Growing vegetables in a townhouse back garden (+ in my bedroom) - tomatoes, chillies, peas, potatoes

Lots is happening now that the weather is improving!
The first 500 to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare - skl.sh/justalex04241
Peas, potatoes and beetroot are in the ground (fingers crossed the slugs don't eat them all). Tomatoes are growing fast and will soon be planted into the allotment or in large containers in the garden.
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[@ed1251]

Maybe for next year, you could do a live plant-along video so we can plant things at the same time. I’d love to have a go but don’t really know what I’m doing and by the time time your videos come out, I’ve missed the boat on getting things in the ground or in pots 😅 Just an idea - love your videos.

[@jacks__9229]

This sounds like a great idea!

[@Nadia-il9qh]

You could watch these videos back next year but plant in time

[@haseebafzal9913]

Sound great

[@felicitywoodruffe4087]

Why don't you place cut off fizzy pop bottles over your pea plants until they get well established ? Just cut the bottoms off unscrew the cap a little and push into the soil over your seedlings

[@TrolloTV]

You can still start on a lot of stuff in Central Europe, it’s not too late!

[@OrganicMommaGA]

Most relatable quote for so many, "I've done it again: Went and spent all my pocket money at the garden center." Absolutely true for so many of us! And understandable, since you have an urban garden space with limits. Container gardening is a great option!

[@SarahAnn1989]

Alex, you are legitimately my favorite KZbinr. I watch a large variety of videos, and none of them are as peaceful and calming as yours. I appreciate your style and look forward to your next video each time! Happy gardening!

[@Bin-Club-Racing]

I can't be the only one who says "hi Alex!" out loud when a new video appears 😂

[@MegaSuperJaBaTo]

I know exactly, what you mean ... 😅

[@hevchip741]

Yep

[@noamjacob1216]

This is the most wholesome, relaxing, underrated channel I have ever seen ❤

[@xBINARYGODx]

its got half a million subs - he is far from being underrated

[@noamjacob1216]

@@xBINARYGODxDo you need to pick a fight

[@shelbybaby1642]

@@noamjacob1216lol. To me that just shows that he’s underrated, only half a mil out of tens of millions of potential subscribers with his heart warming and educational content!

[@MHG796]

@@noamjacob1216 that's so sad lmao, just begging for attention.

[@emmakate2376]

fr i think he’s the only youtuber where i’ve watched every single video from him.

[@imraduin]

I did some so-called guerilla sowing this year, putting almost 10 sq meters of meadow flowers along a fence line at the corner of our appartement courtyard without asking anyone. It's never been used for anything anyways. For the bees!

[@Kyla94934]

I love this!!

[@imraduin]

It's been a rough spring for the flowers (and the bees) this year in Sweden and I've had to cover them with spruce twigs and such on several occasions to protect them from the cold, but finally by the end of this week the warmer weather arrives

[@karantenablues8630]

"And I've done it again. Spent all my pocket money at the garden center" same Alex, same 🤣🙈

[@Elvira-N631]

Hi! In Sweden we use copper tape to keep the snails out from eating our crops. We tape the sides of the pot and the snails don't want to cross it :)

[@SunFlower44453]

...but it doesn't work :(

[@FLopesVieira]

That's good, but if enough slugs try to cross the copper tape, it will lose its effect. I would do what you're saying, but I'd also make slug traps with beer.

[@shannonhayes3504]

I find copper tapes works fine

[@Shxzic]

Beer traps work well, or a mixture of yeast, sugar and warm water

[@wglee010]

I’ve heard that you can put a damp wooden board down and then the slugs go to live underneath and you just check it everyday and throw any slugs away!

[@linneagustavson6987]

Great video as always! Im Swedish and the beautiful lupines that grow here are actually very invasive and is not native to the swedish fauna. They actually cause big problems here since nothing else can grow where they grow. At least they're pretty! 😊

[@human840]

It is fascinating to see he actually became a gardener in a few years like a pro and beekeeper

[@pauls-trade]

Alllleeexxxx cant belive u got on allan titchmarsh soooo happy for you my man 😢🎉🎉 to see you on tv just made my day ur heart is pure and and filled with an innocence that just cant be brought omg soooo so happy for you i aint even got words to explain just well done u good lad

[@carmengiles456]

This year I've invested in a head torch & go out every night on slug/snail watch. The first few nights I can honestly say there were over a hundred snails/slugs in the garden. Now there may be two or three, so happy 😊 PS: I found that the copper rings are quite good too.

[@jvh1gcc]

Removing them at night is the only thing that's worked for me. It was impossible to grow anything in our garden because of snails. Now I go out after dark (rainy nights are best) with some sugar tongs and gather up all the ones I can see. I don't want to harm them ideally, so I just put them outside the back gate where they have a tough time getting back into the garden. If you keep doing this for a while, you'll dramatically reduce the population of slugs and snails in your garden!

[@carmengiles456]

​@@jvh1gcc I take them over the road to open grass & shrub land 😅

[@Ridley2907]

Egg shells and copper tape will deter slugs.

[@daviddeane7293]

Nice one, Alex it will be nice when the weather gets better and warmer. it's been more like winter 🥶😁🌞🌞🌞👍🪴

[@lesleyyoung5730]

I know your pain when it comes to slugs. I tried a tip and since then I've never looked back. At the base of your plants make a shallow indent, place a 1-2 inch tall x 2-4 inches wide, a lid works best for me. Then fill it with beer, they are attracted to the yeast, and they go in and die. Not a bad way to go I guess.😄 Make sure it's somewhat level with the soil. Good luck! *Also, not sure if any of your flat-mates own dogs or cats, but 'slug bait' is HIGHLY toxic, just please use with care.

[@jackorton821]

Sadly the beer method attracts new slugs, as they smell the beer for miles. Best method is to get your neighbour to set one up, to attract all the slugs from your garden.

[@lesleyyoung5730]

@@jackorton821 I can only speak of my own experience that has worked for many, many years.

[@faithf4988]

@@lesleyyoung5730 I agree....I'm in Arizona now and don't need to deal with slugs but when I lived in Kentucky, I always set out beer traps....worked beautifully

[@bennnnnnnnnn18]

Man, I’ve gotten super into gardening the past year and a half. I love watching gardening videos and I found your videos a couple months ago and it’s so awesome to watch your adventure and life unfold and learn from you. Thanks Alex!

[@kayaroots5386]

It's so calming to watch you gardening💜 Amazing to see how all those strawberries you've cut have grown so many new leaves! 😍🍓

[@nellyville1977]

I use crushed egg shells to make a parameter around my plants. The slugs stay away because they are sharp. Plus they are good for composting at the end of season. Hello from Washington State, USA Alex!

[@iammeniece]

Get you a small fan to put inside the box for air flow as well as put a vent whole in the box to breathe while closed its should help with the mold (it’s the wooden box it holding in the moisture)

[@PeterPanbe]

Yay another Alex video to brighten the day! Thanks for all this free-to-watch funny and interesting content & good fit with your sponsor, I'll check them out.

[@ledzep331]

Try cutting the bottom of 2l plastic pop bottles, use them to cover your seedlings to help protect them from slugs and frost till they get established.

[@Astrolab.insights]

I seriously gotta say, your video started my day off beautifully. I understand the joy of growing plants, sometimes you feel like their father lol

[@Coxeysbodgering]

If you put a board where the slugs are they will hide underneath during day warm spells and they're in one spot to remove. Re the mould in the grow box you need more air flow, maybe a silent pc fan, if you get a 5v one you could power it of a usb charge plug. If you fet some nasturtium seeds and plant them they can be sacrifical plants for the cabbage butterfly and moth aswell as giving you beauty and edibles. Take care , Mike

[@daphnebrooks116]

Greetings Alex 🙏 All the way from Jacksonville, Florida USA 🇺🇸. I absolutely love watching tour channel. L8ve how you just do it. It motivated me to try planting new things. Keep doing what your doing may God continue to bless you in the mighty name of Jesus Amen 🙏 ❤❤

[@NeilMartin98]

Lupin's are great nitrogen fixing plants, their proliferation in Iceland is a testament on how they can encourage new life.

[@finaldaylight3804]

This channel is a breath of fresh air..

[@gymbruh1824]

I do miss you're fishing content but at this point I watch you for eye bleach,,, so wholesome

[@softsoundwhispers]

I find these videos so relaxing to watch. Love that you share your mistakes along the way as well. Always seems like I’m chatting to a friend watching your videos ❤

[@erica031012]

Lupines are beautiful. In Canada they grow wild in roadside ditches and fields. When they bloom it smells beautiful and looks beautiful. Where I live the common colours are purple, blue (ish) and pink.

[@lottevanrangelrooij2799]

I was once advised to remove flowers from strawberries if they start producing the flowers early on in the season. This allows them to focus on making more foliage and increase fruit production later in the year. Also trying it out for the first time this year, but in my mind it makes sense 😛

[@martinracek763]

Hi! I’m a huge fan from Slovakia. In our garden we use a beer to keep the snails out of the plants. First you cut a plastic bottle in half, then you dig a hole just deep enough so the surface of your bottle will reach the ground level. Then pour beer into the bottle and the snails will get drawn into the beer and drown. It miht not work for everyone, but it definitely helped us 🙂.

[@stalker-anoniem3515]

I'm growing herbs indoors. The thyme popped up first, oregano second and basil third. 💚

[@SandraKossinova]

Congratulations on getting a sponsor!! Your tomatoes look so much bigger than mine do (I'm from Estonia and I'll have smaller balcony tomatoes 🍅) and I hope my tomao seedlings will be able to grow in time for the warm weather! ❤❤

[@YonatanOphir]

Hi Alex, love your videos!!!! I was absolutely thrilled to see that you decided to grow a lupin plant! By far my favorite flower to grow, looking forward to get an update on that plant and to see more of them in the future!!🙏🏻

[@davidpunter6331]

Have a wee look into slug killing nematodes, Alex! They're super easy to get hold of, and pretty simple to introduce to your garden. I use fungus gnat nematodes in my houseplants to keep them in check, and it works beautifully!

[@Gzzse]

Hey Alex! Big Fan And I Love Your Gardening Content! You Should Maybe Try To Create A Pollenator Garden To Attract Pollenating Insects And Butterflies! Good Luck With Your Gardening!

[@ItzPillow]

Morning! Perfect 1am video for me 😂😂(I'm on West coast of the US)

[@milo5498]

5am for me

[@fizzofnz4585]

It's such a blast planting in spring! Hope all your veg and flowers do well. By the way, with the slug pellets you only need a light sprinkle, not as heavy as you spread them. Like if you'd only used 1/4 of the box that would've been more than enough, and cheaper!

[@TheCeaselessHunger]

I love how much peace and joy it brings me to watch Alex’s videos. What a paradise Terra would be if it were populated by people like him.

[@AsDdSa552]

Amazing video and plants. You have made a lot of progression. Few things to keep in mind and test for next time: 1. You want to sift the seedling soil (big diiference in growth). Also add feed in to the soil, yes the seedli g have nutrients, but the moment the seed pop and plant start to show it needs feed. 2. You were actually on point with the tomatoes, you want this root development before transplanting. If you see soil falling from your plant during transplanting this prob means it was not ready and you are braking roots and stunning the plant. 3. Also i would invest in good growbox setup for seedlings ... if you don't grow seedlings in good space you will have weak plant and low yield. With all you do so far and this you can get amazing results. Keep it going 🎉

[@dubcindub15]

The basil could go in a window box with thyme, chives, rosemary and coriander. It'll make your cooking way more satisfying using your own grown ingredients too. You can get away without drilling holes in the box for drainage if you're careful with watering and avoid overwatering or saturating the soil. Get some cucumbers planted too, homemade pickles are the best!

[@celinadiveroli5667]

Thanks for the free month of skillshare; I legit love your garden videos!!!

[@colinmurphy8222]

Great video Alex! You should look into making a slug electric fence. They're cheap and simple and there are a bunch of tutorials on youtube. It's just two strands of wire hooked up to a small battery, its perfectly safe and won't even harm the slugs, it just gives them a tiny zap to keep them from entering the garden bed.

[@Aniruddh-_]

I really miss the old garden from last year, hope you get allotted with the land at the earliest

[@zhingull5792]

Really waiting for your videos always love everything about it, i even watch some videos twise third time when you have no uploads and its still fun and not boring watching. Thanks for the great content🤍

[@MegaSuperJaBaTo]

If it's possible I'd try to install an little ventilator (or maybe two) in the growbox. The benefit is, that because of the air movement the stems of the plants (chilis, tomatos, ...) will get stronger and if you transfer them to the outdoors, they'll have better chances to survive. It also will help against mold.

[@daydreamosaurus]

Your gardening videos make me happy ☺️

[@JP-NL]

I love watching your videos and you inspired me to get my own allotment. Thanks to your helpful videos I have started my own gardening adventure this year. Hopefully I can grow some of my own vegetables.

[@tiffcat1100]

🍀🍀🍀

[@Emiliebra]

🍅⭐️ for tomatoes plant them as deep as possible! If you plant them so deep that the fuzzy hairs along the stems are buried, they will turn into roots and you will get a healthier tomatookant and better harvest! Just a tip. Best of luck. 🌸🤩

[@user-fd6ti8vh4g]

Hey Alex great channel , really enjoying your adventures into gardening and bee keeping. Top tip for slug problem a slug pub , put beer in a shallow tub in the garden and they will have a very happy ending I promise. Have fun Jon

[@dannymcgrath9900]

You might also want to look into companion planting! I just learned about it, but I think it’s a way to repel pests naturally with other plants. Ex. Onions with strawberries to prevent slugs from eating the strawberries. Love your content!

[@daviniusb6798]

Love your channel! The only thing that keeps slugs away is copper. Not the copper-foil stuff, the real deal

[@alatarielfelagund7602]

I love your videos and humour, it feels very organic 😊

[@susango123]

Hey Alex. Put some cayenne pepper powder with water in a spray bottle, and spray your plants and soil every few days during the growing season. The ratio is three parts water to one part cayenne pepper. It works like a charm.

[@freezies816]

Hey Alex, quick tip for planting in general (there are some exceptions). Don’t pat down the soil too much as it makes it less aireated and easy for the roots to penetrate the soil correctly

[@annaly3]

I adore your curiosity for everything, it's so endearing 😊

[@mikki_s1100]

I see some people put little metal trash cans with mesh holes over plants until they get big to protect from slugs! They still let water and light in, I think it would work well for you! Most use a few landscaping staples to keep them in place.

[@joshuamorris2742]

Alex I highly recommend a plastic green house for your tomatoes it takes away the stress completely mine are doing great inside them. All the best

[@AbdulyLPHD]

Again a nice and chill Gardening video! Thank you!

[@kebe1703]

Hi! I’ve noticed your slug and snail problem. A simple, inexpensive solution is to sprinkle crumbled eggshells around your plants. This method works best on the ground. If the plants are in pots, they sometimes climb the rim and may eat protruding leaves but will spare the stem. Snails and slugs can’t cross eggshells as it’s painful for them when the jagged edges poke them. The eggshells will soon deteriorate and fertilize your garden while repeling the slugs and snails, and you can just sprinkle more on top of the soil when the eggshells break down.

[@mikeedward3161]

Best to put egg shells into oven for a small amount of time on low heat or when cooking other food and then crush, it makes them more sharper and easy to crush but also more difficult for the slug and snails pass over, but also gives plants goodness too. Regards, Maureen

[@mississippi7224]

some advise: Coriander is actually a plant for the cooler season so maybe try to sow them in autumn and they will grow slowly over the winter months. worked well for me, the plant is ready to be harvested for at least 2 months now

[@adriansutton6880]

You can try cinnamon for the mold problem. I sprinkled some around the base of my plants and it did'nt get any worse. Also a fan will help dry things out and make the stems stronger. It's amazing to see a little seed become a 10 foot tomato vine or a bushy yellow marigold.

[@TheHokieDoke]

Every year, I'm always surprised by how strong my urge is to garden when spring comes. We live in a wooded area, and it gets super hot and humid in the summer (Virginia, USA), so usually come July things are looking pretty dead, but MAN is it so nice in the spring hahaha! I enjoy watching your videos because I can tell how much care you put into making them, and I also have very little idea what I'm doing hahaha! This year, I've transitioned to hydroponic gardening (think Aerogarden and iHarvest) because things tend to die outside, and that has been going well!

[@Krone64]

Mold forming inside the box as you have no ventilation. Copper tape for the slugs.

[@ryanwaddington1598]

Have you tried the beer trick for slugs? Place a dish in the yard, pore beer in and cover with a pot or something, leave a gap at the bottom so slugs and snails can get in. The slugs and snails drown/die and mostly leave your plants alone

[@Les0613]

If you run a fan to push a slight breeze onto your seedlings, it will help to strengthen the seedlings. It's as if they are outside getting vibrated by the wind. Your seedlings will become stronger. Use diatomaceous earth sprinkled around your plants. It cuts up the slugs and kills them. You are an amazing young man, I hope your friends learn from you!

[@user-pg2zj2bz6j]

man i am so happy i found you

[@HediBenFraj-hh1di]

your vids are so therapeutic I hope you never stop posting

[@UnderProxy]

Oh you are going down the gardening rabbit hole, getting new plants like no tomorrow :) . I normally use the fireplace ash to deal with slugs, it actually kills them by osmosis, but I need to keep the ash from getting moist either by applying on dry days or just covering with something. Thanks for the great video by the way,

[@AltheaWest]

Love watching your gardening journey ❤keep it up alex

[@lynnettedrew9264]

I just watched a video that explained how container gardening is great. It prevents slug problems. Try a few containers.

[@Nshuzoo]

Nice work Alex got plenty growing and planted , we have potatoes, carrots, peppers , swiss chard. Grape vines have come to life. Looking forward to seeing your fig tree get fruit on it 😁👋🏻

[@annetteroberts8505]

Put Vasaline along the sides of the bed. Apparently slugs won't cross it as its to slidey for them. Iv done it and so far so good. Iv even put it around my hanging baskets so they can't get to them. A couple who have been gardening for centuries ton me about it. Best thing is the rain don't wash it off x

[@r0wdik289]

can't wait for future updates on the garden alex!

[@seanellabarnett6087]

Hey Alex when you put down the slug pellets put it around on the floor and also around the plants so that they would die before climbing up to your plants😊

[@stegmurmulisLOL]

I had problem with slugs in my garden. I tried a lot of things but best that worked for me was wood ash.

[@annetteheath4694]

I have a slug problem in my green house. I’ve put down 3 containers and filled them with super cheap larger. Party time for the slugs. So far so good. It seems to be working a treat.

[@ClaireInTheAire]

You've inspired me to film myself as I garden this year! I'm also interpanting with potatoes. I'm growing some lettuce in the same pots as my potatoes, so I hope that I will be ready to harvest my first crop as the potatoes break the surface.

[@laurab4907]

at my allotment I used Strulch for slug protection - it's a bit spenny but in places I've use it, my plants have been untouched by slugs, and it works as a mulch too keeping weeds at bay for a while - love it :D

[@BIJOU167]

Hi Alex, good to see you back

[@rankc0614]

Alex if you get a shallow container and bury up to the rim then fill with cheap beer and the slugs will go in to drink the beer and drown. The yeast and fermentation smell will draw them in. Copper will also deter the slugs

[@Captainraskett1989]

From Carl n Alex...filming what seemed to be on a potato 😂 to now just Alex with nearly 500k subscribers, from a man who's a watched since the very very beginning big respect dude 🤙🏻

[@laurenloertscher1319]

This is the wholesome video i needed to wake uo to this morning, thanks 😄

[@mickcordell3485]

i see your famous at last, you were on normal television, love what your doing and seeing how you get on

[@wglee010]

When was he on tv?

[@mickcordell3485]

@@wglee010 last week i think it was on itv a allan tichmash programme used one of alex videos about when he planted out in his parents back garden

[@wglee010]

@@mickcordell3485 oh, that’s cool!

[@Pyramidschannel]

What I did this year to fend away slugs and snails, I put mulch around everything. Apparently they can walk well and so far we are doing well over here. Hope that helps

[@UsenetTheGreenWitch315]

You can use the copper mesh to protect your plants from them . electromagnetic copper poles will help you and your plants.. hope this is helpful to someone ☺️ best of luck this season soil cousin's

[@mifus7547]

Thank you for your content it is so relaxing to watch you gardening.

[@ambersamusements5257]

I actually had my first successful basil seedlings this year as well. So satisfying

[@christineroberts9780]

Good choice of flowering plants.

[@szepmiklos-mihaj4160]

Pro tip would be to split those roots up a bit so they're not that compacted when repoting.

[@alexandrameub5602]

Your seedlings are absolutely incredible! You and I started learning how to grow vegetables at the same time and your seedlings are so much healthier and stronger (truly, I commend how fast you learn!) I really appreciate your videos so I can see how I can improve my set-up and care of my plant babies. Bless you!

[@larhumba4233]

Saw you on ITV Alan Titchmarsh show again this week doing your Dad's garden. Hope they paid well!

[@matthewfoster6620]

Not sure if anyone has already mentioned it but you can get copper on rolls to form a barrier around potted plants and beds. Snails and slugs give it a wide birth..

[@Fr4ntast1c]

I'm really enjoying the more frequent update videos! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@mamadnamvar3371]

congrats on getting a sponsor!

[@cliffordallan8327]

yes way to go, mainstream daytime tv way to go alex

[@SomeRandomMancGuy]

I Use Humidity Domes As Bug Barriers While Still Seedling Stage, Few Small Pebbles Round Edges Will Keep Them Sturdy & Stops Wind/Slugs Lifting Them 🦾 Could Always Build A Cheap Polytunnel For The Bed(s) With Non-Climbers In Them 🤔

[@alyshasocie6120]

You just gave an idea of what I can do with the extra space in my potato bed. Thank you

[@decorateinrt]

can't imagine, how 'Alex' meet 'Just Alex', both are my favorite youtuber 😁

[@samanthaswitch]

always pumped for a new one. much love and keep on truckin homie