the pics are really cool

isn’t it brilliant when something so small and possibly simple can bring such a smile

it’s cheered up my day a little more. Happiness rating = 101%

slán go foill
peter

since yoour letter, I have not cared to check my pot or garden for sprouts. Today, As i was walking my dog around our backyard, i glanced upon my garden! i saw an odd weed (this garden is very messy full of misc. plants that have been dropped their) I dug it up and found on the end, my pumpkin seed! there has been a slight warmth in weather lately but i didnt think of it as much to matter. when i figured out this was a sprout, i looked everywhere!
i found a few more and planted them in a small “patch”. as this had gotten my hopes up, i check the one i had planted in a pot in my garage. sure enough it already had one sprout. here is my blog were i have some pics posted for you!

http://www.skullcandy22.wordpress.com

firstly my grandmother grew a lemon tree from seed in Dublin years ago… so there are rules to increase chances of how suvvessful a seed is - but sometimes even with perfect conditions it doesn’t work out in ones favour.

That said - the soil is cold and clumpy, it is in the garage and temperatures are on the lower side [?]. Chances of ‘WILL THEY GROW’ at this stage are on the lower side - that nearer to no…

However….
I might suggest, the depth of the seed should be 2 x times its diameter below ’soil’ level.
The ’soil’ is changed to a compost - to make it easier for it to germinate.
The pot is sterilized [in milton baby bottle sterilizing liquid for example/ just a quick wash] to prevent damping off [ie death at seedling stage].
The pot is put on your kitchen window ledge - kitchens are generally warm, humid[er] and south facing.

best of luck
peter
ps.I hope this helps - if it is only a few days ago & in the conditions described the seed should not have started to germinate/ develop yet.

i think thats brilliant!

it did come up in conversation, a lot! and i *believe* there is one in Lusk/ Rush North Dublin - but, as to whether it is an ‘official pumpkin farm’ [ie open to the general public] I am unsure. That said, and as you can gather… there hasn’t been much of a response [online] as to where one would find pumpkins covering the land.

I wish I knew… but i will put it out on twitter [http://blog.doneganlandscaping.com/2008/10/16/follow-me-on-twitter/] and hope that something comes up! If it does believe me - it will be posted here first.

for the moment - fingers crossed!
peter

thanks,
amanda

@Joan Walsh
No problem Joan I hope i was of some help. You might keep me posted on how that works for you this year and next. I think the whole thing about my own is that it works the same as anybody elses getting no special treatment but the use of my knowledge. Sunflowers are brilliant - something my Father used to do with me. Enjoy!
slán agus beannacht
peter

this is qite difficult to explain in writing without actually seeing but… in horticulture i believe you can do anything you like when you like if the understanding is there… here goes!

I think your talking about the tomato ‘grow bags’ which are the long flat plastic ones. For mine I transplanted a few weeks ago. Re yours: with four or five leaves/ in the porch - i assume they’re in pots and therefore should be almost pot bound [depending on pot size of course!]/ have a good root system.

To be honest there’s not much special treatment from me. I put them out in the garden. normal soil. no feed. just keep the weeds away and let nature take its course. They should be fine for October-ish - of course Irelands weather may play havoc with that. I’ll put up a pic of them in the post as updat so you can see.

Any other hassles - you know where I am now!
slan go foill - and enjoy!
peter
ps. was that helpful enough