Total Novice needs HELP!

[missblom]

Hi, i am completely new to growing my own veg and am having a few problems!
Here is the story:
Moved to a new house on a hill, dug up the lawn, found quite heavy soil, got a ton of well rotted manure, dug it all in with the help of a tiller. It was all looking good until we had some rain! It got totally water logged! So we dug a trench around two sides (along the top and one side as this is where the worst clay is, the rest of the patch isnt too bad), put in a drainage pipe. It is draining some of the water but there are still puddles all over the area where we have clay soil. Granted we have had nonstop rain for 3 days....
So i need some help as to what to do!
Would it help if i put up a small polytunnel? ie that will stop the rain falling on the patch and the drainage pipe should cope with water coming from the slope above? Or would this not work?

My other question is, which veg should i cover with netting to keep rabbits and birds away? do all veg need to be netted? if so, again would it be easier with a tunnel?
The veg i want to grow are:
carrots, parsnips, cabbage, kale, brocoli, peas, beans, beetroots, celeri, leeks and onions.
I have done as much reading and research as i can but i am just not sure what to do for the best!
PLEASE HELP!!

[Pa Snips]

Raised beds...the water should naturally run to the lowest point which would be lower than the surface of your raised beds.

Net as much as you can but don't expect it to keep the slugs away.

BTW...welcome aboard the good ship 'Grow Your Own'.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Welcome to the madhouse, I would go with the raised bed suggestion for at least part of your plot.

If you could pop your location on your profile it will help giving more targeted advice.

Colin

[missblom]

Hi Colin, i am on Garway hill, hr2 8ez.
If i were to build the raised beds, what would i put in? Would i need to dig out a load of the clay first?
i really appreciate all the advice i can get!

[rustylady]

No need to dig out the clay, that's just making extra work for yourself. What Colin meant was can you edit your profile to include your location. No need to be precise, Hereford will do nicely. If you go to the green bar at the top of the page, click on Forum Actions, then edit profile, you can add your location and any information about yourself you would like to share with us. You will see from this post that I am in Lowestoft.

[Two_Sheds]

If i were to build the raised beds, what would i put in?

They don't need to be really high, just higher than your puddles. Fill them with topsoil (Rolawn maybe) or do the lasagne method (cheap, but harder work)

[missblom]

Thanks for the tips! i have now edited my profile! :-)

[missblom]

Ok! i will look at finding some cheap used scaffold planks to build the beds with! i like the look of the lasagne method! No doubt i will have a million more questions as we go along!!