Potting mix experiments

Science in the garden is so much fun!
Here are the first of my first experiments, growing in my Fat Fruit Greenhouse.
Following the progress of the plants, and the evaluation of the various potting mixes will be interesting.

Like a true scientist, I have planned my experiments and attempted one variable
(i.e. same plants, same pots, same potting mix but in a different location - in greenhouse/not in greenhouse)  Some plants and seeds have been also planted in the garden beds.

Seedling producers are making it easier to buy a variety of plants 

without having to buy a punnet of six of each type.

These were perfect for my experiments.

I have planted one of each variety, 

in the same soil mix, 

and the same type and size pot.

One will be living inside the greenhouse 

and one outside.

Formula #1 - (20 October)
50% cheap potting mix
50% well rotted manure
Added blood and bone.

All seedlings and seeds in the greenhouse
Seedlings

• Grafted Grosse Lisse tomato
• Early money tomato
• Egg plants (grown from seed - can't remember the type)

Seeds

• Watermelon 

On the left: tomato - early money

Right - tomato - grafted gross lisse.

Both in IKEA self watering pots, which I already owned.

Formula #2 - (23 Oct)

70% good quality potting mix 

25% well rotted compost

5% river gravel/sand

Seedlings in greenhouse

• Tomato - Early money (will be able to compare with same variety in Formula #1)
• Chilli - black pearl
• Chilli - habenero heat

Chilli - Black pearl

The second set of tiered shelves from the greenhouse
being used outside.

Inside the greenhouse

Formula #3 - (23 Oct)

Good potting mix only

Seedlings in self watering pots in green house AND outside, AND in garden bed.

• Capsicum - Yolo Wonder
• Capsicum - Sweet Mumma

Capsicum's  eye-view of the sky, through the greenhouse roof.

Formula #4 - (23 Oct)

70 % well rotted compost

20 % good potting mix 

10% river gravel/stones 10%

Seedlings in the greenhouse AND in same type of containers outside.

• Capsicum - Big Bertha
• Capsicum - Cherry Pick
• Capsicum - Golden Bell
• Cucumber - crystal apple (also in garden bed)

Seeds (24 Oct)

• canteloupe/rock melon
• Salad mix (Goodman seeds, corn salsd, mizuna,  mibuna, spinach, lettuce, rocket)
• Beetroot - crimson globe (Mr Fothergills) - also in garden 3 days earlier.
• Spring onion - white lisbon (Mr Fothergils) - also in garden 3 days earlier.

Just greenhouse

• Chilli - Ever bearing perennial - Rainbow Chilli.

I will have to become a chilli fan,
with gorgeous bejeweled specimens like this one.

There is a long way to go, before the greenhouse is full...but it is a start!