Today, we made it to one of my favourite garden centres for some seeds. I had hoped to obtain okra as well as aubergine but I think I will need to try somewhere a little more specialist for the former. In any case, a packet of aubergine seeds was found and back home I have planted them in the bottom of an egg box to get them started.
The growing instructions state that they can be planted from February to May if grown indoors. At the same time, I think that I am starting a little on the early side as it will be very cool on the window sill – and undoubtedly an uneven temperature, too. However, last year I left everything till later and then did not get the crops I might otherwise have got.
There is also the issue of space. I simply do not have the room to start of a large number of plants/varieties together. So, fingers crossed the aubergines thrive and then I can start on the tomatoes in a timely fashion as well!
Aside from the aubergines, I finally got round to putting manure round the rhubarb. (The rhubarb did need something round the roots in any case, as the soil had been eroded with last year’s constant downpours.) Whilst doing this, I could see the first shoots of the season coming through – how exciting. By May, I hope we will have a good crop…. the plant is well established now, so as long as I feed it LOTS and we have reasonable weather, I think it will be fine.
On the other hand, the cauliflowers continue to look in a sorry state – brown and mushy heads and slug damaged leaves. Perhaps my success in growing this vegetable three winters ago was beginners’ luck? Thankfully, more and more of the garlic is coming through, so that is one crop which should not disappoint. In fact, if it all thrives, I see no reason not to be self-sufficient in it next winter 
Time will tell!
I love aubergine but haven’t yet grown them so it will be interesting to see how you get on. Cauliflowers are supposed to be tricky to grow… and remember we’ve had one of the wettest years on record so don’t give up!
Thank you for your encouragement, PJ. I am keeping the cauliflowers in the ground in the hope that they floursh. As for the aubergines, I will let you know. I intend to keep them indoors, so taking it they turn into seedlings, I am sure I should get some fruit.
My cauli was a disaster too! You have inspired me to plant seeds this week and I want to try aubergines again this year. Good luck!
Thank you! How have your aubergine fared in the past?
I tried aubergines from seed for the first time last year. They grew really well in a bed bag in the greenhouse and had loads of flowers…but they just dropped off without developing any fruit. Hoping for better luck this year!
have you any idea why they didn’t develop into fruit?
Well…I have read very recently that if your greenhouse gets to 95*F this may be too warm and prevent fruit from setting. We did see the thermometer reading towards that level occasionally but we would never have worried about it being too hot in our climate!
i guess in a greenhouse or a windowsill it could get quite warm! good to know, anyway, so thank you.
We did see the temp in the greenhouse get near to 95 but didn’t know about this potential problem.
well, it’s all part of the learning curve
I was so excited year before last – I managed to grow two whole fat purple aubergine in my herb garden and then the silly monkeys decided to take a bite! Luckily they left one which we used for Christmas dinner. This year I was determined to do better – to no avail! So I am going to be holding thumbs and learning from your aubergine adventure. Good luck!
thank you! at least we don’t have monkeys here and the plants will be indoors. Are you going to try again this year?