New to growing veg! What to put in raised beds?

[KahlanAmnell]

Hi! We moved end of last year and have three empty(ish) raised beds in our front garden. What will be good to plant in them? It will be a project for the kids (8 and 10) so preferably reasonably simple and successful.

So far our cats have used all three as large litter trays. After clearing it out should we do something to the soil before planting? And how should I deter them - some kind of netting? Thanks!

[Kristen]

If you stood with your back to that hedge which compass direction would you be facing?

[KahlanAmnell]

If you stood with your back to that hedge which compass direction would you be facing?

Sorry I meant to put that!

South west. Facing that way is 'open' if you see what I mean, the beds have the hedge on two sides and the house on the third - where the picture has been shot from so shadows it.

[Kristen]

That's good - plenty of sun then

My shortlist for advice on "what to plant" is:

ONLY things you like to eat - no experiments, at least no initially.

Things that are expensive in the shops

Things with high yield (as you don't have a huge amount of space)

Things with great flavour if picked freshly. For example Sweetcorn, but that does not have a high yield. You can't buy fresh Sweetcorn - its been travelling for a couple of days when you buy it, and the sugar starts turning to starch from the moment they are harvested, so home-grown will always taste better.

Anything on that hit list that suggests some things you would like? Folk here can then advise on whether they are suitable for other reasons (size of beds, suitable for a kids' project etc.)

[Bigmallly]

I would dedicate one of the beds for Potatoes.........easy peasy & the kids will love digging up the treasure. All kids like chips & what better than their own grown tatties..........

[veggiechicken]

Hi KA and welcome.
How about peas? Reasonably simple to grow, big seeds so easy to plant and perfect to pick and eat straight from the pod.
Squashes and pumpkins are good to watch growing bigger and bigger - maybe keep one for Halloween?
Some strawberries perhaps? Not much of a yield in the first yield but who doesn't enjoy a ripe strawberry?

[Nicola.P]

My nephews like growing carrots and pulling those up. I know this goes against the grain but in the past I added manure to the carrot bed my nephews were using as they loved pulling up all the funny shaped forked carrots.

[Scarlet]

All kids like chips & what better than their own grown tatties..........

Chips!! Kids need greens

When my kids were smaller they liked to pick French beans, they are also easy to sow/grow and you have a very long harvest. You can also save/dry some for the next year do they experience the whole growing cycle.

[Scarlet]

Well so far you've been recommended sweetcorn, potatoes, peas, strawbs, carrots and beans no doubt you'll get a few more different varieties added to the list!!
What go your kids like to eat?

[Bren In Pots]

Peas and lettuce where amongst our grandkids favourites things to grow not much made it to the kitchen.

[Guest]

Well so far you've been recommended sweetcorn, potatoes, peas, strawbs, carrots and beans no doubt you'll get a few more different varieties added to the list!!
What go your kids like to eat?

Theres no tomatoes. There is a tomato for everyone and every growing condition. I think they are one of my favourite memories the smell of tomato plants and the taste of sun warmed fruit.

[Bacchus]

I'd go with peas, strawberries, broad beans, lettuce etc. as staples that nearly everyone will get something from - then pick one unusual plant to have fun with

[TheChemist]

We've found beans and peas to be really easy, and fun to pick. Let some dry out and save their seeds to plant next year!

Why not try some beans and squashes in the same bed? Both are good fun and beans will nourish the soil whilst squashes cover ground to suppress weeds.

Lettuce and radishes are very quick and gratifying.

Some edible flowers, such as nasturtiums, are really easy to grow and a fun addition to salads.

[Jungle Jane]

Kids love growing runner beans,they grew a seed each at the primary school here. Huge seeds to handle & they grow tall very quickly,which is great for kids to stay interested

[Bigmallly]

Chips!! Kids need greens

What they need & what they like are 2 different things..................