Newbie veg gardener! MERGED

jorichste

not a clue, as I'm sure you have guessed by now!!!
The kids wanted to grow stuff and I know if it works I can have great food for less cash so here goes. We decided carrots, lettuce, watermelon, brocolli and tomatoes. I know certain things are suposed to be planted during certain months, but will anything grow if I plant it now? I'm not in uk, the temp now is in the 20s and will drop down to around 10 degrees after christmas.
Also can't plant in the garden because the dog will attack so we got some grow bags and have made space on the balcony.
I have put seeds into growbags, should I do anything else or just keep watering them and cross my fingers??

redmower3

All the information you need will be on the seed packets but it looks like you've started already!

Any clues as to your location?

jorichste

I'm in cyprus, all the instructions on the packets are in greek!!

Jake'sGran

For what it's worth and aesthetically speaking I prefer tubs to grow bags which have always seemed to be a mess as the plants get bigger. Lots of people use them though.
Lettuce is really easy. Tomatoes are easy too as long as you pinch out the bits that grow between the individual branches and you will need to take off the growing tip of the toms or they will take over. The regulars do this after about six trusses(or less) have set. I would give anything to live in a place warm enough to start growing seeds but I would not know when the seed sowing season starts in your climate.

It's really great that the children want to grow things. Carrots will need a bit of space I think so the garden would have been better for those. And watermelon I would not try especially if they are cheap and easily available locally. This year I grew chillies for my grown up son who loves to cook with them - they are easy. Also, remember
that you can grow the cherry tomatoes easily in a large hanging basket or tub and they don't need so much fussing with - just lots of water and some food.
See what you did! Got me going about growing:T

PS - Two other good forums are Allotments4all (not just for allotment holders) and BBCTalk-Gardening section. Good luck with your plants.

RAS

hi

the lettuce and broccoli should grow. The tomatoes may do so but will come to a halt temporarily if the temperature gets much below 10 degrees.

i doubt iif the watermelon will do anything much. You would be best to start them going next spring (as soon as you are confident the ptemprature is above 15 degrees all the time.

I would recommend that you and the kids take a walk and see what the locals are planting. I would have thought that a few winter potaotoes would do really well (as long as you do not get frost).

For carrots, you prbably need a deep tub rather than a grow bag - 8 -10 inches.

Your biggest issue will be watering.

chickalicious

Hi i've been stalking this forum for a few months now so thought i would join in i have a number of questions your advice would be greatly appreciated.

so where to begin.
I have a south facing fron t garden which i grow my flowers in and i would not plan to grow much out there because of theives. But i do plan to grow salad leaves and lettuce in a window box i also thought i could grow some tumbling toms in some baskets on my fence. Good idea or not?

my back garden is pretty much my sons football pitch so growing there is pretty much out of the question although i was thinking of growing some root veg and potatoes down the sides of the fence as i am hoping if the foot ball hits then not too much damage will be done. Good idea or not? am i better off just sticking them in some bags or those green builders sacks?

I also have aspece that is around 10x10ft maybe slightly larger, but it only has sunlight for the morning and it has some bushes including a wild black berry bush. so do i dig up and prep the earth or is it a waste of time? will i be better just growing everything in buckets etc? I also have some stawberry plants that i bought 2 for £1 when , where do i plant those?

i also plan on getting some fruit trees the soil where i live seems to be pretty good as all my flowers seem to do well and we have some full allotments near by. i was thinking of going on the waiting list but thought i would see how i get on over the next few months.

i will list later all the seeds that i have, and i forgot to mention my back garden is noth eastish facing t.hanks

mrs_baggins

I grew vegetables for the first time last year and had some good ones and some that failed miserably. I took on an alotment though so a bit different to yours.

you always have the option of growing stuff in big tubs which might be a better option if the side bits dont get too much sunshine. Certain strains of apple trees and things like that do well in tubs as long as they are big enogh and you feed them and stuff . I am sure somone more knowledgable thn me will come along soon

chickalicious

ok so here is my list of what i have
4 strawberry plants
10 pentland javlin potatoes(x2)
6 Maris piper pots(x2)
6 Diseree
stuttgarter onion sets(350g)
seeds
cherry tomatoes
Cabbage mixture
basil
oriental spicy leaf mix
corriander
sweet pepper
chilli pepper
mustard greens
land cress
lettuce salad bowl
mustard red giant
rocket spinach lazio f1
bettroot
carrot
brocolli purple sprouting
cauliflower
Savoy cabbage
ringsburger onion
gardners delight tomatoes
swede
parsley
thyme
hurst greenshaft peas
brussel sprout
Leek
butternut squash f1
parsnip
radish
spring onion
iceberg lettuce
Gosh i didn't realise i had that many obviously i think some will do better than others. So with that ammount am i better off planting in pots or ground

robnye

growbags........ dont plant too many of the same seed at the same time..... spread them out ie 6 one week, then 2 weeks later another 6,

otherwise you end up like me with loads of lettuce and toms...... very nice though - and gratifying to think i grew them....mmmmmmm

if you do grow too much, you can always try and swap seedlings with other avid growers

chickalicious

robnye wrote: »

growbags........ dont plant too many of the same seed at the same time..... spread them out ie 6 one week, then 2 weeks later another 6,

otherwise you end up like me with loads of lettuce and toms...... very nice though - and gratifying to think i grew them....mmmmmmm

if you do grow too much, you can always try and swap seedlings with other avid growers

ok thanks do i start them off on window sill or should i wait a few more weeks and just plant then straight out.