Newbie planning ahead

[Welshmummy]

Morning all

I have started this year growing / saving a few plants from the incinerators.

I brought a rhubarb plant - it had one small leaf and was severely waterlogged from the focus closing down sale for 30p and it did thrive but I think it has died (did have to research if they die for the winter though - so hes in the greenhouse now but will get planted properly soon once nicer weather rolls in again.

Also rescued a 'stick n a bucket' for 20p as it was unidentifiable - later discovered it was in fact a blueberry bush so that is also in the greenhouse.

Strawberries for 20p in wilkinsons thrived but look to have since died - I had one strawberry but Ive no idea what to do with it now - will they grow back or do I start again?

Anyway, Im hoping next year to have a more productive garden as we have recently moved from a horrible flat to a 'work in progress' 3 bedroomed house but it comes with a beautiful spacious garden and since my OH has commandeered a space for his shed I feel its only right that I claim a veggie plot

Well, in the wilkinsons sale i picked up a lot of seeds (I checked dates) and was wondering if you think it is possible to get a good crop next year or am I being too optimistic?

The seeds I have are
Carrots - Auntum King 2
Carrot - James Scarlet Intermediate
Lettuce - Saladin
Tomato - Outdoor Girl
Leek - Autumn Mammoth 2 - Snowstar
Broccoli - Calabrese Samson FI
Tomato - Sweet Million FI
Cucumber - Telepathy F1
Pumpkin - Jack O'lantern

Im also hoping to add to this list some onions, potatoes and peas but I have no idea which ones are best for taste etc so would like any recommendations please.

I do also have plenty of space and am hoping to get some raised beds in soon. Also the compost bin is well under way and a water butt will be coming soon too.

Any advice with any of these seeds would be greatly appreciated. Ive only ever grown spring onions and tumbling toms before as I was in a very small flat with no outdoor space.

Im sure I will be about much more with other novice questions so please bare with me! x

[Two_Sheds]

You should be fine with your seeds. I use out of date ones all the time.

Make sure hubs puts his shed in the shadiest spot, so you have full sun for your veggies

No need to have any of your fruit in the gh, they will be just as fine outside (and less prone to greenfly/mould infestations)

[northepaul]

rhubarb nd strawbs all look lie they've died when the weather turns colder, but in actual fact they need a cold spell to rejuvinate them. With strawbs, I tend to remove any leaves that are looking like they will rot, otherwise they might create a nice envirnment for slugs etc to overwinter in. I would also give the rhubarb a good manure mulch.

[taff]

onions are cheap to buy, if you have the space to grow lots grow them, otherwise, grow shallots
potatoes....depends on what you want them for, maincrop to keep over winter, or new potatoes or both. I grew Pink Fir Apple this year, first time proper growing them in the ground, they were great as a new potato and equally good as a maincrop, but i think I'd prefer something a bit more floury for a main crop next year.
Peas, can't help, I don't grow enough of them to make it worthwhile, will have to investigate for myself next year...
You will have to net the broccoli or see it being eaten by caterpillars, the carrots need stone free or as stone free as you can get it ground, no manure.
The rhubarb is probably ok, wait and see if it grows again next year.

[alex-adam]

Hi and first of all welcome to the Forum. You'll find a wealth of knowledge and experience here from the many contributors who really know their onions........and pretty well everything else too!!

I go along with comments above about your rhubarb, just give it some compost over the top and it will be fine.
Your seeds should be OK. TS advice about position of OH shed is spot on - keep as much sunny area for the veg as possible, though a few veggies will grow happily in light / dappled shade, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard would all be happy enough.

Unless you have loads of space its not really worth growing onions or maincrop potatoes, as Taff suggests, shallots are a better use of space, and don't forget to try some garlic - home grown is so much sweeter.

Best of luck with your new vegetable garden and don't forget to keep us posted.

a-a

[northepaul]

Leeks and shallots - if you think about it, they are more expensive to buy and (relatively) easy to grow. Garlic too - You could pop some spring onions during the spring?

[Potstubsdustbins]

Don't forget you can always supplement your ground by growing some of the above in containers.

Also if you can make space for a compost bin.

Colin

[Welshmummy]

Thank you all for the replies.

The compost bin and water butt should be here soon. Literally waiting to pick up the compost bin when the voucher arrives - our council have a scheme so for £6 I have a new 330litre compost bin on its way. Please all be aware I have never had a compost bin in my life so will be asking stupid 'what can go in it' questions at some point too. Although a water butt in Wales is quite possibly not needed but we'll see.

Bizarrely I did have a patch of my garden set aside for vegetable growing but it was next to a fence and while it will get sun quite a bit in the garden (my other halfs shed is at the bottom of the garden out of the way) Im a bit worried that it will be patchy and so might not help the growing but if I switch it to the other side of the garden then it will be in full sun. Is that the better positioning then do you think?

[taff]

better for most things, except spinach/chard, leafy stuff like that.
If you have the space, why not have two patches, one in the half and half, and one in the full?

[alex-adam]

Thank you all for the replies.

........................ Please all be aware I have never had a compost bin in my life so will be asking stupid 'what can go in it' questions at some point too................

Dear welshmummy,

On this Forum there is no such thing as a 'stupid' question - if you don't know - ask!! - that's why we all joined !!

Regarding 'what goes in' - you will almost certainly receive some sort of leaflet with your bin when ita arrives. You can find lots of info on compost making on the net and in almost any gardening book.

a-a

[Two_Sheds]

I have never had a compost bin in my life so will be asking stupid 'what can go in it' questions

What can I compost?
I love those daleks, I have 6 here and 2 at school.
When you want to empty/turn them, lift the whole thing up and off, resite it and refill it; don't even attempt trying to get the compost out of the little hatch at the bottom

full sun. Is that the better positioning ...?

Yes, full sun (south-facing) is best

[Welshmummy]

Ive been busy updating my blog so forgot to reply yesterday - my bad!

I have decided to move the plot to the full sun space - I think that's the best option for them.

I'm sure I heard to that you can grow potatoes in grow bags - is that right or did I miss something there? I'm pretty sure I saw someone mention growing them in an old wheelie/dust bin too somewhere but I'm not sure where that was.

Fingers crossed the compost bin will be here about middle of next week so I can go and pick it up and get started making some compost.

FIRST STUPID QUESTION OR QUERY - Am I right in thinking I have to stand it on soil or grass to allow worms to come up?

Told you - COMPLETE NOVICE!

[taff]

Yes, you can grow potatoes in bags, i always had bad yields, but that was down to not watering and feeding enough.
Its best to put it on the ground yes, but worms will find it wherever you put it.

[Two_Sheds]

I'm sure I heard to that you can grow potatoes in grow bags - is that right

Nope, too shallow. You can grow them in containers though: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...1-a_26499.html

Am I right in thinking I have to stand it on soil or grass to allow worms to come up?

That would be best, yes. Also site it in the sun if you can, shade will slow down the composting process a lot. Warm is quick

[Alison]

You can grow spuds in grow bags but not in the convential way ie on their backs. If you cut them in half and put them vertically then you should do fine but as TS says containers are probably better.