Growing my own veggies - a question and any other newbies?

finallydebtfree!!

Well its my first ever attempt so I dont really know, was going to start with the veg we regularly use and try that (carrots, cabbage, brocolli etc) not sure how easy any of it is to grow? also might try some strawberries in a hanging basket. Im getting hungry just thinking about all that lovely fresh veg!

also surprised myself that I remembered learning the principles of crop rotation at school! (whether Ill attempt it again we will see but at least if I do it again next year Ill remember not to plant the same things in the same space each year!)

Cazzdevil

This is my first year of gardening (of any description, let alone veggie growing!).
I'm planning lots of soft fruit bushes and peas for against the fences, carrots, onions, parsnip and potatoes for planting, and herbs, peppers, cherry tomatoes, strawberries and a "cut-and-come-again" salad leaf patch for in tubs & containers.

I'm really excited!!

finallydebtfree!!

right I cant wait any longer, im off to by some seeds!

Cazzdevil

I've already bought some, they're sitting on my table taunting me... It's too early to plant them yet!!!

finallydebtfree!!

Just got back, Ive got carrots, leeks, cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage.

I can plant the cauliflower, carrots,and cabbage now but the others will have to wait until april!

finallydebtfree!!

Actually further reading from the packets, I am going to plant the cauliflower and cabbage this month and put them on the window sill or in the green house.

Then from next month I can plant the leeks and carrots straight into the ground.

And in april I can plant the broccoli.

Read somewhere about planting every 3 weeks ie plant some cauliflower now and 3 weeks later plant another load so you have a regular supply throughout the season, so that sounds like a good plan to me.

finallydebtfree!!

I have just planted 10 cauliflower seeds and 10 cabbage seeds. Im so excited I hope they grow! they are in the greenhouse with a little propogater (sp?) cover over them! must remember to go and check on them but not turn crazy and start talking to them!!

stilernin

finallydebtfree!! wrote:

I have just planted 10 cauliflower seeds and 10 cabbage seeds. Im so excited I hope they grow! they are in the greenhouse with a little propogater (sp?) cover over them! must remember to go and check on them but not turn crazy and start talking to them!!

Talk to them if you want, but stroking them once they have come up is beneficial........... I kid you not!!

Whilst seedlings are being protected indoors they are not subjected to the wind. By stroking across the tops of them to replicate the movement of the breeze you will make the stems stronger for when they are finally put out.

'onest injun!!

finallydebtfree!!

my neighbours will think Im crazy! tip greatly taken on board! in fact any tips for this newbie will be greatly appriciated

dad has cleared my patch ready, looks a little sorry for itself all bear at the moment, but im sure it wont be long until my rows of veg will be looking lovely at the rate this year is going

serena

finallydebtfree

Good luck with your crops!

Cauliflowers and cabbages belong to the brassica family, and they are very popular with slugs and cabbage white caterpillars. You may want to use some horticultural fleece to cover them with once you plant them out. You can usually buy this loose at a garden centre.

I appreciate that all the newbies are itching to get started, but it is still quite cool for growing, and also the light levels are not very high. This means that seedlings grow slowly and can succumb to pests and diseases. Hedge your bets, and sow just a few seeds, saving the rest for later.

I will sow my first crops in a couple of weeks, round carrots, also beetroot and spring onions. I sow about 6 seeds in a divided cell tray, and plant them out without thinning, around the end of March. They push each other apart as they grow.

The very first crops in the ground are shallots, which I love growing, very easy.