Growing your own veg and fruit

Alison_B · 8 April 2005 at 12:35PM

I am relatively new to money saving and I have recently become very interested in "organic" produce. I know that quite a few of you grow your own produce so maybe you can help me. I have got a very small part of my garden that isn't used (probably 8 ft square) and I was wondering about putting planters there with different vegetables in them. Do you think it would work growing them in pots? I thought pots rather than in the ground because of the dog and slugs that we have in the garden.

Am I too late to plant from seed for this year? I have never grown any edible things before so any advice would be greatly appreciated (don't have too much luck with plants either:rolleyes:). Anyway, if I manage to grow anything, will that be it - say onions, once picked is that it or will more grow?

I have got some strawberry plants that I am going to put in a flower tower (saw that on the TV).

Also, when I was a child my parents got a kit that you could grow your own edible mushrooms. I wanted one of these for my kids to grow but can only find "magic" mushrooms. Does anybody know where these are available from, if at all?

Thanks

Alison

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Jay-Jay_4 · 8 April 2005 at 12:43PM

Have a look at this thread on Mushroom growing

and this one on veg growing

good luck

moggins · 8 April 2005 at 12:52PM

I'm growing a lot in planters and pots as I only have a small patch, 15 x 10 foot. I'm growing perpetual spinach, a few onions, and some carrots which I intend to harvest as babies. I'm also growing a patio pear, a kiwi, lemon, and my strawberries are growing in a half planter screwed onto the wall.

I'm buying a couple of plastic dustbins (£4 from Wilko's) to grow leeks and potatoes in.

I've got loads of herbs planted up too in one of those sectioned polystyrene planters, I got that from a bootsale for 20p.

Alison_B · 8 April 2005 at 1:17PM

It all seems vary daunting but exciting too. I will go down to the local garden centre at the weekend with the children and let them choose some seeds that we can plant up. I would really like to grow my own produce and get the boys interested also.

I have read that some people grow garlic. Now, I bought some garlic from the supermarket and have only got one section left. If I planted that, would it grow? It doesn't have roots or anything or am I best just buying seeds for everything. I have got a tomato in the fridge, so I am going to scoop the seeds out and see if anything comes from that.

You can tell that my fingers aren't green at all can't you.

Alison

Magentasue · 8 April 2005 at 1:36PM

Alison_B wrote:

It all seems vary daunting but exciting too. I will go down to the local garden centre at the weekend with the children and let them choose some seeds that we can plant up. I would really like to grow my own produce and get the boys interested also.

Don't buy seeds from garden centre, too expensive! Go to Lidls and get some for 29p a pack. Not as many seeds in some packs but more than enough for starters. I think B&Q do some for 99p, not sure though.

I have read that some people grow garlic. Now, I bought some garlic from the supermarket and have only got one section left. If I planted that, would it grow?

It probably would do OK but hurry up! Won't be as good as bulbs from garden centre but when you dig them up, use oneas your next plant and that should do fine. I thinkthis is because garlic you buy to plant is suitable for growing in UK whereas the stuff you buy is from sunnier climes.

You can tell that my fingers aren't green at all can't you.

Ah, but we learn by doing! Plants want to grow, you don't have to be too skilled to get something from them!

Alison

Be careful - growing becomes addictive. More and more of our garden gets given over to veg every year!

Galtizz · 8 April 2005 at 1:46PM

Alison_B wrote:

I have read that some people grow garlic. Now, I bought some garlic from the supermarket and have only got one section left. If I planted that, would it grow?

Yes, like it is posessed

bung it in a pot about 1/2" down in the compost and water it regularly. It will put a shoot out in about 2 days and that will continue to grow (mines about 14" tall and I only planted it 3 weeks ago :eek: ) then you basically wait for the shoot to finish growing and die off. When it dies the bulb is finished (takes a couple of months apparently) The full details are on the veg growing link that JayJay gave above.

mink35 · 8 April 2005 at 2:33PM

Alison_B wrote:

I have read that some people grow garlic. Now, I bought some garlic from the supermarket and have only got one section left. If I planted that, would it grow?

Ditto to Galtizz's answer but put it in the fridge for a day or two first (unless you have kept it in the fridge). Garlic likes to think it's been in a winter before it grows well apparently (according to my gardening book!)

I've grown tomatoes seeds from a tomato this year. Scoop them out and dry them on a piece of kitchen roll. They should be ready to plant the following day. I planted 21 seeds this way and all 21 grew. I've killed some off since mind :rolleyes:

MrsMW · 9 April 2005 at 11:16AM

Our local flower shop sells black flower buckets for 10p, if you put a few holes in the bottom they are great for growing tomatoes and veg in. Last year I grew some carrots which are called Parmex, they are round and ideal for growing in pots or window boxes.

stellagypsy · 10 April 2005 at 8:28AM

Some more cheap places for seeds are Wilkos and Poundstretcher - about 50p - 60p a packet, Poundstretcher has Unwins seeds for that price.

I'm going to have a go at veg growing in containers this year. My garden is a bit of a wilderness at the moment so it will get me focussed on being out there.

raeble · 10 April 2005 at 8:34AM

Oh yes and remember to check wilko's out when they start their sales - they go down to 75% off seeds and things.

spalding · 13 April 2005 at 4:31PM

raeble wrote:

Oh yes and remember to check wilko's out when they start their sales - they go down to 75% off seeds and things.

When does there sale normally start will keep an eye out for it

Growing your own veg and fruit

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