Q&A : early tomatoes | cold frames | burnout | suckers | mice

[@RockMan-go3ni]

Hi Steve, I've been watching you for a year or so now but have just recently checked out your ebook and database and WOW is it an incredible resource! Even more jaw dropping is that you have made it freely available and customisable whilst putting other paid books, apps and resources to shame. So thank you for sharing your experience and wishing you a productive and happy 2025

[@SteveRichards]

Thanks! I get offers to write a paper book or books, but I don't have the time or stamina to go through that process. I much prefer to give my work away and let people donate if they find value in it and can comfortably afford to : All the best - Steve

[@PlantingMemories]

Some really useful advice, thanks for sharing

[@kamilfrancoolczak]

I really like that explanation about the raised beds wooden sides and that to cover them all times is so important against slugs. Here in southern Wales is just too many. I have a bed in my front lawn which is 3 ft wide and 11 ft long without any sides. And last year was a nightmare growing with so many snails and slugs. I think wooden sides higher then the level of the compost and soil in it - is very good for wind protection, maybe slugs are less eager to crawl over it. And if you put a cover on it - fleece or plastic or whatever, it’s just better. Good idea for a video. 😊

[@jaynekennedy8469]

Thanks Steve, interesting Q&A

[@summerisonthursday5239]

Well done keep it up. Gardening is a spiritual thing but very tiring. I can feel the relief as the stress goes out of me from a bit of hard work in the garden. Even more so in the winter somehow.

[@SteveRichards]

Just finishing up the harvest now, on a bitterly cold and rainy day, not the best advert for the joy of gardening, but by the time it's all cleaned and prepped it will have been worth it : All the best - Steve

[@GARDENER42]

I overwintered some rooted side shoots off Sungold last year, then grew plants from their side shoots. It worked well. Unfortunately, late blight got to the ones I potted up this time.

[@SteveRichards]

I’ve heard a few people report that. The approach I take though is similar to peppers. I find it easier to start from scratch because of laziness, space and potential pest carryover, which is the issue I had when I tried peppers. I’m sometimes tempted with varieties that aren’t easy to source though : all the best - Steve

[@dn744]

Good tip. 3 plants off 1. Tomatoes are useful for this 😊

[@alpinereid5265]

Hi Steve -- thank you for sharing your experience and expertise! You are a wealth of knowledge! I am growing on the east coast of Canada, on a small backyard urban plot, zone 6B with no undercover growing spaces. Is there a way for me to alter the growing guide tables to reflect my growing zone? Thanks again!

[@SteveRichards]

Not easily, because a lot of my growing is under cover and using grow lights it's not easy at all to do it. A lot of websites would just add or subtract a few weeks to the dates, but this doesn't work when you grow the way that I do, you actually have to take into account when and why plants go to seed, how they respond to lights, actual natural light levels at different times of year, as well as temperature. All I can off is steverichards.notion.site/Contributing-to-or-making-this-book-your-own-215ee95cece940589d13ccfcbaaae67c?pvs=4 : All the best - Steve

[@alpinereid5265]

@@SteveRichards Thank you!

[@lynnegunns604]

Q:Steve my question is how are you doing since your accident last year x Happy New Year Ps I’d love to have your set up re raised bed covers.

[@SteveRichards]

I will give a full answer on video, but quickly, I'm 95% recovered, just a little nerve damage around the eye

[@lynnegunns604]

@ glad you’re recovering well I trust you at are back out on the bike x

[@SteveRichards]

Yes, I was on the bike 2 weeks after the accident

[@susancolley168]

Hi Steve, I got my first greenhouse last year. Is it worth heating it and if so, what type of heater do you recommend?

[@SteveRichards]

Hi Susan, that's a complicated question to answer, beyond "it depends", maybe take a look at this chapter of my eBook and then if you have further questions, let me know steverichards.notion.site/Greenhouse-Design-and-Growing-Guide-b3bf5d6ee29f4feaaa1671b0ea0a42f9?pvs=4 : All the best - Steve

[@ballysillanallotment-man5793]

TERRIBLE trouble with canker on parsnips any advice appreciated

[@SteveRichards]

I don't suffer too badly with canker myself, but I hear that growing in compost and in containers helps and there are canker resistant varieties, good luck : All the best - Steve

[@TheEnglishladyskitchengarden]

Do the nematodes that you use to keep your slug population down kill Leopard slugs which are beneficial to the garden.

[@SteveRichards]

Probably, but I’ve never seen one on our allotment site or at home

[@RFranks]

I've heard that insect netting can help by preventing carrot fly damaging the roots - these wounds are where the canker gets in. Check your watering regime too, canker tends to thrive in overly wet soil. I rarely water mine once they are established.

[@NnekaOchonogor]

Hi Steve, how do you enjoy eating your Oca and Yacon?

[@SteveRichards]

I like the pca fresh in salads and I really like the yacon steamed, I don't like potatoes to yacon serves that purpose for me. Debbie adds yacon to stews and curries : All the best - Steve

[@NnekaOchonogor]

@ thanks a lot!