Growing conditions

whitesatin

I have got some seeds, salad, beetroot, tomatoes,herbs etc. which I am looking forward to growing. Also want to grow some potatoes in sacks.

We have a reasonable sized garden but, as it is the biggest in the street, the local cats congregate to stalk the birds, there leaving a bit of a mess at times. It can be frustrating when trying to grow things. We have a shed which I use as a sort of little summerhouse, it has windows on three sides. I have started some seeds there, in the past. Round the side, we have a pretty useless lean-to which has our house wall to one side and next door's to the other. Last year I brought on some flowers quite successfully but am now wondering it this is actually the best place to grow my veg. I have some potato bags which could rest on the (concrete) floor and a lot of work surface on which to place seed trays, pots etc. Although it is sandwiched between the two houses, it has a new polycarbonate roof which lets the light in (NW facing). There is electricity too. I never thought about growing things there all summer long but it would be one answer to the cat problem. I could easily get the hosepipe to it for watering and, having a concrete floor, it should drain off well.

Ideally I would love a greenhouse but finances prohibit that, unfortunately. Any thoughts?

Dizzy_Ditzy

A greenhouse might be cheaper than you think- I paid £55 for my bigger one and £50 for my smaller one, though I paid about £60 for replacement glass on my smaller one because we lost a lot of it when we were taking it down

Last year I grew tomatoes in pots in my greenhouse, outside my greenhouse and in grow bags in front of my shed. This year is my first for spuds, which I am doing in bags and in the beds

I have a cat and there are others that congregate but they've not caused me any problems yet, touch wood

Have a look on free cycle, local free ads and gumtree as well as eBay for greenies, you might be surprised

SailorSam

Don't just wait to see one on Freecycle 'cos there'll be others fighting you to be first there. Advertise in the Freecycle wanteds.

whitesatin

queen_of_cheap wrote: »

A greenhouse might be cheaper than you think- I paid £55 for my bigger one and £50 for my smaller one, though I paid about £60 for replacement glass on my smaller one because we lost a lot of it when we were taking it down

Last year I grew tomatoes in pots in my greenhouse, outside my greenhouse and in grow bags in front of my shed. This year is my first for spuds, which I am doing in bags and in the beds

I have a cat and there are others that congregate but they've not caused me any problems yet, touch wood

Have a look on free cycle, local free ads and gumtree as well as eBay for greenies, you might be surprised

Thanks, I do belong to our local Freecycle and have passed on lots of stuff myself. Strangely, I have never thought about asking for things (thanks SailorSam for that idea).

My son used to grow vegetables in our garden but he has an allotment now and has also moved out of this area so he can't help much. My husband is just not into gardening although he will water things if I ask.

With my son, a couple of years ago, we grew potatoes and had success with that. I just loved digging in the earth to find them - wearing gloves of course due to the thought of the aforementioned cats, lol. I am glad you don't have that problem. I love cats but worry about my grandchildren playing in the garden when the cats have visited.

Good luck with your spuds. They will definitely taste better than shop bought ones. Thanks again.

whitesatin

SailorSam wrote: »

Don't just wait to see one on Freecycle 'cos there'll be others fighting you to be first there. Advertise in the Freecycle wanteds.

I wouldn't have thought to do that, SailorSam, so thanks for the idea.