Strawbale Simon's Seeds and things.

Beetroot

Hello. I hope that you are coping as we continue this fight against the awful virus. Now lets put that aside for a change. Vegetables, there is no doubt that we import a lot from EU countries. We have done for years. We demand out of our season produce, so it must be sourced somewhere. Some “experts” tell us there will be shortages because of Brexit/The Virus (sorry I said it again) and the fact that British farmers cannot get the field workers. I cannot guess what will happen, and I suspect no-one else can either. Doom and gloom sells these poor excuses for newspapers and gets more views on social media. What they do not tell you is about us. I mean you and me. People who grow some of their own food. And the swathes of people young and old who are wanting to learn how. If it ever came down to basics, onions, potatoes and cabbages can be grown very easily. Its getting people to have a grow. But like I said, from my own experiences I know that many more people are turning to the soil. I will start my strawbale workshops and new webinars in September with a hope that they will prove popular. I will swap vegetables with my friends and make sure that none go to waste as many, many of us have always done. But, don’t expect that to be in the news anytime soon, as I said, good news generally doesn’t sell. My own range of seeds seems to be selling very well. Over the next few months we will be adding companion plants that are beneficial to the garden as well. In that I mean herbs and flowers. When we sell you a packet of vegetable seeds we will include detailed information on this. The introduction of flowers and herbs to your vegetable patch is so beneficial. For example lavender attracts butterflies and its scent is beneficial amongst cabbages and cauliflowers, because it upsets pests such as aphids. We can then offer you these seeds and useful information to go with it. With every seed packet you buy from us we include a marker pencil and seed labels. I am always open to suggestions, so please use our get in touch page. I have a dedicated Twitter page to showcase our growing seeds range. Please follow us at Strawbale Simons Seeds here. For the people who really want to get into growing and are thinking “I don’t have any space” or “I don’t have any soil” . Are you sure you have no room. A corner of a patio or front garden, or a sunny room to grow some container veg. No soil? not a problem, most vegetables can be grown in containers and if you fancy something different then this website has all the information you need on strawbale gardening. Take the plunge! have a grow. Cheers Simon.

Just a swede?

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The swede, a underrated and forgotten vegetable to some extent. In North America known as Rutabaga, nearer to home in Scotland it answers to Neeps. Its a large round yellow fleshed root vegetable. Very hardy, and doesn’t mind cool climates. Its the perfect winter vegetable. Visiting the Lincolnshire Fens as a child I would see field after field of them. And as my mother was a Lincolnshire lass, she knew how to get the best from this Swedish turnip. The norm is to mash them., with cream , pepper and nutmeg. But there is so much more you can do to with this root. Hash, obviously Sweetish sauerkraut. I love it in curries. Also try using it in Bombay potato. Roasted with a good oil accompanied by beetroot, garlic, onions, carrot and potato. Fresh Rosemary liberally thrown on top. Great with warm crusty French bread. Its a vegetable that if you haven’t tried growing and eating I would suggest you give it a grow. Sow in open sunny sites, moist fertile soil. Use garden compost beforehand. They love a firm bed, (as do !). Sow until the end of June, 2.5cm deep, in rows 15 cm apart and thin to 20cm. They take there time to grow. Up to six months. Make sure to keep that soil moist. If they dry out the taste is ruined. Lift roots Sept/Nov or leave for Christmas. I would use a few before then. Why mot give one to a good friend along with a recipe?. Talking to my seeds expert he suggested the variety Marian Brassica napobrassica. A lovely purple topped yellow fleshed variety. Also a very good cropper. I am sowing it very soon. To try it yourself click here. Thanks, keep safe and great growing.

Strawbales and things.

Strawbale Simons blog

Hello. I am often asked “where can I buy strawbales”? Its easier than you might think. Obviously local farms are a good starting point. Then farm shops and pet shops. A quick Google on “local strawbale suppliers” often works. I am building a database of suppliers, so if you find your local source, please let me know. Its been difficult this year to get bales delivered and so on. I had some trials I wanted to start, but they must wait until next year now. When my son can come over to me we intend to erect another polytunnel which will be half filled with strawbales throughout the winter months. I intend to do some strawbale webinars from September onwards. Again if you are interested then please contact me. The “grow your own” movement seems to be going from strength to strength which is great to see, but there are still so many people who really could give it a grow but perhaps think its easier to just buy from a super market. The busy lifestyles of many preclude any time for some families, but when we get back to what will be a new normal, peoples perception of what is important might and should change. Parents need to arm young people with the ability to feed themselves once more.

My strawbale growing kits have proved very popular. My own grandchildren were thrilled to receive their parcel and set about sowing the seeds in double quick time. There is still plenty of time to purchase a kit. They make a great gift. I have had some great feedback on our seed range. I am proud to say we did not increase any prices whatsoever. The seed labels, pencil and extra information is proving popular. We will be increasing varieties across the board, to give you more choice. Also you will start to see far more information about each seed on the website , this will include companion planting and recipe suggestions.

I have listed some links below to what I have been discussing. Please get in touch as its good to talk. Sow a seed, grow a world.

Speak soon . Strawbale Simon.

SUNFLOWER GROWING KITS

VEGETABLE SEEDS

Life on the Viking Way.

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Hello. I have been busy planting and sowing, like so many of you. Happily more and more people are growing for themselves. For me one thing that is missing. It is the fun I have with my grandchildren every year at this time. We plant the potatoes together and they generally join in with their “silly grandad”. I miss the toys strewn all over my freshly tilled soil. It must be doubly strange for them. I hope we are now starting to glimpse some light at the end of this tunnel. There is still much to do in my garden. The strawbale full of pea shoots have all gone thanks I think to the wood pigeons. I will be having serious words with Lola my so called “guard cat”. I shall put a selection of lettuces in their place. It was a shame, they looked so damned healthy! Thanks to the people who have supported my small but growing seed business. I welcome any suggestions. My sunflower kits are proving popular. We can send to any destination in the UK for you. I am having my seeds page re- vamped so that I can provide more useful information such as companion plants. I am almost finished planning some strawbale gardening webinars so please keep an eye out. If this might interest you please get in touch. In case you did not know I have two Facebook groups, one dedicated to strawbale gardening and a group for ALL things gardening related. These are called. Strawbaleveguk and Friendly And Informative Gardening Banter. You would be most welcome to join either or both. We are proud to be a business based in the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside. By the way, for all things Lincolnshire related please take a look at www.lincsconnect.co.uk. Lastly I was so pleased to do an article for the May edition of Lincolnshire Life magazine. Please stay safe. Sow a seed and grow a world.

Guide to putting up a polytunnel. Part 5.

Okay now stick the anti hotspot tape along any of the poles that come into contact with the cover. This will protect it from wear due to the sun. Now you need a pal. Stand at either ends of the tunnel and lift the cover over. Try to lift and not slide it over the bars. Pull the ends down. If there are any markings, then line up as per the instructions. Make sure the seams run along the bars neatly. Ensure that the doors zip up.

Putting anti hotspot tape on poles.

Putting anti hotspot tape on poles.

Cover ready to go over polytunnel.

Cover ready to go over polytunnel.


Guide to putting up a polytunnel Part 4

Good morning. Okay, now we need to secure the corners. This may seem like overkill, but believe me when the wind gets up and the tunnel fill with wind its got to be secured firmly. I made some wooden pegs to go in each corner. As you can see in the picture. Use HEAVY duty pegs, not the light tent pegs, they simply wont cut it. They need to be driven in deep. Next we need to dig a trench along both sides. A spades depth. I know it is probably obvious but keep the earth you have dug out. Unwrap the tunnel along one side as per instructions.

Pegs on all four corners of the polytunnel.

Pegs on all four corners of the polytunnel.

Dig a trench along both sides.

Dig a trench along both sides.

Unwrap the cover.

Unwrap the cover.

Guide to putting up a polytunnel. Part 1.

The polytunnels sold by the major companies today are superb. But, they are not within evreyone’s budget. There are cheaper versions out there. I bought the latter. Its been up now for three years. I live on the edge of the Viking Way and get some pretty full on winds. This hasn’t moved. In this series of blogs I will tell you how I put it up. Make sure the space you have chosen is free of obstructions and level. Get your bestest friend to help. Chose a windless day. Unpack carefully and lay out all the contents neatly in there positions. The equipment that you will need is as follows. 50 good quality cable ties, 1 roll of anti-hotspot tape, 2 scaffold poles 5ft, Long handled mallet, hammer, spade, sandwiches and cups of tea. Put together the top half as pet the instructions.

Putting top half together.

Putting top half together.

Can we help ouselves a little more.

The world is in a right old state. We are now as a country going through experiences not seen since the last war. But, in with the doom and gloom, the selfish members of our society that buy and hoard far more than they can ever use, in with all that there are the shining examples of selflessness and kindness. The members of local communities that check on our vulnerable citizens to make sure they are ok. Our NHS workers who are working so hard.

But have we become a society that relies on the fact that with one phone call or email almost anything can be delivered to our door? I was told recently that grow your own is now even more popular. I hope so. I hope when we come out of this awful experience we all if we can, turn to helping ourselves a bit more. I was caught out when all this started. My garden has nothing growing because I am re designing it. I shall start filling the polytunnel as soon as I can. I’m not saying that having a bed of potatoes is going to make any big difference, but GRO IS a small bit of independence from the supermarkets. GRO is fresher, readily available and easily accessible. We have land all over the UK that could be used for community gardens.

My new e book “The Strawbale Gardeners Handbook Vol 1” was released about the time we had become aware of this virus in this country. Its doing fairly well. I hope more people will take a look and it might encourage them to give it a grow.

#VEXIT

I get a bit upset when I see people move into a new house, and immediately put down gravel etc. I think what a waste. I realise people lead busy lives and time is short. We are living in exiting and uncertain times. It makes sense in my opinion to help ourselves. I know probably more people than ever grow their own. I still feel that a lot are missing out. As I always say with strawbale gardening you don’t need soil, but whatever way you grow it makes pretty good sense. Scaremongers scream food shortages, I don’t think that holds much water. But we might have to go back to eating seasonal vegetables. Teaching our young people to grow produce should be more important than our education system makes it. Incentives for lower income families might work. Community growing spaces would provide food and bring people together. If you have never tried it, please give it a grow.

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SOW A SEED GROW A WORLD!


Strawbale Gardening explained in my DVD

This instructional DVD looks at all aspects of strawbale gardening. Paying special attention to the “maturing” of the strawbales. We show you strawbale systems for different situations. This programme covers the lot, with specialist instructions on growing a range of vegetables in straw. This is suited to the seasoned gardener or the absolute beginner. And remember NO soil needed. pick up a copy at https://www.strawbaleveg.co.uk/our-dvd

Runner beans in Strawbales

Strawbale Gardening and Curries.

Vegetable Curries

I love hearing about the success stories when people start growing vegetables in strawbales. With food prices going up it really does make good financial sense to “have a grow”. Last night I was talking to a friend about vegetable curries and how few people attempt to make one. Virtually any veg will do. I always start off with some mustard seeds and oil in a pan. Then add onions, garlic, chillies, cumin etc. Chop your veg and get it covered in the curry paste. We both agreed that coconut milk was great, so in with that. Simmer, then I personally like to add potatoes. Simple and very tasty.

And We Are Off.

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Hello. I have ordered my strawbales. Look for good tidy bales with tight baling twine. I will be trialing some new seeds this year as well as the old favourites. Please let me know of any strawbale stockists so that I can add them to our database. Will you all also make it a point to encourage your friends to grow even a little produce. In this busy world I realise it is hard. I will be taking lots of photos and videos this season so keep watch. See you soon and good growing.

The New Growing Season.

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Hello. The new season will soon be upon us. With all the speculation of food shortages and panic buying, I wonder if it has made a difference to what you grow and the amount you grow. I do not think there will be any significant difference. And I will not be panic buying. But with all of that said, look at the ridiculous amount people buy over Christmas. And we know that comes around every year. I’m certainly going to use my growing space to the maximum. If this situation encourages a few people to plant a few seeds then all to the good. I am just in the process of ordering some varieties of beetroot for my seed shop. I did so well last year with growing my marrows in old straw that I will be posting a blog on it very soon. My foray with sweetcorn last year was getting on fantastically. My best friend advised me to harvest it. I said to him give it one more week. Before the said week was out they had all been struck down with some sort of pest. To say I was gutted is an understatement. My pal still keeps reminding me of his advice. Still that's gardening. Ill give the sweetcorn another crack this season.