First time gardener!

lucyAM · 25 May 2013 at 3:17PM

So, yesterday I planted Strawberries, Pumpkins, Potatoes, and Tomatoes. Also bought a little apple tree.

They seemed like the easiest to start with, so hoping they go well.
I'm thinking next week I may plant a few more other things and see how I go. *fingers crossed*

selyts · 25 May 2013 at 8:41PM

Thompson-Morgan website has a good "plant" finder which may be of use http://search.thompson-morgan.com/gardenplantfinder.

sb44 · 25 May 2013 at 10:47PM

selyts wrote: »

Thompson-Morgan website has a good "plant" finder which may be of use http://search.thompson-morgan.com/gardenplantfinder .

Plus there is this one which helps you find suitable plants for your garden.

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/

olly300 · 26 May 2013 at 12:00AM

I've an avid herb grower though I've taken to just growing easy ones.

I never grown herbs in garden soil that I've had in pots.

Depending on the herb and the size of the pot you may want to mix gravel or horticulture sand in with the compost. However I have always tended to grow herbs straight in compost regardless of type and just alter how much I water them.

Pots need lots of watering especially in hot summers. Even herbs like rosemary and lavender in pots can need watering once a day in very hot weather.

The easiest way to grow herbs is straight in the ground in the garden as that way you also don't have to worry so much about protecting the pots in winter. (I'm in London but have lost plants over the years due to winters being unpredictable.)

It helps if some herbs like lavender and rosemary have grown to fill 6 inch pots then if your soil is too good adding sand/gravel to it, but others like chives, thyme and marjoram I have just taken them from the small pot they have grown in and planted straight in the ground.

Never plant mint straight in the ground as it takes over and will take on the taste of everything it's grown near, and with chives be prepared to pull clumps out from the root as they spread every where.

Oh and one rule I don't know if anyone has mentioned is find out what plants your neighbours are growing in both their front and back gardens.

This will give you an idea of what can grow easily in your soil and if there are diseases in the area what plants to avoid.

valk_scot · 26 May 2013 at 9:26AM

I have to say that while asking questions here is a very good idea for newbies you can't beat reading a good A to Z vegetable growing book. There are tons of these around for newbies and they'll have sections on soil preparation and planting times as well as section on each of the main types of vegetables. Older books from the charity shops or library are fine too, the important thing is to treat the subject like any other other new hobby and do a bit of background reading. The Expert Guides are very good, cheap, basic books and availible from all garden centres and Amazon, the Titchmarsh series isn't quite so detailed but is less dry.

Steveswift · 27 May 2013 at 8:20AM

Now thats what i call a response thank you all. I understand about reading up and i have but by god there is a lot to learn and sometimes you need a quick fix to get you off and running. Thanks for all your help.

Steve

Hmmmmmmmmmmm one more quick one, i noticed that my flat garage roof has the sun all day ( when out obv) any reason why i should not utilize this space, neighbours ect would be ok with this.

First time gardener!

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