Newbie seeks help on growing veg please

Candy_Belle

wssla00 wrote: »

I have a gooseberry bush in a big planting tub and it's growing really vigorously! So do try fruit in containers if you are stuck!

Excellent idea, thank you

Candy_Belle

cootambear wrote: »

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2846640

garages are a good source of empty plastic oil barrels (good scrub required). I reckon for the same space as a growbag holding 6 plants, you could have a barrel holding 20-30.

Thank you, plastic oil barrels wouldn't of been something that I would of thought to use. Ta for the heads up!:)

Candy_Belle

mrbadexample wrote: »

How much room have you actually got? Are you really limited to just tubs? How about ditching the flowers in the borders and planting fruit & veg instead? Could you squeeze a gooseberry bush in somewhere?


P.S. Rhubarb's actually a vegetable.

Oops! didn't realize that rhubarbs veg! (you can see I def need help eh?):rotfl:

The borders are quite literally packed with plants, bulb etc and most have been established for 10+ years, so OH def not lettting me touch the borders. We do have a little patch of grass that OH has mentioned that he would like to get rid of and just put down some coloured pebbles instead - could poss use that space....hmmm will mention that to him when he gets in 2night. Everything else is patio, or path:) x

cootambear

mrbadexample wrote: »

How much room have you actually got? Are you really limited to just tubs? How about ditching the flowers in the borders and planting fruit & veg instead? Could you squeeze a gooseberry bush in somewhere?


P.S. Rhubarb's actually a vegetable.

True, and tomatoes are a fruit. I know which I`d rather have in a crumble though

mrbadexample

cootambear wrote: »

True, and tomatoes are a fruit. I know which I`d rather have in a crumble though

Mmmm...tomato crumble. :drool:

Candy_Belle

cootambear wrote: »

True, and tomatoes are a fruit. I know which I`d rather have in a crumble though

Argh!!! am so clueless!!:D

Lotus-eater

You don't need to know if a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable to be able to grow it well

Candy_Belle

Lotus-eater wrote: »

You don't need to know if a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable to be able to grow it well

Thank u x:) Must really get a list of veg/fruit and herbs that I want to grow and see if it's viable that they'd grow in pots/grow bags rather than a greenhouse...........:)

Okey Dokey, have got my list of what I would like to grow

1.Tomatoes
2.Runner Beans/Peas
3.Chilli/Peppers
4.Rocket
5.Potatoes
6.Onions/Spring Onions
7.Rhubard/Strawberries
8.Parsley/Dill/Chives

Any tips/advise on growing the above? start from seeds or purchase ones that are already established?:)

Sally_A

Candy_Belle wrote: »

1.Tomatoes
2.Runner Beans/Peas
3.Chilli/Peppers
4.Rocket
5.Potatoes
6.Onions/Spring Onions
7.Rhubard/Strawberries
8.Parsley/Dill/Chives

Any tips/advise on growing the above? start from seeds or purchase ones that are already established?:)

1. Tomatoes if growing outside pick a smaller cherry type, Gardener's Delight are an old reliable favourite with good crops. Grow in buckets rather than growbags. Don't put outside until risk of frost past.
2. Runner beans give a better return, hard to buy really fresh in shops, easy enough from seed, but a pack will have about 45 in, they will keep for a few years. Starting them off in pots will give them a good start, but they like a lot of moisture, and well composted/manured soil. You will need about 3ft by 3ft space for an 8 pole wigwam.
3. I have no luck with peppers, they are tougher than shop bought, but chillis are good and can be grown indoors. Unless you want lots or have room to germinate (they are quite slow and need warmth), probably best to buy plants.
4. Rocket - ??? never grown it.
5. Potatoes - awkward if you are growing in bags, as you need to keep topping the soil up as they grow, so unless you have lots of good soil ready you will end up buying soil which would not be cost efficient, as you can only get 3 - 5 seed spuds in each bag.
6. Onion sets are easy, but tend to come in bags of about 30, so you will need about 5ft x 5ft space. Spring onions may be simpler (from seed).
7. Rhubarb - love it, but you won't be able to pick in its' first year. (Don't like strawberries).
8. Parsley and chives are easy from seed, I've never done dill. If you have a friend who grows chives asking for a clump to get you started would be better, as they spread and need thinning every other year or so.

Candy_Belle

Sally_A wrote: »

1. Tomatoes if growing outside pick a smaller cherry type, Gardener's Delight are an old reliable favourite with good crops. Grow in buckets rather than growbags. Don't put outside until risk of frost past.
2. Runner beans give a better return, hard to buy really fresh in shops, easy enough from seed, but a pack will have about 45 in, they will keep for a few years. Starting them off in pots will give them a good start, but they like a lot of moisture, and well composted/manured soil. You will need about 3ft by 3ft space for an 8 pole wigwam.
3. I have no luck with peppers, they are tougher than shop bought, but chillis are good and can be grown indoors. Unless you want lots or have room to germinate (they are quite slow and need warmth), probably best to buy plants.
4. Rocket - ??? never grown it.
5. Potatoes - awkward if you are growing in bags, as you need to keep topping the soil up as they grow, so unless you have lots of good soil ready you will end up buying soil which would not be cost efficient, as you can only get 3 - 5 seed spuds in each bag.
6. Onion sets are easy, but tend to come in bags of about 30, so you will need about 5ft x 5ft space. Spring onions may be simpler (from seed).
7. Rhubarb - love it, but you won't be able to pick in its' first year. (Don't like strawberries).
8. Parsley and chives are easy from seed, I've never done dill. If you have a friend who grows chives asking for a clump to get you started would be better, as they spread and need thinning every other year or so.

Thanks for your advice, it's given me a lot to think on, am not going to be able to grow anything in the house seedwise as I've not got a conservatory and have 2 very nosey housecats, the last plant that we had in the house was a Aloe vera plant which the oldest cat ate! But she did have a very shinney coat!lol:rotfl: