Ideas for my garden.

[AnnieGreen]

Hi everyone. I'm new to growing my own and wondered if there was anything you could advise and as I am so very new to it and can't decide how I want to lay my garden out. I'm tempted by the idea of wooden raised boxes, my back would thank me I'm sure, but how do I go about this? On the other hand I think container gardening might be better for me as a beginner. Any thoughts on which would be a good introduction to growing my own would be gratefully received.

[Bigmallly]

If you have an area available in your garden for growing, I would suggest you just prepare that area and grow direct into the ground. Next year you will have a better idea which route you want to take.

[veggiechicken]

Do you know what you would like to grow this year? Some veggies do best in open ground, others are happy in containers. Maybe you could mix and match and see which suits you best.
If you list the things you'd like to grow, we could suggest what may be best for them.

[AnnieGreen]

Thank you both. I think I will start with potatoes, carrot and cabbage plus salad stuff- toms, lettuce ect.

[Scarlet]

I do a bit off both. Lettuce and herbs in pots by the kitchen door along with a couple of toms that won't fit in my greenhouse. Easy to pick for a quick lunch. The other stuff in the garden- beans are a good crop to start with, dwarf ones if you can't manage the canes. Swiss chard is also easy and you can pick off it for months. You also get a good return on courgettes.

[AnnieGreen]

Thank you Scarlet. I'm writing it all down. xx

[AllInContainers]

Growing in the ground is cheaper, plus it needs less watering. Growing in pots costs more money, and you need to keep on top of irrigation, but I find it gives me better control of the soil/compost, and allows me to move plants easily (for more/less sunn/shade/protection, or simply if it needs more space). I don't need to "prepare" the ground with containers, and can have a growing space ready very quickly - but it costs me in beer vouchers rather than in time and sweat. Personally I'd rather wrestle with containers, but can fully understand that others would rather work the soil. It's a personal choice, and you need to find which works best for you

[AnnieGreen]

Thank you. I'll try both ways then hopefully I'll soon find out which is best for me. On one hand I think containers and on the other I think the ground. BUT I'm usually undecided on what I want to do in anything, which is why I asked. Haha!

[Bill HH]

You need to watch this series (6) by Carol Klien, She covers all the methods you describe with great entheusiasm.

Grow Your Own Veg ~ Breaking New Ground - YouTube

[AnnieGreen]

Thanks Bill.