Please can someone save me from my incompetence?

So, I'm rather new to veggie growing, and gardening in general, having taken over an allotment last August. Not really thinking things through, I sowed some seeds directly into the ground in my greenhouse, rather than in pots, and I know find myself in the unfortunate position that a) things aren't quite popping up in the rows I originally laid out, and b) there are some weeds thrown into the mix. I suspect, in fact, rather more of the latter than the former.

What I planted were: a couple types of aubergine, some peppers and some chilis. Last year I had (or rather, my predecessor had) the greenhouse full of tomatoes, and I rather suspect that some of those have reseeded.

I've attached some photos - if anyone can identify what any of these are, I'd be most grateful!

And I've learnt my lesson, in future, sowing happens into pots!

2. rather a lot of these guys, they're quite sprawly!

3. a few of these...

4. this guy is just shooting up - is around a foot or more tall now.

Tags: identification

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Permalink Reply by SteffLovesSeeds on May 9, 2011 at 19:42

Isn't it more exciting to not know what they are and wait for the 'fruits' to emerge? ;)

Sorry, I can't help, I'm new at this too. But they do look healthy :)

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Permalink Reply by SteffLovesSeeds on May 9, 2011 at 19:44

2nd thoughts...I'd say the 3rd one down is a tomato - and the 4th, mint?!

Does it smell of mint when rubbing leaves...?

: o

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Permalink Reply by Natasha on May 9, 2011 at 19:50

Well, in some ways yes! So long as I only knew what might be weed and what might not be! These are simply the ones I've decided are most likely not weed... but I'm rather uncertain :)

SteffLovesSeeds said:

Isn't it more exciting to not know what they are and wait for the 'fruits' to emerge? ;)

Sorry, I can't help, I'm new at this too. But they do look healthy :)

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Permalink Reply by Natasha on May 9, 2011 at 19:51

Interesting, I decided that number 3 looked tomato like too, based on the seedlings I saw at the allotment shop last week. Kind of neat if we're right, they took care of themselves!

Not sure sure 4 is, but I'm pretty sure it isn't mint. Haven't planted any, and it's not fluffy enough, compared to the mint I've seen before.

Thanks for the suggestions!

SteffLovesSeeds said:

2nd thoughts...I'd say the 3rd one down is a tomato - and the 4th, mint?!

Does it smell of mint when rubbing leaves...?

: o

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Permalink Reply by Sarah Rideout on May 9, 2011 at 20:46

Hi, will have a go - is there a prize?!

1. a brassica with tomato seedlings underneath

2. think a wildflower/weed

3. tomato

4. amaranth? We had a millet type plant which self seeded lat year that looked like this.

if in doubt and it looks promising leave in for now!

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Permalink Reply by Sarah Rideout on May 9, 2011 at 20:48

By the way I've been at a home for the elderly this afternoon and at first glance thought your post said incontinence!

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Permalink Reply by Natasha on May 9, 2011 at 20:57

I wouldn't even be surprised if you were right - it's an easy word to mistype :)

Sarah Rideout said:

By the way I've been at a home for the elderly this afternoon and at first glance thought your post said incontinence!

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Permalink Reply by Natasha on May 9, 2011 at 21:00

He he, I should find a prize!

1. hmm, I was also thinking it looked a bit liked the broccoli plants I have, but I don't recall sowing any, and I don't think I planted out any more seedling... odd.

2. pity... there's quite a few of those :(

3. sounding pretty convincing on the tomato front...

4. I wish you were right, though I can't think where it would have come from... I'd like some amaranth though

Hmm, not looking very promising on the aubergine/pepper front :(

Sarah Rideout said:

Hi, will have a go - is there a prize?!

1. a brassica with tomato seedlings underneath

2. think a wildflower/weed

3. tomato

4. amaranth? We had a millet type plant which self seeded lat year that looked like this.

if in doubt and it looks promising leave in for now!

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Permalink Reply by Emma Price on May 9, 2011 at 21:00

1 looks like a sprouting broccoli seedling, surrounded by tomato seedlings. 2 looks like a weed to me 3, a tomato and 4 looks like some sort of mint. I love finding seedlings, especially sunflowers and poppies that pop up over my plot. I hope they fruit and you can confirm what they are.

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Permalink Reply by Zoe on May 10, 2011 at 8:30

Hello. All I know is that the first picture is a brassica of some type, with a healthy tomato seeding just underneath.

I think you may have trouble sowing Aubergine, Chilli & peppers straight into the ground, as they like a good warm soil to germinate. & I hate to be the harbinger of bad news, but if they haven't sprouted by now then its unlikely that they will have enough time to fruit.

On a more positive note, there are loads of seedlings in garden centres of exactly what you want to grow, so you should be able to pick some up fairly easily.

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Permalink Reply by Natasha on May 10, 2011 at 10:02

Interesting, everyone seems to agree that the first is a brassica - no idea where it came from! And it looks like I have a lot of tomatoes, despite my intention not to do anything year (don't actually like them - but at least I can make plenty of pasta sauce).

I think you're absolutely right about the aubergines, chillis and peppers... lesson learnt for next year. I've already picked up a couple replacement chilli seedlings, but it's a pity, since I was looking forward to having some pretty heirloom varieties. Ah, well. next year then.