Planting Structure?

Hi everyone, we are doing a traditional style potager garden and have measured out our plot, we are having 4 ft x 4ft beds in a square formation with paths in between, we have bought lots of seeds, mainly veg but some flowers. We are going to dig it all out and get it ready whilst our seeds are (hopefully) growing.

Trouble is we are feeling rather overwhelmed now!! Where do we start deciding where everything needs to go, is it just a matter of reading the packets to establish how tall/spread the plants will be or is there a guide I can follow somewhere? Also, is it best to buy some plants to start before our seeds are ready?

Help!!

 

Anyone? :confused:

 

Hi Golcarlilly. Without knowing exactly what plants you are going to grow, it's hard for people to give advice. Certainly take note of what it says on the seed packets, in veg growing, things tend to start off very slowly and the once mid summer arrives, everything puts a spurt on and is fighting for space. How big your crops will grow depends on the type of growing medium and how fertile also the amount of light it gets. The only thing I would question is the size of the beds,4 foot square does seem a little large and once the crops are growing you may have problems reaching over them to weed. Usually,3 foot wide is the maximum then you only have 18" to reach from either side.

 

thanks for that, I know I have been a little vague!! I may well re-consider and reduce the sizes a bit, I am planning to grow (well, seeds I have bought) are:

Peas (planning to have two obesisks in diagonally opposite beds to grow these up)
Broad beans
Mizuna
Peppers
Chillies
Salad leaves (various - i have a mixed pack)
Dill
Basil
Parsley
Chives
Nasturtium
Marigold
Sprouting broccoli
Rainbow Chard

Do you think I need to incorporate more flowers?

All suggestions greatly appreciated!

 

That seems like a decent mix, and seems like enough flowers - bearing in mind that rainbow chard are nice to look at, as are quite a few of the veg you've chosen.

I'd just give it a go, and learn from your mistakes. I sow closer than the packets recommend.

The peppers and chillies will both need your most sheltered area, preferably under cloches. Tomatoes are far easier and give you loads more veg for your money.

If I were you I'd also try carrots and beetroot; and especially runner beans, which are wonderfully prolific and will fill your freezer.

You could also sow leeks in a seedbed and transplant them when another space becomes free: e.g. when the broad beans are finished. This'll give you 2 crops from one bed. You can do the same thing with many winter veg.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for that, I bought some runner beans at the weekend and I may get some leeks too now!

 

Don't be too keen to sow seeds outside yet or you may find a lot of failures with seeds rotting in the damp cold conditions. Maybe start the leeks in pots inside until big enough to plant into a nursery bed in a monthe or so, same with the peas and put them out when the ground warms up a bit. I've already started the green leaves under clotches but no point in putting the fast growers in yet(runners and courgettes). Peppers need a long season but they hate the cold just like tomatoes. Good luck, were all hoping for some better weather this season.