New to all this where to start!

HelenRachel

So we've dabbled with growing our own so far, the usual tomatoes in a grow bad type of thing! we've just moved to a new house and it has a pre-existing allotment area which we're going to expand and we're very lucky to have inherited a green house and very sturdy chicken coop! I'm at a bit of a loss tho as to where to start? I know you can plant winder veg but haven't a clue as to the best types and when to plant them?? I'm much more of a spring grow it on the windowsill type! So my question being...

what should I be planting and where do I get the seeds? from? I'm guessing B&Q isn't the best/cheapest place! I'm also thinking that the arrangement of the plot is important? ie how much room things take up and will there be enough room for what I'd like to grow in the spring etc?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

forgotmyname

Location? What you can grow/plant and when will depend on your location.

It maybe too cold if your oop norf where people on the south coast can still grow stuff.

How big a patch will you have? Its amazing how much you can pack in if you try.

I have a 15ft x 3ft planter and i had Strawberries, Blackcurrants, Redcurrants, Onions, Rhubarb and peas and probably more...

Nothing better than a freshly picked strawberry from the garden, Same with peas.

Also is it in full sun or shaded?

HelenRachel

We're 'tup north in Yorkshire, so can be quite cold! The patch has a shady bit and a sunny bit and is about 3m by 6m.

Rummer

If I were you I would clear any weeds and prep the area for growing next year as apart from salads there is little that can be grown this late in the year. There is scope for planting things for next year like garlic however.

I would visit the library and get a couple of books on veg/fruit growing and decide what would suit where you are. In general grow things you enjoy that are expensive or tricky to buy. We have unusual bean varieties, kale, courgettes, chard and a variety of other interesting things.

To purchase seeds etc you get great value seeds from places like Aldi, Lidl, Poundland, ebay and for more unusual varieties real seeds is a good site.

In a smaller space the square foot gardening approach can be good for packing in lots to eat. I have used that approach (without the special soil composition) and had great results

If you have any questions there are loads of people on this board who are knowledgeable and lovely

wallbash

Buy two books, The Fruit expert and the veg expert, both by Dr D.G. Hessayon. These are nearly all the advice you need.

I would clear any weeds and prep the area for growing next year as apart from salads there is little that can be grown this late in the year.

Good advice, you will need the time to clear the ground.
But you could be thinking of Fruit trees/ bushes, these could be started in the next couple of months.

RAS

Hi

Go to the libary; find Joy Larkcom's "Vegetables" and read the essay in the back on growing a salad for May. Cover Winter veggies well.

Will post my list of winter things shortly.

RAS

My post from another thread

Sometime recently there was a mention of over-wintering crops in a frame???

If it is of any interest, this is my list of green stuff that I can pick outside in the first three months of the year which may not be on the normal plot.

Down to minus 19 and survived even when the snow melted and it was then minus 11 all day and minus 19 at night

Giant Red Mustard - strong flavour
Mizuna
Land Cress
Lamb's Lettuce/Mache
Swiss chard - Lucellus - not all plants.

Note cabbage stalks rotted and rocket popped its clogs. All the above thawed late afternoon so picking was before dusk.

I suspect that other mustards would survive and are milder in taste (the Streaks) and other Chinese Veggies would be worth a trial.

If the winter only drops to minus 11 at night then add

Swiss chard - mixed colours
Rocket
Oriental Veggies
Salad onions.
Edit - add parsley to that)

HelenRachel

Thanks for the advice! It doesn't get much below -2-4 degrees C here so most of the above should survive! DH is going to clear the plot next week and I've made a plan of what to plant where! I was going to put in garlic and onions as well as potatoes now?? I've also got some blueberry bushes that I've had in pots for a while I'd like to get in. Does n e one know if I can take cuttings from blackberries? We've got some nice ones that have grown over from the back fence so would be nice to cut there back and have an actual bush in the garden.

macsoupdragon

On Facebook there groups for veg/allotment growers who will provide advice and also what to do with the surplus veg that you could end up with. There are things you can grow now for early cropping next year, cabbage (Durham)m peas (meteor), broad bean (aqua dulce -or something similar). Wilkinsons is also good for seeds (own brand and currently on 3 for 2). As for the blackberries sorry not sure. Although I'm sure when I've left them too long that they self root (the part tha had been in the soil). Aldi, b and m and morrisons are also good for fruit trees. Happy growing