Height of Vegetables! (Newbie!)

[GrowingVegRocks]

Hello All!

I am a newbie to the forum and also to growing vegetables. Live in South Wales.

We have a small garden and therefore we are growing vegetables on our patio in patio pots - I have a greenhouse and we are growing all our vegetables from seed ourselves. We are growing ones all suitable for container gardening!

However here is my problem! I am looking for a solution to stop the insects etc eating my veg once I put them in their pots. My husband has found the Haxnicks Grower System:

Grower Frame - Grower System

And then the cover to go over the top but we are concerned it is not going to be tall enough? It measures 3 metres long by 1 metre wide by 1 metre high

In the greenhouse I am currently growing courgettes (going great!!), carrots, cabbages, radishes, cauliflowers, cucumbers, tomatoes (going in a basket), sutton broad beans, peppers, lettuces, beetroot and spring onions.

Everything is growing great - I have had a few that have not germinated but I expected that and did extras to be sure but out of 12 carrots 11 took. I think I have done far too many but this is my first time and I was not sure how many would take!

So my question is would the grower frame be suitable for these veg or would they grow higher? Is 1 meter high enough considering that they will be in pots and therefore higher up to start with than in the ground?

Appreciate all advise - thanks so much!

Claire :-)

[chris]

Sutton Broad Beans are dwarf varieties, and if I remember correctly, they grow to around 2' tall? So if these are in pots too, you'll need to take into consideration the depth of the pot. I've planted a couple outdoors mind (in the ground) with old squash/lemonade bottles placed over them - they're roughly around 6inches tall already!


Carrots, Cabbages, Radishes, Cauliflowers would be ok height wise, but at 1meter wide I think the Cauli's/Cabbages would grow wider than 1meter? I'm not growing them so not 100% sure, but I've seen the size of them in farms, etc!

Carrots will be fine in there.. Cucumbers can grow quite tall, but mine are around 1.5' tall at the moment and fruiting like mad. I think the rest will be fine too.. If it started to hit the top, you could always raise the frame up on bricks or similar. Peppers etc will grow according to the size of the pots they're in. I had some in smaller pots previously, and they grew maybe to a foot high and started to fruit, others I had in big tubs were very bushy and large.

[chris]

Oh yes, welcome to the vine

[binley100]

Welcome to the vine, I think you may have probs with the height on your broadies and cucs (if you grow them up a frame) courgettes tend sprawl out more.I would think that it's your brassicas that need the most protection .

[oldie]

Welcome to the Vine. I don't think you will have a problem with the beans as long as the pots themselves are not to tall. I have grown Sutton and they never got past 18" high. What cabbages have you got? I plant most of mine at 12" apart, but they can spread quite wide depending on type. Cauliflower need wider spacing if you are planting in the ground but I should think in individual pots you could keep them close together. Width won't be a problem, again depending on type. Most of the seeds I've seen marketed for patio/container growing are quite compact. Same applies to courgette and cukes- depends on type. Remember that brassica's need a very firm foundation so a John Innes type of compost would be best. As far as the Grower Frame is concerned I'd be looking at container sizes- how many will fit and still give room for growth? Cost/benefit analysis needed. It would be helpful to know whether you have compact patio types or standard.

[Two_Sheds]

I... Live in South Wales.

If you put that in your profile, it will appear on every post

I am currently growing courgettes (going great!!), carrots, cabbages, radishes, cauliflowers, cucumbers, tomatoes (going in a basket), sutton broad beans, peppers, lettuces, beetroot and spring onions.

Out of that list, you only need to protect:

- carrots against root fly
- brassicas against butterflies & pigeons (they get to 3 foot tall)

[RhubarbNCustard]

Hi Claire,

Also a newbie, growing ... well anything for the first time this year! I bought the Haxnicks growers frame from Suttons (bit cheaper than direct as they are doing a deal on the frame, winter coat and summer coat). Just wanted to add its great, I am so pleased I bought it as I dithered about it for a few weeks before I got really fed up with the forest that was taking over half of my kitchen! Had a really cold night last night and although the roses which is next to the growers frame had totally frosted leaves inside all my tomato plants were absolutely fine so fingers crossed for tonight which is rumored to be even colder.

At the momment, it is about 80% full. It has 15 tomatoes, trough of radish and beetroot, trough of strawberries and a pot of lettuce. When the harvest (I hope will be plentiful!) the grower frame will take care of the hostas and things and it will even fit in my patio table and chairs over the winter.

Inside I have courgettes, cucumbers and french beans which will go out when I dare.

[GrowingVegRocks]

Hi Rhubarb and Custard

Thank you so much for your reply - lovely to hear from you. My Haxnicks grower frame has arrived today - so excited! I am so pleased you are happy with your frame and it is working well.

Can I ask what you are planting your radish and beetroot in and your lettuce?

Do you have space in your garden or are you growing in containers.

Thanks!

Claire

[GrowingVegRocks]

Hi Rhubarb and Custard!

My hubby put it for me today - its fantastic look!



I am wondering whether to put my courgettes in or not - does it protect them from the frost?

Thanks :-)

[Two_Sheds]

You need to place a max/min thermometer inside it. Courgettes need a constant temperature of *about* 18c to do well. If they are too cold you will find the fruit fails to set or just rots off

[GrowingVegRocks]

Thanks Two Sheds - how does that work though as most courgettes are planted outside?

[RhubarbNCustard]

I've just taken a few shots also

The first are my courgettes, still inside I think its is too cold so will put into the growers frame possibly towards end of May.

Second, I have planted the radishes and beetroot 50/50 (they are tiny still, sowed them a few weeks ago) into the trough and the lettuce is in the pot behind. All these three will be picked early, ie baby beets and the lettuce yanked when small gem sizes ... in theory anyway!! Its all experimental for me, I usually kill things. When I first moved out of home my Mother and MIL staged a rescue mission on all my house plants before I finished them off. My strawberries int he black trough are fast outgrowing the space but I dont want to mess aroung repotting them, will do that after they are done this year.

Thirdly, all the tomatoes! I figured if I get one tomato per plant I'll be happy . My carrots are doing well also, cant wait for the first taste.

Also you will have noted I have the "winter coat" on the frame at the momment, this is the thick plastic which acts a wind/rain/cold barrier whilst still letting light through. I wont put the summer coat on until well, summer if we have one

[GrowingVegRocks]

Wow Rhubarb and Custard thank you so much for taking the time to show me your tunnel - how fantastic is it looking. So sorry for my delay in replying. I love the tubs your courgettes are in - what a fab idea! Your veg all look fab and are doing so well - its so exciting isn't it - watching them grow!

Thanks again - so kind of you to post. Was so excited to see your photos - gives me a glimpse of what I can put in mine!