Hi I'm new...

[Marthaclematis]

I found this site by accident, I searched the web for...erm,... do you know I can't remember. Something like "overwintering geraniums", yes that was it. Anyway I got hooked. There's so much knowledge here, and I am such a novice. I have a small town garden with a lawn and a small raised bed and a patio with pots of Daffodils about 4inches high at the moment. I know little about gardening and don't have a lot of time but last summer when we moved to this house I was determined to have somewhere decent to sit outside so I got to work. I planted geraniums, lavendar, clematis (nearly killed them by planting late) and something else which I can't remember the name of but they're very common and they go crazy (big green leaves, they trail all over the place and the flowers are orange / red / yellow). Oh, and we've got sage and rosemary and thyme and chives, all in little bunches, they're not big plants as the bed isn't big. I'm itching to get out there again but there isn't much to do. I swept the patio and pruned the rose and lavender and pulled the dead leaves of the geraniums (they're still alive and green and that's why I came searching, to see if they'd survive, seems like they won't, not in the garden). Anyway, Hello; I can see myself spending lots of time here looking for advice.

[Flummery]

They might - if it doesn't get too frosty. I've had them over-winter in pots when I was too bone idle to bring them in! Unlikey though, unless the climate is changing faster than we feared.

Welcome to the grapevine - we've only got the knowledge because we've made all the mistakes before you (so YOU don't have to!)

Try hardy geranuims - they are a favourite of mine. They flower in pinks, blues, purples, and come back year after year. You don't get the bright red poke-in-the-eye effect that you do from the pelargonuim types but they are really pretty with lavender and roses.

[moggssue]

Hi and welcome Marthaclematis! Isnt it surprising how addictive growing stuff can be?! Once you start, you just cant stop yourself .... you will find sympathy for that addiction on here dont worry!

[Marthaclematis]

I've learned something already... my geraniums aren't geraniums proper after all, they're Pelargoniums. Not the hardy type, still, now that I know I won't be dissapointed if they don't last; and as the bed isn't that big it won't cost too much to fill the space. My pansies have been a disappointment, both those in the bed and those in the pot, very shabby. I've never actually grown anything which I can eat (except herbs) but I might have a go at something this year. What might be easy to grow in a pot? I wouldn't need much of anything, its just so I can say 'isn't this tasty..? I grew that!!"

[moggssue]

Can you take cuttings from them? My MIL redoes hers every year, but I'm not sure whether they're gereniums or pelergoniums now --- duhhh, sorry!! Someone else will have some real advice soon

[momol]

I have not much experience with flowers ( sorry), just want to say hello and welcome to the vine...

Momol

[shirlthegirl43]

Hi and welcome to the vine. I would have a go at taking cuttings from the pelargoiniums (I expect it will be the same as geraniums) and take them indoors so you have them ready to replant if the outdoor ones succumb to the weather

[JanieB]

Welcome to the vine, Marthaclematis. You'll like it here, we're all very friendly, if a bit weird.

Was the one you can't remember the name of nasturtium by any chance? If it was then you have grown something you can eat .

[Marthaclematis]

Yes! Nasturtium! That was them. I've saved the seeds in an envelope in the shed. My dh, who does most of the cooking, did put some leaves in a salad and they were ok I suppose... a bit too peppery for me. I think he even ate a flower aswell. I'm off to meet him in the library now to get some more gardening books. I got some for Christmas but I need more, you can never have enough I think!

[momol]

Oh Nasturtium, You can eat the flowers too Marthaclematis.

I use the flowers and yound leaves for salad mix, very lovely and taste good too....

Momol

[Nicos]

Hi there Marthaclematis- welcome to the Vine!!

[smallblueplanet]

Hello Martha, if you search through the threads (there is a search facility along the menu bar) then you'll find that most veggies can be grown in pots. This isn't meant to be rude but I'd suggest you try to grow what you like to eat. Maybe something thats expensive in the supermarket (but not neccessarily). Salad potatoes grown in buckets taste very nice and can be a revelation. French beans, tomatoes, chilis are good in pots/buckets....the list is endless I reckon.

You could always dig bits of your patio up and plant there too when you become addicted like the rest of us! Good luck.

[veg4681]

Welcome to the vine. Me too, found by accident when querying some garden or vegetable growing related problems otherwise you won't find it as vegetable gardening forum .

There's a great wealth of info here but you'll learn so much that you'll be offering advice too.

[terrier]

Welcome to the Vine, Marthaclematis. I've been growing for years and I'm still only 16" tall Don't forget to cover the herbs when the weather gets really cold so they don't die off completely, a nice herb bed doesn't take up much room and can be very colourful in the summer months.

[Jardiniere]

Welcome to the vine....i used to live in south east london - still have a house there (with two daughters and a granddaughter living in it) but i prefer gardening here......