Absolute Beginner, Advice Appreciated...

[ragingbull81]

No need to take time off anymore ...... they sacked me for taking time off!

[binley100]

Better get growing then , you've mouths to feed..........

[stella]

Its nearly all been said, so just a quick hello and welcome

[taff]

um...I didn't mean don't grow squash, just a different type of squash. Last year people seemed to be having a lot of trouble with them [butternuts], that's not to say that this year they'll be the same though...
don't forget you can use height as well as ground space for growing things, and can also grow things together, like sweetcorn and climbing beans, which is my plan this year.
or if you wanted to grow things like climbing beans on the edges of your beds, you can put up something so they arch up and overthe outside of the bed, so not taking up headspace in the middle.

[Florian]

When I used to grow all my veg in containers it looked a little like this

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...Photos/089.jpg

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...Photos/091.jpg

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...Photos/082.jpg

That looks very much like my yard in the summer! I need to get a mini greenhouse this year though

[Florian]

Thanks to all of you for the much appreciated advice and mostly for the warm welcome to the forum.
I think I may take Taff's advice and leave out the butternut squash this year as I have plenty to be getting on with for my first year. I may also give the onions a miss. I will look up the square foot method as soon as I am done writing this so thanks for that. I will also take Bigmally's advice and grow the tomatoes in a hanging basket instead of pots in the green house.....I take it the hanging basket with tomatoes is for outside?
Thanks to Two sheds for the chilli growing advice. I'll have to be careful and monitor the temperature but feel it may get far lower than 18 in a blowaway greenhouse. I'll keep some on the kitchen windowsill indoors (as long as they don't get too big) and compare the differences.
Thanks to Florence for your advice....how does that seed swap work? Is it just a case of swapping seeds with other members? I did read something about a seed parcel yesterday but didn't find out how it worked as I was merely browsing around looking for the best place to post my message. Of course I will go back through the forum and look up the past posts and I'm sure I'll find some gems of advice there.
Thanks to aberdeen plotter for posting the photos, they have given me food for thought so to speak!
Florian I was chuffed to read your post as I do want to try courgette as I like them battered with chilli powder sprinkled over them. I will look up more recipes if I have good success with the plants as well. Glad to hear beetroot grew well too. One of my favourite meals includes roasted beetroot and red onion. Quarter the beetroots and cut the red onion into wedges of eights, place on a baking tray drizzle a little oil and add salt and pepper. Roast for just over an hour then put the tray on a lit hob and add some balsamic vinegar and reduce until the onion and beetroot turn syrupy. Delicious!
Currysniffa I loved your pot photos. It looks really busy there but really organised. It just goes to show what can be done with limitations. Inspiring to say the least.
Many thanks to all of you and I'll keep posting and let you know how I get on this year.....this grow your own lark is more addictive than golf....I had to give golf up as I was taking time off work to go and play!!

I will try your beetroot recipe, thank you

[francesbean]

Just wondering if you have a good beginners book - i always recommend Carol Kleins Grow your own veg. Really easy to use and some good tips on small space growing and successional sowing and follow on crops.

have a great year
francesbean

[ragingbull81]

Thanks Frances I'll order it from Amazon now. The only book I have at the moment is one called 'The Complete Gardener' which has a section on growing fruit and veg. After saying yesterday that I have too many seeds and a serious lack of space I've just gone and ordered some dwarf tomato seeds, some gardeners delight tomato seeds and some miniture carrot seeds! I just can't help myself

[Nicos]

Hi there- and welcome to the Vine!

te he..another seed addict!!!!

[chris]

Black beauty needs a long growing season by the way, I had one small one develop outside before it was too cold outside for the fruit to develop anymore. I enjoy aubergine, am trying a couple different types this year, and plan to start them off early in the house, then move out to a cold greenhouse when it's warm enough outside.

[Two_Sheds]

I'll order it from Amazon now. The only book I have at the moment is one called 'The Complete Gardener'

If you only bought one book, it would have to be this one: The Vegetable Expert (Expert books): Amazon.co.uk: D.G. Hessayon: Books

[scarey55]

I agree with TS, this little book is brilliant. I started with it years ago and still refer to it every now and then.

[ragingbull81]

Thanks for the most recent messages. Chris, Please let me know how you get on with the aubergines this year. I will try and have a go with the black beauty seeds but I won't expect too much. When would you recommend starting them off indoors?
Thanks again to two sheds and scarey for advice on the book, I will buy that one as well ...you can never get too much literature!

[tumbling tom]

For a nice easy aub in a restricted space, although the fruits aren't huge, try ophelia.

Am gonna give these a go in Morrisons buckets this year

[ragingbull81]

For a nice easy aub in a restricted space, although the fruits aren't huge, try ophelia.

Am gonna give these a go in Morrisons buckets this year

Thanks Tom, I love aubergines and really want to grow some but obviously would prefer a less troublesome plant! Cheers I'll look out for some seeds