Starting out and my incentive has changed.

[yakka]

Hi all,

This is my first post here. Recently after seeing a YouTube video! I got inspired to grow my own Veg. I must admit my first real motive was to save some money as my fiancée has recently got ill. Im looking into growing some Salad and possibly starting some Onions and Garlic (I think the Salad will be cost effective not sure about the Onions and Garlic)

Since researching and imagining growing my own food it has filled me with a little well being and my original incentive seems to be changing, I don't buy organic food from supermarkets at the moment but i am looking forward to changing my lifestyle a little and getting out into my garden. I have to be honest i can start projects and never finish them, im determined to turn this into something i can get involved in for the benefit of me and my partner.

Any tips or thoughts you have? Words of encouragement? or reconsiderations on where to start?

I live in North Yorkshire and i will be pot planting.

Thanks,
Richard

[bario1]

Welcome Richard, I'm sure you'll find growing your own veg more than just a 'project' - it's very addictive and rewarding, and becomes more of a lifestyle thing. Don't let early failures put you off, and ask plenty of questions here, there's more advice at your fingertips on this forum than in any library!

[yakka]

Exactly!

it's very addictive and rewarding, and becomes more of a lifestyle thing.

I think that's exactly how im beginning to feel, i don't even have any compost yet!

[Greenleaves]

Well a very elderly gentleman will be visiting on the 25th Dec

For me it is about the:
satisfaction
disappointment
provenance of my food
taste

Not to mention the exercise etc

[veggiechicken]

Hi yakka and welcome to the forum.
It doesn't matter whether its a little pot of salad leaves or a tomato. If you can go outside, pick it and eat it within minutes, its very rewarding. Its also the start of the slippery slope towards putting your name down for an allotment
How much space do you have for growing? Any ground or will it all be pots?
Look for posts by Potstubsdustbins. He's an expert in container growing

[veggiechicken]

Well a very elderly gentleman will be visiting on the 25th Dec

Look for posts by Potstubsdustbins. He's an expert in container growing

Potty's not that old, Greenleaves

[yakka]

How much space do you have for growing? Any ground or will it all be pots?
Look for posts by Potstubsdustbins. He's an expert in container growing

Thanks for the reply, i actually emailed the council yesterday with enquiry into an allotment ha.

Well i currently rent a property and will do until about this time next year when i buy (then can really expand my space). But for the next 12 months i will be doing container potting. I have roughly about 20 square ft of space in an L shape that i can use for protection from winds? I also have a small unused conservatory space with large windows that will let some sun in.

Rich

[yakka]

I have roughly about 20 square ft of space in an L shape

I mean 200 SQ Ft sorry

[craftymarie]

I did container growing this year. I'm a newbie so can't give much advice except if you're planning to grow lots then look up Hadopots (Amazon) which are strong planting bags you can buy in packs of 50 - cost effective and easy to store as they don't take up much space and work just as well as regular containers for growing veggies etc. I grew turnips, lettuce and lots of different greens in mine. Come in loads of sizes.

For starting off seeds, I had great success with the gardman windowsill seed kit which comes with individual modules and a plastic lid to place over the top.

Good luck with it. Once you start, it quickly gets addictive!

[Tripmeup]

Welcome Yakka, and the very best of luck with starting out....
As others say, any questions will be answered honestly...or should that be "Honestly, we will answer questions"

[dilettante]

Conservatory? I think you misspelt lean-to greenhouse. It's ideal. All the benefits of a heated greenhouse, with no need to heat it. My first year was almost entirely in pots and was awesome. Especially if you keep things inside as well. Far fewer pests.

[vixylix]

Hi Yakka and welcome! You will definitely become addicted - have no fear!

I have limited space in my garden so grew lots of things in pots this year - chillies, peppers, corn, lettuce, tomatoes, garlic, courgettes and cucumbers! If the pots big enough most things can go in a pot.
I used tall growsacks for potatoes, which were perfect.

The conservatory will be perfect for starting off your seedlings indoors too - or to start some winter lettuces or herbs now!

CraftyMarie - I'd never heard of Hadopots but they're brilliant! They are now on my amazon wishlist!

[lottie dolly]

Hi Richard and welcome to the forum,you have arrived at the in place of info,from peeps own experiances,and not all from a book,adicted you will become,and you will slowly get hungry for seeds hehehe

[yakka]

Im going shopping this weekend to start some winter salad growing!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Hi Richard and welcome to the mad house and don't believe everything that silly bird VC says.

200 square foot will be plenty to get you started, its the planning that will give you the edge.

Containers.
Because you are thinking of moving in about a year it would pay to keep everything as portable as possible next growing season. Therefore go down the route of grow sacks and plant pots of various sizes. Look on the likes of freecycle and get hold of all the pots you can, everything from modules up through 3" pots to black cut flower buckets.

What to grow?
Make a list of what you like to eat, then ask here about possibilities and pitfalls.

In order to have a decent crop next year the planning starts now, some stuff will need starting early next year at the latest.