Getting Plants OUT | Carrots, Onions, Peas

[@abigailellenmartins4849]

I use a hori hori knife, stab into the soil and pull toward myself and it makes a perfect hole for the square ones. Once the module is planted i pull the knife out and it back fills itself and sort of compresses itself again. Hard to write without showing, but you get the gist

[@quietspacearts]

if you wiggled the dibber around the hole in a 45 degree angle u get bigger hole for the onions @jb

[@millymcconville79]

You could use a square garden stake of appropriate size as a dibber, or shave down the wood de n handle of a shovel or such, if you have an old broken one.

[@Dawn_Grows_Veg]

I was willing you to sow the peas gosh they look magnificent. I hope your li'l foxes 🦊keep their paws out of them for a little while at least. the sloping netting idea sounds great, if it works for climbing beans it should work for peas. I hadn't thought about the shape of the dibber for those size module cells, and I realise after hearing your explanation, that I do the same thing with faffing around the holes. The dibber I have makes the hole too deep and too narrow and is also round. I saw you switched to a piece of square wood, which would probably work perfectly to be honest.

[@theramblingrig]

New follower here, already binged most of your videos! LOVING THEM! Thank you so much for all the tips and advice, as I’m just getting used to my green fingers, it has helped so much 😀🌿

[@JBNat]

Ahh thank you so much that's so lovely

[@nitelite78]

I mean you could saw a section off your dibber JB, so it's more or less the same width as the square cell. Or use an old broken spade handle if you have one and don't want to cut your dibber. I don't have a dibber. I found an old wooden handled hammer in the shed that I've been using and it's pretty close in size to those Containerwise cells. I have to hold the metal hammer head though and it freezes my hands. So I still need to find something better.

[@glassbackdiy3949]

I've whittled 3 different dibbers to match seed trays lol, you could also give a wide sweeping circle with your existing dibber, stick it and wang it about a bit to widen the hole a tad, I've seen seaside Steve doing that. I'd just hammer the scaffold in, you'll get a bit of mushrooming but not much on steel poles, you could always put a bit of scrap wood on and hit that if you want to preserve the ends of the poles.

[@JBNat]

Yeah I think whittling is really what I should have done instead of just moaning about it hahaha but really glad to hear other people have made custom ones for seed trays too! Good to know on the poles too. thanks mate!

[@Carol-oc7mx]

JB - dibber, try looking at a DIY store for a slightly bigger post chopped down for a dibber - is there an allotment neighbour who has a post driver you could borrow. If not a piece of wood and a lump hammer would do it - getting the pea frame up isn't a faff as it will make getting the netting on it so much easier - do I remember correctly that you had a piece of that pea frame panel could you use that to cover your onion 🧅/carrot 🥕 bed to stop the foxes 🦊 digging The plot is looking so much more efficient probably due to the bed edging and long straight rows. Bumper crops are on the way 🤞😁👍. All your hard work is starting to pay off

[@JBNat]

Ohhh you guessed the pea frame defences! Great minds. I've just showed off Fort Knox (should have called it Fort Fox) in my latest video! Thanks as always for the tips Carol

[@suzannedavis4338]

HI JB, i found peas slide off easily after being watered first.

[@susanok2264]

Hey JB. I've not read every comment, so maybe someone else already suggested this. Just use an every day tablespoon to remove your onions. Of course, for gardening use only. They fit perfectly into corners and are perfect depth.

[@dmhold1]

I use a broken fork/spade handle wittled to the shape of te modules.

[@vickyjones3196]

I wish I new more about crafting materials but there has to be something like plaster of Paris that sets hard you could make a mould of your trays with, just lined with cling film or something….. now I’m waiting for your next diy project I might just copy 😂

[@davidhills2538]

You could make your own bespoke dibber by filling one of your containerwise cells with plaster of paris and put a wooden/metal rod in the middle to make a handle. It should look a bit like a lollypop when set and removed from the seed tray. I've done it on a smaller sized cell and it worked great. 😊

[@helenagreenwood2305]

Ha ha I've just suggested a similar thing 🌿

[@joj1252]

So glad you planted those peas. I was willing you on 😅 I’ve had the same problem with germination- one side growing or sporadic cells & I’ve used a different compost to you. I think it’s been the weather/cold/light levels. But very very strange I agree. Love 💕 the excitement today. Once you’re on a roll it just gets better & better. Those peas looked great 👍🏻

[@katherinegolightly271]

You can just wiggle the dibber to get the right shape :)

[@stephenmckelvie2032]

Hi JB, I always sow my carrots in toilet roll holders in the greenhouse before planting out when ready. No thinning required.

[@christinebrooks6364]

Hi JB, it has been cool overnight and maybe that's why the germination hadn't happened or could be your compost? I use the container wise module trays too and understand where you are coming from. I would be interested JB in a perfectly sized fibber to plant out too. Brilliant technique planting your beans! Thanks for sharing and take care 😊

[@janwilletts1986]

A good layer of compost would help your clay soil, you may have to buy some in like Jessie.

[@JBNat]

I do! It had a good layer last season but needs more, I've got it ready to go I just need to get it to the plot :)

[@KellyWoodroffe]

I would use that pea bed for growing squashes vertically next year as they will love the nitrogen that the peas leave behind in the soil and you will already have most of the infrastructure to grow them in place

[@JBNat]

Oooh that's a great idea! Thanks woody!

[@juliehartley3652]

Hi JB - I so much was willing you to sow your peas, I've never seen drainpipe planting like that. I am really glad you did it, and how smoothly they all fell into place. Was really cool to watch. 😊

[@peaceandlove-r4v]

if you are using sylvagrow for the seedlings that might be the reason. I think it just keeps them too moist and they rot. I stopped using it as i was getting same issue. So I have started germinating most my seeds in a wet kitchen roll in a sealed container and have had great success with that. Also they germinated very fast, with tomatoes within 2-3 days. On the volunteer potatoes, I also had couple on my plot, but i did dig them out with as much soil as i can and transplanted them to a new location and think they will be fine. They were very cute as already had tiny potatoes on them.

[@sundays9143]

cut/saw off one of the cells from the containerwise trays and put it on the end of yr dibber? could have one set aside especially for those and just glue it on, thats what i would probably do rather than use my brain more haha happy gardening

[@janwilletts1986]

Loved the pea slide, it worked well!

[@helenhawkins4054]

Well done, progress indeed. Since I’ve discovered drainpipe sowing I actually have some straight line veg growing, it’s usually just a bit higgeldy piggeldy.👩🏻‍🌾👍

[@JBNat]

Hahaha love that

[@annaeborall934]

Sowed red and green salad bowl lettuce one year. The green ones were munched but the red ones were not touched. Allotment neighbour found the same thing so it appears red lettuce isn't as attractive to slugs and snails, at least on my site!

[@JBNat]

Yes I've found the same! Love the reds

[@CSaville]

Great to see your update. My biggest dibber I made with a broken wooden shaft from a spade. It's a lot wider than the 'Home made Dibber' that Steve promoted. This time next year we'll be millionaires 🤣 On another note my mission this year is to grow spring onions. My onions and garlic have been brilliant over the last few years but for some reason I just cannot grow spring onions...everything else has been wonderful but these are my nemesis!

[@ErraticPerfectionist]

Instead of a new dibber, why not use your hori hori knife tool? I've seen on some USA gardening KZbin videos where they plunge it into the garden bed to the required depth, pull the soil back, plop the plant plug into the newly-made opening, lift the hori hori back out, and then if needed, press down around the newly planted seedling. It looked very effective and efficient to get a load of seedlings into the ground in rapid succession. Especially if you came back to do any pressing down firmly after the seedlings were all in. I believe that the hori hori blade should be about the right width for the smaller Containerwise seedling cells?

[@ErraticPerfectionist]

PS. That straight row of gutter peas is *chef's kiss*🤌🏻

[@JBNat]

I discuss this in the video coming out tonight actually! But the short story is that the hori doesn't really work on my stony clay soil. I love using it in the back garden raised beds though!

[@ErraticPerfectionist]

@@JBNat ah, such a shame! I did wonder about the clay, but I was thinking that because you've been building up the beds with compost and manure, it might just be friable enough for the depth of a seedling. I also have stony clay soil, but admittedly when I was first setting up my garden, I just bought a massive bulk load of vegie mix soil (a mix of compost, manures, etc) and chucked some unused bricks around as borders and filled them up. So I have a good ~20cm of soil to use before I hit my clay level. It's been a while since I dug deep, so I'll be interested to see if it has helped transform the clay even just a little bit more.

[@Lynne-plot35b-36b]

Lovely hair cut JB. So about the lack of germination have you changed the compost you are using as per Tony’s discussion on Potty Mouth? Also re dibber wiggle the one you have to make the hole bigger it maybe get a stair spindle or as you suggested just whittle one to the shapes you need them. Onions look fab now they are in. The way I sowed my mangetout in guttering and let’s just say mine didn’t slide out half as easy as yours, did you water them before you slid them out because I didn’t. Yours slid out a dream and look perfect.

[@JBNat]

Stair spindle is a great idea!! Love that one! Not changed up the compost just yet but I do have a few others I want to test this season. I will be honest I did do a tiny bit of editing magic on the peas I think... Although actually no those big ones were okay, but the small gutter was very different. Don't think the peas were as well established so the roots didn't hold it together as well and I had to break it into about 6 different chunks.

[@Ragt0p]

Your frustration with the dibber was simply entertaining 😄 I haven’t had any carrot germinate yet (wintersown in a cold climate), but I’ve seen people having the best luck with watering the trench for carrots before sowing. Crossing my fingers for awesome tesults for you!

[@alastairsampson5003]

A post knocker will sort those poles out easy peasy!!!

[@GARYPEARS-x6c]

Water the pea gutter first and they slide out smoothly, good luck.

[@beeluckydowntheplot7394]

Love the pea frame.....if you erected it in the centre of the bed you could have grown peas both sides, (something to consider next season) happy gardening

[@JBNat]

Yes but then I wouldn't be able to harvest them!

[@richardwesson9547]

Hi JB, I use a smaller size bulb planter for deep root trainers..works perfectly everytime

[@JBNat]

Yes me too! I find it's generally fine if you just have a few bits to plant out with a bulb planter, but for the big bulk of seedlings I just want something quicker!

[@markharrison8851]

Something very therapeutic about planting direct in the soil. 2024 growing season is on!!

[@JBNat]

Yes!!

[@amandar7719]

JB. I’ve never had such early natural germination of runner beans as this year (in the potato bed from squirrels hiding them). That and my grandma saying if early beetroot don’t germinate it’s because we’re going to have a hot dry summer. 🤷‍♀️

[@StellasVegetablegardens]

interesting could it be the weather affecting germination? As for slugs they have been hungry this year

[@jacko3275]

JB I just use an old shovel handle cut flat they are a tad wider than a spade handle or a bought dibber

[@wardy89]

Could definitely 3d print something!

[@aname5267]

You could design the dibber and call it the No Wiggle Dibber!

[@jcgjcg3844]

Use a tulip bulb planter to see if that works for your onions

[@Bananaskin101]

My spring onions have also been terrible for germination for me, big fat ZERO! Tomatoes (three varieties), cucumbers, aubergines are all good, just those darn spring onions. Going to get new seed as the compost I used is the same as the stuff that did germinate.

[@debbieglen2800]

Love the video need to get out and sow my onions xx

[@stewalker91]

JB in regards to the dibber, I bought a new fork at the start of spring as my head broke off my old one, but instead of binning the handle I used a lump hammer and blowtorch to make the end into a decent point that widens further up the handle....a wooden one with a sander would be a much easier option though🤷‍♂️😅

[@bevholton8905]

Hi, my germination is rubbish too this year very disappointing .I’m starting planting out today ,cherry tree looks fantastic.

[@JoyoftheGardenandHome]

I've had similar trials with seeds this year. Maybe you can say, how is carrots good companion w/ onions? Ine likes nitrogen, the other not so much...

[@valeriepritchard677]

I use a narrow blade trowel with a mid length handle more leverage less bending. Mine is from greenman tools.

[@tangocat4370]

Oh yeah i have issues with standard dibbers. Printer is a great idea!!!

[@hikerlindacanadianrockies8478]

Some of those trays on the lower shelves, have you tried turning them around so they all get sun? It looks like the sun only reaches part of the way across the shelf.

[@JBNat]

Yes! I meant to mention that I'd done that actually! But very good thinking. I think it's just the seeds. The spotty germination is very seed based. It's usually either working well or not working at all.

[@lorrainegrey8240]

I always use a bulb planter rather than a dipper the soil is less compact round the plant 🤷‍♀️

[@Bunglesfamilyplot]

More great content jb I am loving the excitement now in the videos can tell spring is upon us 😂👍

[@Tamsins_Potager]

Would a small bulb planting tool do the job?

[@Sarahlottie94]

For your poles, get an auger for your drill ,I brought one for my round posts, and it made life so much easier

[@xwanderingkiwix]

I've had sporadic germination this year too. Planted 2 of each variety of tomatoes, most came through except the romas, i left them and 3 weeks later 1 has just poked its head out. I filled one seed tray planted 2 varieties of onion and only one variety has germinated. My spring onions from 2 seperate packets of new seeds have not germinated at all. Beetroot, radishes and flowers have been about 10 % germination. Only thing i seem to have had 100% germination this year is 4 peanut plants for a grow along. On the plus side i never have luck with parsnips but have taken on a new plot that hasn't been used for over 3 years... Its rammed with self set parsnips! Hundreds of them 😂

[@Jemma.H]

I saw a video of someone cutting a suitable sized plastic bottle neck and screwing it on to a pole to make a fibber, could that work?

[@JBNat]

That's a cool idea!

[@BumblebeeAdventure]

🐝Thanks for the great video🌻 look at that pea perfection!! they even screaming in the background YHEAAAA JB 🤣 ore was that the soccer field

[@JBNat]

Hahahahaha

[@elainemcgran8828]

Just wiggle your digger in the ground, making a bigger hole 😅 that's what I do.😊

[@lucrom1097]

Top good video JB te moostiun te planting thans best week friend ⛅🧤🌱✔️🌷☕👍🥔🌰

[@KathConnolly]

So glad the pea sliding worked out JB 😂 Can you remind me of the name of the company that makes the cells your tomato seedlings are in ? Thanks.

[@JBNat]

Those seed trays are from Garland! There's a link to the grown local store in my description, he might have them in stock and they're really well priced on his store :)

[@jonquilhawthorne3257]

I use a trowel for planting out onions & veg because I think the wooden dipper compacts the soil, I can hear your onion roots screaming as you shove them in a hole that's too small & compacted !😳😬

[@JBNat]

Interesting!

[@DavidGibb-vo3df]

Yea works fine in clay fits any drill I got one about 13 pounds about 12 inch deep but you can buy longer or you can get extensions

[@JBNat]

Awesome I'll try it out thank you!

[@Arransvegpatch]

Great video JB. I too long for the satisfying Charles dowding plopping in on seedlings 🌱

[@chrissy281]

Id wait till your support is up but good luck, keep up good vid

[@JenniMBE]

do you think some veg might not like the compost?

[@edfingleton9889]

I’ve not got any of those trays but if you give me the dimensions of the plug of soil I could probably work something out.

[@edfingleton9889]

I’ve seen you’ve got a few takers for this - perhaps we can have a dibb-off video 😂

[@The_Giving_Garden_BC]

What about a soil blocker? A single soil blocker should be the exact size you need and it won’t compact the soil.

[@nitelite78]

You lettuce looks like some of mine. I really want to get self sufficient in lettuce for at least a few months over spring and summer. But all mine so far in one bed have been munched. I need to put some effort into reducing the slug population.

[@LucRom-kz5uw]

Fantastisch Good video jb te planting te moostuin thans te vlog Good week men 🌱🧅✌️🌷🪻🌸🫛

[@rachell4444]

Dibber problem - Could you cut one module off the tray and use that to make a hole in the soil ?

[@JBNat]

I really like this suggestion! I think the Containerwise trays are very strong but I'm not sure how well just a cut out would work. Also I've just thought... They have a massive hole in the bottom and that might not help

[@rachell4444]

@@JBNat Aah ok fair enough . Plan B then 🤣

[@susiespearing6165]

What about using a Hori hori for those onion cells ? Or use a 2"x2" piece of wood lol

[@JBNat]

Hori is great but definitely high on the faff and time needed to get the right shape!

[@zuzauramek9850]

Do you have a bulb planter? I use my do plant my all veg plugs and potatoes.

[@JBNat]

Yes I think they're great for bulbs and bigger things like Courgettes and squash but using one for planting out 50 onions would not be ideal!

[@Sethrain]

Can't you just saw the bottom inch or 2 off of the dibber so that it gets to the fatter part sooner?

[@jonathanpatman7102]

Hi JB. Interestingly I am Also struggling with spring onions and beetroot. Random

[@JBNat]

Always pleased when it's not just me! I've tried multiple seed packets now too

[@marilynstanbury5098]

We have mainly had low light levels, but what about compost ? Do you use seed compost? The Charles Dowding cell trays are too small as they dry out while we are at work! But I bought some like yours, but used the J I sylvagrow compost and it fell right through, so please can you tell me or show how to fill the cells successfully? Always look forward to your videos. Thanks

[@JBNat]

Thanks so much! I just use the standard sylvagrow and it is fine in these trays. You do get a bit of spillage as the Containerwise holes are quite large but it should seal the hole quite quick. Having the potting tray in the greenhouse is great because there's no waste or spillage of the stuff that does come out the bottom at the start. Agree on the drying out, another reason I don't use them

[@LesleyPlayle]

Moisten your seeding/potting mix first, just enough to be able to squeeze a handful without water running out. Will fill the cells and stay put.

[@marilynstanbury5098]

@@LesleyPlayle thank you

[@Crumbleofborg]

Why not try transplanting the volunteer potatoes so that they are all in one bed?

[@JBNat]

Oooh very sensible, still lots of time for them to grow if I do that eh!

[@lizwood510]

I just leave the volunteer potatoes where they are and fill any gaps with new seed potatoes.

[@helenagreenwood2305]

Can't you fill a cell with soil - separate it from the rest of the tray and use it as a dibber

[@sheilafarren5359]

Make a square dipper

[@stutube3546]

Be careful with the scaffold tubes. If they move, everything will move.

[@davidjohnscully93]

I’m curious, and I realise this maybe contentious, but is it at all possible you are also experiencing issues with sylvagrow? When germination is spotty over many species, varieties and seed ages 🤷‍♂️ i want it to be good stuff because it’s so nice to work with - but the gardener liking it doesn’t really mean much to the plant. Is there’s a scooch of a chance there’s a little denial. I could still be wrong. And I never deliver bad news without some good news, I have a 3D printer and I’m not too shabby with CAD. I can give the dibber a go - I have thought about giving it a go before😊

[@JBNat]

Hey David! I'm very open minded and not at all in the pocket of Sylvagrow. There is a chance it could be that but I'm not sure...? It seems to have germinated plenty of flowers, Salads, all the gutter peas, aubergines, sweet peas, broad beans, all the brassicas and all of my chilli peppers! Those ones have all been pretty reliable as far as I can tell. I do have some other composts in the tunnel waiting for me to do trials with them, need to get a move on with that!

[@davidjohnscully93]

@@JBNat oh yeah I definitely wasn’t suggesting any foul play. Just innocent disbelief 😅 it’s a very interesting topic - I personally have had issues with most of my starts, but my aubergines have shot up. Maybe not such a cut and dry answer 😁

[@JBNat]

@@davidjohnscully93 I have been top watering a lot because I think the top has a tendency to dry out a little, which is not what you want if the seedling is near the top of the soil.

[@locke6531]

👍

[@JoesPatch]

👍🌱

[@SionClarke]

Just use a square stick…. That’s what I do…

[@margaretreid5989]

The end of a fork

[@DavidGibb-vo3df]

JB cut two inches off of your dibber it gets thicker further up lol

[@JBNat]

Yes but still not a great shape for the cells haha!

[@lynnpurfield9430]

My partner mare my dibbers on his lathe, so, that way you can make them different widths and lengths (find a friendly turner JB). Having said that, I just scoop with my hands ...lo!

[@JBNat]

Yes I might just have to do that! Scooping with your hand works in nice loose compost, but not on my clay soil!

[@lynnpurfield9430]

@@JBNat girls blouse ...lolol

[@AmazonAquaticsRipley]

Send me the dimensions of the tray hole you require and I can 3d print you one off easily and send it to you

[@JBNat]

Thank you so much for the offer! I might just do that!

[@stutube3546]

Cut one cell off the tray. Screw it onto the end of the dibber with a washer. Done. Thank me later.

[@JBNat]

Saw a few people suggest this, very good idea I think!

[@oldwelshgit]

i dont know if i just spoil my plants and go overboard with soil preparation... but your soil looks terrible.. fine for robust plants but softies like the lettuce ?? the poor onion looked like it was going into wet concrete. i lifted the soil in my beds, put it through a home made trommel then did the same with the manure, a lot of work but the results were worth it.. having said that i only have a half plot not a couple of football fields like you.. 😏

[@JBNat]

haha it's just the clay content, everyone's soil on these allotments looks exactly the same. It's much nicer under the surface. I will continue to add amendments over time to try and improve the texture though. Manure mulching works really well.

[@paulmcgraw5953]

Cut the point off your dibber

[@williamhamblin1585]

Post hole spades they're like a pair of scissors once you use them you will never go back two struggling 6 ft scaffold Pole it's not heavy the 6 metre ones are a b***** JB you make me laugh

[@JBNat]

Ahh God yeah I've spent a fair bit of time using those post holers when I had to do fencing as a countryside ranger. They seem a bit overkill for some scaffold poles! Totally agree on the poles not being heavy either, that little bracer I had must have had something inside it because it weighed 3x as much as the tall ones 😅

[@darrenthorn3789]

So many updates to ‘show’ us stuff??? Also how come when all the REALLY good stuff like greenhouse base and chicken wire around poly tunnel. Camera has a moment. Don’t believe everything you see folks, this guy has a full time job and a massive allotment??? A lot of work for one guy??? How many absolutely excited will be said- time on video needs run. Filler???

[@JBNat]

I can't tell if you're joking or if you actually think that I have 'hired help' on the allotment 😅

[@robertlee6479]

Your greenhouse trays look a mess and all far too late in and you don't grow beetroot in pots or trays as it doesn't transplant as it has a tap root.. If you saw my garden you would cry and give up as it's nearly 2 months in front of you and all germinated well bar french beans. I ll be lifting my maincrop spuds next week, yes next week. We call them bastard spuds from last year. After watching your gardening, I won't be watching another as never seen such poor gardening in my life as you have done far too many things wrong. You'll starve before you get any food to eat.. If you saw my garden you would know what I am talking about..

[@JBNat]

Thanks for the comment Robert, I think you've somewhat missed the point of my channel :) glad to hear you're having such a good start to your year though. I see gardens much further along than mine all the time. If I was upset by that then I wouldn't get very far in life would I? Gardening isn't a competition to me. Even if every single crop failed this year I wouldn't starve would I 🤣 That's why I have a day job. Also, I always transplant beetroot and they do amazingly well! I have shown that in some of my previous videos.

[@robertlee6479]

@@JBNat Yes, but growing it to feed the family is better than sending your hard earned cash to buy it and besides God know what chemicals are in the store bought tasteless muck.. I've grown my own food for decades and also for a living with a very good following as my fruit and veg was all as far as possible organic grown so good taste to boot. and am still running my 4.5 acre plot on my own and in my 70's.

[@lorainemcguire5795]

Hi jb your rhubarb looking good and i hope you get your dibber your after 👍🧅