Vertical fence gardening

[Dave Rennie]

I live in Milton Keynes and would like to transform my small garden into something that produces food.

I don't have any gardening experience, but I'm inspired to have a go, and have purchased a felt vertical grow pocket systems.*
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...6299d9446b.jpg

If it works I'll purchase more to cover my entire fence.

I’d be grateful to receive any advise regarding starting off with seeds, where to buy soil, and creating a cheap DIY irrigation system.

I've listed some of the foods we're interested to grow bellow, and would be really grateful to receive any advise.

I understand that some of these items won't be suitable for the grow pockets system, and may be better suited to buckets or beds, which I may also have a go at.

Thanks in advance
Dave




Loads of baby greens: Swiss chard, Spinach, Rocket…
Lettuce
Strawberries*
Rosemary
Sage
Mint
Celery
Coriander
Basil
Chilli (we eat loads of chilli)
Radish
Watermelon
Cucumber
Tomato
Broccoli
Carrots
Peppers
Kale
Bay leaves
Chives
Parsley
Potatoes
Ginger
Onions
Spring onions
Garlic
Lemon grass

[veggiechicken]

Loads of baby greens: Swiss chard, Spinach, Rocket…
Lettuce
Strawberries*
Rosemary
Sage
Mint
Celery
Coriander
Basil
Chilli (we eat loads of chilli)
Radish
Watermelon
Cucumber
Tomato
Broccoli
Carrots
Peppers
Kale
Bay leaves
Chives
Parsley
Potatoes
Ginger
Onions
Spring onions
Garlic
Lemon grass

Hi Dave and welcome to the Forum.
I have no knowledge of these planting pockets and its unclear what size they are - so I don't know how much soil they'd hold and how much root space there is.

They look OK for lettuce, salad greens, strawberries, basil and parsley and spring onions. The other veg on your wish list maybe too big for the pockets.

Soil is a bag of multipurpose compost from any garden centre. - same with seeds.
A DIY irrigation system is beyond me!

[Baldy]

Just picking a few at random to comment on:
These should work fine in your grow pockets - assuming watering / sun position etc are adequate:
Lettuce, strawberry, radish, spring onions
Chilli, pepper, tomato, ginger and watermelon need heat to germinate and grow - so indoors to start off is likely to be needed and/or heated propagator - you might then be able to plant them on into the pockets - depending on the varieties - e.g tumbling toms / basket varieties would be ok
Rosemary and mint lemon grass would benefit from buckets - spuds buckets or beds, same for carrots
Onions, chives and garlic - beds really and broccoli / kale

You'll probably need to look into buying plants / seedlings for much of what you are talking about from garden centre and its too late in the season for some things - but for salad crops you'll still be able to grow from seed.

Welcome along by the way...

[Bren In Pots]

Dave first I'll say hello and welcome to the vine

I've found an older thread that might be some use to you:-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...kea_78542.html

The photos are missing from the thread but have a look here for planting ideas:-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ml#post1232348

[Dave Rennie]

Hi Dave and welcome to the Forum.
I have no knowledge of these planting pockets and its unclear what size they are - so I don't know how much soil they'd hold and how much root space there is.

They look OK for lettuce, salad greens, strawberries, basil and parsley and spring onions. The other veg on your wish list maybe too big for the pockets.

Soil is a bag of multipurpose compost from any garden centre. - same with seeds.
A DIY irrigation system is beyond me!

Thanks Veggiechicken,
I’m expecting the pockets to arrive tomorrow, and I’m guessing the pockets will be about 9cm square.
I’ll probably skip the irrigation system for now, but would be interested to set this up in the future if everything goes to plan.

[Dave Rennie]

Just picking a few at random to comment on:
These should work fine in your grow pockets - assuming watering / sun position etc are adequate:
Lettuce, strawberry, radish, spring onions
Chilli, pepper, tomato, ginger and watermelon need heat to germinate and grow - so indoors to start off is likely to be needed and/or heated propagator - you might then be able to plant them on into the pockets - depending on the varieties - e.g tumbling toms / basket varieties would be ok
Rosemary and mint lemon grass would benefit from buckets - spuds buckets or beds, same for carrots
Onions, chives and garlic - beds really and broccoli / kale

You'll probably need to look into buying plants / seedlings for much of what you are talking about from garden centre and its too late in the season for some things - but for salad crops you'll still be able to grow from seed.

Welcome along by the way...

Thanks Baldy,
I’ve categorised the list below.
Which would I still be able to start from seed if I bought seeds and planted this weekend?
We eat loads of salads, so I’m really interested in leafy greens.

VERTICAL POCKETS:
Lettuce
Strawberries*
Radish
Spring onions
Loads of baby greens: Swiss chard, Spinach, Rocket…


NEED INDOOR START OFF:
Chilli
Peppers
Tomato
Ginger
Watermelon


BUCKETS:
Rosemary
Lemon grass
Mint


BEDS:
Potatoes
Carrots
Onions
Chives
Garlic
Broccoli
Kale


?
Sage
Celery
Coriander
Basil
Cucumber
Bay leaves
Parsley

[Dave Rennie]

Dave first I'll say hello and welcome to the vine

I've found an older thread that might be some use to you:-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...kea_78542.html

The photos are missing from the thread but have a look here for planting ideas:-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ml#post1232348

Thanks Bren In Pots,
Great thread, shame the photo’s were missing, but the link to the blog post was ideal.

[Dave Rennie]

The Mrs has been looking in Wilko's today, are they ok for buying seeds and compost/soil mix?

[Yasai]

Yes, but you can get a wider selection by buying seeds online.

[Dave Rennie]

Yes, but you can get a wider selection by buying seeds online.

Thanks Yasai, anywhere in particular you'd recommend for speedy delivery and price?

[Yasai]

No, but I'm sure someone will be along soon to point you in the right direction. Because I only have a small garden I use MoreVeg as they sell very small quantities of seeds, which is great for me... as long as they germinate. I know of Real Seeds... I haven't actually used them but I'm pretty sure it's a popular site. As I say, others will no doubt have other suggestions...

[Dave Rennie]

No, but I'm sure someone will be along soon to point you in the right direction. Because I only have a small garden I use MoreVeg as they sell very small quantities of seeds, which is great for me... as long as they germinate. I know of Real Seeds... I haven't actually used them but I'm pretty sure it's a popular site. As I say, others will no doubt have other suggestions...

Thanks Yasai,

MoreVeg looks great. Good prices with everything I need.
I'll call them in the morning and ask if they can deliver by Saturday.
Thank you!

[Baldy]

Other than strawberries your vertical pockets selection should be ok for seed. Probably time for carrots and parsley.
I should answer threads earlier in the day... though if you see my messages on a Fri/Sat night... Anyhow, "off to bed" said Zebedee

[Yasai]

They should do. I don't think anything has ever taken more than a couple of days to arrive. They're very good... and helpful if you need any advice.

[Dave Rennie]

Thanks Baldy & Yasai,

I have a few final questions.

: Would I only need to plant 1 seed per grow pocket?
https://estore-sslserver.eu/moreveg....egetable_seeds

: Should I plant the seed straight into the grow pocket?

Thanks