Botany and Mycology :)

Hi, sorry for taking so long, and thanks for your reply.

I do think that large tubs would be fine for your veg, although would make sure they are well drained (good holes in the bottom with some gravel), as another summer like this one and everything will be washed out!  They can also dry very easily, so it is more important to monitor each tub individually, with things like water and feed ratio being adapted to suit how much rain has washed through them.  I also like to water a container, let its soak in, and then feed it so it doesn't wash straight through and poorly feed the plants.

My garden is not too big, and I grow the majority of the veg in 3 raised stone borders, although will be expanding next year.  You really don't need too much space, and I grow organically, so cram things in a bit and feed heavily with liquified chicken manure (great but absolutely stinking, not loved by the neighbours!).

Your garden sounds lovely, and its nice to see you are gardening for wildlife too, I would like to plant more things like that next year inbetween the veg.  I'm also going to have a go at growing some field type mushrooms in the ground too, apparently they fixate many nutrients and make the veg bigger!  At present I grow the mushroom in the house, in bags of straw or wood chips, and fruit them in a large clear toy box.  Here is a link for a good website about growing mushrooms and has a good forum section; www.shroomery.org/.../Gourmet-Mushrooms (I have directed it to the gourmet section, as many of the people on that site are growing magic mushrooms and talking about drug experiences!).

I hope you are well and to hear more about your gardening ventures soon :)

Hi, sorry for taking so long, and thanks for your reply.

I do think that large tubs would be fine for your veg, although would make sure they are well drained (good holes in the bottom with some gravel), as another summer like this one and everything will be washed out!  They can also dry very easily, so it is more important to monitor each tub individually, with things like water and feed ratio being adapted to suit how much rain has washed through them.  I also like to water a container, let its soak in, and then feed it so it doesn't wash straight through and poorly feed the plants.

My garden is not too big, and I grow the majority of the veg in 3 raised stone borders, although will be expanding next year.  You really don't need too much space, and I grow organically, so cram things in a bit and feed heavily with liquified chicken manure (great but absolutely stinking, not loved by the neighbours!).

Your garden sounds lovely, and its nice to see you are gardening for wildlife too, I would like to plant more things like that next year inbetween the veg.  I'm also going to have a go at growing some field type mushrooms in the ground too, apparently they fixate many nutrients and make the veg bigger!  At present I grow the mushroom in the house, in bags of straw or wood chips, and fruit them in a large clear toy box.  Here is a link for a good website about growing mushrooms and has a good forum section; www.shroomery.org/.../Gourmet-Mushrooms (I have directed it to the gourmet section, as many of the people on that site are growing magic mushrooms and talking about drug experiences!).

I hope you are well and to hear more about your gardening ventures soon :)