A prod in the right direction

[Newbie]

Hello

As many of you know, i am quite new to veg growing having only started my plot from home early last summer. For a late starting first timer last year was quite productive with me harvesting Strawberries (very few due to gready squirrels), main crop Potatoes, French Beans, Runner beans, Sweetcorn, Cucumbers, Calabrese, Spicey Salad leaves and leeks. However the only thing that i was able to harvest through the winter was the leeks.

This year has seen me get a bit more serious and i have just got an 8x10 greenhouse but this has left me feeling that i really need to justify this big expense by producing a lot more veg (and fruit if poss) over a longer time period than just the summer months as i did last year.

I have expanded the fruit this year to 3 Apple trees, an asian Pear, 2 crowns of Rhubarb, a Blueberry bush, a Cranberry bush and Strawberries - the majority of these being longer term investments rather than instant producers.

The veg planted so far is early, 2nd early and main crop Potatoes and Garlic, with the following coming on in the greenhouse: 12 plants of 5 types of tomatoes, 5 plants of 2 types of Chilli , 2 Cucumber, 6 plants of 3 types of pumpkin/squash, 4 plants of 2 types of Courgette, Leeks, Turnip, Beetroot, Sweetcorn, dwarf french Beans (2 types), climbing french Beans (2 types), Pak Choi, purple & White sprouting Broccolli, Oregano and Basil, plus carrots, salad leaves & spring onions in pots.

The plan for over winter is to raise the existing 2 veg beds (aprox 22x5ft) and create 2 more and greatly improve the heavy clay soil. I also have 2 compost bins, one darlek and one pallet type. Sorry for the long essay but i wanted you all to have the full picture, i guess i am just feeling a bit left behind as nothing is anywhere near ready for harvesting yet. I would love some feedback on what i have done so far and where i can improve, especially when it comes to producing veg all year round (or a near as possible too).

(photos attached, from left to right: Veg patch last year x2, Rhubarb Patch, some greenhouse produce & veg patch this year so far with potaoes in near bed & garlic in far bed).

Thanks so much for listening to my waffle!

[Demeter]

We haven't got anything really to harvest yet either - a few salad leaves and suchlike, and I pulled up a cabbage today (it needed thinning, honest). We do have flowers on both the peas and the broad beans now which is great!

Sounds to me like you've got loads of good stuff on the go.

To justify the greenhouse maybe you could try some greenhouse crops, something a bit special like a kiwi, fig, or something?

PS your blueberry bush will crop much better if it has a friend or two, ideally not the same variety.

[zazen999]

That sounds fab, to be honest.

For year round veg, see Snadger's plan - I have it printed off in my little book. I seriously can't remember the title as my veg book is under piles of college books and work that is due in next week [must get back to that tomorrow].

Basically, his method is to replace every crop as it is harvested with another; which will have been grown so that it is ready to be planted out as each bed becomes free.

the other thing to look into is varieties and which should be sown when for a year round harvest. We plan to be totally onion and carrot self sufficient; with potatoes and beans a close second.

Also, remember that to be really efficient is to be growing and eating seasonally; not trying to go against the elements too much. But, with a good greenhouse this should lengthen your season considerably; you will really need to do the research for what you want to grow.

From your winter harvest, you are missing out on alot of crops there; swedes, turnips, kale, beetroot, all can be grown year round with some help. Lettuce too, esp if you have a greenhouse.

Grow what is expensive, and what you use most of. that's why onions for me are the most important, carrots second - if you don't eat it, don't grow it - unless there is a good reason [we don't like rhubarb but grow it for the qualities when used with brassicas].

Lastly, check out the 'what I did today thread'; you can go back to the winter months and see what people were harvesting throughout - it will soon be time to start getting these on the go ready to go into harvested spaces.

[Demeter]

I just thought - new potatoes for Christmas day!

Oh a greenhouse
I really want one too, although I have a tiny garden and there's only me so it isn't exactly going to be a doddle to erect - might have to get one of those cheap plastic 6x4 ones though

[squashysu]

hi newbie

i am new to this too and only started this year and you seem to be going great guns and what a fantastic garden, it looks lovely and big, a lot bigger than mine, i am growing lots in pots, beetroot, carrots, strawberries, sweetcorn, cuces, toms, and a lonely chilli plant, salad leaves.

In my garden outside i have runners, radish, onions & garlic, spinach, parnsips & squash, oh and now some caulis.

I have just finished a line of radish so i replanted in their place some caulis.

Have a look at my blog as well, it shows the little space I have and what i am doing with it, i think you are going great and dont forget from little acorns big oak trees grow.

SS

[Flummery]

You are doing fine, really. I'm only harvesting over-wintered lettuce (sown in greenhouse, planted out Feb) spicy greens and rhubarb - oh and a few tubs of early spuds from the greenhouse too. I did have Purple Sprouting, Curly Kale, Spring Cabbage, but as I have so little space - one garden plot plus, since March, half a small allotment - I used them up so I could plant out the new season crops. I have 2 types of Kale, purple brussels sprouts and PSB and leeks to go in after my new potatoes come out. In July I'll sow spring cabbage again. Just hope I'm not so pushed for space next year! You look like you have plenty of room. The greenhouse will certainly extend your season.