Just starting out.

[Daffy]

Hi Everyone

I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm just starting out with a veggie plot in the garden, so I'm really in need of lots of guidance. I've done toms in the greenhouse before, and a few runner beans, but not much else. I'm in the process of building some raised beds, I only have enough wood for a couple so far, so any ideas on where to get wood cheap or free would be great. Also, ideas on what I can still grow from seed this late in the spring. I've attached a piccie of the area that I'm going to be working. It get sun until the late afternoon. We have heavy clay soil, but I have a fair bit of nice homemade compost (not the pile you see in the pic, that the last few months chicken waste).

THanks

[WendyC]

Not too late to sow courgettes, squashes, cucumbers. Salads and radishes need regular sowing to keep a supply going. Carrots and beetroots could be another option.
As for wood if you are a member of your local freecycle group you could try asking on there. Round here people seem to be asking for really expensive things ( wide cutting petrol lawnmower in good working order was on I saw recently!!) so you might be lucky asking for wood offcuts or reusable wood.

[Two_Sheds]

any ideas on where to get wood cheap

old scaffolding boards, or get B&Q's decking boards when they're half price (plenty of older threads on this same question, if you fancy reading back through them.)

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...eds_66814.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ree_70578.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...eds_70067.html

[Verinda]

Hello, welcome to the forum! Good luck with your new plot. I made my raised boarders with reject wood from a wood yard, it was very cheap.

[veggiechicken]

Hello Daffy and welcome! Unless you really need raised beds, you don't have to have them. The higher the bed, the more soil/compost you need to fill it - and if you don't have enough and need to buy it, its expensive!
You can dismantle pallets for wood too.

[Bren In Pots]

Unless you really need raised beds, you don't have to have them. The higher the bed, the more soil/compost you need to fill it - and if you don't have enough and need to buy it, its expensive!
.

I grow in 4ft wide non-raised beds with paths between them, main advantage for me is that there's less hiding places for slugs.

[Daffy]

Thanks for all your advice everyone. I shall get on freecycle later. I've given away a few bits on there and unbelievably had a lot of time wasters (not collecting when they say they want something). It will be a novelty to ask for something for myself. I'm sure you're right though, there is bound to be someone giving old wood away. I've just built my first raised bed and I'm beyond proud!!! On the flip side, I didn't realise how uneven the ground is until afterwards, so I'm not quite sure how I'm going to lift the corner that I've just hammered into the ground!?! Oops :-)

[Glutton4...]

Hello, and welcome to the Madhouse!

[marchogaeth]

Croeso i'r Vine. Sorry it's late.