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growing own veggies in bags and pots (Merged)

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  • With seed spacing, you need to consider how big the plants will want to grow. There are generally two methods, either sow in rows, wait for them to germinate, the 'thin' (remove) to get the correct spacing OR try station sowing, a small pinch of seeds (say 3-6) correctly spaced where you will want a plant to grow.

    so...... that said,

    Beetroot. station sow 2-3 seeds every 4" in a grid pattern

    parsnip - station sow 3-4 seeds every 4" in a grid pattern. (NB many people also plant radish with parsnip - parsnip takes AGES to germinate, and you will have eaten the radishes by the time they do! If you do this, sow in rows then thin the parsnips after you have had uyour radishes

    carrots - either station sow 6 seeds ever 5" in a grid. Do not thin out, they can grow in a bunch allowing you to pull the biggest as they grow to give space for the others. OR broadcast (scatter) the seed over the whole surface and thin to every 2" apart.

    Radish and spring onion, broadcast and pull when ready. also see parsnip notes.

    Kestrel (2nd early??) plant late march/early april. Until then, put them in egg boxes (for stability) rounded (rose) side up in a cool but bright location (spare bedroom windowsill does for me) to CHIT. the sprouts that grow will form your potatoes. Plant with these sprouts facing UP

    as for planting dates, I tend to go by the packet as it can vary for each variety

    (I do so love my veg!)

    hope this helps,

    (manure comes from animals and makes parsnips/carrots etc Fork- grow into wierd shapes - compost you can buy in bags or even make your own, but for pots uyou are reccommended to buy it)
  • lynzpower
    lynzpower Posts: 25,311 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    can this be done.?

    I bought a packet from Wilkos and on the back its saying i need to prepare a raised bed to plant them in - IM not sure how much time I have for doing this and I have to plant out in March :eek:

    If I can stick them in pots I can do it today, but a raised bed will take time.
    :beer: Well aint funny how its the little things in life that mean the most? Not where you live, the car you drive or the price tag on your clothes.
    Theres no dollar sign on piece of mind
    This Ive come to know...
    So if you agree have a drink with me, raise your glasses for a toast :beer:
  • wiggly
    wiggly Posts: 292 Forumite
    100 Posts
    they need fairly deep soil to grow in (think mini leeks) but a pot would do

    a trough one would be best though :) the neat rectangular shape being the best :)

    (and also, they taste fabulous :D)
    Trying to get on top of finances one step at a time
  • madhouseof4
    madhouseof4 Posts: 848 Forumite
    I am going to grow my carrots in tubs as my garden is very stoney but how deep should the container be? I have a couple of 50cm tubs (diameter), how many carrots could I reasonably expect to grow in 1 tub? Is it the same for parsnips? It is such a beautiful day and I have spent the morning preparing these tubs to be used, drilling holes in them for drainage and filling with compost but now I am not so sure exactly what to put in them :o Any help/advice appreciated!
  • lynseydee
    lynseydee Posts: 1,808 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I was going to buy a couple of windowsill type planters to grow my carrots and parsnips in and hoped this would be ok as my garden is going to be taken up with plants this year. It will be interesting to know if these would be ok too.
    Did owe £9,951.96

    Now helping hubby pay off loan. Finally paid off :j

    Owe Virgin [STRIKE]£5,950.00 [/STRIKE]at 0% til June 2009 £3,427.89. Owe HSBC [STRIKE]£5,460.78 [/STRIKE]2.9% til May 2010 £3,703.07. Owe Post Office £1,676.62 at 0% til September 2010
  • roywra
    roywra Posts: 17 Forumite
    For carrots I'd suggest a stump rooted variety or, maybe better for a tub, one of the round rooted varieties such as "Early French Frame" - available from Marshalls-seeds.co.uk

    Good luck!
  • Biddyrolo
    Biddyrolo Posts: 802 Forumite
    lynseydee wrote: »
    I was going to buy a couple of windowsill type planters to grow my carrots and parsnips in and hoped this would be ok as my garden is going to be taken up with plants this year. It will be interesting to know if these would be ok too.

    I grow my carrots in those type of planters and it works a treat.
  • parsnips would need a deep root run-you would be unlikely to do well with anything under 8inch - 12 would be better as a minimum.

    I regularly grow carrots (paris market, a ball type and chantenay types) in pots and 8 inch deep planters, and they are smallish but taste FAB!
  • MKwife
    MKwife Posts: 787 Forumite
    I am growing my veg in pots and I bought seeds for Mini carrots, and mini parsnips from a seller on ebay.

    They are like the tiny ones you get in posh packets at tesco!

    They are the best carrots for container veg.
    Our dream has come true... :D
  • katskorner
    katskorner Posts: 2,972 Forumite
    Remember not to fertilise soil that carrots and parsnips grow in as it causes them to fork.
    3 kids(DS1 6 Nov, DS2 8 Feb, DS3 24 Dec) a hubby and two cats - I love to save every penny I can!
    :beer:
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