions as usual. Please could you tek me where I can buy field beans and what name they are marketed under? I have tried Chiltern seeds, Thompson and Morgan seeds and Plant world in Torquay but they can't tell me. Also here in Canada there is West coast seed, harvest heritage seed , Halifax seed , OSC seed but they are lost too. Would Vroma be classified as a field bean? I can buy broad windsor anywhere but no packet of seeds is ever called "field beans" It is a huge puzzle. Please help!
Thank you 🎉❤
Yes, now is the time to start sowing 🌱 Today I was wondering if I should harvest some sunchokes for dinner. They are so great and I would recommend them as well.
I save carrot seeds!
I wish I knew how to save Brussels sprouts seeds. Until I do, hybrids might be worth a try!
Same way - you let the plant flower and collect the seeds when they matured.
You inspire me once again to get sowing, but the problem is my garden got covered in brambles last year and my little veg plot is very shaded! How I wish I had a plot that is open like yours.
Where do we purchase your latest book please?
I have all your other books, very interesting and informative, but my plot is a nightmare for someone who wants to grow! Thanks.
Hello Huw, lemme ask you a question. Do you penetrate the tubs where you grow the potatoes or not?
Thank you
Where abouts is this filmed? Its way too cold in most of the uk to be planting seed
He's in Wales, I think.
Woohoo!!! I can't wait to get sowing 😁
I grew sunchokes as a screen. I can’t eat them I am super sensitive to their less friendly attributes but they made an excellent screen.
For sure!!
If you ferment them, then you should be able to eat them without any issues
You can also use them to make alcohol as a source of biofuel
Hello Huw great video l was wondering when your last frost date is? Thanks
Around mid-May
@@HuwRichards thanks very close to mine here in Michigan again thanks for all the videos
@@HuwRichards I know you are in a different country but if you had to guess would that be zone 6b or so? I'm in 5a and you seem to be able to grow year round and we are not able to, which is fine but I'm always trying to see what we can grow comparatively.
Zone 8 but average first frost in early-mid October@@ht6684
I wish I had more space, This year, I'm trying peas and try growing beetroot again
Inspiring video, thanks Huw. You say onion sets do not need any heat source, but do they not tend to go into seeds later on when exposed to cold weather in their early stages?
Depends on the variety of onion. Sturon for example doesn't ever go to seed if planted from sets in Feb. I've had most problems with sets going to seed from autumn planting and red onion varieties like Baron.
Super helpful thanks Huw!
Thanks for your video sir. I live in North London. Where can I get seeds to buy at this time, apart from B&Q & Home Base?
I only buy seeds online now really; real seeds, she grows veg, tamar organics, kings seeds, wales seed hub, vital seed, premier seeds etc should get you started
Hi do enjoy your videos live in grow zone 9B .Would it be early to try new peotatoes. Do love em 😋 any help would be much appreciated thanks Dave co Donegal 🇨🇮
What grow zone are you in? Im in U.S. 5a
I think south England is 6-9 😁👍
Would you recommend multi-sowing onions from seed? I have limited space and thought, instead of single onions, I could experiment with a clump of onions. Your thoughts please. Thank you 🙏
You can, I have had less luck with multisown alliums (onions and leeks) compared to single plants, but I have seen other people succeed
Thank you very much for your advice 🙏
Please tell me you're not sowing Amaranths in February! Most varieties need at least 20°C to germinate.
Love your video's and love your books!
Will the new book be published in Dutch too?
I hope so but I have no date!
Any advice about moving a gooseberry place? We are moving in a couple of months so need to move the gooseberry bush to the allotment... Im a little worried
I have similar questions. We move at the end of March, but shops are selling raspberry canes right now. Wondering if I would miss the window.
@@CWorgen5732just an idea of what I personally did, I moved mine into growbags so that we could move them with us. We are hoping this year we can get them in the ground again but if we miss it it’s ok they been in the grow bags for 4 years and doing well every year get a good amount off them.
Maybe this will help ya.
While it's dormant, during the winter months right now is the best time to move it! You can dig it up and put in a pot with some soil for transferring; just make sure the roots don't dry out. If you move it while it's dormant, it won't even know it's been moved when it wakes up in the spring.
@@alybee106 good idea! Now wondering if I should plan a trip out to the house this weekend, and just buy the bare-root cuttings on the way 😅
@cherylhowker1792 hoping we have room for a couple of pots of dirt, seedlings, and starts 😂
🇨🇦 as you are sitting in your garden making this video , is it February there ? Just want to know how I can compare our weather to yours . My garden still has a snow drift in it 😉
This is my first year to grow vegetables. Im going by what it says on the packet. So can you sow early than what it says.
I always sow earlier than the packets say.
You can, but depending on the plant, you might need to do them under cover. Milk jugs with the bottom cut off make a great little greenhouse.
When will you be showing us how to make a hoop tunnel? Im sure you said you were going to? I need to make one this year to save my leafy greens from cater-pillocks 😂
At the moment on Feb 23rd I have a video about it coming out
@@HuwRichards Ohhh thats ages 😞
@@Jessworton it's just over 2 weeks? That's not ages haha
@@HuwRichards Ohhh okay. You’re right 😞😂
Does it count as "self-sufficient" if you buy onion sets? Asking for a friend
Ooh think you're so tough do you? 💪
❤❤❤❤❤❤
What growing zone are you in?
What zone are you in?
He's in U.K. so you can figure it out yourself, I'm sure.
Would be wrong to get tomatoes like mid month. I want them big.
You could, but some (like Huw) find that February tomato plants are weak, and March tomato plants can quickly catch up with them.
❤
Someone has suddenly become really handsome 😮
Who, you 😉?
February isn't the same in all places, and you should have mentioned the location (or hemisphere) this video applies to. For us in Australia, spring starts in August/ September
I don't comment on Australian gardeners and request the same thing because they're Australian and I don't expect them in their free videos to try and cater for absolutely everyone
@@HuwRichards Well said.
Why not find Australian growers then, instead of bitching at Huw?
All you needed to do was to click on his channel info to find out he's in U.K., or are you too lazy to do it?
👍
Confused, why Sunchokes and not Jerusalem Artichokes, or are you aiming at the American audience?
I prefer the name sunchokes now haha
Love your passionateness as always Huw 🙌 when you get the Yacon growing you will be able to enjoy “the crunch” all winter too 💚 I’ve got Garlic kale from @shegrowsveg which I’m pretty excited to try ✌️🌿