Where do I start on a budget?

rhiwfield

Like RAS said let it be known that you would like spare seeds and plants.

A productive garden will almost always have spare plants, whether they be cuttings, roots divided, surplus seedlings and most gardeners will be pleased to help. In this way you can get rhubarb, chives, sage, rosemary, bunching onions, horseradish, mint etc. Watch out for volunteer plants, we've even had a bird sown blackcurrant and the oregano has self sown. When growing some plants eg runner beans, save some seed for the next year.

When your garden is established you can return the favour to others

Janey3

Hello! Just joined the forum!

Two years ago I bought a Blueberry Bush and planted it in a large container and last year I had loads of fruit from it, which amazed me. Will be getting another one this year.

So if you have room in your garden, I would recommend one, as blueberries are so expensive to buy in the shops.

Janey3

RAS

angelavdavis wrote: »

Sweetcorn are easy to grow, they should be planted in blocks, rather than rows and need to be kept really well watered. They do take up some space though - only expect 1 cob per plant in most cases, occasionally you might get lucky with 2 but generally 1 is the norm (particularly in containers).

If you can get them, Triple Play and Black Aztec both grow very well in the UK. Triple Play produced the first cob over the late August bank Holiday, having been planted as tiny seedlings on June 4. They tillered like mad and produce 2-3 smallish heads each. I was corned out.

FROSTYFRECKLE

Since you are starting off and looking for cheap seeds, thought I would let you know Lidls start selling seeds on Thursday 29/01/09 - 29p a packet.

Oops just noticed Lidls has already been mentioned.

calleyw

If you have a wilkinsons near by they are doing 3 for 2 on there seeds. I bought some on monday this week and did not get any free:mad:

As has already been said share packets with friends.

Also wilkinsons have packets of 5 seed potatoes for £1. Including the rooster variety that you buy in bags in the supermarket.

Yours

Calley

studentloan

I'd try the poundshops. I was in ove last week that sold veg collection seeds - 6 varieties for £1, they did flower varieties for £1 as well aswell as herbs. It sold some fruit bushes and plants for £1. I'm going there tomorrow so will tell you the name of the store when I am

Lotus-eater

Janey3 wrote: »

Hello! Just joined the forum!

Two years ago I bought a Blueberry Bush and planted it in a large container and last year I had loads of fruit from it, which amazed me. Will be getting another one this year.

So if you have room in your garden, I would recommend one, as blueberries are so expensive to buy in the shops.

The perfect reason to pick things to grow at home. The other one is taste, just picked blueberries will taste better than ones picked a week ago and stored.

cookiedough38

Well done for giving your child/ren the opportunity to experience home grown veg! I work at a playgroup you will be surprised how many children can't even put a name to a a vegetable!

I am also starting out this year. Last year I managed with runner bean plants and one strawberry plant, all given to us by our lovely neighbour.

I am hoping to grow potatos in pots, carrots, onions, maybe parsnips. I will also grow tomatoes in compost sacks.

Sunnyday

Hi i`ve just been to wilkinsons and bought some fruit shrubs for £1 each, there are others at £2 too.

I started growing veg last year for the first time and the easiest thing that i found are salad leaves and lettuce, radishes and spring onions, courgettes, tomatoes and potatoes. I grew the potatoes in the big round garden bag from wilco - the pop up type so that as they need earthing up the second half of the bag can be popped up. They are reuseable and i`m ready to fill them again for this year.
The salad stuff i grew in little green plastic troughs that were about £3 from wilco but my plan this year is to get one of the little plastic greenhouses with shelves that fit growbags on, i shall plant spring onions, radish, lettuce and mixed leaves in these to save space.

The very best of luck to you, lots of help and advice is available here and the people are just fantastic, i`m always asking questions and feeling a bit silly sometimes but i`m still learning all the time.

SD

nodwah

don't know if anyone's mentioned - but don't bother buying little pots for starting your seeds off - use yoghurt pots, the plastic trays that fruit comes in - I've got a few drinks cups from ikea with clear plastic lids which are just great wee mini propagaters.

if you're not embarrased -be a skip diver- people chuck out perfectly good pots tubs and planters - we've rescued a few really good terracotta pots from skips in the dead of night!!! Also when I've been taking stuff to the dump, I've found a couple of really nice shrubs on the garden refuse pile - whipped them into the car quick style!