How many plants should I get ?

[tweety]

Hi,

I was wondering how many plants I should have to get enough vegetables for 2 adults (and a child who won't eat anything that looks like a veggie...) ?
I have a lot of tomato seedlings, 2 containers with cut and grow back salad leaves and some herbs... I also have some strawberries in pots and will plant carrots for containers.
my boyfriend found some veg plant in tesco and decided to get me a present ! so he bought me 2 cucumber plants, 1 pepper and 1 tomato plant.

as this is my 1st year trying, I have no idea about the amount of veg I can get from this...
does this look ok, too much, far too little ?
I must add that everything need to grow in containers as the garden is really small and completely paved.

thanks in advance

Stephanie

[Two_Sheds]

how long's a piece of string question, really!

Depends how much you want to eat.
Work out how many carrots you eat in a week, and multiply that by 26 (weeks: they don't grow in winter).
And so on

[SarzWix]

I think you should stick with what you've got for now, and by next year, you'll know if you had enough or not. Keep sowing the lettuce into little pots then when one lot is finished, you have some ready to replace them. That should keep you in salads most of the summer with your tomatoes and cucumbers. There's a thread about growing in containers where you might get some ideas about what you can grow, then have a wander round the garden centre or B&Q and see what they have in and you might fancy trying.
It's all just trial and error in your first year really Well, every year to be honest I still haven't got the hang of growing enough of some things and less of others and I've been doing it a few years now

[tweety]

Thanks for your replies...
I know it is a tricky question but it was more ideas as this is the 1st year and I am a bit clueless....

[SarzWix]

How about some peas? They grow in pots really well, and are popular with my kids for popping and eating straight off the plant

[tweety]

I am not too keen on peas myself but why not... I can still give them to friends ! ;-)

[Sweepster]

Runner beans are pretty easy, and the flowers are attractive too. You'd need a big pot and some bamboo canes/wire/netting for them to grow up. I've found them a rewarding and reliable 'beginner' plant, along with tomatoes, courgettes, salad leaves, and early spuds. Concentrate on things you like to eat, and limit the overall number of plants just to ensure you don't get overwhelmed (container growing takes a lot of watering in summer, for instance). Then you'll have a better idea of what is feasible for next year.

[Two_Sheds]

I am not too keen on peas myself but why not... I can still give them to friends ! ;-)

You'll be surprised how much better veg tastes if you grow it yourself.
I always take a few things in to school, and the kids go mad for peas in the pod ... they like them better than strawberries

[zazen999]

Peas in the pod totally rock. They are so sweet one wonders why anyone eats them frozen.

Honestly, try some. And they have the most fab flowers.

[Two_Sheds]

I must add that everything need to grow in containers as the garden is really small and completely paved.

Make sure you have saucers under all your containers, or else watering will be a nightmare. Cheap picnic plates work as well as anything.

How about a courgette plant? Courgettes are popular, sliced and grilled on the BBQ. Easy and fast growing too.

[miffy]

Radishes are really easy to grow for salads and come in all sorts of colours and shapes.
Chard looks fab in pots too and you can eat the baby leaves in a salad or cook it like spinach, that is easy to grow from seed.
Some herbs might be nice to have too, like chives or mint.
Don't worry too much, enjoy and find your feet, happy growing

[gojiberry]

It's a pity it wasn't 1 cucumber and 2 tomato. For a family of 2 one cucumber plant should be enough, still at least you have a spare. One tomato plant will probably be enough but there is loads of things you can do with spare tomatoes. Try not to do to much this year and just try to grow well what you have. As other grapes have said there is plenty of stuff that will grow in containers.

Ian

[tweety]

thanks all for your answers... I am sorry I did not reply earlier but I was trying to make the most of the garden ! ;-)

I have added some peas based on your comments and I have been given 2 plants of courgettes... I think that would be all for this year...
we'll see how this go so that next year I can plan better...

Stephanie

[sarraceniac]

Hi Tweety. just spotted this and thought I'd come in on your original comment about kids who hate anything veg looking. My grand-kids wouldn't look at a veg unless it came from a can and was soaked in so called tomato sauce but when they visit their ageing grandparents now they love their veggies. Why? I grow carrots in shades of white, yellow, purple, red and even orange. I grow tomatoes in red with lumps (Marmande) cream (cream banana) red stripes (red tiger) green stripes (green tiger), purple cherry etc. Even cucumber I grow citrus lemon (or citrus apple it can be called). I grow red striped chard as a green. I grow lollo rosso lettuce. Get the idea? It works. Let kids help you grow them and it works even better. Try it.

[tweety]

Hi Tweety. just spotted this and thought I'd come in on your original comment about kids who hate anything veg looking. My grand-kids wouldn't look at a veg unless it came from a can and was soaked in so called tomato sauce but when they visit their ageing grandparents now they love their veggies. Why? I grow carrots in shades of white, yellow, purple, red and even orange. I grow tomatoes in red with lumps (Marmande) cream (cream banana) red stripes (red tiger) green stripes (green tiger), purple cherry etc. Even cucumber I grow citrus lemon (or citrus apple it can be called). I grow red striped chard as a green. I grow lollo rosso lettuce. Get the idea? It works. Let kids help you grow them and it works even better. Try it.

Hello,
thanks for the tip. I'll try this, even if he doesn't want to touch them, they seem fun to grow...
but where do you find the seeds ? I have seen purple carrots and I even remeber purple brocoli or something but nothing about tomatoes or cucumbers...

thanks