new plot...

[mr tiler]

hi guys, I have managed today to secure my first plot (half). now the work begins lol. its fairly overgrown and have been told by the site chap that it is not the best lol.
before I go on sat to begin work on the garden I would just like some advice as I am keen to get growing as soon as I have managed to sort out the ground.

what soil should I be using to sow my very first seeds, I have a select few that say on the packet around now is the correct time to sow them.

I have some broccoli, lettuce and carrots.

so whats the best way to go about this? and how should I go about taking care of the plot I have just inherited? cheers

[Two_Sheds]

what soil should I be using to sow my very first ... broccoli, lettuce and carrots.

Buy some multi purpose compost (MPC) to sow your broc and lettuce into. Carrots need to be sown direct into the soil, but it's good idea to cover them with a 1cm layer of MPC (as garden soil can go too hard for them to break through).

As your plot is overgrown, your 2nd task (after sowing your seeds into pots of MPC) is to clear some ground.
As soon as a bit is cleared, get it planted up, otherwise the weeds will come back (some will do so anyway).

The bits you can't dig over yet, you should get covered up, to stop the weeds growing. Blocking their light will weaken them severely, making the ground easier to clear when you get round to it. What to use? I use layers of wet newspaper, or cardboard. If you like spending money, get some weed membrane.

[Raybon]

Here's a brief quick-start.
Pull out/ chop down big weeds, remove any seed heads you can, do NOT put in the compost! Drown them in weed bin to make weed tea, or burn and save the ash.
Water, cover plot with cardboard to soften soil and weaken/ kill off weeds and grass.
Dig a small manageable patch at a time, taking out weeds/grass, add compost or manure to enrich. Carrots should go straight into the soil (they don't transplant.) You can plant courgettes/ squash through the cardboard by making holes in it and planting in the holes.

Broccoli and lettuce can go in seed trays indoors using seed or multi-purpose compost. Plant out lettuce when about 4" tall, keep others in seed tray until ready to plant out more (these ones will stay small.)
Plant broccoli in seed trays likewise, prick out and plant when 4-6" tall, under netting if you can to keep the birds off.
I am sure other folk will have their own ideas, everyone does things in their own way, but hope this will give you an idea at least.
Enjoy your plot, Google anything you don't know, ask advice on this forum. Good luck!

[mr tiler]

thanks for the advise guys, I have sown my seeds now but a quick question, is it possible to keep the lettuce outside as the missus doesn't want any of the soil in the house she is a clean freak lol cheers

[mr tiler]

also I have a huge tarpaulin but it is white would that be good enough to weaken the weeds? cheers

[Two_Sheds]

Nothing should be inside the house, it's too dark.

So yes, all the seedlings should be outside

[Two_Sheds]

also I have a huge tarpaulin

I've found them to be very poor at blocking the light, but you could peg it down over the top of some wet newspapers, to stop them drying out and blowing around

[mr tiler]

Here's a brief quick-start.
Pull out/ chop down big weeds, remove any seed heads you can, do NOT put in the compost! Drown them in weed bin to make weed tea, or burn and save the ash.
Water, cover plot with cardboard to soften soil and weaken/ kill off weeds and grass.
Dig a small manageable patch at a time, taking out weeds/grass, add compost or manure to enrich. Carrots should go straight into the soil (they don't transplant.) You can plant courgettes/ squash through the cardboard by making holes in it and planting in the holes.

Broccoli and lettuce can go in seed trays indoors using seed or multi-purpose compost. Plant out lettuce when about 4" tall, keep others in seed tray until ready to plant out more (these ones will stay small.)
Plant broccoli in seed trays likewise, prick out and plant when 4-6" tall, under netting if you can to keep the birds off.
I am sure other folk will have their own ideas, everyone does things in their own way, but hope this will give you an idea at least.
Enjoy your plot, Google anything you don't know, ask advice on this forum. Good luck!

hmmm ok then lol thanks for the advice guys cheers

[Raybon]

Inside the house is where I germinate my seedlings, on the end of a table which gets some sunlight most of the day! Same as in a greenhouse. Like I said, everyone has different ways and ideas.
Lettuce will be fine outside, advise to keep above slug level, out of very strong sunlight!
Tarp sounds good too, if no light can get through. Use it double if in doubt.
Cardboard eventually rots down and goes into the soil, use it where you need to plant through.

[mr tiler]

I've found them to be very poor at blocking the light, but you could peg it down over the top of some wet newspapers, to stop them drying out and blowing around

ok brilliant mate thank you, can not wait for Saturday with the petrol strimmer lol. didn't want raised beds and that is how my plot is so can now do me own grand design lol

[Two_Sheds]

Broccoli and lettuce can go in seed trays indoors

I'd agree with that if it was early spring and cold, but as we're now in summer they can all be outside where they'll get much more light & will grow more strongly

[mr tiler]

Inside the house is where I germinate my seedlings, on the end of a table which gets some sunlight most of the day! Same as in a greenhouse. Like I said, everyone has different ways and ideas.
Lettuce will be fine outside, advise to keep above slug level, out of very strong sunlight!
Tarp sounds good too, if no light can get through. Use it double if in doubt.
Cardboard eventually rots down and goes into the soil, use it where you need to plant through.

thank you, my patio gets very little sun so that's all good and have them potted up on my table hopefully will keep the slugs away cheers