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The highs and lows of growing your own dinner 2015

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  • Dizzy_Ditzy
    Dizzy_Ditzy Posts: 17,471 Ambassador
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    All bar the carrots and strawberries have germinated so there's space in the propagators for more pots :j I have some babana sweet peppers to go in, and chillies so that'll be done this afternoon :)

    This morning I have cleaned the greenhouse in and out, got the tropicals out of the greenhouse and unfleeced them and given all their pots a good scrubbing

    And for the first time, i have listened to the allotment guy on radio 2... He is so funny :rotfl:
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Health & Beauty, Greenfingered Moneysaving and How Much Have You Saved boards. If you need any help on these boards, please do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com

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  • Dizzy_Ditzy
    Dizzy_Ditzy Posts: 17,471 Ambassador
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    I managed to get some allotment planting done yesterday, at the new site :j I got some onions in :) One of the beds there we are growing in rows rather than smaller beds. On the other side of the path, where the chickens are going, we will be having a few smaller beds but it's an awkward shape so going to stick a few fruit trees in the odd bits. I've decided that poratoes are going in the smaller beds so a dry day this week will be up there getting the space ready.

    In the meantime, I need to get to my other plot to check on things and get more ready. Making me feel tired just thinking about it all :rotfl:
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Health & Beauty, Greenfingered Moneysaving and How Much Have You Saved boards. If you need any help on these boards, please do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com

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  • Happygreen
    Happygreen Posts: 2,949 Forumite
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    Good morning, all!

    All I managed at the weekend was to put a new fence up to keep the chickens out of the veg plot but that's a very big thing for me...the plot is now a larger growing area with more possibilities if I have the time to make use of it, lol.
    First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, and then you win - Gandhi
  • laurathree
    laurathree Posts: 121 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hey guys,

    I have just moved into a new flat with two (two!!) gardens and I am dead keen to get growing my own fruit and veg. It's going to take a lot of time and trial & error, but I have planted my first few sets of seeds to try and get going.

    Any failsafe fruit or veg you recommend for an enthusiastic beginner?

    Cheers,

    Laura
    Museum worker who'd rather be in the garden.
  • ally18
    ally18 Posts: 761 Forumite
    Saturday was spent transplanting my onion seeds that appeared to be ok. I think I've lost most of them so I set more in the propagator. I also set tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and caulis.

    Sunday morning at 9am I was the only one at the allotment, the sun did not come out as promised but I did get a lot done.
    Firstly, I completed all the edging along my paths so as to keep the soil off :D. I now have a huge cross of paths going across my plot that is fully axminster and a good 80s design. I think the neighbours have now given up on me tbh following my red tape keeping the guttering up on the shed :D. My plot is nothing but colourful at the moment.
    The cold frame come greenhouse was finished. It is basically a big glass box about 4ft x 4ft x 5ft but it didn't cost a thing so I'm quite proud of that. I also set up all the poles I filched from Dad's plot and these are rigged up as my runner bean stands.
    Then when the rain finally came down, I finished digging the area ready for my early potatoes and put growmore down.
    Again, I was still the only one out and about . I was dripping by the time I had done! :rotfl:
  • Dizzy_Ditzy
    Dizzy_Ditzy Posts: 17,471 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    laurathree wrote: »
    Hey guys,

    I have just moved into a new flat with two (two!!) gardens and I am dead keen to get growing my own fruit and veg. It's going to take a lot of time and trial & error, but I have planted my first few sets of seeds to try and get going.

    Any failsafe fruit or veg you recommend for an enthusiastic beginner?

    Cheers,

    Laura

    Welcome!

    What to you like to eat? What type of soil do you have? You have two gardens but how much space do you have? What sort of condition is it all in now? Is it pretty much ready to go or is there some work required first?

    Do you have space for a small greenhouse? That will make your new growing life much easier- but remember that if you have got a blowaway you will need to weigh it down good and proper :)

    Happy planning :D
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Health & Beauty, Greenfingered Moneysaving and How Much Have You Saved boards. If you need any help on these boards, please do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com

    All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert
  • Chimera
    Chimera Posts: 492 Forumite
    Hello all, from down in the valley in Devon.

    Quite a woodland garden so only a few dedicated spots of full sun.
    But since the landlords knocked down the huge dilapidated garage next to the garden, we have discovered this gets sun all day - so hoping to have some raised planters there.

    We have 4 spaniels, and 2 terriers, plus 3 chickens so it needs planning!!

    Last year started well, but onion and bean beds in garden ended up too wet, and cabbages got too little sun. Given up on garden crops, due to being the bottom of the valley, light evades us and water finds us. Though the concrete next to the stream is ideal!!

    We had success with runner beans (over arch in garden)
    Salas leaves
    Cucumbers in pots
    Corgettes (in beds and wall)
    Toms and peppers in pots
    peas and strawberries in hanging baskets


    All my squash died

    Biggest problem was, not being ruthless with seedlings and wanting to keep them all - and them getting a crap promotion in work and having no time to spend on them

    Fully self employed now (working from home), so determined to grow as much as possible ourselves this year - looking forward to seeing what other people do. :)
  • Not much happening on my front over here, we decided where we are going to put our one raised bed, hopefully going to start seedlings over the weekend and I have some potatoes chitting. Fingers crossed we get stuff growing this year :). Right now off to read what everyone has done over the last couple of weeks :)
    Nessy x

    March GC - £4.50/£200
    House Savings - £2951/£18000
  • laurathree
    laurathree Posts: 121 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi Queen of Cheap! Thanks for the warm welcome. To answer some of your questions...
    Welcome!

    What to you like to eat?
    Bit of everything, really! What I would really like to grow are the things we use a lot that are plausible to grow in the UK. I'm thinking Pattypan squash, marrows, courgettes, pumpkins, potatoes (sweet and normal), herbs, and some fruits, although the fruit trees will take some serious planning I think. I am open to ideas but we love our vegetables, and will try anything really

    What type of soil do you have?
    Err... brown? Total beginner and I have no idea how to tell this. it's quite clumpy but not as clay-y as I have seen before... Was planning on raised beds for the veg though.

    You have two gardens but how much space do you have?
    Back garden is about 5m x 10m, front about 5 x 5 but I will probably have a few small fruit trees/ bushes (quince and medlar are favourites) and rose-hip bearing bushes). All hardy out the front as it's north facing (but still quite open and gets a fair bit of sun in the afternoon. The back garden is south facing and a nice sun trap.

    What sort of condition is it all in now?
    Both laid to lawn with small patios leading to the front and back doors. Small basic shed out the back, and a willow tree at the very edge (which we plan on cutting down - it's leaning on our boundary fence and in to next door garden, and they have offered to get rid of it. Also in summer it would deprive both flats of a lot of light.

    The lawns are probably the first priority as they are very uneven - all laid to grass (and already growing fast!), but it looks like many, many bodies have been stashed under there... no idea where to start with such a big job. Hire a rotavator?!


    Is it pretty much ready to go or is there some work required first?
    See above re: bodies under the lawn...

    Do you have space for a small greenhouse?
    Yes! Although there is already a small shed in the one corner, and we're planning on a larger and sturdier one in the other (we both work from home a fair bit and would like a writing shed/ casual home office/ craft room. Greenhouse could easily fit in the middle of the two, but the home office shed would be our priority this year

    Happy planning :D



    Any advice welcome! I'm super enthusiastic about having a productive garden, but also a super novice... it's all a bit daunting!
    Museum worker who'd rather be in the garden.
  • Dizzy_Ditzy
    Dizzy_Ditzy Posts: 17,471 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 11 March 2015 at 11:35AM
    laurathree wrote: »
    Hi Queen of Cheap! Thanks for the warm welcome. To answer some of your questions...

    See answers below :D



    Any advice welcome! I'm super enthusiastic about having a productive garden, but also a super novice... it's all a bit daunting!

    Welcome!

    What to you like to eat?
    Bit of everything, really! What I would really like to grow are the things we use a lot that are plausible to grow in the UK. I'm thinking Pattypan squash, marrows, courgettes, pumpkins, potatoes (sweet and normal), herbs, and some fruits, although the fruit trees will take some serious planning I think. I am open to ideas but we love our vegetables, and will try anything really

    Sounds great!

    What type of soil do you have?
    Err... brown? Total beginner and I have no idea how to tell this. it's quite clumpy but not as clay-y as I have seen before... Was planning on raised beds for the veg though.

    Raised beds can be expensive so maybe consider growing the ground for some stuff. Potatoes are a very good soil improver :) it could be quite clumpy now because of the weather, usually nothing that a dig and rake over wouldn't help. Root veg like carrots and parsnips don't like stony soil so they'd be good in raised beds.

    You have two gardens but how much space do you have?
    Back garden is about 5m x 10m, front about 5 x 5 but I will probably have a few small fruit trees/ bushes (quince and medlar are favourites) and rose-hip bearing bushes). All hardy out the front as it's north facing (but still quite open and gets a fair bit of sun in the afternoon. The back garden is south facing and a nice sun trap.

    That sounds great too :)

    What sort of condition is it all in now?
    Both laid to lawn with small patios leading to the front and back doors. Small basic shed out the back, and a willow tree at the very edge (which we plan on cutting down - it's leaning on our boundary fence and in to next door garden, and they have offered to get rid of it. Also in summer it would deprive both flats of a lot of light.

    The lawns are probably the first priority as they are very uneven - all laid to grass (and already growing fast!), but it looks like many, many bodies have been stashed under there... no idea where to start with such a big job. Hire a rotavator?!

    I would not get a rotivator just yet! They are good for turning soil over but any weeds just get cut up and spread around and therefore makes the problem worse than you started :eek: the best place to start maybe would be to skim the grass off- it probably couch grass in which case you need to get every piece of root out that you can. Couch grass is evil :mad:

    Once the top layer of grass is gone, you could get it dug over and levelled out. Very hard work but it will be worth it :)


    Is it pretty much ready to go or is there some work required first?
    See above re: bodies under the lawn...

    Do you have space for a small greenhouse?
    Yes! Although there is already a small shed in the one corner, and we're planning on a larger and sturdier one in the other (we both work from home a fair bit and would like a writing shed/ casual home office/ craft room. Greenhouse could easily fit in the middle of the two, but the home office shed would be our priority this year

    Now is a good time to get a greenhouse but I totally get why you're not just yet. Maybe a plastic "blowaway" one would do the job for the time being, as long as you make sure it's well weighted down. I use bags of compost to weigh mine down, but I have two glass greenhouses so the plastic one is mainly used for keeping pots and compost in

    The forums on gardeners world are brilliant for all sorts of advice, as we are here too :cool:


    I look forward to hearing of your plans and progress. Remember, we all had to start somewhere :)
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Health & Beauty, Greenfingered Moneysaving and How Much Have You Saved boards. If you need any help on these boards, please do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com

    All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert
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