New boy

[Andrewtheface]

Hi all,

My name is Andrew,

I am new to vegatable growing but it's something I've always wanted to do, so I've sorted my garden out and i have a greenhouse, polytunnel and a bit of room for growing outside.

The problem is there is so much I want to grow but not sure where to start????? I have read lots of books and i am confused about what to grow when, what varieties earlies, main crop etc, I find it all a bit confusing?

So is there anyone who can help? I would like to grow the following from now onwards:

Garlic
Leek
Spuds
Shallots
Beet root
Spinach
Radish
Carrots
Celery
Fennel
Parsley
Lettuce
Cucumber
Courgettes
Melon
Peas and beans
Strawberries
Herbs

Thanks in advance

Andrew.

[MartinRSharpe]

Hi Andrew

With a greenhouse and polytunnel you are in a better position that most, although polytunnel can mean anything from a little blow away thing to a full scale commercial level tunnel.

Anyway for the stuff you listed I have given some rough sowing timings off the top of my head. Obviously these between variety, locations, people etc

Garlic - Some varieties go in in Autumn, some in Spring
Leek - Spring
Spuds - Chit early in year and sow after frosts have past
Shallots - For sets there are some varieties go in in Autumn, some in Spring. Seed start earlier
Beet root - Spring
Spinach - Varies by variety, can be nearly all year in a GH/PT
Radish - Pretty much all year in GH/PT
Carrots - Spring/Summer
Celery - Spring
Fennel - About now I think
Parsley - Spring/Summer
Lettuce - Varies by variety, can be nearly all year in a GH/PT
Cucumber - Spring
Courgettes - Spring
Melon - Spring
Peas and beans - Spring or can be over wintered
Strawberries - Bare Root plants late in year, not too sure from seeds
Herbs - varies, some all year in GH/PT some only spring/summer.

As I said this is rough list, I am sure there will be some varieties that fall outside it and I have probably got some wrong!

With the things that are quick to crop (herbs, salads etc) it is still worth giving them a go. The ones that take a while (e.g. Melon) I wouldn't bother this year.


P.s. It is worth adding you location to your profile so we know what area of the country you are. What I can grow when is vastly different to someone in SE England!

[WendyC]

Welcome to the Vine. Glad to hear you've been bitten by the gardening bug. Lots of the things you list are for Spring planting but there are plenty to plant now to be ticking over during the autumn and winter. If you pop down to any decent garden centre you should be able to find shallot sets to overwinter and onions too if you wanted them. There are winter lettuces to sow now look for names like Winter Density. Radishes are a quick crop depending on the weather, you might get some from a sowing now, worth a try. Garlic is planted around the shortest day, so look out for these in your garden centre.
Strawberry plants can be planted now and you'll get a few next summer. If you know anyone growing strawberries already they might well have some runners to let you have for free. Otherwise there are plenty of good fruit growers online. Worth paying for decent plants then you'll never need to buy another! Bargains often see more trouble than they are worth.
Most of the rest of your list will need to wait til next year now. Have a look at the Growing Guides" on the homepage, or do a search on the forum and you'll soon have plenty of information.
Can you add your location to your profile. It helps when giving advice to understand a little of local conditions. Good luck!

[Andrewtheface]

Thanks for the reply.

I live in Cardiff, Wales, I can't seem to find how to alter my profile to input my location, any ideas ? Lol

By the way what months to you consider to fall under the four seasons, as I read so many varying answers.

Cheers
Andrew.

[veggiechicken]

Croeso Andrew from another Grape in Kairdiff
Weatherwise we're quite lucky here. I think of winter as Nov - Feb, then its spring right the way through to September!
I'm hoping for the 50p seed packet to go on sale soon out at the garden centre in St Mellons. Should start about now - if you need seeds for next year.

[WendyC]

I think you have to go with the weather rather than divide the year up! I always thought Spring was March but we had thick snow! Just because a seed packet says when to sow you have to use a bit of common sense and go with the conditions at the time. However I reckon Autumn starts in September and divide the year up in three month seasons from there.
As for adding location I'll have a look and come back unless someone beats me to it!

[veggiechicken]

Oops meant to say how you can add your profile!! Go to Settings at the top, then "Edit Profile" on the left. You'll find various useful bits there. If you're on the App, though, I've no idea how that works

[WendyC]

To add location click on your name to go to your profile page. Cluck on the about me tab. Find location and click on the little pencil icon. You should be able to add your location now. Probably save changes after that.

[Andrewtheface]

Thanks everyone I've sorted it now!

[Andrewtheface]

please forgive me with all the questions, but I have so many being new to it I am trying to get as much info as possible.

What's your opinions on the best varieties for growing from the list below?

Garlic
Spuds
Shallots
Onions
Carrots

[rustylady]

Everyone will have a different favourite Andrew.

Why don't you grow some that you have bought from the supermarket and liked the taste of? Most veg packaging has the variety on it nowadays.

[Andrewtheface]

Good idea cheers !

[chilli_grower]

Hi Andrew, I am also in Cardiff.

Last winter I planted store bought garlic from ASDA, and it grew perfectly.

Carrots - This was my first year growing them, and I sowed Ideal red variety around mid March, I am harvesting them now, and they are all around 5 inches long and nice and straight.

Cant help with anything else, as I am also new at this!

Growing chillies is what I like the most.

[Andrewtheface]

I love chillies too this is my first year growing them, I had really good results!


Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum mobile app

[Bill HH]

One of the best learning resources i have found is you tube, particularly anything with allotment in its name, their are some people weekly filming their allotmants and putting it up for all to see. Some of the best are Allotment diary, Seans allotment, and Rickvanmans allotment, these people show you their failures as well as the successes, you can also watch their videos from last year to find out what you should be doing. I am glued to them nightly. This forum is also brilliant and gives you access to a wealth of experienced gardeners.
Right now I am thinking of planting onion sets in september and garlic cloves, which gives you a head start on spring planted ones. Being from Wales you really must do leeks, I think plants are still available in garden centres, I bought some just a week ago.It sounds like you have a good set up, I wish you luck.

Bill