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Growing Veg etc in planters

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  • halia
    halia Posts: 450 Forumite
    OKay I need some tips. I have a garden but it is clay, north facing and gets about 1 hr of sunshine every day. PLUS I have an active toddler who would destroy beds and a partner who refuses to have veg in the garden.
    So I have to try pots, I think I can fit in 4 large round pots (1-2ft) plus a rectangular one 11/2ft*4ft.
    questions:
    what are the most cost effective things to plant
    watering - best way to ensure they don't get too dry
    time commitment?
    pest control - we have a real problem with spray resistant aphids and blackfly that has killed of two roses already.
    feeding - how often in pots
    DEBT: £500 credit card £800 Bank overdraft
    £14 Weekly food budget



  • Gingham_Ribbon
    Gingham_Ribbon Posts: 31,520 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If you can pick up a couple of courgette plants, that might be your best bet. I did fantastically with courgettes last year in my north facing yard using pots. Drill some drainage holes in the bottom, put some stones or broken up polystyrene (SP!!!) in the bottom for drainage then add compost. The pots should be about 15" in diameter and one plant per pot. You'll get at least a dozen from each plant, probably more.

    I have 2 pepper plants doing well planted in the same way. But I have them covered by a plastic 'sun roof' because of the heavy rain. My tomatoes are drowning but they did well last year too in the sunniest spot of the garden.

    If you don't want to grow organic, compost with John Innes in it is good.

    Time commitment is minimal. Make sure they don't dry out by checking every day in hot weather. I didn't feed mine last year (they were grown in john innes) this year they're in organic soil so I'll keep an eye on them for distress if they survive the rain.
    May all your dots fall silently to the ground.
  • I have bought a raised bed table. Although not cheap it's composite wood so wont rot and need replacing for along time, if ever. I have been growing many crops in a veg patch on the floor and in my raised vegetable table and the mange tout in the ground have all been eaten by slugs while the ones in the raised beds are untouched! I am so pleased with it I have just bought another. It also saves my back check out the duraliving website.
  • Sally_A
    Sally_A Posts: 2,266 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You're right agooddeal1 - they aren't cheap are they?? ;)

    A better deal can be had at

    http://www.gardensite.co.uk/Raised_Bed_Trough_for_sale.htm?sourcep=base

    larger planter for 1p less.

    ...and that was just the first website I found.
  • oldtractor
    oldtractor Posts: 2,262 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Mortgage-free Glee!
    Dig for Victory
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