On Saturday, I finally managed to persuade hubby to build me a raised veg patch. It is 1 m x 2.5 m, and 30 cms deep (the depth of two gravel boards). I intend to attach a trellis at the back to support taller vegetables. It gets full sun from about 11 am until sunset. It looks hoooge - and I emptied out many bags of compost & top soil, and it is still only half full. (My own compost which I started last year does not seem to be quite ready yet, otherwise that'd be going in too.) So, the question is, what can I grow in this first year, given that it is already May and I do not have any seedlings stashed away which I started from seed weeks ago? It'll all have to be from scratch, but I'd still like to see some produce this summer if possible! I have been doing some reading up, and have some ideas, but it all seems so complicated. So I thought I'd ask you experienced folk what you would do with it, and then I copy the ideas I like! I have six chitted seed potatoes which a friend gave me, so they are going in. I will also buy some strawberry plants. And I have some herbs (basil and parsley mostly) which I have been growing indoors and which will be planted into a corner of the veg patch for picking throughout the summer. I don't know whether it is now OK to sow things straight into the raised bed (I have polycarbonate pieces which I can use to create temporary covers / cloches if necessary), or whether I still need to start things off indoors (I don't have a greenhouse). I also don't know how many runner beans / green beans etc I can have along a trellis which is 2.5 metres wide, as I don't know how big the plants get. If some of you could outline what you would do if you had a veg patch of this size at this time of year, I would be very grateful!
Forgot to add: all vegetable suggestions must be on the fool-proof side. I am happy to water, weed and feed as necessary, but don't know any more complicated techniques than that!
stop worrying, there is still plenty of time left for this year!!!! First, I would say only grow the stuff you'll eat. It sounds daft but when I first started with veg I grew anything I could get my hands on and ended up not eating some of it. ( namely radishes, I can't stand them and globe artichokes, It seems a lot of hastle to get the eating bit and besides the flowers look lovely and attract lots of bees!!) also, don't go over board, you'll end up feeling overwhelmed! I know I did. I don't think its wrong to buy seedlings rather than trying trying to raise everything yourself. I go to a local city farm or car boots for mine, it gives me chance to talk to the people that have started them off, to get tips etc. That what i'll be doing mostly this year because I just haven't had the time to get organised with the seed sowing!!! salad leaves veg can be planted throughout the season, a packet of seeds sown at intervals will give salad all year. I find leeks are pretty foolproof to grow, especially from other peoples seedlings. just poke a hole in soil, lower the seedling in, don't back fill with soil but pour plenty of water into the hole to help the plant settle without damaging the roots. Then I leave em to there own devices, watering and weeding if necessary. runner beans - i haven't grown them because I get a plentyful supply from my neighbour but he doesn't seem to have planted his out yet if that helps??
Probably your soil is warm enough to plant things straight into the soil. If you like salads, you could sow mixed packs of seed- I have edible baby leaves growing in my raised bed, sowed March. I sow them round the edge of the bed I would plant the things you most like, for me it's peas and broad beans, rather than green or french. The thing to watch out for is squirrel, mouse, or bird attacks if sowing these large seeds outside, the seeds will dsappear overnight if you're unlucky!:(, so either start them inside or make sure your sowing area is protected- your polycarbonate pieces should work for this as well as giving a bit of added warmth. I sow mine inthe greenhouse for protection, in loo roll insides [cut in half now to save on compost] or paper pots, so the seedlings can go straight in without disturbance. Good Luck PS I agree with Glenw about buying seedlings!
For what it's worth I agree with Glen and Liz. Buy seedlings, most large car boots are cheaper than GCs. But do buy what you like to eat. Glen, if you've got any globe artichokes left, you have my address. Or try them with a sour cream dip. Mmmmmm.:thumb:
right-o John, I've just moved them and thinned them out, but they are pretty fast growing and split into a few plants each year, so i'll send you a division off when they appear!!
Sorry. I was joking so I could advise you on the sour cream. But if you have any going begging, I haven't got any and do love them. But that means I owe you 2. My pre-winter sowing of sarracenias has just started to germinate Do you like them on toast?:D
