getting started on the cheap

[Brewer-again]

Why raised beds ???

The idea of raised beds is to give you sufficient depth of top soil to grow things like carrots. If your top soil is like mine 100mm thick then you are never going to grow a 200mm long carrot. Many root veg need deep top soil. Raised beds are an easy way of providing this.
I like the idea of using pallets, I see them thown away every day. Best not to treat the wood as the creasote or what ever will kill the plants.

[jackie j]

Dont forget to protect anything from slugs and snail or you will be fed up when the plants dissapear.

[elsie-scot]

if your other half doesnt want the veg as it will be untidy or not attractive, plant some pretty things arounf the edges - marigolds are good as they can put off beasties from annoying your veg - Aldi has some seeds for 35p including french marigold. Also runner/broad beans up side of something with some sweet peas

[FionaH]

It's my forte!!!!

Did you enjoy a week of no merging!!!

Sure did! Everything stayed where we put it!

[vikkib]

ckfe - there are some great threads that have brill ideas and suggestions for using bits and bobs from around the house for gardening that can really help keep the cost down.

Try these!

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ead_30193.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ble_29000.html

Womble away!

[zazen999]

Sure did! Everything stayed where we put it!

Now, where's the fun in that?????

[geoff]

Almost any old plasic food container can be used a pot - yogurt, cut down milk and drinks bottles, trays and tubs which are used to package food on supermarket shelves. Use kitchen scissors or a Stanley knife to do the cutting; The scissors are just about the only way to open seed packets neatly, so you'll need a pair anyway, and a neatly opened packet means less chance of spilling the seeds
You can cut flattish plastic ontainers into strips to make plant labels
Ask around friends, neighbours, people at work and so on They may well have old tools or other useful bits & pieces lurking in garages, and be glad to give them a good home. If nothing else, they could save old containers for you

Make a raised bed if you wish, as long as the wood is free (old pallets and scaffolding boards are the favourites), otherwise stick with yer common or garden garden. If you want to dismantle a pallet wear gloves, and borrow a crowbar, it makes the job much easier
Some charity shops have a warehouse for furniture and other large items, besides their high street shops. That's where they also sell gardening tools