Plants4Allseasons

Plants4Allseasons Provide gardening hints and tips and to sell excess garden plants that I have grown mainly from seed

Offering Surplus Garden Plants to local communities in Selby Area

Growing SweetcornGrow from seed indoors in late April to mid May and only plant into final position when plants are abou...
14/06/2026

Growing Sweetcorn

Grow from seed indoors in late April to mid May and only plant into final position when plants are about 6” tall and risk of frost has passed

Sweetcorn in air pollinated so plant in a group rather than a long row so each plant is surrounded by several near neighbours, so the chances of successful pollination (resulting in a cob packed with kernels) is much greater, Poor pollination leads to sparsely filled cobs with missing kernels.

The exception is when growing baby corn varieties – with these, the female flowers shouldn’t be pollinated, otherwise the kernels will start to swell, so plant these in rows.

Space plants 13–18”apart, depending on the variety, but with baby corn, plant 20cm (8in) apart.

Don’t plant ‘supersweet’ with standard sweetcorn varieties nearby, as cross-pollination can reduce their sweetness.

Keep checking for growth and kernel formation and pick and use immediately they are ready. Do not store for long periods as they will deteriorate rapidly.

Water ButtsI have 4 large water butts in my garden 2x2 linked so a lot of potential free water but this water is no use ...
12/06/2026

Water Butts

I have 4 large water butts in my garden 2x2 linked so a lot of potential free water but this water is no use unless it is clean.

I have just finished cleaning mine. First I had to drain then. Can the quickest method was to take the tops off and plunge in the watering cans. This took nearly 2 hours with the water going onto lawns.

Next was to tip out the residue left in the bottom of each and believe me when I say I would not have liked to drink what came out.

Next stage was a quick closer was and then using a yard brush with soft bristles giving then a good scour followed by a further tip out.

After that I put two caps of water butt treatment in each, reconnected them and then allowed them to refill naturally with rainwater.

The next time I use them to water my plants I am happy they are getting fresh water.

Cultivating Peony ShrubsI personally love this plant when in full bloom. The downside being that each cultivar has a ve...
12/06/2026

Cultivating Peony Shrubs

I personally love this plant when in full bloom. The downside being that each cultivar has a very short flowering season.

Peonies need sunshine so never plant peonies in shaded areas or waterlogged soil.

Peonies require a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight, perfectly draining soil, and shallow planting of just a few inches below the surface. 
Peonies are prone to root rot and fungal diseases such as botrytis.

The other issue is that blooms tend to be large and consequently heavy and prone to falling over, so be prepared to support plants.

Plants Not Doing Well?Several reasons exist where plants do not look their best.1. Insufficient watering and or feeding....
06/06/2026

Plants Not Doing Well?

Several reasons exist where plants do not look their best.

1. Insufficient watering and or feeding. If you plants have been in the same pot with the same compost for more than 1 season the likelihood is that they are suffering from lack of nutrients. As long as they are not Ericaceous - Azalea, Camelia, Rhododdendrum then feed with Tomatoritecsolution as per instructions on bottle. If Ericaceous they need specialist Ericaceous feed available from Garden Centres or some High Street Retailers.

2. Pot Bound. If you plant has been in same pot for some time it is highly likely that it has become pot bound and the routes have not only nowhere to explanation but the compost or soil will undoubtedly be nutrient deficient.

Remove the plant from the pot. If pot bound this may be difficult to achieve. Once removed move plant to a pot at least twice the size of the current one and also fill with fresh compost. To do this gently tap the plant roots on paper or cardboard to shake off any ole compost and then place plant back into fresh compost and water in.

3. Bugs infecting your plant. Remove the plant and check the roots of unwelcome visitors. These could be ants, beetles or other bugs. Again shake out the plant t***s, tip out the compost and clean the pot then refill with fresh compost and replace plant.

4. Plant is in wrong position.
Look up on internet the needs of you plant in terms of soil, structure and position. If a plant needs a cool shady position don’t put it in full son and expect it to do well.

5. Plant is constricted by itself. It is common to find plants, especially shrubs which are too compacted to allow light or air through the plant. If a plant is compacted then it will not flourish. Take some secateurs and cut out any dead branches or thin spindly branches so that you can see through the plant. That way air can circulate.

6. Plants are not protected against frost. Even if your plants are classified as hardly they will not survive heavy or prolonged frost, however in many cases it is not frost that kills them but cold biting winds, so if you have an area in your garden that is a wi d tunnel do not plant too many plants in that area, or protect them asautumn arrives.

Protection TimeIf you are growing, strawberries, raspberries or any of the other berry plants you need to think about pr...
06/06/2026

Protection Time

If you are growing, strawberries, raspberries or any of the other berry plants you need to think about protection of your crops.

Strawberries should be ripening well now and your raspberries should be starting to swell fruits.

Birds love strawberries and if you are not careful they will do serious damage to your crop.

To deter attacks you need to cover your crop with horticultural fleece, poly tunnels or netting.

There is nothing worse than to find your crop has been attacked and fruits pecked open..

Horticultural fleece is relatively inexpensive so don’t leave it too late, protect all your berry crops.

Marigolds - True gardener friendIf you grow roses, tomatoes, chillies or peppers then youNeed to plant Marigolds as comp...
30/05/2026

Marigolds - True gardener friend

If you grow roses, tomatoes, chillies or peppers then you
Need to plant Marigolds as companion plants close by.

Their primary benefits include naturally repelling pests like aphids and whiteflies with their strong scent, protecting root systems from harmful nematodes, and attracting beneficial predators—such as ladybugs and hoverflies—that eat common vegetable garden pests.

So if you have roses, or other veg in your garden plant Marigolds as companion plants close by for an Aphid free garden

Trust me - it works.

Grey Water UseIn this current heatwave we need to tend our plants even more especially if the plants are not rooted into...
27/05/2026

Grey Water Use

In this current heatwave we need to tend our plants even more especially if the plants are not rooted into the ground such as pots, tubs or hanging baskets.

Water is expensive so we need to be clever with our se of water by collecting water in water butts where possible, however how many of us use water from water butts which have not been cleaned in years.

The chances are the water will be contaminated from dead bugs, algae or other nasties.

There is however an alternative - Grey water from washing up dishes. Instead of pouring this water down the sink pour it into your watering can.

When you get time carefully tip the water from your water butt out and get a proprietary cleaning product to scrub your water but clean then allow natural rain water to refill it.

Then when you come to use your water but it will be both clean and free to use.

Clean out your water butt every other year.

23/05/2026

Heatwave Dangers

As we are about to experience an unusually high heatwave over the next 3 days please take precautions in your garden.

Essential wear includes a hat, garden gloves and knee pads. Never ever garden without gloves or knee pads to protect your hands and knees from sharp objects which may be lurking hidden from view including fallen spikey leaves or broken items that have been forgotten about.

Do not venture out in the heat of the day between 11:00 and 15:00 and only work in short bursts of half hour taking plenty of fluids on board.

Get Sowing - CauliflowerCauliflowers are a very versatile plant to grow. They are used quite often in Sunday lunches bu...
20/05/2026

Get Sowing - Cauliflower

Cauliflowers are a very versatile plant to grow. They are used quite often in Sunday lunches but can be used in hundreds of recipes.

Cauliflowers are traditionally white but you can grow green and purple varieties. You can use your harvests in soups, curries and classic cauliflower cheese. You can also grate them to make cauliflower rice

As it starts to grow the leaves grow around the curd to protect it from bolting, but this is where problems arise in cultivation.

If not given sufficient watering and kept in cooler areas of the veg plot they are prone to bolting. Make sure that the leaves are curling over the curd as they develop to prevent this.

Once again I set my seeds in good quality seed compost until strong enough to be transplanted to final growing position..

Once cropped they should be eaten ideally as soon as possible to take advantage of the fresh flavour. As time goes by the curds start to yellow and lose some flavour

It’s time to get your Brassicas sown. Let’s start with Brussel SproutsThis veg is like Marmite. You love it or hate it...
20/05/2026

It’s time to get your Brassicas sown.

Let’s start with Brussel Sprouts

This veg is like Marmite. You love it or hate it.

Brussels sprouts provide valuable harvests through the winter months. A member of the cabbage family, they are very hardy and crop well through even the worst winters. If frosted the sprouts taste much sweeter.

You can sow them at Springtime for cropping in late Autunn, although they can be sown until late Spring for later cropping.

A plant that can potentially grow up to 3” tall on a strong sturdy stem to produce an abundance of small round golf ball size produce.

They are easy to grow. I start mine off in the greenhouse in a seed tray until germination and I then leave them in situ to get stronger before transplanting to final position in a raised bed

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Thorpe Willoughby
Selby
YO89GD

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