Salad Days: Famine and Feast


Here we have two identical trays with identical amounts of compost, the same number of pea seeds in each and all lovingly watered with the same amount of liquid over the past few weeks.

I have no idea why there is such a dramatic difference between the two trays - the 'famine and feast' of this month's Salad Days post.

So whilst I lament on the reduced number of tasty pea shoots for my salad, I'm also mulling over the dangers of drawing too many conclusions from home-grown gardening experiments and trials. Repeatability is key, but how many of us do that in our gardening lives when something doesn't 'work' first time?

The replacement tray is coming along nicely.

How's your salad faring this month?

Comments

  1. CJ28 February 2014 at 10:15

    Either the moon was wrong or a mouse came and ate them, that's my guess. I really must plant some pea shoots, they're one of my favourite things.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP28 February 2014 at 16:21

      Hi CJ, these are growing indoors, so mouse trouble can be ruled out. Unless one's been creeping up the stair... ;)

      Delete
  2. Flighty28 February 2014 at 11:25

    They really are dramatically different, and it must be rather annoying not to know why. Flighty xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP28 February 2014 at 16:22

      Usually I can find a reasonable explanation, Flighty but for once I'm stumped!

      Delete
  3. Anonymous28 February 2014 at 16:09

    All from the same packet, I assume? Fascinating. The obvious conclusion is that it's the effect of the electromagnetic waves knifing in from some distant mast, from which the right hand tray is somewhat protected by central pillar of the window. Or is my paranoia showing? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP28 February 2014 at 16:22

      *urgently seeks out the location of the nearest mast*

      Delete
  4. Gardeningbren28 February 2014 at 17:43

    I wonder if one had a draft on it? But what a good crop on the good growing side. I usually cut mine before they get that big but maybe I shouldn't be?

    Not much luck with pea shoots this year for me. Next year, going back to the first variety that did so well. (great chuckle from Helen Gazeley's post)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP15 March 2014 at 15:09

      You might have a good point there Bren...

      Delete
  5. Joan1 March 2014 at 01:50

    ahh your timely post had reminded me that I am remiss in getting started!! It is indeed pea time! I'll do some both indoors and out and see who fairs the better!! Thanks for the boost!

    ReplyDelete
  6. GardenDrum3 March 2014 at 03:30

    How extraordinary. You're right though - it's a lesson to learn about so-called trials and their repeatability. Perhaps Jess or Skimble like to sit looking out the window? On something damp and warmish?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP15 March 2014 at 15:14

      Good thinking but I think Bren possibly has the answer as one tray was closer to the window opening. If she's right it means the double glazing isn't working that well.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous4 March 2014 at 20:29

    Remarkable! Are the seeds from the same packet? I wonder if perhaps the tray on the left somehow missed the inoculant?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP15 March 2014 at 15:14

      Yes they're all from the same packet...

      Delete

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