newby veggie hi there from rossendale

[Megans-mum]

HI everybody I keep leaving msgs all over the place and no body answers me. i'm not even sure they get posted. Help im new to all this stuff. never used forums before. etc
Down to business, my husband has built me a 10ft x 4ft and 1ft deep raised bed. Ive ordered my top soil/ compost from Dandys. Topsoil, Gravel, Top Soil, Bark, Compost, Pebbles, Loam, if anyone wants to check the soil. I orderd the organic top soil / compost they're top of the range stuff. IT has been screened etc .
I need to know can i put some chicken manure pelletts into this soil before i plant my veg. OR WILL DOING THIS MAKE THE SOIL TOO ACIDIC. so far i have 18 cabbage plug plants. 18 broccolli & 18 sprouts. I'm going to attempt to grow the nantes furbund autumn carrotts from seed also. I have 4 asparagus plants.
I have bought a soil tester kit and 2 fleece cloches, to keep everything warm and hopefully deter the bugs from eating my veg.
Next year i'm hoping to grow everything from seed, i'm even going to attempt to grow sweetcorn, peppers and some fruit. So as you can all see i'm quite excited ,but need some hand holding in my first venture so please help. By the way ive also got a potato barrell and i'm currently chitting my potatoes. I'm also new to computers and at present only type with 1 finger so no computer technical jargon unless its completely simplified. I can do internet, ebay and email but im limited. Cheers everybody kind regards judith.

[ailsasyl]

Hi and welcome to the vine this year is my first year growing too I started with raised beds but just with soil from the garden and dug over well and fed with chicken manure pellets we've had success with cabbage, caulis lettuce spinach and we're waiting eagerly for the onions and tatties to be ready.
I'm sure someone more experianced will be along to give you advice shortly

[Megans-mum]

Hi ailsasy
Thanks for the reply good luck with everything. Keep on growing.

[firstimer1]

Hi Judith and welcome i am also new to all this, just aquired an allotment myself and am very excited cant help with any of your questions cause i need as much advice as poss to be honest did not realise how much there is to no about growing fruit/veg hence find myself on this forum nearly all day and nite best of luck belle

[Two_Sheds]

HI everybody I keep leaving msgs all over the place and no body answers me. i'm not even sure they get posted. Help im new to all this stuff. never used forums before..

Hi Judith - you're getting the hang of it
I've spotted your messages "all over the place". I think that's the problem! To get a reply, you need to be a bit specific - one thread per question is more likely to reap some answers. No offence intended

[Two_Sheds]

so far i have 18 cabbage plug plants. 18 broccolli & 18 sprouts. ... and 2 fleece cloches, to keep everything warm and hopefully deter the bugs from eating my veg.

just quick replies, I don't mean to be abrupt

1) these are hardy plants. They don't need fleece

2) fleece encourages slugs & snails (they like it warm & moist)

3) you definitely need netting for your brassicas, or they'll be eaten alive by pigeons and Cabbage Whites

[Two_Sheds]

By the way ive also got a potato barrell and i'm currently chitting my potatoes.

Me again. Still not being abrupt, I just don't have long

1) potatoes are not winter plants. They will die at the first touch of cold/frost

2) spuds are chitted in late winter, and planted out around Easter.

3) some people are trying to grow spuds for Xmas. I've tried it, and it never worked for me.

[Megans-mum]

Yes I see what you mean about brassicas being hardy. I ve just been up to look at them and my sprouts have wilted so ive uncovered them and given them a good drink. Although water doesnt seem to be a problem. Ive put plant pots in my soil to take the water to the roots so i deffinately think they were tooooooooo warm. They were fine yesterday when i checked on them. But hey ho u live and learn and ive got loads of that too do were veg are concerned. I never refuse advice. As for the spuds as ive been chitting now for 2-3 wks i will plant them in my barrell and see how they do. If for no other reason than it gives me a little experience and i will learn by that. Thankyou for your kind advice. regards judith.

[Two_Sheds]

I'm going to attempt to grow the nantes furbund autumn carrotts from seed also.

You might find carrots a bit tricky - they aren't easy at all. Try sowing into loo rolls, not direct in the soil (slugs will eat them before you ever see anything of the leaves, and you'll think they haven't germinated).

When the leaves appear, plant the whole loo roll in the ground. It gets your carrots off to a great start.

You'll need to fleece them against Carrot Fly (spring/summer) and against frost if you're over-wintering them. Remember to check under the fleece for slugs & snails

Good luck - look fwd to seeing photos of your veggies

[Megans-mum]

You might find carrots a bit tricky - they aren't easy at all. Try sowing into loo rolls, not direct in the soil (slugs will eat them before you ever see anything of the leaves, and you'll think they haven't germinated).

When the leaves appear, plant the whole loo roll in the ground. It gets your carrots off to a great start.

You'll need to fleece them against Carrot Fly (spring/summer) and against frost if you're over-wintering them. Remember to check under the fleece for slugs & snails

Good luck - look fwd to seeing photos of your veggies

Im going to plant my carrotts in a rather large tub does the loo roll thing still apply. Can i put soil inside my loo roll then seed then cover with soil. Please advise. You know i should have you as my gardening buddy as you are very helpful. Thankyou. cheers. regards judith.

[Scotkat]

Hi and welcome Megans mum Iam newbie here to but so enjoy gardening so much so started my own wee busines as A lady gardner so can be as flexi as I like and its just perfect.

Also do hanging basket orders small containers .

Floral arrangemts by order and xmas wreaths and arrangments.

Had a good season even though a lot of rain but have danced with the clouds up early and out .

Today having time out .

I grow fuchsias and love flowers but a few weeks ago my husband made me a raide bed so I can grow veggies .

Just got baby carrots and spring onions and kitchen herbs growing was abit late thsi year hopefully 2009 hae a productive veggie area.