Tommys First Vegetable Garden

Hi everyone,

I have never grown veg before and am looking for some advice as where to start.

My first question is about size. I am in the lucky position in so far as I can have the garden any size I want. My garden is ajoining a field so I can use as much as I want so long as I fence it off. This sound like a dream but I am finding it hard to decide on size. I have a 10ft by 20ft polytunnel en-route which I will be using for more tender crops and extend the season a bit. We are a family of 3, potatoes are a must, and nothing to exotic mainly onions, carrots, leaks, corgettes, celery, and some salads.

Also the area is quiet wet, I am on Peat soil so I am going to use raised beds, any advice on this.

The site is currently a field, is there anything I can do now to prepare the site rather than having to do everything in spring. I was thinking of putting down black polythene to cover the site for the winter to kill off all the current vegetation, would this be a good Idea?

That's all I have for now but I am sure I will have plenty more questions as the year goes on

Thanks

 

Hi TMAK, Black polythene would be a good start. Potatoes, they say are good for clearing the ground. Good luck, it would be good to see some photo's of your progress.

 

1. Once you decided to start your first garden, take some time to plan what you’d like to grow.If you don’t plan well, you could find that the cost of a new garden can get out of control.
2. Work out, realistically, how much time you can dedicate to your garden.
3. You’ll also need some money.
4. i put some earth / red worms in my garden they toil the soil over

 

Hi Tommy - How exciting! Planning a garden with a blank slate and so many options to choose from.

Clearing the vegetation now is a great idea. You can also work out the design for your raised beds and what you are going to fill them with, and source any soil, manure, mulch, woodchips for paths etc. I won't give you advice about that as our climates and soils are so different but I'm sure you will get great suggestions from other members.

Give some thought to how often you will be able to visit your garden and how you will water it - is there a tap close by?

My advice would be to start small the first year. Choose 3-4 things that seem easy (from your list I like potatoes and courgettes) and approach it with a spirit of experimentation. If it won't break the bank, plant a few different varieties, and/or plant at different times. Check on your plants as often as you can, try different techniques and just get a feel for what works and what doesn't in YOUR garden.

Expert advice is often conflicting. It drove me mad initially but truly there are many different ways that will all work, and which will work best depends on your particular circumstances.

Connecting with other gardeners in your area can also be really helpful and often save you a lot of money. They will be able to tell you the best varieties and planting times for your climate, best local nurseries and places to source free manure/woodchips etc, and often they are eager to pass along seeds, cuttings and excess seedlings. If you are on Facebook have a look if there is a local gardening group.

Agree that I would love to see pictures of your progress!

 

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the advice and encouragement, I have to say Im getting excited about it now. Unfortunately I didn't get anything done over the weekend had a bit of a family emergency but all is back to normal now. I have decided on an area, for no at least. I am going to take an area along the back of the garden, approximately 10m by 25m. For this year and next I hope to do one half, about 10m by 12m, in this half I hope to get some raised beds in and the poly tunnel up and running, (which arrived today). Then in the later half of next year I hope to tame the other half and make a mini orchard out of it and possibly an area for chickens.

In the line of veg I'm going to keep it simple at first as @Cassie suggested, Potatoes, corgettes and some salads and peas. maybe carrots if I get the time. and tomatoes and cucumbers in the tunnel and maybe try some melons and peppers.

I'm afraid that's all the update I have for now but I will keep it updated,

Tommy