growing vegetables in pots.

It's my first time growing vegetables and I have'nt a garden to put them in ,only a south facing back patio and front patio.

Ive bought these seeds-lettuce(mixed salad leaves)
carrots(autumn king2),beetroot(boltardy),spring onions(white lisbon,turnip(snowball),radish(sparkler3),turnip(purple milan),lettuce (all year round).
All the instructions on the back of the packet refer to sowing outdoors in March.
How and when do I get started? I don't have to use all of the seeds.
I have a side utility that is dry and bright but not heated.I also have an airing cupboard i.e dark and warm.

Any advise would be welcomed.

[ 14. January 2006, 07:46 PM: Message edited by: Hawthorn ]

 

you can t transplant carrot beetroot, turnip, or radish because they have a taproot, so they have to be sown where they will grow, you might try a grow bag for them,,,,,,,,, sow thinly , most take 4-6 months, except radish which will take 3-4 weeks, so you sow them succeccivly from march to september
lettuce leaves sow as radish, sucessively and thinly , picking leaves at 5-7 inches, no hearts
lettuce all year round willheart up, sow successivly and transplant 6"apart

 

Hi Hawthorn.If you have sufficient space it might be worth also trying a few herbs in pots. You can add them to your cooking and some will also produce a nice fragrance and flowers.
Suggestions:
Chives, parsley, oregano, basil, rosemary, tarragon, bay, sage.

 

There are many things that grow well in containers (I have had much success): I have grown all the things you mention (except turnip) along with, potatoes, dwarf beans, peas, corgette, cucumber, andmore beside. I didn;t have much success with swede though, and have now planted a couple of mini apple trees which are in their second year