kitchen gardener newbie

nicky_s_2

Hi there, I would like to grow my own vegetables probably in pots as the soil in my garden is terrible and we have a cat who uses the beds as a toilet as well as other visiting cats. Anyway, have I left it too late for this year? I would like to start with lettuces, tomatoes, potatoes.

I planted some rocket seeds in a pot this morning- I watered the compost, sprinkled a few seeds (the packet said to plant in a line but virtually impossible in a round pot) and then put a further layer of compost on top and rewatered. Have I watered too much do you think? Finally the instructions stated to cover with glass or polythene. All I had available at the time was some cling film. Will this do to begin with?

I apologize if I have asked some stupid questions, but really would appreciate some advice.

Thanks in advance.

Nicky

janibrown

You can easily get a good crop of mixed salad leaf they dont take long to germinate also try rocket, tomatoes are too late to start by seed but you will be able to buy an established plant from a local garden centre or try b&q or Aldi :D:D, you can still start potatoes get some seed pots they will have to be as they say late ones I think but you can still plant them. Remove your cling film as soon as shoots start to appear and dont have your rocket in full sun, I did this and it bolted (went to seed in other words stopped its growth cycle, as soon as some plants start to flower they stop producing what you really wanted although rocket flowers are edible and do taste good) I dont sow my rocket in lines just sprinkle in a round pot like you have and seems to be ok :T
There are no such things as stupid questions we are all learning off each other on here its nice to get some free advice, not many things in life are free so I am making the most of it
Good Luck with your planting xxxxx
jani :D:D:D

nicky_s_2

Thank you for all your advice.:T

mrbadexample

Too late to be starting tomatoes really*, but perhaps someone local has a spare plant or two you could have?

Or I could just have read the first reply properly. :doh:

foxgloves

You can still sow lettuce, mixed salad, pak choi, mizuna, beetroot, carrots, beans, quite a lot of stuff really, but need to get cracking. Good luck! It's really addictive.

mrbadexample

I sowed beetroot, swede and turnips yesterday. All within the timescale on the seed packets.

elsien

According to Saturday's paper it's not too late to start a second lot of courgettes off (or a first lot in your case!)
Not tried it this late before but as I have the seeds already it's got to be worth a go. I buy the bush variety as I grow in pots on a small patio so the trailing ones'd be no use.