Beginner Resources

Hi

I'm at the very beginning here. Where can I get information on methodologies for growing different edible plants including equipment required etc?

Then I can get started.

Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum mbbx5va2

At first I thought you might be looking for a Phd. course The information Wiseowl has provided will be of benefit to you. Enjoy.

 

A picture of your plot or proposed plot along with the type of fruit and veg you are thinking of would help.

For outdoor plants very little in the way of equipment is needed, a spade, folk, rake, hand trowel and broom are the basic ones.

 

Thanks guys!

 

Thanks for this. I've attached a couple pictures of the proposed plot. I've chosen here as the land is flat and it gets good sunlight. There are lots of stones in there presumably I'd need to get rid. Also the bricks can go and potentially could make use of the pot.

My parents seem to have some bark chips and multi purpose compost which are lying around. I have a spade and rake. The folk and hand trowel I will need to check whether my dad has it.

So my shortlist will be based on what is suitable for sowing in May. Some of these vegetables are Cabbage, Kohl Rabi, Tomatoes, Carrots, Pak Choi, Turnip. I'm leaning towards tomatoes but I am thinking better to do something easier or more likely to succeed for a complete novice.

Thoughts welcome?

 

Hi,

While the grass looks well enough, its difficult to say what that patch of soil is like, it could be very hard and contain a lot of rubble ?

As you are starting out think we would suggest you use this year to grow most things in large pots or tub eg 12" diameter or greater, the plastic ones can be quiet cheap at the lo-cost stores.

This would mean you can fill them with the compost and have the ideal growing medium and you can grow lots of fruit and veg in them this year.

Hopefully you should now still be able to young tomato plants, the patio types like Tumbling Tom are ideal for pots as are Strawberry plants.
Carrots and Pak Choi should still be ok from Seed, as would things like salad crops, lettuce, beetroot, radish, spring onion, but Cabbage,Turnips etc are best suited the soil/open ground

While you get the pots going you could try digging over the soil and see how it is and get it into good heart for next year.

 

Yeah it does seem like there's a lot of rubble in there. Stones and all sorts of hard objects. Ok sounds sensible with going for the plastic pots.
I have been reading about the tumbling tom. With the pest issue I would have thought best protected in a green house but if I'm not going for the greenhouse option and the pots will be outside then from what I've read there's an issue with whitefly and slugs. Is there a way of keeping these at bay without spraying the plants? I was looking at various covers I can put on.

Also would you recommend using propagating containers first then putting outside. I don't want to overcomplicate it but keen on using the best approach.

Thanks for the info on the veg. I'll make a note.

Thanks for your assistance in advance. I may as well move to the tomatoe forum. :-)

 

Both us and the neighours have been growing TT outside for a few years, in the ground and in pots.

No real problems ?? most plants can get Aphids and Slugs outside or in a greenhouse, if a food crop you just brush or spray wash them off or use a safe soap solution spray, perhaps a few pellets or some copper tape around the pot if slugs/ snails are a particular problem.

Using covers, well they generally just keep the pests happy and safe inside, protected against their predators in our experience, so it seems counter productive.
( thats because some eggs or critters are already there before you put the cover on)

Yes, its too early to put toms outside, though depends on where you live.
Generally mid to late May is about right when the night temp does not drop too low.
You can put them outside during these sunny days, but be careful they do not scorch, taking them indoors at night, doubt any indoor heat needed for plants 150mm or taller.

Lots of good info in the Tomato 2020 thread, but also see the 2019 thread which covers the full season, but like most things, just grow some and see how they go, most look after the selves and only need a little attention, though some folk do take things the other extreme, but each to their own methods, either way you will still get some nice toms .