What Veg is good for a beginner in a raised bed?

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Wez, Mar 23, 2010.

  1. Wez

    Wez Apprentice Gardener

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    Hey All,

    I am new to the site and have never grown veg, I am a complete beginner. At the weekend I cleared out the greenhouse and built a raised bed area to hopefully grow some fruit and veg. The bed is roughly 1m x 2.1m :-

    [​IMG]

    In the greenhouse I have two Tomorite grow bags in trays :-

    [​IMG]

    I have already planted some seeds using a pellet style propagator which I have on the kitchen window sill, in there I have some tomatoes, basil and chive. I was planning to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and courgette in the grow bags. I am not 100% sure what to grow in the raised bed, maybe some runner beans and beetroot. I have some salad leaves seeded in a window box which are already outside.

    In the greenhouse at the moment I have two small strawberry plants which I was planning to put in either a hanging basket or an upside down type basket.


    Any thoughts or suggestions would be great.
     
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    The best advice is to grow what you like to eat. Runner Beans are very rewarding but they do need a lot of space, you might get away with 6 plants growing up a wigwag of canes at one end of your bed, you could try cramming in a couple of courgette plants. At the other end of the bed I would go for onions, carrots, beetroot and maybe radish as well.

    Just an observation as it's difficult to see from your photo - is the bed on a concrete base in which case your soil depth is not enough - or hopefully its just concrete around the perimeter?
     
  3. rickfc

    rickfc Apprentice Gardener

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    Hello, when I started a veg. garden I found that lettuce was easy to grow and quite productive. Also radishes, basil, parsley, Roma tomatoes, and peppers. Good luck with it. Rick
     
  4. Wez

    Wez Apprentice Gardener

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    Great info thanks.

    I have been looking at packets of Suttons and Duchy Organic runner beans from a Wyevale garden centre, since I am only going to plant approx 6 plants then I may as well use the Duchy seeds. Should I plant them direct in the ground and use a tunnel or cloches until they get going or start them off in the greenhouse in pots?

    I guess the same goes for the courgettes.

    How about the Onions, carrots, beetroot and radish, should the be started in the greenhouse in pots as well?


    Its just a concrete border which I have added a wooden frame too, the area was used for veg by the previous owner.
     
  5. Wez

    Wez Apprentice Gardener

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    Thanks, I have sowed some salad leaf seeds in a window box along with some basil, I also have some chive in a separate pot.
     
  6. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I would start off the beans and courgettes in pots in the greenhouse or in your propagator indoors mid April time.

    You can buy Onion sets which are just small onions, you place them in the ground and they are easy and reliable to grow - plant them in the bed as soon as possible (although I haven't planted mine out yet - the next two weeks would be good).

    Or you can sow spring onion seed direct in the soil. You want to sow the carrot, beetroot and radish direct in the soil as well (don't try starting them in pots otherwise the roots grow in funny shapes). I would sow a few now then again in a couple of weeks time etc - that way you get a succession of veg ready over the summer rather than them all coming at once.

    Edit: maybe delay the radish sowing for a month, I reckon it's a bit early yet. (i.e too cold for them)

    :thumb:
     
  7. Wez

    Wez Apprentice Gardener

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    Great, will do, thanks :thumbs:

    Should I cover these until they get established?

    Great stuff, thanks :thumb:
     
  8. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    You don't have to, but I do, I use horticultural fleece, mainly to stop the flipping birds pulling them up (and it also helps retain a bit of warmth, although onions are completely frost hardy).

    :thumb:
     
  9. Wez

    Wez Apprentice Gardener

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    Thanks, great info :thumb:

    How about my strawberries and tomatoes etc, when should I be moving my potted Strawberry plants from the greenhouse to hanging baskets outside?

    I would also like to try cucumbers, peppers and chillies in the greenhouse but not sure when I need to start sowing/potting and then when I need to transfer to the grow bags?
     
  10. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I'm not too sure about your strawberries, I think they are hardy so can go out now - must say I've only ever grown them outside and they don't mind the cold at all.

    Your tomatoes should not be in a cold greenhouse, anything below 10 deg C and it will really slow them down, and they must be protected from frosts (bring them indoors overnight if frsost is forecast).

    Chilli and peppers needs sowing now as they take a long time to get going.

    Cucs can be sown in mid to late April.

    Pot on all your seedling after they develop their first true leaves. Then you might need to pot them on again after another 3 or 4 weeks.

    Planting time depends on your location and last frost date, for me it's early May - then it's safe to plant toms in my greenhouse (down here in Surrey).
     
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