Interesting video! On 9:08 the text is wrong: It should be 3 lbs/ft^2 and not 3 lbs/m^2.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Arrrghhh - well spotted. You are correct. I thought I had caught all of the possible errors. Thanks.
@MyraMo9484
5 жыл бұрын
Grt observation!!
@JP-br4mx
2 жыл бұрын
@@REDGardens I love these Data
@goinfullirish9465
3 жыл бұрын
I used to watch this channel before we moved to the west coast of Ireland. Now we live it.
@REDGardens
3 жыл бұрын
Fantastic!
@thecoder7188
5 жыл бұрын
Your channel is extremly valuable to us beginner farmers. Thank you very much. Your channel will one day hit 100k subs.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I hope so.
@coryhyatt2035
5 жыл бұрын
Ill say it again. Your content is amazing. Love the channel
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@Handles-R-Lame
4 жыл бұрын
Ayye go red birds!! And go red gardens!! Lol hell yeah
@mrJMD
5 жыл бұрын
The last week has been brutal, but this morning I have a Red Gardens video and a Charles Dowding video to watch? Exactly what I needed! Thanks so much Bruce, not just great info but such a calming presentation as well. In my opinion I think you've nailed the format. The voice over, the translucent wall of the polytunnel behind you, the nicely framed tripod shots, the sped-up harvest clips that give a great sense of how much you're getting. Really great stuff brother. Garden looks great! Wishing you all the success you can handle!
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for that feedback, and support for my work. It is nice to know that my style and approach really works for some people, that I am on the right track!
@stewartmgc
5 жыл бұрын
I have to say how inspirational I find your videos
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
That is really great to hear, thanks.
@kradschutze
4 жыл бұрын
Expressing yield in calories is a great idea. I was actually thinking of translating into servings, as I am gardening for a family of 3. Both should be simple to figure from your data. I would be more interested in 4th dimensional relationship. Kilos per day for example. You started to cover it with micro greens and alluded to long growing time of beetroot. Great video and thanks. Now, off to find a video on how to build poly tunnel....
@REDGardens
4 жыл бұрын
I agree, servings or calories are potentially interesting ways to analyse all of this. I gave it a try with servings, but the main issue is how big is a serving? With such a diverse possible range it seemed to significantly reduce the accuracy or reliability of any calculation, so was a bit of a waste of time. One issue with calculating using calories, is I can only go with the standard calorie designation for each vegetable, but I imagine that there would be a significant difference between the gardens. It seems to me that a sweeter carrot much have more calories. So unless I was testing all the vegetables rom all the gardens, it is still very approximate. Still something I am trying to work out.
@lblake5653
5 жыл бұрын
I'm jealous. Your garden set up is wickedly beautiful.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@SteveRichards
5 жыл бұрын
A really interesting video Bruce. We've tried many of the same crops in our polytunnel in spring, but I've found that many of them do just as well in a cold-frame or a low tunnel, which is much cheaper and I've found that by the end of April I can remove the lids and that means I don't need to water. Watering is in fact my main concern with these crops as I find it hard to keep such thirsty crops happy in the polytunnel in spring without a tap water supply. Since my tunnel is a lot smaller than yours I tend to grow a lot in containers in the tunnel too, that allows me to move them outside once it warms up. For example I grew runner beans, peas, calabrese, potatoes and carrots that way and they were all outside for half of their lives, freeing up polytunnel space for early/tomatoes squash for example. I found that broad beans outside gave me 2/3 of the yield that you got, but they just grew over-winter on what would otherwise be waste ground. We didn't run out of any food this year and we are completely self-sufficient in veg for our large family, we achieved that by storing (not freezing) and growing early and late. We had a very rich and varied diet during the hungry gap in particular as I focused on that. On our 250 sq metres of growing space we had harvested £3,207 of veg by the end of spring, which excludes everything we were eating from store too. I'd really like to see you calculations in currency rather than weight btw : All the best - Steve
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
That sounds wonderful. It is so great to hear about the success stories of other people, and what they do to stretch out the harvests. There are definite benefits to temporary row tunnels, and it is something that I want to do a lot more of. I've tried a few variations over the years and had really good success with one of my squash crops this season. The biggest issue for me is the wind, and preventing the sheets of plastic from blowing away. How do you deal with this issue, or are you growing in a more sheltered region/site? How do you price your vegetables? There is such a range of prices in different retail stores, for such a huge difference in quality? I haven't bought vegetables in years, so I don't really know the currency value of anything, but recognise that it would be a useful metric for a lot of people. One of the basic calculations or estimations that I make is that I can grow and harvest about 5kg/m2 of a wide mix of different types of vegetables from the outside gardens and about 5kg/hour from all the gardens (I did two videos about this a while ago). So I figure if the average price of €2/kg, would mean that I would be 'earning' the equivalent of about €10/hour, which is about minimum wage. A very rough calculation of your figures £3200/(250m2*5kg/m2) equals about £2.5/kg, which is a bit higher but in the same kind of ballpark as what I estimate. That is interesting.
@SteveRichards
5 жыл бұрын
I had a laugh at "are you growing in a more sheltered region/site", we are in Lytham St Annes, just below the Lake District, we definitely get our unfair share of wind! I designed my allotment to be as windproof as possible, I have a big polytunnel that has doors at both ends, which means almost always one door can be open. All of my growing is in raised beds that are the same size. I have different tops that I can fit on them, mesh - for shade - in summer, cold-frames and low tunnels. They are all hinged and screw to the raised bed, and they have a very secure prop system, that's fixed in various positions with bungees against the wind. Sounds expensive? I paid the whole lot - including the polytunnel - back in my first year of harvests, so I've been in profit for three years. The system allows me to grow all year, but remove all of the covers very easily (a few screws) in early spring. I've never had a problem in the wind and can still keep ventilation high. Like you I've not bought any veg for several years, but I harvest into reusable 2l airtight containers (about 200 of them). For a couple of months in spring I tallied up the harvest value and counted the number of containers I filled, then I divided one by the other and got £2.50 per container. I used organic veg prices from the supermarket, or Abe and Cole. As a cross check I compared my vege box contents with prices from several vege box suppliers, it was a little lower, which seemed right. All I do now is just count boxes and multiply by 2.5. When I do bulk harvests, onions, beets, potatoes etc, I price by weight. In winter it's a bit high, in summer it's a bit low, but it averages out and it's just a bit of fun. Because I always pack in mixes, pricing by weight is hard, for example a salad mix has 6 types of leaf, cucumber, tomatoes, cucamelons, baby carrots; a brassica mix has 3 types of leaf, calabrese and cauliflower; a smoothie mx will have 12 different types of leaf and a root mix will have beets, carrots and potatoes. I 'work' 16 hours on the allotments and harvest about £10k/year, which is £12 a year, but my scale is tiny (250 sq metres) and my variety is huge (250 varieties) and so much of the 16 hours is pure joy, so it's nothing like a commercial operation. The benefit of tracking value though is that it makes investment decisions easy. Just in closing: your channel is my favourite on youtube, keep up the great work! : All the best - Steve
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
@@SteveRichards Thanks for sharing all that detail Steve, it is great to hear how other people handle situations like wind, and work to get the most out of their gardens. I like your description of the covers you use, and have been thinking of doing similar. The problem I have is that I don't have raised beds, so there is nothing easy to fix covers to, apart from driving spikes into he ground or weighing things down with lots of stones. I can see how having all the beds identical sizes and with easily secured covers, it can be a lot easier to extend the seasons, and get the most out of your space. i think there can be a real benefit from having a small space, as it can encourage you to be creative in getting the most from it. I think one of my big issues in this regard is that I have too much space, and even more that is waiting to be managed or cultivated. With limited time, and lots of food, I just don't have the same drive or need to put in that extra work to push the productivity of each garden (apart from the polytunnel). Hopefully that will start to change, as I have an apprentice starting with me, who will probably be helping full time next year, so it will be interesting to see how much more we can explore. Your point about tracking value making investment decisions easy is a good one. Thanks for your support and encouragement about my KZitem channel. Great to know people like my efforts.
@realitycrochet4177
5 жыл бұрын
You need to write a book!!!!
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
I might get around to that in a few more seasons.
@ianwynne5483
4 жыл бұрын
You can make cloches outside and cover rows 30inches wide for potatoes garlic onions etc. I have done this with very successful harvests without taking up polytunnel space. Use polytunnel plastic, 2.2m wide 8 or 10 m long, water table is generally high enough especially for over wintering veg, kale, onion sets and carrots, weed and water once a month or as needed.
@REDGardens
4 жыл бұрын
I often cover them with a crop cover or mesh, more to keep the birds away, but also because i have the stuff and would rather it put too use than move it to the shed. It would be interesting to try using a plastic cover in addition, or instead of this mesh.
@Galluchh
5 жыл бұрын
what a great closing statement! i loved this video, you really know how to convey your results of the harvest in a clear and engaging way. i recently started contributing to your Patreon and can't wait to see more from you, keep up the great work
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the supportive comments, and for being a patron. Glad to know that my efforts to present all that data and information was worth it.
@alionofengland4059
5 жыл бұрын
good choice of knife too :) I own a good few Mora's
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Yeah, it is a really great knife. I use the stainless steel version, because it is always getting wet, and I need it to be 'food grade', but I would prefer the sharper edge that I could get with the high carbon blade.
@alionofengland4059
5 жыл бұрын
@@REDGardens Very nice, I have a carbon bladed one i wish i had taken more care of it... I took it out of the sheath after a month of not using it, only to find the metal had serious erosion of some kind :( it was a Mora Robust lol
@alionofengland4059
5 жыл бұрын
Robust - ob = Rust...
@bjornnilsson2941
5 жыл бұрын
That's a really good statistical analysis comparing the yield of different crops per m2 in a poly tunnel. These are the kind of things we as gardeners need and usually cannot find! I do wonder though, how these different crops compare to the same varieties grown outside. That in my mind would be the ultimate guide to which crops to grow in the limited poly tunnel space most people have to consider. Basically it would be great to find out which crops give a very large harvest per area and time, where the yields are far reduced when grown outside. I also wonder if intercropping could help boost your yields further by putting smaller things in between the garlic and onions etc. Great video!
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I agree that these kind of statistics are really useful, and I am really frustrated that they are not a lot of examples out there - which is one of the main reasons for recording and presenting all my own productivity. I plan to do a direct comparison between similar crops inside and outside, to try to get a sense of how much of a difference the polytunnel makes. But as you mentioned it also depends on the amount of time, so a simple kg/m2 metric doesn't tell the whole story. I'm working on that. Intercropping might help, and I do it a bit when planting in the tomatoes, but I have had issues with competition in the past so have avoided it recently, at least until I get a better handle on things.
@quarksbay
5 жыл бұрын
Invaluable experimentation!! Thanks for putting this out there!! Now get to planting people!!
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks. Glad you found it valuable!
@quarksbay
5 жыл бұрын
Quite! I enjoy the comprehensive analysis!
@alionofengland4059
5 жыл бұрын
dude your living the life! :) i wish i had the space for my own polytunnel!
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
It is a pretty sweet life!
@jamie_mkv
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for posting these types of videos, though I'm not able to utilise your tips due to a lack of a garden, I look forward to trying them in the future! :)
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I find it very cool and fascinating that people who don't have a garden still watch my videos! Hope you get the chance to try it all out yourself very soon..
@ronaldbequeath2307
5 жыл бұрын
You may want to check out Neversink Farm in catskill mountains N.Y. He uses poly tunnels to a great extent and is quite impressive. I would like to investigate his farm further. Have a great day.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Yes, I really like the work that he has done, and you have reminded me that I should watch more of his videos.
@flowergrowersmith449
5 жыл бұрын
I reckon the spinach would be the most nutritious. Sounds like the polytunnel would pay for itself pretty quickly. Great video again.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
It would-be interest gin to do a nutritional comparison between all the crops, and I think you might be right about the spinach. I have been able to get great yields out of it. I think the polytunnel paid for itself - again - just with the harvest from the first part of this season!
@SmallGardenQuest
5 жыл бұрын
Cant wait to calculate my first year harvest. Now you gave me a target to aim :)
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Have fun!
@sheelaghomalley3292
2 жыл бұрын
Fascinating. Thank you
@REDGardens
2 жыл бұрын
👍
@ilostmypointer8695
5 жыл бұрын
If you are bored you should think about leaving permanent rows of Alfalfa inside the polytunnel. I got the idea from a farming method called "Inga Alley Cropping" (which sadly only works on tropical rainforests). The alfalfa would replace the Inga trees by fixing nitrogen (which would be added into the soil whenever the alfalfa is cut and used as mulch) and the alfalfa roots can also be a home for mycrorrhiza fungus which help fix phosphorus into molecules that can be absorbed by plants (according to the guy that invented the Inga method, phosphorus tends to react with other elements and form compounds which can't be absorbed by plants). I am not sure the space the alfalfa would take is worth it in your scenario because you are able to make so much compost but if you ever have a spare polytunnel it might be a fun idea to try. I personally want try it on my front yard since I can't make much compost and the alfalfa would hide the crops from curious kids.
@pineconeparty
5 жыл бұрын
That's a great idea.
@ilostmypointer8695
5 жыл бұрын
@@pineconeparty Thanks, I also forgot to mention it could help with soil erosion. If doing it on a slope you plant the rows perpendicular to the slope. Plus the alfalfa is a permanent home to beneficial bugs altough I didnt mention it in the original comment because I dont think there are lots of bugs in a polytunnel.
@pineconeparty
5 жыл бұрын
@@ilostmypointer8695 I have been growing alfalfa, peas, and clovers for the chickens this year to cut costs on feed. I really like your idea, tomorrow I am going to plant some more to start adding to the compost pile. I feel like it's a lot better than just adding grass and weeds.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
"If you are bored..." LOL It would be cool to experiment with a permanent row crop between the beds, but as you mention, it might be less appropriate int he is context with lots of compost and high turnover of crops. I would worry about the cover crop being a haven for slugs, but that might be avoided with the right type of crop.
@andrewc7369
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for a great video. Really appreciate the objective assesments. Best regards.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@jeffkeys8961
5 жыл бұрын
We've grown various varieties of kale. Russian blue yields best here in subtropical eastern Australia. The plants yield well for three or four years.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
I hadn't heard of kales lasting for more than one year. Do they ever flower?
@jeffkeys8961
5 жыл бұрын
@@REDGardens Not in our experience. Everything else here in the subtropics bolts. We love our kale.
@mtman673
5 жыл бұрын
Love your videos! I hope you continue to post.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
:)
@anniegaddis5240
5 жыл бұрын
I love your experimenting and then letting us know what the results were. Have you looked into how the Grand Solar Minimum is going to effect growing crops in Ireland? Am hoping Ireland isn't too far north, and to be covered in snow all 4 seasons. Was wondering if you have found a buyer for the sprouts?
@secretsquirrel9713
5 жыл бұрын
Don't think he's convinced of it yet Annie. Maunder Minimum temperature reconstruction maps show a drop in temps of around 1°C for here in Ireland. I think the bigger issue will be the unpredictable nature of the weather and extreme swings out of traditional seasons. I can't find any mention of monster size hail thank goodness! So I'm building another large greenhouse.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I distribute most of the microgreens to my neighbours through my "Veg Fridge" which is a help yourself, and 'pay what you think it is worth', honesty system. I might look for other buyers in the future, but we are fairly isolated around here. I have looked into the Grand Solar Minimum, and from the research I have done any decrease in temperature from it seems to be completely overwhelmed by the increase in temperature from the increase in greenhouse gasses. I found this useful skepticalscience.com/grand-solar-minimum-mini-ice-age-intermediate.htm
@secretsquirrel9713
5 жыл бұрын
More Co2 = more plant food, yay! More water vapour = more clouds, boo! Temperature increases are predicted by models and not a single one has been correct yet. Why? Their math is correct, so why the failure to get it right? The TSI model of solar forcing ignores nearly all climate forcing aspects of space weather and instead attributes that forcing to the human total.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
@@secretsquirrel9713 There is a common claim that the models have all been wrong, and this claim is apparently false. The models have been quite accurate. skepticalscience.com/climate-models-intermediate.htm or there is this www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/jun/25/30-years-later-deniers-are-still-lying-about-hansens-amazing-global-warming-prediction ... and I could add a lot of other sources, but will leave it at that for now.
@anniegaddis5240
5 жыл бұрын
@@REDGardens If 'scientists' are getting grants to prove global warming, they're going to adjust their figures to fit what is wanted by the payee. Hopefully in Ireland you have scientists who are more honest than here in the USA. Here, they've been caught adjusting figures, or leaving certain things out of the equation, and so they can't be trusted any more. Am hoping you are right.
@idahogardengirl942
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the video. It is interesting to learn the results of your experiments in growing.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Glad you found it interesting.
@ymirishere7108
5 жыл бұрын
Could you make a video explaining what you do with the rocks and other undesirable debris you get from processing soil?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
That could be an interesting video. Very briefly, the smaller stones I have been using to fill-in a section by my house as a drainage area, and to create paths. The medium size ones that are small enough to pick up with one hand but large enough to have some weight, I use to hold down tarps.mesh/covers etc in the gardens. The larger ones that take two hands to lift I set aside for building stone walls.
@ymirishere7108
5 жыл бұрын
@@REDGardens Thanks for the response.
@dollyperry3020
5 жыл бұрын
I think your nutrient boosting has paid huge dividends in the results. I can't wait to hear more :)
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
I agree with you - cashing in on all that investment!
@danielallouche2493
5 жыл бұрын
I made kale chips with a few different brassica leaves including kohlrabi. Some turned out surprisingly good.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
I will have to try that.
@chrisfryer3118
5 жыл бұрын
so much work, compressed into 12mins
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Hope it wasn't too much of an overload of info. Had a lot to get through, and left too much out!
@MeandYouHello
5 жыл бұрын
Good to see you thanks for sharing!
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
:)
@connor_b152
5 жыл бұрын
Another great video, thank you. You’ve definitely earned my subscription.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for subscribing.
@meganelliott1945
5 жыл бұрын
This information is gold thanks 🙏
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
:)
@dianawestrup7416
5 жыл бұрын
Mr. Irish farmer , I've been pleased to watch the result of your hard work and admire the effort you take to achieve what you do. The variety of vegetables and their high quality make me feel I do have to congratulate you, RED GARDENS. Thank you very much for sharing your valuable experience. Let me ask you something: Have you ever tried using earthworm hummus? I buy it at Walmart here in Cancun, Mexico, it is rather inexpensive, comes in powder form and is a natural and potent fertilizer. I use it in my houseplants and it is good. I don't know if it is known or used in your country. I mean, because of the different climate or so. Your experience is inspiring, most than anything. Greetings from the tropical Mexican Caribbean. By the way, I learned that those are called "broad beans". In Spanish, habas. Check out a Mexican "Sopa de habas" recipe. Mmmm, delicious. Great video, great project, great FARMER! cONGRATS!
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the supportive comment, especially from someone so far away, and in a very different climate. I have used a bit of worm compost in the past, but not so much recently. Thanks for the pointer to the "Sopa de habas"
@MistressOP
5 жыл бұрын
plus onion and certain crops are great rotational crops for a tunnel. people forget about that so much. it's always tomatoes or something else but rotational type crops are worth it long term
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Yes, good point.
@ToraValenzuela
5 жыл бұрын
Great information! Thanks!! :)
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
:)
@skgroovin915
5 жыл бұрын
I want to start living off the land like this, I would love to wooff with you.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Hope you find a way - unfortunately my capacity for wwoofers is full for the time being.
@skgroovin915
5 жыл бұрын
@@REDGardens thanks for the response! Love the videos!
@downbntout
5 жыл бұрын
Now THATS how to do a YT vid. Less talking head, more working hands. Speaking pace that doesn't make us reach for faster playback. Thanks.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Cool! Glad you like my videos!
@rickyturrell8778
5 жыл бұрын
Great looking cauliflowers, what variety and when was they put in And picked. Great videos love to come and visit. Ricky
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
i sowed a variety called 'Amazing' on the 16 feb and transplanted them about 6 weeks later. The harvest was from 10-23 June.
@rickyturrell8778
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you for information they looked stunning
@martinspijker8952
5 жыл бұрын
i just have a liitle polytunnel but big enough for spinasz and early lettuce..:)
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
A little space can be really productive.
@dfbess
5 жыл бұрын
Have you looked into using raspberry pi's with sensors in your poly tunnels? I was looking at it last year, And wondered if the moisture sensors, temperature senors, light sensors, could help track crop growth data to help improve the helps quality?. They are relatively cheap.. let me know your thoughts iam definitely interested. Also did you get a fan set up yet?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
I really want to get into exploring the use of some sensors, hopefully later in the year.
@ginger_wby
3 жыл бұрын
What was the variety of kale you've been growing for salads?
@rickyturrell8778
5 жыл бұрын
Do you have a planting guide of when you plant your seeds in the Polytunnel. Thanks for all your replies from past questions.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
I dont have a planting guide. Still working on it in my context, and so much depends on the climate you are in.
@rickyturrell8778
5 жыл бұрын
I’m in Kent uk. As a guide you would adjust to your area, mine might be a few weeks earlier have a small Polytunnel trying to get more out of it on my allotment
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
@@rickyturrell8778 I sowed most of the spring crops around the middle of February this year.
@rickyturrell8778
5 жыл бұрын
Well I think you done extremely well planted lot in February including the hotbeds love the way you log everything I start well then fade.
@jonathon1368
5 жыл бұрын
Any tips for stopping caterpillars
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
I usually rely on crop covers or netting to prevent the butterflies from landing on the crops, and laying their eggs.
@saulblatt
5 жыл бұрын
When did you sow and harvest the broad beans and the beets?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
The broad bean were sown on 18 Dec 2018, and harvested from 22 May to 10 Jun. The beetroot was direct sown on 14 Feb 2019, and harvested from 22 May to 9 June - there was a some harvest of the final thinning (which I wait until they are quite large) between 1-10 May.
@trilalterst4656
5 жыл бұрын
Love the yield comparisons. Which variety of turnip did you grow?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
The turnip variety is called 'F1 Tokyo Cross', but I think it is similar to a variety called 'Hakurei' which is available elsewhere.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
:)
@trilalterst4656
5 жыл бұрын
@@REDGardens Thank you! I'll have a look to see if it's available around here :)
@DovidM
5 жыл бұрын
Do you calculate the costs of growing different crops based on inputs such as water and fertilizer? Those are great looking broad beans, by the way.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
I haven't yet, but that would be interesting to do.
@russsherwood5978
5 жыл бұрын
what a great harvest you got !,,, what was the name of the white turnip ?,,,, maybe i could find it here the u.s.,,,,, thank you for the up-dates and videos,,,,, stay safe and have fun
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
The turnip variety is called 'F1 Tokyo Cross', but I think there are variations of it elsewhere under the name of 'Hakurei' or Japanese/Tokyo variety. I was really pleased with the variety.
@triciamcdonald1030
5 жыл бұрын
Why don't you eat the kohlrabi leaves?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Habit I guess, and the fact that there are often so many other greens around at the same time. I should start trying to eat them, to see how to best fit them into our diet.
@BlaBla-pf8mf
5 жыл бұрын
Do you need pollinators in your polytunnel?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
There is usually a few regular visitors of bumblebees into the polytunnel, and that seems to be enough. Most of the plants I grew in the spring didn't need pollination, perhaps apart from the broad/fava beans. Sometimes there seems to be a lack of pollination with some of the summer crops, but not enough to worry about.
@TheIridescentFisherMan
5 жыл бұрын
What did you do for the pests on the microgreens?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
There were a few mice eating the sunflower seeds when it was covered with ta sheet of plywood - their burrows really messed things up. I tried a few different traps and approaches, but then I started to not spread the seeds to the full edge of the bed, and when it was covered with the plywood, I guess the mice didn't know are to find them, as there was no trace of the seeds to follow. Either that or a cat got them coincidentally around the same time.
@crpth1
5 жыл бұрын
@@REDGardens- Really nice presentation. Your channel is one of the very few I subscribe. ;-) Regarding what you just said, my money goes to the cat "option". ;-) Amazingly useful creatures on a garden. Aside from occasional pee on the veggies, or try to make the carrots bed their leisure spot. Don't ask. LOL ;-) In fact most predators are extremely useful on the garden. Be it a cat, praying mantis or ladybug's. The amount of pest control they provide is invaluable. Not only by what they kill, but keep pest movements under control. Cheers
@markprobert7177
5 жыл бұрын
Amazing, again. What were your sowing and planting dates for beets kales? I live in Wales so have similar conditions. Are you going to grow micros over winter?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks. The beets and kale were both direct sown 14 Feb. I am going to try to grow microgreens all year round. I had some success, and some failure with growing them overwinter last year in flats in my heated propagation space, but it will be interesting to see how they work in the polytunnel.
@markprobert7177
5 жыл бұрын
@@REDGardens look forward to future updates soon by the sounds of it, and guess that this would be off grid growing?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
@@markprobert7177 Yes, this is off grid - no electricity supply at the polytunnel. I do use a heated propagation space back at at my house for a lot of the seedlings.
@sauspitze3722
5 жыл бұрын
uhh new video.... i have a question... where is the perennial garden?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Ah, yes, I have kind of abandoned that garden, just don't have enough time. But hopefully I will rescue it soon.
@kamnapivo
5 жыл бұрын
was it red russian kale? 4:45
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Yes it was.
@jeffdustin
5 жыл бұрын
Great crops! That cauliflower was professionally grown. Absolutely oustanding! wow!
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@jessicaz5512
5 жыл бұрын
Congrats on the great yield!! I love seeing you harvest the crops, it’s very satisfying
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@kalimstanney8437
3 жыл бұрын
Hi, I have just setup my 2nd polytunnel, a large one 5.5m by 20m. As my small one produced more than my large veg garden, I need to work on my soil structure this winter, I plan to grow a large variety of veg in the polytunnel, I have at the moment, onions, garlic, some mixed lettuce, cabbage, and bok Choi, I’m not quite sure when to plant stuff like kohlrabi and other stuff over winter, for a spring harvest,
@kennethnormanthompson2740
4 жыл бұрын
Naming the actual varieties of each plant would be useful. Thanks for interesting video.
@jimmahgee
5 жыл бұрын
Those microgreens look fabulous, mate! Are you planning to do a video about those at some point? What you learned, what the pests were, etc.?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
They are a great crop, though with issues (same with everything). I am planning to do a video soon - hopefully in mid July.
@jimmahgee
5 жыл бұрын
Super, I look forward to it. I have been a subscriber since your early days and always enjoy seeing what you've been up to.
@bigwheelsturning
4 жыл бұрын
How big is that polytunnel?
@Dufffaaa93
5 жыл бұрын
How do you guys fight pests, like greenflies and other insects without using commercial pesticides? Great content btw.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
I am about to do a video about how I deal with slugs - our biggest pest. I rely on crop covers and fine mesh for some of the key insect problems, and natural predators for others. My main focus is to make the vegetables as healthy as possible.
@triciamcdonald1030
5 жыл бұрын
Why don't you eat the kohlrabi leaves?
@oiavh
5 жыл бұрын
Are you planning to write a book or similar with all your findings? I think it would be really useful. I like very much your objective and more scientific approach
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
I had always thought I'd write a book or two, but then I started this KZitem channel, and not so sure any more.
@oiavh
5 жыл бұрын
@@REDGardens Alright. I can always go to your great channel :)
@LU-gr9ry
5 жыл бұрын
I don't know why, but I'm drunk whenever I watch your videos
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
That's cool!
@brotherinchrist1980
5 жыл бұрын
Hello sir.your a verry smart gardener.i am a garner too.i grow mainly tomatos.i have seen all of your videos but I cant find any on growing weed plants please when you have time to make one on growing some lemon.thank you sir
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks. Unfortunately I cannot grow lemons in this climate.
@DovidM
5 жыл бұрын
With regard to bolting, do you have greater success in the polytunnel than in the open because you can start the crops before the length of days triggers the bolting?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
I haven't noticed any difference in that regard, but it could be a factor.
@lewsut
5 жыл бұрын
Excellent video as always, I've just popped up a 20sqm poly and have 30sqm outside to have a go at veg. When where you sowing and planting for the spring harvest?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I sowed most of these crops in the middle of February, which suited my schedule and the climate here.A lot of them were direct sown, and a few were transplanted 4-6 weeks later. Have fun with your new growing space.
@lewsut
5 жыл бұрын
@@REDGardens cheers, I'm only across the water in England. I'll try and be ready for then!
@Brandon-so9fp
5 жыл бұрын
Amazing cauliflower yield and they looked so good.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
I was so pleased with that crop. I used to think that cauliflower was a problematic, low yielding crop, but now it is one of my favourites.
@the_earthway
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for the detailed and informative video.. we will be having a large polytunnel when we move to Transylvania and this helps greatly in planning Waiting for a Summer overview :-)
@sheelaghomalley3292
2 жыл бұрын
What is the variety of kale you grew for salad leaves? Watching this video for the third time and learn something new each time. Thank you
@REDGardens
2 жыл бұрын
It was 'ragged jack' or 'red russian' kale. Thanks for watching, and re-watching!
@sheelaghomalley3292
2 жыл бұрын
@@REDGardens I have Red Russian. Thanks for info. Keep up the good work. Would love to come visit soon.
@BracesandBoots1
5 жыл бұрын
My biggest problem with microgreens has been damping off. Up to this point, the problem has been completely solved by not watering from above. I think there is a stage of growth where they are so compact that the moisture creates an environment that is unnatural. Maybe you can try to protect them from the overhead sprinkler and instead flood or drip irrigate them. I grow mine in trays, so I'm not sure how to get the same result from soil grown.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
I am starting to get the same problem, and I think I agree with not watering from above. i am login to try covering them while the sprinklers are on, as you suggest. Drip irrigation is an option, but it gets in the way, and doesn't provide a good coverage of moisture on the surface. Because they grow so quickly in the summer, I am going to also explore watering them really young stage and then not again.
@BracesandBoots1
5 жыл бұрын
@@REDGardens large trays with the bottom cut out and then pressed into the soil would allow you to flood the roots. The tray frame could be pulled out later, so it's not in the way for cutting. Love your channel by the way.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
@@BracesandBoots1 Flooding the trays from the bottom makes sense.
@Gandalf-The-Green
5 жыл бұрын
You seem to have great soil and climate for growing vegetables. The crops I grow only yield 30-70% of yours on average. My potatoes yield only little more than your garlic... but then again, my vegetable garden is in an old vineyard with poor and shallow topsoil ;)
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
interesting to hear you yield comparisons. It seems that climate can have a huge impact of yield, as does soil. I am interested in doing a comparison between the crops inside and those outside, to estimate the difference that the polytunnel makes to the climate. Where are you based?
@Gandalf-The-Green
5 жыл бұрын
@@REDGardens I am based in Southern Germany, in the Rhine valley, just north of the Black Forest. Our garden is on a south facing hillside where people used to have vineyards until the 1800s. Soil is very calcareous loam, shallow, well draining. It looks like Andalusia in the summer. Grapes and peaches and apples do incredibly well here, because it is quite dry and they hardly get any fungus. I can grow figs and tomatoes in the open. Some veggies like onions or celery are almost impossible to grow here, some work very well, like zucchini or broccoli or tomatoes. Down in the valley, walking distance, they have a vastly different soil where sediments have been deposited for ages. I am reluctant to haul in much organic matter and instead use home made compost, chicken manure and biochar.
@Gandalf-The-Green
5 жыл бұрын
And I also remember reading in German books about vegetable growing that potatoes yield about 4-5 kg per square metre in a good soil and onions about 2-3 kg. Parsnips can yield up to 5 or 6 kg and bush beans yield only 1-2 kg. So you either have a very good soil or favorable climate or both, and also a lot of skill to match it :)
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
@@Gandalf-The-Green Those are interesting yield comparisons. I imagine those are for larger scale growing, with not a lot of fertility inputs. This polytunnel is operated as a more intensive operation, with lots of inputs, so yes the soil will en quite favourable. And the polytunnel really helps create a better climate for growing, or at least it has this season. I'd also like to think that some of it is due to skill as well ;)
@chadeller5588
5 жыл бұрын
What is the variety of kale at 4:34 that you like so much?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
The variety is called Red Russian Kale
@chadeller5588
5 жыл бұрын
@@REDGardens Thanks!
@MyraMo9484
5 жыл бұрын
Too good!!
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
:)
@secretsquirrel9713
5 жыл бұрын
@Red Gardens Thank you for a very interesting video and what great yields! That garlic! Was this the tunnel that you grew the green manure in? We eat many broad beans 'pods n all' before they are 4" long (it's the only way 'Mrs.Squirrel' will eat them). I love the bitter taste when they are cooked bigger but a friend from Spain eats them raw after rubbing the skin of each bean.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I grew the green manure in my other polytunnel - I have two. This one is my older and slightly smaller one. I haven't tried eating/cooking the baby pods, but should give it a try. I also tend to snack on the raw seeds when in the garden.
@kingjames4886
5 жыл бұрын
why not eat kohlrabi leaves?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
They are a bit tough, not sure how to prepare them, and just haven't got into hew habit of doing it with so many other greens available to eat.
@kingjames4886
5 жыл бұрын
I just fry them up with a little butter and garlic like I do with kale or beet greens, usually mixed in with other tougher greens like those. I don't really find them any tougher than kale.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
@@kingjames4886 Cool, ill try them out next time.
@MistressOP
5 жыл бұрын
the micro grinds idea can also work as mulch as well. very good idea since you can cut it then plant directly into it after it's cut. smart smart smart man.
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
That might work. I'd probably rough up the surface ar least a bit after cutting, as there always seems to be seeds that are slower to germinate.
@msmarygardner
5 жыл бұрын
What is the name of your kale and cauliflower that’s doing well?
@REDGardens
5 жыл бұрын
The kale is the 'Red Russian' variety, and the cauliflower variety was called 'Amazing'.
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