New adventure

[p54jes]

Hello , we are going to try and grow a few things for the table in our back garden in a couple of raised beds that we will soon have, any advice will be very welcome as we are very new to it and not sure where to start.

Many thanks,
D

[piskieinboots]

welcome p54jes - hope that name doesn't mean you have just been given yours!!

Take some time to look around the postings, there is so much excellent advice here - let us know your location, this helps people to give you advice on timings etc.

Post any questions that come to mind, we are all always learning

[Hazel at the Hill]

welcome p54jes - hope that name doesn't mean you have just been given yours!!

You're thinking of a P45 you twit!

Welcome, tho' p54jes, and happy gardening!

[scarey55]

Welcome to the Vine p54jes, You've come to the right place.

In terms of what to grow - what do you like to eat? If it were me, I would grow a small amount of everything I liked then I could concentrate on the ones that grew best next year.

[shirlthegirl43]

Hello and welcome to the vine. As mentioned by the others, read through the posts on here and try some of your fave foods. Another good investment would be 'The Vegetable and Herb Expert' by Dr Hessayon. It will set you back less than a tenner and is full of sound advice on growing just about every type of veg.

[seasprout]

Hello and welcome to the vine.

The best starting point is to make a list of things you like to eat.

[veg4681]

Hello , we are going to try and grow a few things for the table in our back garden in a couple of raised beds that we will soon have, any advice will be very welcome as we are very new to it and not sure where to start.

Many thanks,
D

Welcome to the vine. Joining this forum is a good start .

Raised beds is a good option as I'm a great fan myself. I agree that you could try to grow stuffs that you'd like to eat but check that they're not too tricky and demanding esp. for first timer. Generally beans are very straightforward as are leafy vegetables and be aware of veggies that require a longer growing period as they can occupy the precious bed space for a long time...up to you. A good veg gardening book would also be handy to start you off with ideas.

[piskieinboots]

You're thinking of a P45 you twit!

hahahaha oops so I am ah well it was time for my glass of red

[lainey lou]

Hello and welcome to the house of fun, you'll get loads of great advice and some laughs here!

[bramble]

Hello and welcome, take akll the advice thats been offered but also, don't forget to cover your veg with net to keep off the catterpillers, pidgeons, whitefly, greenfly, white butterflies and all the other pests and of course the slugs.
Other than that the very best of luck. Oh, and one other thing, don't forget you can grow tumbling tomatoes in hanging baskets and herbs in window boxes if you are short on space,

[piskieinboots]

Another good investment would be 'The Vegetable and Herb Expert' by Dr Hessayon

I have two copies of this (no Wellies, not a senior or blonde moment ) one is a pocket version (small book, but all in there) - I will gladly send this on to you if it is of any use, pm me with your address details.

[p54jes]

Many thanks for all your replies, they and all the other posts on this forum are making very good reading for us . No doubts one day we will get the hang of it and looks like it is going to be good fun trying.Thanks for the book offer piskieinboots but we have already got it.

Many thanks
D

[Winged one]

If space is limited, try to "think tall" as much as possible - you can grow lots of things up canes etc which will free up space below. So grow climbing french beans rather than dwarf ones for example. Peas also do well, but need a little more of a "filled in" support (extra twiggy branches or a more structured obelisk for example), and mange tout similarly (MT crop well for a good period if you like them, just keep picking regularly).

Other things worth considering for height could be a few tomatoes, a cucumber, and there are even climbing courgettes now (I have only grown toms myself so can't say how easy/difficult the others are). And sweetcorn - so yum when eaten fresh off the plant. And as Bramble says, bush cherry toms are great in hanging baskets - I've also seen recommendations for strawberries that way, and I often grow my garden peas up an obelisk in a big pot too (can save on bed space if you have room for pots).

If you are growing high things, you can then squeeze in a few low plants near their roots - so plant a few lettuces under the beans, or some radishes for example. Spring onions can also fill in little spaces. Especially things which are fast growing and may be eaten before they get covered over by the high plants.

Try reading about square foot gardening too - use the local library to get started before buying books as there is such a range and some are aimed at different levels or types of gardener.

And the best piece of advice I got was to only grow what you like to eat. There's no point in growing beans if you hate the things, whereas you might be willing to sacrifice more space to brussels sprouts because you just adore their nuttiness.

[Herbgardener]

Just don't pay to much attention to the pests and diseases bit in the Hessayon guide, it'll put you off veggie growing (and maybe eating!) for life :-0