Be ahead in February with spring almost here

[@nickhammersonrocks]

WE’VE WATCHED THIS CHANNEL LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT ADAM BEING “KEEN” ON GROWING MUSHROOMS IS A GROSS UNDERSTATEMENT !!!!!!! IT SEEMS MORE LIKE A “SEVERE, STRANGE, AND POSSIBLY ADDICTIVE” FASCINATION !!!!!! ROCK ON ADAM 🤘!!!!!!!!!!

[@myco_ad]

😂

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂

[@kimberleywood]

I can confirm that he talks to his mushrooms more than than does to me 😉😂😂😂

[@theclotshotdidit3115]

Lol

[@K.Ishana]

I use coco coir, worm castings and perlite for my indoor plants. Do you think I could use the same mixture with vermiculite instead for seedlings?

[@AP_farm_agriculture]

What a happy 13 minutes of my life. Totally worth it, every minute of the video is inspiring. Your garden is loved and well taken care of by many people. Thank you

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@janetrush8340]

The calendar is one of my favorite things.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear Jane

[@kdixuebw7884bfb]

Subscribing to your channel because I admire you EVEN MORE for your courage on speaking out about the trouble in our skies ❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I appreciate that thanks

[@angelad.8944]

I had a chuckle when you pruned the fruit tree. ☺ One of the hardest things to convince people to do is prune their new fruit tree back. To convince a person that pruning the top half is really the best thing for that brand new to them, sweet little baby tree, well that is a monumental feat, lol.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😊 nice thanks!

[@georgestreetorchard]

I find one of the hardest things is convincing people that the best thing is to not make heading cuts and focus on branch training. This allows the tree to express it's natural architecture and settle into a fruiting phase faster. When there is plenty of light around a maiden stem or leader, it will typically radiate wide angle branches (very steep ones, aka competing leaders, can be thinned entirely). Depending on the rootstock, it may be useful to head a tree back once as a maiden stem, to induce a multi-axis tree - each axis is spaced to spread vigour, and thereafter treated as an independent tree). We grow 13 apples on m26: 90% of the fruit is reachable from the ground, with thinning cuts only when a crotch angle is too steep. Just as they look to be getting out of reach, they 'crop and flop'. We get to experience something close to their true character and they need almost no interventions after 2 or 3 years. This shift has taken place in commercial orcharding (for all it's other problems), but hasn't trickled back to home growing. Removing terminal buds keeps the tree fighting for the sky and without careful follow up spacing of the resultant upright growth, the tree becomes congested, necessitating removal of unwanted interior growth. Every cut is wasted energy from the tree and wasted time. Heading cuts deny a trees fruiting mode: shoot, lateral, fruit. Yes, there is often stronger growth below the cuts, but it doesn't catch up to where it would have grown anyway. A tree doesn't get bigger, faster by having it's tips removed each year. It's only when we keep our secateurs off terminal growth that we can see a trees character and work with it, hastening productivity and a balance of fruiting and vegetative growth. The best text for this is 'Growing Fruit Trees', by Jean-Marie Lespinasse and Évelyne Leterme. Love your work Charles

[@Atimatimukti]

If you cut the top branch, you will have to prune every year. And the tree will be more prone to diseases . It's our need to interfer that creates so many problems. Nobody cuts the new trees anymore except prunus ( peach, plum etc)

[@angelad.8944]

Very True. I should have specified it was for the people who have small garden spaces that really have to keep the trees pruned.@@Atimatimukti

[@MrCobbsalad]

Bravo Charles, great to hear you mention the activity in our skies. You will no doubt be vilified by many but little do they know that if your correct they and their children are been affected too. It has been non stop the last year or so and is depressing and worrying what is happening. Take care

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much and yes, here since 3rd May, it's a huge operation.

[@MrCobbsalad]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig May is when I noticed it first too up in Scotland, it was so noticeable and hasn't stopped since. It was a glorious sunny day ruined within an hour by multiple planes zig zagging everywhere, I would not have believed it without seeing it first hand.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Fascinating thanks

[@CoenCoenNL]

@@MrCobbsalad This has been going on at least 30 years. I first remember seeing it in the early 90s.

[@MrCobbsalad]

@@CoenCoenNL I don't doubt it, what can we do about it?

[@AmateurTriesEverything]

Thank you for inspiring millions like me to start growing their own food. No dig is way easier and a lot of fun.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Super to hear

[@jeffjeffreym1830]

I'm so glad I saw you pruning your recently planted apple tree. I have one in a very similar condition and wouldn't have had the confidence before. Thanks.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Go you!

[@turtle2212]

.... Even though I was thinking to call the animal shelter for rescue this little tree of a cruel gardener. I did not know this 'dark' side of you before Sir Charles 😊.

[@chaddamp2894]

I so admire your garden,thanks Charles

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you

[@robertling9872]

A beautiful and inspiring video from a NoDig gardening expert. Thank you Charles for sharing your knowledge and experiences.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you and you are very welcome

[@patriciaserdahl5577]

I'm so grateful for you teaching me several years ago to grow in Compost everything thrives Our climates are very similar Im in PNW Washington so thank you again Charles 😊 👍 great Video

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful to hear this Patricia and may spring arrive soon 🌱

[@annerinarebel9111]

I really really enjoy watching all your videos. Thank you so much for sharing them and thank you for sharing so much of your knowledge with us 🎉🎉🎉. With love, from the Netherlands.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you like them! 💚

[@georgeasgautr]

Charles, what a legend you are for sharing all this information you've gained over the years. Ive just had my 26th birthday and in fact asked for your module tray starter pack 😂probably not a common request from 26 yr olds but Im planning on growing a lot this year so they're a worthy investment. Potting mix is ready, seeds organised, garden plan drawn up and Im looking forward to an awesome year and I owe a lot of it to your guidance. Cheers 👍🏻

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for your great feedback, and I'm happy that you are making progress. That sounds like a really worthwhile present!

[@weibullguy]

New Year's Day is best spent nursing an hang over and ordering all my seeds. Valentine's Day is easy to remember as the day I start my first seeds for the year. I made enough compost last summer and covered all my beds with two to three inches after my two trial beds convinced me to go 100% No Dig. Even had enough to start a couple new beds just for cut annual flowers. I've got about 15 yards of compost I made last fall to start a couple of new vegetable beds in a few weeks. Super excited to see the results of going 100% NO Dig this season!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear of your success, I will look forward to hearing how your 2024 goes 🙂 🌱

[@vincei4252]

Thanks for the video. It reminds me to start planning this years growing season. Last year everything got away from me but I'll make concerted effort to not let that happen again. Still pretty cold here in Connecticut, 20F overnight but expecting 3 days of full sunshine come the weekend. Been weeks of overcast dreariness

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I hope it goes well. Amazing you had lots of grey!

[@KOLLEKZIYA_FASOLI]

💚💚💚Dear Charles, thank you for being you. When I look at your vegetable garden, I get even more inspiration to do something. I have loved the vegetable garden since childhood and am still faithful to my work. The vegetable garden is something big for me than food. For me this is a good mood and a desire to do something wonderful for our planet.💚💚💚

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Dreviet! You are so welcome and I am happy to read this. More than food is so true. Did you know that I'm working with translators to build a KZbin channel in Russian, about my work? kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZPHimBnecSLfq8si=MeE_RgOjmn9xA6_Z

[@KOLLEKZIYA_FASOLI]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Yes, Charles, I know, and I was incredibly happy to see it. Thank you very much. Endless love for your business from me💚💚💚

[@janeabeth1]

Still here, 5 years on, with even more enthusiasm ❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How wonderful Jane 💚

[@1twilight9]

Charles, I heard the Blackbird sing this evening, the 1st Feb, never heard one so early. it was sweat for soar ears. Could be an early spring 🌞

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh wow! I'm not sure they know what is coming always though!

[@stevendowden2579]

most enjoyable charles

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Steven

[@MizWhyz]

This is like meditation for gardeners.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That's nice thanks

[@andyc972]

Thanks Charles inspiring and calming as always !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@davewildeboer1254]

Thank you Charles, are you able to do a video on how you build your metal loops to hold fleece. Thank you in advance!! From Langley, BC, Canada

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I don't make them, but by 2.5 meter lengths (for 1.2m beds) of 4mm high-tensile, galvanised, straightened wire - in the UK buy from Sharanya Eco Garden. A less expensive alternative is 5mm, softer and not high tensile wire.

[@carotrike]

The second one I've watched. You have such a gentle way about you that I love! I'm so glad your Pete is on the mend! What a lovely way to keep your positivity; cuddling your chicken (and yes I do watch Helen, she recommended you!) and working on your weekly labels and your squares! J love how your mind works when you freestyle, it's like doodling with thread! A great idea to look at some flower embroidery for when you're feeling you can concentrate on more (and you will, because you aren't putting pressure on yourself). Keep well, thinking about you both ❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, I am Charles Dowding 😮

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

I can hear the Northern Gardeners tapping their foot, so eager to get outside to plant. I love your Skills book 📖 If you ever visit Central Florida, I will ask you to autograph it🖋 ❤Peggy❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂 haha yes Peggy I shall, if I get there, and yes we are waiting! Although I am happy to have time still

[@Weissklangi]

Perfect moment for me, I only have more time at around mid february to start planning the garden this year and buying new seeds. Thought I was already late, but thank god i'm not.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good, you have loads of time 😎

[@tanju9041]

Hi Charles, I received my calendar yesterday, thank you so much and with it came a very much appreciated gift of seeds. I will grow them with much pleasure knowing they are fresh and from your garden. The calendar also looks brilliant with lots of information about second sowings etc. I’ll keep reading! Thanks again.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lovely to hear and I wish you happy harvests

[@AB-mn2tx]

Great video as always, Charles. Little info for ya, on your grow light in the house. You should peel the blue film from the underside of the reflector. The hammered dimples on the underside bounce the light around for a more even spread. The blue film is just there to protect the polishing 😉 Peel it off and the baby's will love you. Tiff

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for the tip! I just did!!

[@Dindoes]

Thanks Sir Charles. Great video as usual. I must say I’d never thought I’d see the day you using grow light 😊. Side note, Feb is a very busy month for chilli growers 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great tip!

[@gourdcrazy]

Love this. Thanks!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are very welcome 🙂

[@evac4966]

👌👏👏👏👏👏👏Gracias!! Eva desde Piedra de Sapo Alta Gracia Córdoba Argentina 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Gracias. Cordoba, region of many harvests!

[@tateneve2264]

Just ordered some of your module trays, excited for their arrival, bring on 2024 growing some heirlooms this year, my 3dr year of growing 🤞🏽🙏🏽 thank you for being part of my journey.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good luck and I am happy to be helping!

[@stevenbp101]

Good morning, How I love this time of year. It’s nice to see your preps. I wish I could just come and work with you for a year. Hope you have a great year. (Old guy from Arkansas)🇺🇸

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you enjoyed it Steven

[@Iamhome365]

I have bought a little mountain of organic open pollinated and heirloom seeds and cant wait to get started! We have a lot of work to do to get my beds ready. Im plagued with couch grass!! Bust digging it out every day in my tunnel, an absolute nightmare but i keep ploughing on 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

? I would try no dig!

[@jesserahimzadeh4298]

Charles you should look into notching buds on apple and pear trees. Rather than losing the growth by cutting it back you can notch above a bud and that bud will start to grow and become a scaffold branch.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oooh interesting thanks

[@staciecleveland7829]

Great video Charles! Your garden sure looks different than it did when I was there for the course in October. But still quite lovely! Its nice to hear affirmation not to rush this time of year! I just weeded my beds and spread compost yesterday and today. Still more to do tomorrow. I will use this video as inspiration for other garden jobs this month! First sowings planned for mid Feb

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I'm so happy to see your comment, Stacie, and to hear that you are chipping away, getting ready for the year ahead. I guess that means you are not under snow in BC. Here on the other hand, we are forecast much colder weather for the rest of February, and even into March, so that will be interesting, maybe not in a good way! Say hello to your mother!

[@staciecleveland7829]

@CharlesDowding1nodig no snow! We had a cold snap that killed most of my overwintering vegetables that were outside undercover. The greenhouse held up though. Now it's mild and wet. But I believe we will also have colder temps going into the end of Feb-March. I shall pass along the hello :)

[@aaronlawrence1507]

thank your for all your wisdom gardenwolverine!

[@BrokeFarmer]

Nothing but knowledge in this video, thanks 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

My pleasure 😊

[@irenesmith5676]

Hi Charles enjoyed every bit lv Irene 😘 xx

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear Irene

[@MamyBiBiOfficiel]

WAA ! Le jolie chat .

[@smas3256]

Hi Charles and crew. Zone 6b. We use grow lights and heat mats. . It's been so mild here our late fall garlic planting has been sprouting so I've been covering with more mulch after rains. You are doing Very unusual planting methods. Tried and true successes. Great for small gardens. Thank you.. and much appreciated.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is nice and thank you!

[@gardenonthemoors]

Top tips as always! I couldnt believe the size of those leeks 😮 fabulous. Thanks for sharing

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@jimchristensen965]

Good One Charles. Many Thanks!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Very welcome Jim

[@marinadejong2189]

Such a nice video to get into the mood for spring. Got the 3 course package from my partner and parents in law for my birthday last september. Couldn’t be more excited for the coming season in the allotment! Learning a lot through the course materials and cannot wait to learn more and enjoy gardening even more then I have been. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and happy growing! 🌱✌

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is nice Marina. There is a lot to learn, and the practical will reinforce it, I wish you successes 🌱

[@nikolajholst]

You’re the man Charles! Love you’re videos, attitude and spirit as always. Thank you! Have you tried making new beds exclusively with green-waste/municipal compost? That’s all I’ve got available, and in my no dig beds plants seem to survive but not really thrive, they don’t really adore it.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes I have, and growth was very average until mid summer, after that it improved a lot as the compost matured. It's not a uniform product however and some are still warm when delivered. So they would give you bad results especially for cropping until late summer. If it's your only option, I would spread a little potting compost on top just to give plants a lift.

[@N1CH0LAS007]

Highly informative growing techniques love it thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge with us, I'll be planting my cayenne peppers, sweet potato and purple potatoes two of my personal favourites much healthier gi levels than ordinary types. I've been using seaweed compost for a few years now along with the seaweed fertilizer it works superbly.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear Nicholas 😊

[@samanthahoos9827]

My beds had a light snow yesterday, but have been rained on for the past 9 days this winter. I’m spreading a second layer of compost on beds in March when I plant potatoes (home grown) and radishes. I put compost on the beds in October, but find the second round of compost helps fill my raised beds.😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hi Samantha, if you have raised beds, I would look to keep the level right up to the top. It probably was when you made them and that's how compost can shrink, but over time, you need to add less in subsequent years.

[@pofdsjoijsodfjsoidf]

0:10 Make sure you make elder flower syrup in June, Charles. It's delicious. It's just flowers, sugar, lemon, water in a big cauldron for a few days, then filter and bottle.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, finding time is my issue, and I love it

[@eadjh98]

Thanks for sharing Charles, I have a pear tree that’s about eight years old and in the spring it has loads of blossom but they never seem to come to anything so maybe I should give it the same treatment as you did with your Apple!, 👍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes though less drastic!

[@tedbastwock3810]

I've had years of great success using the cheapest possible florescent lights to grow seedlings. At the same time I bought them I also bought a "proper" grow light, so to speak, that was advertised as such. I actually came to prefer the cheap regular florescent lights because they caused less heat and dried out the growing medium much less. For the price of the grow light I can buy 5 sets of the cheap regular florescent lights. The only thing I did with the cheap ones is make sure each ballast had equal number of warm colored and cool colored bulbs in order to try to get a more full light spectrum. And I also lowered and raised them more because their light output was less than the grow light. But in my updated system that Im about to setup Im going to only use the cheap regular florescent lights. Love this content, Charles, cant wait for the March one, really hope this becomes a regular on your channel, the monthly to-do videos!!! Videos like this are a great compliment to go with your calendar, which I am enjoying for the 2nd year now. And kudos to the videographer, producer, you rock!! 💚💚💚

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Ted, great advice! So interesting. Edward does a great job.

[@robnicolson2747]

Love the video and advice as always, I did notice you've left the protective film on your grow lamp I wasn't sure if there was a reason for it? Many thanks, Rob.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Rob!! Amazing thanks, I had not even noticed, am no lights expert. I just removed it and the light is less blue! 😂

[@robnicolson2747]

Haha I wasn't sure if it was for a specific reason to be honest, I'm no expert but you may find a little more efficecy with the light reflection to :-D

[@brianbarcroft9167]

Thank you Charles.

[@MsKhaeli]

I just absolutely adore this channel. I have your diary and calendar for this year and I am so eager to get going in County Durham (way up north to you) so I know I have to be at least 2 weeks behind you. Thank you so much for everything you and your team do, we love you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yay, thank you! You have more time!

[@ThousandYardStare]

2 weeks is a conservative estimate as I live in Northumberland and we're probably a good month behind the 'South' up here - That's why my greenhouse is double glazed, lol Best of luck with your garden.

[@MsKhaeli]

@@ThousandYardStare Same to you :-) Just seen your double glazed cold frame, good on ya for taking those glass panels. I've got some outside that I need to strip out of the UPC, Maybe i can do something like your design, it looks fab! 🙂

[@pondguru]

@@MsKhaeli (my other channel) I wish you the best of luck with that project and I wish I'd taken the time to make a video of the building process for the cold frame as it's quite a structure. I grew a nation of dwarf tomato plants in there last year and this year it will be used for the tomatoes and dwarf chili plants as it can easily get up to 35 degrees C on an average Summer day in there with the windows open on the lowest setting (approx. 4" open). My greenhouse easily gets up to 40 degrees C with some of the windows open in the Summer and never drops below 10 degrees C since it backs onto a shed that contains the batteries for my solar system and that acts as a thermal battery. It cost a small fortune compared to a 'normal' greenhouse but it's money well spent, especially considering how cold our Summers are set to get leading up to 2030 and beyond. Growing crops will be more difficult in the near future so I'm looking well ahead.

[@pondguru]

@@MsKhaeli (my other channel) I wish you the best of luck with that project and I wish I'd taken the time to make a video of the building process for the cold frame as it's quite a structure. I grew a nation of dwarf tomato plants in there last year and this year it will be used for the tomatoes and dwarf chili plants as it can easily get up to 35 degrees C on an average Summer day in there with the windows open on the lowest setting (approx. 4" open). My greenhouse easily gets up to 40 degrees C with some of the windows open in the Summer and never drops below 10 degrees C since it backs onto a shed that contains the batteries for my solar system and that acts as a thermal battery. It cost a small fortune compared to a 'normal' greenhouse but it's money well spent, especially considering how cold our Summers are set to get leading up to 2030 and beyond. Growing crops will be more difficult in the near future so I'm looking well ahead.

[@martinlundberg7070]

Always interesting listening to you talk, can have your videos on in the background just for the ambiance of it. Interesting things, things I didn't think of before. Difficult here in Sweden, been really cold, and still more cold coming soon, so difficult to get things done. But watching videos like this makes be believe I can, at least soon.

[@julianikonova9026]

Hej Martin, jag tittar också från Sverige och väntar… jag ska gå och lägga lite till kaffesump och rens från köket i min kompost idag. Våren kommer så småningom, håll ut , vännen

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you like them

[@sharonscott8358]

I've been desperate to get to my allotment this winter as I had so many jobs I wanted to do. If only it would stop raining!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

This weekend!!

[@sharonscott8358]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig 👍

[@lorainemcguire5795]

Thanks Charles I've the same size trees we planted last year I've dreaded pruning them we're going to do ours tomorrow now seeing your video 🍏🍐🍎🫐

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear Loraine!

[@trockodile]

I'm keen to get stuck in with hot bed growing (rather than just seed starting) having enjoyed Jack First's excellent book. This time of year we grow a lot of indoor 'salad' via micro-greens (pea shoots, bean shoots, radish, broccoli, etc). Love those trays, super solid and a great investment. We used them last year for multi-sown radish, salads, onions (main and salad), etc. to great success! Thank you for these excellent resources and encouragement to get going and get growing!👍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That's great to hear, and I wish you ongoing success. Just watch out when the manure is fresh, for ammonia gases which can singe the leaves.

[@trockodile]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Many thanks, will do. I've seen a number of people (yourself included) report issues of the hotbed gases having a negative impact upon crops, particularly where the hotbed is constructed within another structure (greenhouse, polytunnel, etc) and had wondered if it was the more stationary air in such situations that had contributed to the negatives side effects? Fingers crossed for the delightful Scottish Highlands winds keeping us free of such issues with an outdoor hotbed!👍🤞

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so right that the effect is bad in static air such as a greenhouse. Outside, it will be very little problem, but the other issue then is lack of heat retention! Thanks to your delightful winds!

[@alanchamberlain4173]

Very inspiring AND reassuring. Little bits of plastic in my experience are tape from parcels. Good to see that some famous very large online suppliers now use paper adhesives. Not all garden suppliers do, sadly. Shall be out in an hour or so: old apple whose fruit we are not keen on is coming out (tough) gaining about 7 sq m for more vegetables, and planting a new self-fertile cherry. The cardboard scrounge is BACK ON. Potatoes arrived yesterday (my favourite Arran Pilots this year): egg-boxes are ready. Thank you Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Alan, sounds positive 😀 nice tip for Arran Pilot

[@dstyslinger]

Expanding the garden now we have an infestation of deer so I have to fence the garden and we're building going from 16' by 12' to about 24' by 16' looking forward to more plants. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great and best of luck

[@maxiemills6982]

I am so encouraged by your experiments. I am going to do some experiments also!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh good!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear Maxie 🙂

[@Birdland-Homestead]

Great video, thanks Charles! :D

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Ah thanks

[@MrSunlander]

Thanks, Boss!

[@lewiskennedy3843]

This will be my first year with an allotment, it’s been abandoned for a bit and I’ve basically got a lawn to rip up in the next couple of months 😅 I’ll be rewatching your old vids for advice

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hey Lewis, save yourself the job and leave the lawn in place, leave all weeds growing and just lay mulches on top of them, anything from cardboard to compose to black plastic, as you see here. It's quick.

[@lewiskennedy3843]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig😅 sorry Charles, I didn’t watch until the end

[@sualleron3001]

Thank you for another very useful video. We have had a few days of extremely mild weather here in SW France. (16 degrees+) Weeds are growing....so I am busy weeding then spreading compost, which I couldn't do before because of all the wet!

[@JVSwailesBoudicca]

Our weeds never seem to stop growing all through the winter. Having said that we have only had one week of winter weather here anyway (Near Sandringham) !

[@garydenner6253]

Outstanding information gov! Gary,(7th generation 1st fleet convict)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you enjoyed it and are free to garden!

[@ofrecentvintage]

My personal seed purchasing deadline is New Year's Eve (for the following year). It's worked well for me to have my inventory in hand before the frenzy of January/February starts!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice

[@elinolden1927]

Thank you 💚

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I agree that is expensive and do not in fact use those lids. These prices come from the company who market my designs. The trays themselves I feel are top value because they last forever so the cost is spread over many years. Also they were exceptionally well and do not damage plant roots.

[@franksinatra1070]

Thanks Charles. Did not know celery needs light to germinate. Planning on putting some in under lights in a week so will keep that in mind. We still have quite a bit winter to go here. Supposed to get cold and perhaps snowy second half of Feb into Mar. I'm going to try and get out before that and pick the remainder of my carrots and put some compost down for brassicas in that bed for April. Also want to set up a mini poly tunnel over a bed for early plantings of lettuce arugula and radishes. Just trying to get ahead of the game like you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That sounds good. We also are forecast cold weather for late February. However, nothing is certain that far ahead.

[@Justus11167]

I cold started my celery last year and they turned out bigger and better than regular grow light method. I’m zone 9b.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice!

[@pingupenguin2474]

I would love to avoid using plastic where possible, have you had a look at alternatives for things like seed trays, pots,etc ?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes for sure but wood takes up loads more propagation space, needs more compost and leads to woodlice etc. What are called soil blocks is your best alternative, only problem being that they take more time to make and it's quite an art to get to the mix right with a high level of moisture, like making a cake! If you are a big producer, they can make sense, economies of scale, et cetera. My propagation trays are a once only purchased, they lost four year after year, ultimately, I am told they can be recycled.

[@hernesc]

Dear Charles, I’d like to ask how you fight with Armadillidium. At 8:15 you had quite a woody compost, if I had it, there will be tons of Armadillidium and they are able to eat all small plants. Radish, beans and even cucumber. I have to get rid of wood from a compost as much as possible otherwise those little beasts are there almost instantly. thank you. btw. those plastic leftovers are usually rest of transparent tapes that are on the cardboards and one can easily overwatch them when putting cardbord on the compost.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, and yes, you're right, it's the cardboard! As for the woodlice, that's a very good point and where I have a woody surface like that I'm careful not to transplant spinach or lettuce. But taller plants are fine, grow away from them because thewoodlice eat only leaves which are right on the surface, they are not good climbers.

[@Im-just-Stardust]

Charles your videos are very helpful in stressful times :) Cheers, they really do help on so many level. I also had a quick unrelated question. I recently found out that I have huge patches of Japanese Knotweed on my permaculture and I was wondering if you had any experience with this invasive weed. Thank you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear, except about the Japanese knotweed! I'm afraid I have no experience of it, thankfully, and do not know of remedies, good luck!

[@Im-just-Stardust]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thank you !

[@clement6574]

Hello Charles, How do you fertilize and maintain your lawns? What are your lawncare tips regarding compost and organic fertilizers ? Thank you

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I don't! My top tip is to mow regularly, and if you want it really green, you will need to water. Here the climate is pretty damp most of the time, and that keeps the sward green. It's actually only 50% grass! The next short I publish in a few days time will have more on this.

[@clement6574]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig thank you so much for your quick answer. Je suis français. I randomly watched the video call/interview you've had with "Le potager d'olivier". I'm looking forward your next post about that subject!

[@turtle2212]

Hi Sir Charles, did I understand right that I can now start planting my roscoff onions for seed saving? Somehow I thought March, but certainly am keen to start NOW. Dankeschön! 🤗

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is correct. Are usually say March because many people have snow on the ground in February, but if the ground is free, I would plant them know and it's not a problem if there is freezing in February.

[@luisagarcia3961]

Obrigado Charles seus vídeos são muito úteis ❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

de nada, estou feliz Luisa

[@tinkeringinthailand8147]

It's been a very warm "cool season" here in Thailand, which has made it a difficult year for my winter veg (your summer veg), but I have had some success. As a keen gardener from the UK it is weird growing stuff here out of "so called" season :) I left a lot of my peas and bush beans to go to seed so I can experiment with "next generation" seeds. Plastic is a really big issue in my compost too, I think it grows in the compost as, like you, I don't know where it comes from LOL.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing this fascinatingly different information. Seed saving should help plant vigour and health.

[@nolamcneely7857]

Hello from Tennessee USA! Thank you for all your wonderful videos full of inspiration! You don't realize how much you have helped me have the courage and strength to fight the jungle every year! (Wild BlackBerry vines, poison ivy, honeysuckle and a mystery vine that's worse than the other 3). Thank you so very very much!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am glad to hear of your perseverance Nola and you are very welcome 🌱

[@rhysjaggar4677]

Due to the unusually wet autumn and winter here in NW London, I was unable to 'get ahead' today as a pond had appeared at the bottom of the garden (usually happens about once a decade), right next to where I wished to empty a mature compost dalek and put it out on the no-dig beds! I could do with a week of dry weather to aid various jobs, although with the fruit tree pruning all done, the no-dig beds all weeded and hoed/raked, the hedges trimmed and most of the edging done, I'm not in bad shape.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

As ever Rhys, you are ahead 💚! The rain has certainly been unusual, it's falling more intensely than it used to. I am so grateful for the excellent drainage resulting from no dig.

[@rhysjaggar4677]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Yes, what's odd is that the area the pond emerged has not been dug in 53 years, it being part of the garden lawn!! But you're right, no-dig veg beds drain so well that hoeing and raking in January is always possible up here.

[@lezleyneill]

As inspiring as ever Charles! A great reminder to check what seeds I need for the year ahead and start to think about sowing and maybe even a new no dig bed as ever year space is an issue for all my lovely seedlings! I do have a greenhouse but it's small so not enough space for a hot bed. Will look into some grow lamps for indoors, just need to convince my partner that it's a good use of the dining table😆😆

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oooh the dining room table, I like that!

[@m0ther0ne]

You can do a hot bed outside and put a cold frame on top. See hew Richard’s video

[@Maxime-s7r3p]

Hello Thank for vidéo Super le pus important : ne pas se presser Je commence le 15 février Merci encore Charles Maxime 22🇨🇵

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

C'est bien Maxime et allez la Bretagne, pays d'Asterix!

[@octagon12011]

Just bought some Pete's Peat Free which is full of worms. I suppose that means it's healthy but not nice bringing seed trays into the house for germination or pressing down modules and squashing the critters.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh wow!

[@ninirossau2304]

my beds need a lot of love. everything did poorly. but this year they are getting a lot of rabbit manure which is the best. I really want a lot from my strawberries.

[@pascalxus]

i'm in zone 9b my lows overnight are around 6 to 10 C with it reaching about 18C durring the day. I can sow stuff outside and it will germinate, after a while. but, things grow very very very slowly. my daikon radish seeds that germinated 2 months ago, are still barely an inch tall and they've been picked over by birds. so i also suggest starting indoors and then planting out.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Helpful advice Pascal, thanks

[@jerradcampbell74]

Growing your own potatoes is the chit.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😎

[@kunstrls8426]

Thank you for this new type of video. Very useful! In one of the shots you show a bed of nice, thick and quite low leeks. Very nice for winter. Which variety is that?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you liked it! Bandit, will grow a lot in March and esp. April before flowering.

[@redartisanwolf6716]

Hey charle i have a question about starting my new garden involving no dig but also haveing heavy equipment on hand. If you have a moment please comment back qnd let me know ty very much

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Unsure what you mean. No need to use big equipment

[@redartisanwolf6716]

@CharlesDowding1nodig no im saying i have big equipment on hand . I just fenced in a garden area of 100 feetx80feet. I have followed you for a very long time as well as other chanels. I have access to excavators specifically and was going to ask if theres anythinf i can do with the machine in my garden that would help me out. Should i dig out the sid and grass layer to prevent weeds or dig out the pathways b4 mulching . Would it help to scratch the surface of the bed area and remove the grass or sod cap before adding compost for my no dig mounds? I have the equipment and a large project to complete im just wondering if i can implement the equipment in any way to help my project. I know ppl put down cardboard first to kill the weeds but would they use a machine to remove the weeds first if they had access to one? Just trying to see if having the equipment could help me . Ty for fast response any further info would be greatly appreciated

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Makes sense now. That might save time for you but reduces soil fertility and life temporarily. Pathways could be 3cm lower. I would never do this but in your case it sounds viable

[@jakobbrun6535]

This is like a super minor thing, but the link on your webpage to the danish distributor of the CD60 trays, you have it spelled FantastikeFroe but its FantastiskeFroe ;) Loving your videos. I just sowed broad beans - in the slightly deeper containerwise trays, 'cos we havent sorted the garden yet so they need to grow in the trays for some time. But I did just get 16 tons of green waste compost delivered so the volume doesnt matter too much, and good way to test it out as well :D its quite wet, now, with some big lumps in, but its no longer hot. A result of a record breaking year, rain wise...

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for that Jakob! That wet compost may take a while to get lively :)

[@jakobbrun6535]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig first plants are just breaking through the surface now

[@hollymcgowan3006]

For the squash, did you put drip line under the black silage tarp? I have a heavy chickweed area and would like to tarp my beds and then plant the squash in climate zone 3, but dripline does not work well due to distance and I hand water for the most part. Have you had sucess tarping and hand watering?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes, are use no drip lines at all and we did not even water these very much because most rain trickles into the planting holes. We water by hand if it's needed

[@gyongyibezi9831]

awesome !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@evelynmosley3576]

I love your module trays! I've been using them 3 years now--love how easily the seedling pops out of the module for transplanting. Did I really see you planting whole onions? Please say a few words about this practice. Thank you

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you like them. And yes, they are for seed, see this short kzbin.infoON0xtj5Sd7A?feature=share

[@evelynmosley3576]

This linked video shows Charles planting onion seeds, not whole onions as in the video above. Would love to know about planting whole onions. @@CharlesDowding1nodig

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

See this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/rISqZYyprLZsm7c

[@DaraRich]

Nice early spring video! I wonder when to plant nice onion bulbs for seeds. Have I to wait past the last frost date or could they go out in the soil a little earlier? Thanks for the video!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, and yes you can plant them now but beware nights below -10C, may be safer to wait until March

[@rubyquinonez5966]

cuanto tiempo sr deja la luz de crecimiento mister charly.. 👀

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

No lo uso para mis plántulas porque tengo un invernadero. En este vídeo lo mostraba solo a modo indicativo y dos semanas máximo porque entonces las plantas estarán lo suficientemente grandes como para salir al exterior.

[@bibi-ev3qk]

Bob Ross des Gartens 💚💚💚

[@derekwood8184]

for people who don't have growing lights.. how good are reflectors?, i.e. kitchen foil.. I'm doing everything I can to minimise inputs, and just reflecting sunlight is a lot lower tech and more reliable.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Very good point. Maybe half as effective as the lights, and worthwhile

[@janetsmith9596]

I am following your advice to cover a bindweed bed with black plastic. I see you have planted through the plastic previously. Whilst this is great as the bed is not dormant for the year, is it more effective to keep the soil completely covered with no light etc from the slits for plants? Will it clear the bindweed more quickly if I don’t plant into it? Many thanks.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

In a word, no. The planting holes just need removing of new bindweed say avery week, is quick. And it's such a harvest to have, plus better for soil to have living roots in

[@janetsmith9596]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig ok - many thanks!

[@sarahwalters6979]

Good evening I'm wondering if you could recommend a polytunnel plastic supplier and possibly if you know how to work out the size I would need for a 16m x 6m and 2.5m tall. Thanx

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I would ask First Tunnels for their advice and they can supply plastic for you

[@stefflus08]

I prefer chitting potatoes in the dark because I plant them deep and then they have a head start if they're an inch or two. Also they haven't wasted energy making chlorophyll in a chit that will be buried. I think the reason people started chitting in light was to make sturdier chits that could survive a trip through a tractor planter.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Chits in the dark are fragile, you obviously manage but it means more digging to make the deep hole and short green ones grow great potatoes

[@44birdie44]

Charles, I like your shacket (shirt/jacket combo). Could you share the brand or where you bought it? I'd be interested in purchasing a similar garment!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, Boden cord jacket

[@livingladolcevita7318]

Been seeing a few adverts lately on Facebook about Black cabbages, seem to be very hardy in winter weather. Have you come across these? Getting ready to plant my broad beans.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I have grown them, and it's a misleading name because they are describing a type of Cavolo Nero kale which has been bred to grow fatter leaves. It's a kale, not cabbage and it's tasty, but I would say no more hardy than other kales

[@lorenfilis1973]

Thanks for the video. I have your book but I’m still confused about the time/temps I can put my germinated seedlings into an unheated greenhouse. Especially tomatoes so I can work backwards to sowing time.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

It depends on your weather, and how effectively your greenhouse might reduce the frost risk, because that's the concern with tomatoes, to prevent them freezing, and I can't tell you when your last frost date is. For much of Northwest Europe, I would say it's the middle of May unless you're in a city when it's earlier

[@lorenfilis1973]

Thank you for the answer. So one option is to sow beginning of May. Would bringing them in if there is a frost predicted work if I sowed earlier or would there not be much point? They weren’t very big by June and I didn’t get much harvest time out of them last year so keen to get a head start this year!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

V few people sow tomatoes outside, just because of what you say. They need time to grow first, from about mid March I guess for you. Maybe consider buying plants.

[@alanmagee81]

I left my potatoes in their delivery box for more than 9 weeks, they had sprouted in that time and i have since removed the sprouts and placed them in the conservatory to chit. Will this affect them much, will they grow well, or will they be prone to disease?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good work Alan, they will be fine

[@Plot22]

​@CharlesDowding1nodig before we know it, things will be in full swing - how time flies! As an experiment, I'll be doing an early sowing of Carrots in a bucket inside the polytunnel, using well-rotted horse manure mostly with a small layer of finer compost to sow the seed in. Also will sow some Chive seeds. This seed has come from plants that I sowed almost 30 years ago.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Fascinating!

[@Plot22]

I've done carrots in buckets before with well-rotted horse manure and the carrots, though not the biggest do not fork. Not sowed them this early before though. Will add some fleece for some extra warmth.