growing own veggies in bags and pots (Merged)

arkonite_babe

We have a thread similar to this already, I'll add your query to it so all the replies are together. Posts are listed in date order so you'll need to read from the beginning to catch up

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twinklie

Thanks arkonite, and 1derwoman.

Can anyone recommend how to get started? I know nothing, never had a garden. I've grown herbs on the window ledge, but that was just water and go type gardening.

I'm clueless. Any good books or websites I should look at to get me started?

BigMummaF

Hi 1derwoman, hope you'll stick around cuz I'm like Twinklie:o in that I've hardly any knowledge on gardening of any sort.....Not for the wont of trying you understand--just doesn't come naturally to me I s'pose:p

Iggie is enjoying the chard, & the half dozen strawberries we've had were rather lush, but NOWT else is happening. So if there's nothing I can have a go at for winter---we do like savoy & sprouts, maybe kale?---I think I'll give up for this year & start again next spring.

competitionscafe

twinklie wrote: »

I'm clueless. Any good books or websites I should look at to get me started?

I have found the Grow Your Own forum very helpful:
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/

Kitchen garden is similar, although I have not had chance to read much of it yet: http://www.kitchengarden.co.uk/forum/index.php

Also, this article as a good basic introduction:
http://www.sarahraven.com/srechannel/static/articles/index.cfm?fuseaction=displayArticle&article=veg1

As for books, this one is good:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grow-Your-Own-Vegetables-Larkcom/dp/071121963X

Lots of free info online though

BigMummaF

Thanks for those links....that's my Sunday afternoon taken up then:p

twinklie

BigMummaF wrote: »

Thanks for those links....that's my Sunday afternoon taken up then:p

Me too! :rotfl:

BigMummaF

Was it someone on here that put a link to a chap who grows stuff in a square foot? I remember seeing a photo of him sitting in a yard, with lots of square tubs by the side of him...

Please tell me I've not been sniffing the deoderant again:o

twinklie

Right, I've still not taken the plunge. I have been told there is little point in sowing anything at this time of year (although I'm sure I could). As I said in an early post, I will be growing in containers.

The thing is my OH things I'm mad and it won't work. We don't really have money to burn so can anyone offer top tips on what to buy now....or later, and anything it would be worth my while doing.

I'd like to grow any of the following, potatoes, garlic, onion or shallots, corgettes, peppers, carrots, aubergines, lettuces, tomatoes etc.

Wondering whether it's worth buying one of those little tiny greenhouses too. Any ideas?

I've been born and raised in a city and have never had a garden. I know it sounds stupid but I really don't know anything. I'm trying to educate myself as to the best way to do it but I'm still unsure. I just don't want to waste money and have the OH get annoyed.

Sorry if I sound like a wet blanket but I don't have anyone to turn to for advice. No one I know has grown stuff either.

Davesnave

Twinklie, just get one of those 60cm long containers that people use for bedding plants, drill drainage holes in the base if it hasn't any, fill it up with some decent compost (about 10 litres will do it) and sow some mixed salad leaves in three rows. Keep moist and in a couple of weeks you'll have stuff ready to cut and put into sandwiches. Total outlay about £6, but the pot is reuseable and the seed will do several pots.

We've been doing this all summer with 3 containers and we can't keep up with them! However, we've not bought any lettuce etc for months.

Once your OH sees that you can grow useful veg, he will be more supportive. Once you've had a bit of success you'll feel confident too.

PS Haven't read all the thread today, so if someone else suggested this, I agree!

twinklie

Do you mean a 60 cm trough? Sorry a little thick.