Grown our own, complete novice questions

nicola00

So my 2nd attempt at turning the soil over, got a good workout, exhausted.....it was hard work

there are lots of rocks, 3 shown in the photo, got another 3 about this size out but now it still feels like there is lots underneath, I can get just over half a shovel in before it hits something hard and most of the space is like this.

Do i just need to keep at it? Or can i build it up with compost if I box it off?

Oh an blister on my thumb already

nicola00

Progress has been made
Bought 180ltrs compost
Mixed salad leaves
Peas

I have potatoes in planter, corn an cucumber sowed in little boxes on window, mixed salad in plastic planter trays donated from the lovely guy at homebase.

Apple tree potted in a large container

Waiting on carrot an tomato seeds to come in post

After talking to the guy an homebase an from reading vertical veg an others I'm now in two minds wether to just do every in pots/planters

could i plant the apple tree in the space with some nice flowers?? Or is it to close I the house

Oh I just don't know

nicola00

All ready and waiting just need to decide what to plant :j

I known its not much/big space but hats off to all you gardeners my thighs and butt have been aching for days, even my arms from the sawing today lol

rabidbun

I'd be wary of putting a tree in there. Could be a bit close to the house depending on rootstock and the size it will get to, but also because it will suck up a lot of the water in the space you could use to grow other things imo.

It looks lovely though,you must be really excited thinking about what you're going to grow!

aliasojo

nicola00 wrote: »

...... I can get just over half a shovel in before it hits something hard and most of the space is like this.

Do i just need to keep at it? Or can i build it up with compost if I box it off?

I think you are probably hitting the foundations for the wall. Foundations extend wider then just the width of the thing they support iyswim.

Best bet is to leave well alone imo.

Build up, as you say and don't try to plant anything that has deep invasive roots. (Especially not a tree. )

Fay

What about having some trellis on the wall and growing your peas at the back, or even runner beans. They have pretty flowers so would be nice to have by your door, then you could still grow other things in front.
I'm really not great on this Nicola, but I wouldn't do potatoes or carrots in it as the first requires too much room and the carrots roots might need to go down further than your soil will allow. What about something like beetroot, salad crops, spinach? And again perhaps some pretty things, like marigolds or nasturtiums as companion plants?

nicola00

Guy at homebase gave me the heads up on their 15% event today and some of the Jamie Oliver Grow you own range was coming down in price. So took my 8 year old there this morning an she picked
Mixed Potatoes from Jamie Oliver Range £6.99 down to £3.49
Garlic
Mixed Onions
Pink Fir Apple Potatoes
Strawberry Hanging Basket
All for £13.50

then a quick stop at the Poundshop where we got, trowel, fork, dibbler, feed, gloves, hanging basket hooks, fleece blanket, pea netting and tomato kit



We'll be busy over easter weekend if the rain ever stops

So plan of action is
Vegetable Patch - Onions, Garlic, Spring Onions, maybe peas at the back, as suggested with a trellis

Already in progress in seed trays Mixed Lettuce, Spring Onions, Corn, Cucumber

Potatoes planted in Planter Bag

Really pleased with what we've done so far, fingers crossed it all goes to plan

aliwali

Hi, just stumbled across this thread. I too am having a first go at growing some veg. I have planted out strawberries in my raised bed and potatoes in big bags from Home Bargains.

Also going to have a go at carrots, parsnips, sweetcorn, sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes, french beans, spring onions and lettuces.

Will follow this thread with interest and hopefully we can help each other.

CAT££

Hi Nicola,

Glad to see that you are progressing. I want to grow some spuds too. Will have to get some seeds pronto. My little veg patch is doing well, allsorts of things sprouting on my windowsil.

nicola00

aliwali wrote: »

Hi, just stumbled across this thread. I too am having a first go at growing some veg. I have planted out strawberries in my raised bed and potatoes in big bags from Home Bargains.

Also going to have a go at carrots, parsnips, sweetcorn, sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes, french beans, spring onions and lettuces.

Will follow this thread with interest and hopefully we can help each other.

Yes please, all pointers, advice and even things that go wrong would be good to hear. Us newbie grower's need to stick together :rotfl:

CAT££ wrote: »

Hi Nicola,

Glad to see that you are progressing. I want to grow some spuds too. Will have to get some seeds pronto. My little veg patch is doing well, allsorts of things sprouting on my windowsil.

How's your sprouting windowsill coming along? have you got potatoes started yet?