helsbels_89 Posted March 21, 2010 Report Share Posted March 21, 2010 Hi Just looking for some advice around veggie growing in Shetland. Come from Surrey so guessing things are goin to be a bit different! I just wanted to know: 1. Where can i buy compost and pots / containers at decent prices? 2. Does anywhere sell seed tatties in singles rather than a big bag? 3. When do i sow if according to packets its say March how long should i wait or shall i just go ahead and sow now? 4. Is there somewhere i can rent some machines to clear a patch of heather / grass and once done do i need to do anything to keep it clear and what machine would be best? Sorry long post but soo lost! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longdog Posted March 21, 2010 Report Share Posted March 21, 2010 Hi Just started our first veggie patch too, just a few plots. Moved up in December. Our patch is only small and we dug up the turfs and used them to make a play house for our little onehttp://moder-dye.blogspot.com/ The hardware shop in Brae is pretty good for allsorts but not knowing where you are that might be no use at all! From what I've been told it's OK to sow direct to ground stuff now, depending on what it is I guess. Some one was selling big blue barrels on the classifieds here for £2.50 each. Cut them in half and they're great cheap containers. I mean to get some. Mmm.. a bit of a SIBC post there I think, must be spening all day in the garden that did it LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted March 21, 2010 Report Share Posted March 21, 2010 Hi Just looking for some advice around veggie growing in Shetland. Come from Surrey so guessing things are goin to be a bit different! I just wanted to know: 1. Where can i buy compost and pots / containers at decent prices? 2. Does anywhere sell seed tatties in singles rather than a big bag? 3. When do i sow if according to packets its say March how long should i wait or shall i just go ahead and sow now? 4. Is there somewhere i can rent some machines to clear a patch of heather / grass and once done do i need to do anything to keep it clear and what machine would be best? Sorry long post but soo lost! Thanks im guessing you have something like a croft if your planning to clear heather. im only guessing but i would not bother. if you have an old croft you will have some land that should do. if not then either you will need to do lots of work or as longdog says use barrels. to get an idea of what you can grow visit one of the shows in the summer. its shocking how good some of the stuff is. unlike ours which elieves in small is est. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 21, 2010 Report Share Posted March 21, 2010 I never was much use at growing vegetables, but one thing I do remember is that if the packet says 'sow in March', leave until May. Something worth considering for fertilizer is seaweed. Works well with vegetables, and is abundant in Shetland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khitajrah Posted March 21, 2010 Report Share Posted March 21, 2010 ^ The seaweed didn't work very well with my Shetland blacks last year - they were the only tatties I mixed seaweed in the compost with. I put in 5 one-inch long seed tatties and after they grew and flowered I ended up with.... 5 one-inch long tatties. I'm still after seed tatties if anyone wants to sell me any (I did put an advert in the classifieds but no one's responded.) Going to try growing them in tyres again this year since the rest of the varieties turned out ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnie-na Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 Planticrub, the main one just out of Lerwick has v. good compost from shetland - they stock lots of pots and seed container also. As for seed tatties if you only want a few then set some that you buy for eating - make sure they're grown in shetland though, after that save your own. As for sowing dates - it really depends on where you are - we're north and quite exposed (shelter belt establishing itself) so we do have to wait until the last week in April to sow hardy stuff and beginning of May for other. Its also v. dependent on the weather as you will find things bolting due to a cold snap beginning of June or suchlike. It is a learning curve and just be prepared for some losses- but the veg do taste amazing - possibly to the clean air and water? Well worth the effort - just don't give up you'll have good seasons and some not so good. PM me if I can help with anything else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxFusion Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 Th Co-op in Lerwick is probably the cheapest place to buy compost, they also get containers in which are probably the cheapest around (unless you get tubs you can recycle) Garriock bros, LBC and possibly Hirebase in lerwick for toolhire. best way to get rid of the Heather tho is to dig a strip around the area you want and burn it off, be carefull tho as it can jump the strip so you have to tend it while it burns or you could end up wi a hill fire And as AR says, leave it a month after what the packets say...after the last frost is best to plant up here, we have had hail showers in June Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helsbels_89 Posted March 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 Thanks everyone for your replys very helpful. I am in Muckle Roe and have joined the Northmavine gardening club who will i am sure give me lots of help. Thanks very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobby Posted March 27, 2010 Report Share Posted March 27, 2010 the weisdale shop gets in seed tatties every year but you have to be quick cos they don't stay on the shelf long they also have seeds and compost at reasonable prices and if you cant see it they can get it for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.