Mastodawn

What surprising thing could I be sowing now, mid August, aka late summer, in Norfolk England (roughly sorta USDA 8b, but interested in varying takes on "late season" [edit to be less specific])

In this area, in a "good"* year, we can still be harvesting ripening tomatoes in October (in a polytunnel). So there can be up to about 2 decent growing months of time ahead.

We have outdoor bed space and understory space around the polytunnel tomatoes.

Today I will be sowing dwarf french beans outside, which have a good but not guaranteed chance of giving us a crop depending on the weather. That possibly isn't too surprising though!

I am thinking "surprising late season" mainly, though also "surprising over-winter" is interesting.... like I was fairly recently surprised to discover coriander grows well under cover in UK winter months. (Coriander is actually slightly frost tolerant!)

* aka: harbinger of impending climate doom racing our way...

#Allotmemt
#GrowYourOwn #GYO
#Gardening

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@yvan Excellent question and reminder!

(Still time to plant something for fall harvest, my neurosparklies and spoonie gardeners🌞🥰)

Tagging for #SolarpunkSunday

#SpoonieGardening
#NeuroSparklyGardening

DoomsdaysCW Aug 17, 2025

I've started a few cooler weather crops, one of them being coriander (as well as more Rainbow Chard). I'm planning on starting some cabbage, beets and spinach as well -- all in containers so I can bring them inside if there's an early frost. @BrambleBearGrrrauwling @yvan

#SolarPunkSunday #GrowYourOwn #GYO

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

Brilliant🌻🌻🌻

Starting from seed?

I have killed so many cilantro and dill seedlings 😭 and love to cook with both; I hope I can still manage some.

DoomsdaysCW Aug 17, 2025

Yeah, I just killed half of my cilantro already. Luckily, I have a lot of seeds. @BrambleBearGrrrauwling

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@DoomsdaysCW aaaarrrgh.

How many seeds do you put in what size pot?

How about dill?

Theoretically, I could.....find seeds....scrounge pots without living plants, recover half empty bags of potting soil scattered about from last year's half-assery and failed dreams, maybe ....clean out pots, add soil, stick seeds in soil?????

Wouldn't that be something.

DoomsdaysCW Aug 17, 2025

Johnny's Seeds has these tips (they have lots of good gardening advice).

"Transplant - Dill can be started indoors in containers or cell trays. Sow 3-5 seeds per cell. Transplant out using 2-4" spacing in rows at least 4" apart."

I also saw that "Dill does not transplant easily," from the #UMN Cooperative Extension website. So best to plant them in bigger pots to begin with.

@BrambleBearGrrrauwling

https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/herbs/dill/dill-key-growing-information.html

https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-dill

#GrowingDill #GardeningHacks #IndoorGardening

How to Grow Dill From Seed | Johnny's Selected Seeds

Learn how to grow dill herb from seed: direct-sowing or transplanting, light and soil preferences, plant spacing, harvesting leaves and seeds.

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@DoomsdaysCW Thanks!!!

DoomsdaysCW Aug 17, 2025

I did not know all that about growing dill. Now I do! @BrambleBearGrrrauwling

DoomsdaysCW Aug 17, 2025

Oh, and I'm down to ONE cilantro plant. Oooops! Missed a day of watering and only one (out of six) recovered, @BrambleBearGrrrauwling . The sole survivor is getting big, so I'll be transplanting it today, and planting more seeds.

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@DoomsdaysCW poor wee things so thirsty in this heat drought!!!

Even the black raspberries and goldenrod are looking limp.

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@BrambleBearWhuffling
@BrambleBearGrrrauwling

Ok Bear, you can do this. Hold this plan in your mind from step 1, locate seeds, CHECK🌞 through however tf many steps it becomes!🌻💚🌱💛

(Edit-1.5- put seed packets in pocket so have when future steps ready for them, or will have to go hunt them down again. Ok, CHECK🌞) (grrrrraaauuuwwllllll. Following list. This is not going to beach. But this is resilience. Resistance. Yummy foooooood!!!!

1/fuck if i know

#NDGardening
#SolarpunkSunday

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@BrambleBearWhuffling

2/?

2-To finding some pots right sizes

3-clean out pots

4-find potting soil

5-move pots to soil; (ND frens, you know this step needs to be on list)

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@BrambleBearWhuffling 3)?

6-put soil in pots (probs gonna need to sit down n drink water by now, if not already. Yeesh)

7-read cilantro packet-how plant???

8-plant some cilantro seeds

9-read dill packet-how plant?

10-plant some dill seeds

11-get water jug to pots

12-water these pots

13-Move these pots to sunny spot in far garden

14-sit on bucket and enjoy and celebrate what amazing fucking hard for you thing you just did.

15-drink some water

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@BrambleBearWhuffling 4/?

16-while there-here, consider where runner beans and beets might go.

17-consider in ground, in pot or in burlap coffee-hessian bag

18-hours have probably evaporated by now so drink water and eat something

19-Now, can I go to the beach????

20-please don't make me regret tooting this all publicly😬

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@BrambleBearWhuffling so, sitting over there, searching beans, thinking about planting beans, polycultures, searched that, looked around.

Could do bean banjo wall of string supports from string across taller posts.

Could drag some straw bales over there to plant in.

Could drag a couple big branches/skinny tree falls over there for raised bed, furewood on short ends, hugelish and or straw in first, then soil.

Burlap bags in/near for potatoes (i know, they'll be small but better than none).

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@BrambleBearWhuffling

Beets, cabbage, carrots could go in there as poly.

Borage, nasturtium, chamomile.

Sunflowers st back and zucchini in the mix if I really got going tomorrow and next day.

Bear can dream.

Def need food.

Sigh. No beach today. But Planted!!!!

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@BrambleBearWhuffling

Actually, pots are already to garden, am sitting on lig edge of partially completed raised bed, surveying rewilding that has happened, and considering what to reclaim for what kind of regenerative, people purpose plantings. But still need to get water over here to newky seeded pots.

So glad I made a list.

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@BrambleBearWhuffling
Did everything but get water over to garden to water newly seeded pots. Tired. Now it just started raining! So hopefully they will be good until tomorrow????

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@BrambleBearWhuffling ok, check! On to 11 then 12🌻

DoomsdaysCW Aug 17, 2025

Oh trust me, it took a whole DAY of my sorting all the seeds out, organizing them by category (the ones in packets), checking for mold, etc. And that's all I did all day! (I think I had been triggered by coming across some moldy sunflower seeds in the old storage area). @BrambleBearGrrrauwling @BrambleBearWhuffling

#NDGardening #SolarPunkSunday #WheresMyList?!! #CategoriesCategoriesCategories #SortingSunday

DoomsdaysCW Aug 17, 2025

I even marked the day (it was in 2024)! The only way I got through it was by thinking "I am Freeman Lowell. I'm doing this for the future and for wildlife (and for food security)." I sometimes have to throw myself into a "role" to focus and get things done...

https://kolektiva.social/@DoomsdaysCW/112046322952030970

@BrambleBearGrrrauwling @BrambleBearWhuffling

#SolarPunkSunday #SilentRunning #FreemanLowell #SeedSaving

DoomsdaysCW (@[email protected])

Attached: 1 image Organized the "seed vault" today. Threw out anything that had gotten moldy or was too old. I have some treasured heirloom seeds tucked away in sealed containers just in case (beans, corn, sunflowers, etc.). Hopefully this year, my black #walnut tree will start producing walnuts. The "mother tree" was one fully acclimated to #Maine. I've manage to keep alive a few #HeirloomPlants -- including strongly scented #lilacs, that I've rooted and planted in other locations. I've always idolized #FreemanLowell from #SilentRunning -- trying to keep my little corner of the universe green and full of food for the local wildlife.

kolektiva.social

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@DoomsdaysCW coolcool, great idea! Will take a look.

Actually made some progress on my list-

@BrambleBearWhuffling 🙏🏼

Thank You for inspiring me!!!!!

Gonna walk these potted seeds over to suuny garden spot, now quite rewilded with neglect and goldenrod. And lots of other things.

DoomsdaysCW Aug 17, 2025

My bee friends love the goldenrod (and milk thistle). I try and keep some of both around for them, but I know they can get out of control... (Which reminds me -- time to cut down the burdock soon, now that it stopped blooming. It's taken over some of my raspberry / strawberry patch, but I kept it, 'cuz, bees. I'll keep a little bit around, but yeah... Part of gardening is to know what to keep, and what to get rid of, and keeping a balance!) @BrambleBearGrrrauwling @BrambleBearWhuffling

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@DoomsdaysCW @BrambleBearWhuffling

I want as much goldenrod as I can get, not only for pollinators but natural dye for wool, plus such a cheerful yellow flower with No Effort on my part.

However, it is taking up a lot of sunny space where people food, medicine and fibers could grow. If butt could be coaxed to move into gear, and spoons were nurtured carefully, and ND chaos ridden skillfully. And lots seems to be thriving in shade. Just blooms later.

DoomsdaysCW Aug 17, 2025

Also, dyeing with goldenrod? Do tell me more! (I grow rose madder and used to grow and use alkanet for dyes), @BrambleBearGrrrauwling @BrambleBearWhuffling

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

I haven't done it yet, but yes, will zap some info here.

Quick find https://lacreativemama.com/natural-dyeing-goldenrod-flowers/

Best bet if you want to try it is a good natural dye book from
https://portfiber.com/

You can ask Casey about it. Thry slso host classes there.

A master natural dyer lives out on Peaks too and gives classes lots of places. Will look.

Natural Dyeing with Goldenrod Flowers - La creative mama

Natural dyeing using goldenrod flowers for fabric and yarn. Free natural dyeing guide to learn the best way to use natural dyes.

La creative mama

DoomsdaysCW Aug 17, 2025

Thank you! And ooooh... That's a beautiful color!@BrambleBearGrrrauwling

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

Some on this page should talk about goldenrod but you might need to look or ask.

https://portfiber.com/collections/books-on-dyeing

Books on Dyeing

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 18, 2025

Here is the Peaks natural dyer's site, and a bio from a fiber retreat.

https://44clovers.com/

44 Clovers

Maine island heritage wool yarn, spun in Ashland, Maine. Small batch dyed with lichens, mushrooms, and plants on Peaks Island, Maine. 44clovers also offers plant dying workshops.

44 Clovers

DoomsdaysCW Aug 18, 2025

TY @BrambleBearGrrrauwling !

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@DoomsdaysCW @BrambleBearWhuffling

💚💚💚💚🌻

DoomsdaysCW Aug 17, 2025

Oooooh. Dill... I love cooking with that as well (runs to see if I have dill seeds...) @BrambleBearGrrrauwling @yvan

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@DoomsdaysCW I ordered some back when people who get shit done typically do, to get planting when it is time to. Then ND spoonie Life ~happened~it is now mid August; seeds are still tucked inside seed packets, banded together with other herbs, leeks and some pretty heirloom beans. In a bag. Somewhere.

Sigh.

#SpoonieGardening
#Neurospicy
#NeuroSquirrely

DoomsdaysCW Aug 17, 2025

So, I dedicated one of our veggie/fruit drawers for seed storage! Now I know where everything is, and the cool temps keep the seeds viable for longer periods, @BrambleBearGrrrauwling !

#Gardening #GardeningHacks #SpoonieGardening #Neurospicy

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@DoomsdaysCW ooooh! Good to know!!!

If one does not have a frig, would a cooler cooled with ice be better or a clay or brick or stone "root cellar" sort of thing be better?

DoomsdaysCW Aug 17, 2025

I would be cautious about making sure the seeds are sealed and away from dirt and molds if you use a root cellar. I'd say keeping them in a cool, dark place would be good. Just keep them in jars and make sure they are dry before you store them. @BrambleBearGrrrauwling @yvan

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@DoomsdaysCW yeah, no root cellar yet. Thinking if digging a holliw in dark shady side of house, liking wirh sand and bricks to cobble together something.

Jars probs better idea. Tho no cool inside anywhere either.

Yvan Aug 17, 2025

@DoomsdaysCW @BrambleBearGrrrauwling got a "few" dill seeds here 😅

Dill grows a bit like a weed here, though is quick to go to seed most of the year.

We struggle a bit with coriander/cilantro, again it just goes to seed so quickly, so are trying to tackle that with more frequent successions. I am hoping that we will do better with it going into autumn/winter (winter it moves into the polytunnel) ... new to me, I always thought it a summer thing in the past, but turns out that is kinda wrong.

BrambleBearGrrrauling Aug 17, 2025

@yvan @DoomsdaysCW

Also good to know!!! Wilts and dies in this heat.

Been thinking of trying a little low tunnel.

DoomsdaysCW Aug 17, 2025

Yeah, I've had to move all of my rainbow chard and beets to the shadier side of the house (they get morning sun and that's it). They were getting pretty wilted. The lettuce bolted (not surprising, but I don't mind having more seeds), and the peppers are thriving! @BrambleBearGrrrauwling @yvan

#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningHacks #GardeningForClimateChange #Gardening

levampyre Aug 17, 2025

@yvan Pak Choi is perfect for late summer sowing and autumn harvest. Also every other Brassica rapa subspecies, like Tatsoi or Turnip. Spinach works fine, although it needs rather cool sprouting conditions. Kale is perfect for sowing now, it will over winter. Beetroot and other Beta vulgaris variants you can harvest in late fall, if you sow now. Lettuce will work, annual herbs, too. Spring onions. From the top of my head.

groff 🇺🇦Aug 17, 2025

@yvan Mizuna, mibuna and pak choi for the more exotic stuff, radish (either for the roots or Baverian/Radish Munchen Beer Radish for the tasty seed pods, it might still bolt in the poly tunnel), swiss chard and spinich.

groff 🇺🇦Aug 17, 2025

@yvan Not that any of that is really surprising.

Yvan Aug 17, 2025

@geoffl we have munchen bier radish seedlings growing at the end of a bed :) hopefully they have time to go to seed (if not then their roots are also edible at least).

groff 🇺🇦Aug 18, 2025

@yvan Took a look in the garden for other unusual edible stuff, not to plant now just unusual.
Pictures below are Daubenton perpetual kale, verigated nasturtium, peppermint chard (because it's pink and white) and tomatillo.

Not pictured: Japanese wineberry, pink blueberry, Chilean guava.

groff 🇺🇦Aug 18, 2025

@yvan While that chard plant is rather small, one that I gave to a friend to grow, a few years, got to well over 6 feet tall. Shovel hand for scale.

Yvan Aug 18, 2025

@geoffl tomatillos we grow every year these days (2 varieties this year), and similar red/white streaked chard, always nasturtiums but I don't think I've done a variagated variety yet!

I am yet to attempt any sort of "perpetual" leaf brassica(-like)... though I have heard much about perpetual kales and broccoli-type plants. We need to build some sort of "brassica cage" first and do have a plan for that using an old greehouse frame we have.

We don't have any of those fruits and need to up our fruit game really... (also a case of implementing suitable protection I think).

Dunno what our own "most unusual" is... could be okra, though we have never had much success with it (keep trying), we grew orach once but are not fans, but now every year it grows itself so always some around, it's kinda pretty at least. Not so unsual but get generally grow eastern european gherkin varieties instead of cucumbers (as they're both good for pickling and are nice small cucumbers.)

Yvan Aug 18, 2025

@geoffl we grew NZ Spinach one year and love it, but it was very slow to start this year... we do have some in, but far from cropping size but it may take off in the autumn... I prefer this over normal spinach. We grew red-stemmed Malabar Spinach once, it is OK, but hasn't been a priority to grow again. Also amaranth, but like orach also just didn't really get into it.

Cape gooseberries (Physalis peruviana) were a tasty non-native garden weed back home, I'm trying to grow them here but in 2 years still haven't had them out early enough to get ripe fruit.

I guess there's the unusual varieties of usual things like tomatoes (~10 varieties), chillies (20+ varieties this year, just daft, need to scale it back), pumpkins for an honourable mention. But they're just unusual usuals. Purple potatoes too... :) (We also have sweet potato seedlings that never went out and I'm wondering if I can overwinter the plants indoors.)

Yvan Aug 18, 2025

@geoffl Kat and I did a wander down the allotments yesterday and one thing we noticed is how "normal" most people's growing is compared to ours... yeah, they have tomatoes, but they're all round red tomatoes... etc.

groff 🇺🇦Aug 18, 2025

@yvan We grew red orach in the past but as there are enough goosefoot type weeds like good king henry about that we haven't planted it recently. I used GKH in yesterday's thai curry. We normally grow achocha but missed it this year and always grow varieties of the commom veg that are very different to what's in the shops. The white, yellow, red, and black carrots are doing well in big pots.

Cucumbers are the OH's domain and she likes Dragon Egg, Crystal Lemon, White Wonder and Marketmore.

Yvan Aug 19, 2025

@geoffl oh, very nice black/purple carrots there - I have never had much luck with carrots other than yellow/white ones and the usual orange sort, I need to try some different seeds - what seeds have you used for those?

I totally forgot we have some "fat baby" achocha growing... first time for us... but I think we were too late, they're still very small plants.

groff 🇺🇦Aug 19, 2025

@[email protected] I'll check which type/brand they all were and let you know. I do remember that several companies supplying the Black Nebula seeds used exactly the same picture. I assumed they all ultimately came from the same supplier so got the cheaper ones.

Our soil is clay/flint so they were planted in a deep 50cm wide plastic pot, filled with cheap multipurpose compost, topped with a fine, sandy compost mix. Kept a sheet of glass on top and watered frequently until established.