Novice!

[mrshudson]

Im after some advice, as a novice gardener.

i am keen to grow some fruit and maybe some veg in my garden this year, but dont have much room.

Its quite sunny, with a sheltered patio and some trellis at one side, and is south facing. The kids would like raspberries and maybe some blackberries and I would like to have a go at tomatoes - I especially like small and yellow ones.

Can anyone give me some hints and tips as to how I should start and any varieties that might be suitable.

Thanks

[veg4681]

Welcome to the vine. Whereabouts are you based in as there is no location against your profile.

You need to set aside space for Raspberry and Blackberry in your garden but the latter can get wild and jungly. Have you thought about growing strawberries and in container as they're easier to manage?

There are many yellow cherry tomato variety about but have you thought about checking out the seed supplier sites that often has pictures of the tomatoes with descriptions. I can't think from the top of my head immediately but no doubt there'll be recommendations. By all means, feel free to post 'specific' threads if you don't feel like you've got enough satisfactory replies.

[rustylady]

Welcome to the Vine Mrshudson. You could grow tomatoes happily in pots on your patio, provided it is sheltered and sunny. Do you only have the patio available for growing, or do you have borders that you could use.

[smallblueplanet]

Hi mrshudson, I don't know lots about fruit either, but wanted something easy to grow last year. We bought some Joan J rasps which are thornless, they are autumn fruiting and don't (supposedly) need staking. They were quite tasty and even last year after planting gave a good crop. They didn't need covering and little to none was lost to birds. Recommended.

[hawthorns]

try growing red alert, tumbling toms or gartenpearle in hanging baskets thats what im trying this year

[TonyF]

If you want yellow toms, try Ildi, great for kids also or any of the yellow pear varieties.

If you have room - cos they take up a lot of space but can be trained up a wall or trellis - try one of the thornless blackberry types, great fruit and grow very vigorously.

[shirlthegirl43]

Hi and welcome to the vine mrshudson. If you fancy trying some Ildi tomatoes on TonyF's recommendation, send me a private message with your address as I have some seed spare.

[bobleponge]

Blackberries, be very careful, they can take over if not looked after. Strawbs, either in the ground or in pots are relatively simple, and taste great.
Most veg can be grown in pots, and if the kids are involved then speed is of the essence to avoid boredom. Go for cherry toms, many varieties available, also radish as they grow very quickly.
You can grow peppers and chillies as well as spuds and carrots in pots, and most things in between, so choose a few you like and give it a go.
Good luck.

[Hans Mum]

welcome from me too, what about some fruit trees you can get grafted ones which only grow to about 10ft.... strawberries in containers or hanging baskets

[Winged one]

You could try some yellow "tumbling tom" cherry tomatoes (comes in a red variety too) in hanging baskets and leave the ground space for your fruit. There's lots of choice in the varioous catalogues of cherry toms, but I have grown tumbling tom (red ones) in a hanging basket a few years now and they are great.

And welcome to the vine - it's a great source of advice and inspiration.

[Nicos]

...and a Hello and Welcome from me too!