newbie

[charmaine]

hi all im new to this forum and to growing fruit and veg i would like to grow my own as i have a large family (4 children ) and we also have a few pets which eat fruit and veg. i was realy after some advice on where and what to start growing i have got my self a mini green house also i dont have a very big garden and i have 4 free ranging rabbits. any help and advice will be gratefully recieved

[Pumpkin Becki]

Welcome to the Vine charmaine. Probably one of the most important bits of advice is to grow what you like to eat. There is very little point spending time, effort and space growing tonnes of broccoli if no one in your family likes eating it.

There is time to get some things in the ground now, some quick growing things like salad leaves which will be ready to eat in a few weeks, and some longer term investments like Autumn sewn Onion sets which you will crop in June/July next year.

If you do a bit of a search (see the toolbar at the top), you'll get loads of ideas. It also wouldn't hurt to have a look at some books on the subject. Your library should have some to get you going.

[ann-the-nan]

newbie

Welcomed Carmaine. I was in your position this time last year. I can agree with everything Becki says. its from the vine I learned about crop rotation which I have tried on this my second year. I have a very small patch at the end of the garden and am trying rotate if poss. There are plenty of good books around to help, but there are also some very good links on the vine which tell you just about anything you need to know. Get the children involved. If they grow it themself, they may even end up eating it as well.
Best of luck with it all.

[Two_Sheds]

lock up the wabbits, or they'll eat everything you grow

[charmaine]

lock up the wabbits, or they'll eat everything you grow

lol i have invested in a run for them but they will not be impressed at being contained. mainly because they have eaten all our lawn and its now just mud

[charmaine]

thanks for your welcomes and replies i must get started tomorrow when my youngest is at play group or he will un do every thing when my back is turned lol x

[ginger ninger]

Hi Charmaine and welcome to the vine, you'll find all the advice you need and more on here to help you with your garden. If you like a good giggle too, you've come to the right place.

[Alison]

If you're short on space then suggest that you concentrate on things which are either expensive / difficult to buy or taste particularly better if you grown your own. Things like potatoes and onions need a large area to get a decent crop to see you though they year which would probably be better used for the likes of beans, courgettes etc etc. In a relatively small garden you'll struggle to grow the likes of purple spouting brocolli which needs to be in the ground for so long but you can manage cabbages if you want and get the chance to try a lot of different varieties. Also you can buy different types of lettuce seeds which (with a bit of winter protection) will ensure that you get a 12 month supply. Tomatoes are always good in summer and your toddler may well enjoy the hanging basket types. Which reminds me, vertical gardening can be your friend, grow things upwards to save on ground space - can work well for squashes etc. I'd think about getting some strawberry plants also as they're soooo nice straight off the plant.

[charmaine]

thanx every one i put my mini green house up today and it currently has a temp of 29 c i also baught a half price grow bag and some half price pots

[Nicos]

Hi there- and welcome to the Vine!

lots of piccies though- we're a nosy bunch!

[charmaine]

i will do my best but both of our digi cameras are broke so i will try my mobile phone camera my o/h wanted a new camera for xmas looks like he will get his wish lol x

[charmaine]

could any one recomend a book for me also please many thanx

[Pumpkin Becki]

We do threads on this regularly charmaine, try this one for starters:

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...oks_38272.html

[Nicos]

Here- click on this thread- loads of peeps posted their favourite books just a few weeks ago...

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...oks_38272.html

[Nicos]

Snap!!!!!:d