Container Home Grown Veggies (merged)

Joopin · 25 January 2006 at 12:12AM

Hi all.
I really want to start growing veg but my back garden is paved over so cant have a veggie plot and my 3 border collies think they have green fingers and just love digging up pots (then bringing them into the house to have a chew). In the River Cottage Family Cookbook lovely Hugh

shows you how to grow spuds in a bin which I will have a go at. But is there anything eles that I can have a go at too with this bin principle (doubt the doggies can jump up enough to get thier little paws in it)?
The GArden is fairly shaddy if that makes a differince and only gets the sun in the evening.
Thanks

BWZN93 · 25 January 2006 at 8:23AM

Maybe growing stuff in window boxes? Or indoors? Ive got spinach and salad on the go in the house in various pots and old salad potato containers, and im growing carrots onion and peppers indoors until they are big enough for window boxes. Im going to have some strawberry plants in it too for home made jam! Ive also got a few herbs in small pots that seem to be doing well too.

HTH

Jo xx

System · 25 January 2006 at 9:28AM

I often thought about growing potatoes in pots but never got round to it mainly cause i needed to find some earth from somewhere to cover the potatoes and i dont think MrJudi would have appreciated it if i dug holes in the lawn.:rolleyes:

I found this on a website and i hope it helps.

mattt44 · 25 January 2006 at 9:38AM

Bins: If you have a high enough bin to stop your dogs getting into you can grow anything you like in them, within reason, beans and tomatoes may be a bit high, but you are not going to get much growing in such a limited space.

You might have a problem with the sunlight though, being so shady, best thing is to try various things and see how they grow in your space. Try to go for high cost (in the shops) vegtables that are easy to grow. Salad onions or lettice for example, growing normal onions etc in such a small space is not really worth the while as they are so cheap to buy.

I agree with jo above, grow bits inside, herbs and peppers (the hot type) is what I grow inside.

What about your front garden, if you have one, even if it is paved over, you could get lots of lower pots that your dogs won't have access to and more sun?

Alternatively look for a allotment, or ask if you can get a half plot, if you don't want a whole one.

Best of luck
Matt

squeaky · 25 January 2006 at 10:38AM

There are quite a few threads on Growing Your Own in the Food section of the MEGA Index sticky and there's mention of growing things in pots scattered through them. One which might be of special help is "Square foot gardening" but all the others will be well worth a browse too.

katieowl_2 · 25 January 2006 at 11:08AM

Joopin,

Having a shady garden makes a big difference....most vegetables like lots of light. Things in pots need lots of watering too.

If you were very keen on the idea I would suggest you see if there are any local allotments, you should be able to get a 5 rod plot (125 sq yds) for about £20 a year. Most allotments have waiting lists these days too...so get on a list!

Regards

Kate

wendyjb · 25 January 2006 at 5:19PM

Hi

I've got a wooden box about 12" x 4'. Last year in this i grew garlic, baby carrots, chives, thyme, mint, lemon grass and sage. The herbs all crammed up one end and the garlic and carrots in the rest. Also have a plastic trough with other herbs. Grew abundant peppers, each one in a pot roughly 7" dia. (Still have loads sliced and frozen) Tomato plants also in 7" pots each. Rhubarb in a large plastic pot.Strawberry plants in a trough about 6" x 12". At the moment have got garlic, lambs lettuce and herbs on the go.
If your garden is shady, use cut down plastic pop bottles as cloches whilst the plants are small to maximise the heat.

HTH

Joopin · 25 January 2006 at 5:39PM

Thanks to everyone who replied. Im so excitted at the thought!!!
I rang up the local council and they are sending me an application form for an allotment. Not sure if there will be a wait or even if an allotment is too much to take on but Ive got the bug.
I will defo be growing stuff this year maybe in pots.
Is there anything I should be doing now? Any seeeds that need planting or anything?

mattt44 · 26 January 2006 at 10:02AM

Get yourself a good book, I recommend this one. Amazon sell it, as well as others I suppose.

Allotment Gardening: An Organic Guide for Beginners
Susan Berger

Welcome to the start of growing your own, tasty, non doused with chemicals,fresh, full of vitamins food, you'll be wanting chickens next!

I'm not planting anything at the moment, but there is nothing to stop you growing herbs inside anytime. Netto have seeds for sale for 19p atm, get down there if you can and stock up with what you think you will use this year (because they are last years seeds from DT Browns).
My golden rule for planting veg. Tada! (Burst of trumpets!) Only plant what you actually like to eat. Well its Bob Flowerdews idea really, but it comes down to this. If you really like strawberries, but are growing loads of sprouts (that you are not keen on) why not grow more strawberries instead? (Then you could make strawberry brandy like we did this year Mmmm)

Good luck with getting a allotment, take as much advice (and free seedlings hopefully) from the other allotmenteers as you can.

Lillibet_2 · 29 January 2006 at 10:31AM

Hi Everyone

I'm not terribly good at this gardening business but used to *try* to grow veggies when I lived with my mum & dad, all be it with very little success:o. As I am now a homebody:dance: I thought I would give it a go again. Any one got any advice/recommendations on veggies to grow in pots in a north facing (:eek:) garden without a greenhouse? Idiot proof instructions needed though:cool:

Thanks

mattt44 · 29 January 2006 at 11:05AM

Look here, just had a thread like this.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=141472

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Container Home Grown Veggies (merged)

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