New Pumpkin Bed

[Jimmy]

Planning a new pumpkin bed.

When the kids were at home the veg plot was relegated to the back garden.
The front garden was designated a no go area for veg.
On the entrance to the house there is a nice 100" x 93" patch. It gets full sun most of the day.

Kids left home a long time ago so I plan more veg in front garden.
This patch was originally (30 years ago or so) a rockery.
Of late it's just a weed bed with tubs and troughs of flowers (yuk).
It's riddled with Mares Tail.

So I have started to dig it over.
I plan to cover it with weed suppressing fabric.
I think a row of pumpkin or squash plants at the top and may be a another half way down. It's on a bit of a slope.

How many do you think it will take ?

Also I have a front border ear marked for a row of tatties.
What your view on veg in front gardens ?

Thanks
Jimmy

[bikermike]

As long is it looks tidy, why not? (although you'd probably have to accept the usual accoutrements of veg-growing like old compost bags, buckets etc couldn't be left about).

Does the front garden look onto a road? how busy is it? I'd not want to have edibles getting pumped with lots of traffic fumes. Maybe a barrier band of hedge/other non-edible greenery first.

[lottie dolly]

no more than 4 or 5,stagered,train the leader around each plant,or up some kind of a pole.

[Jimmy]

As long is it looks tidy, why not? (although you'd probably have to accept the usual accoutrements of veg-growing like old compost bags, buckets etc couldn't be left about).

Does the front garden look onto a road? how busy is it? I'd not want to have edibles getting pumped with lots of traffic fumes. Maybe a barrier band of hedge/other non-edible greenery first.

We are in a secluded cul-de-sac so little traffic.
Thanks
Jimmy

[nickdub]

If you can mound up some organic matter mixed with some sort of nitrogen based activator, and then plant on top of that you will get better results . (Obviously grow the pumpkin plants inside in pots until May anyway)

[Jimmy]

Yes I was planning on using all the rock I dug out of the old rockery and making a trough of sorts. Then filling will muck and home made compost.
Jimmy

[nickdub]

Sounds like a workable plan, though I'm not sure I'd use rock myself, as that can become a hiding place for slugs and snails. Anyway good luck with it, and if you get a chance post an up date in the Summer sometime on how it goes please.

[Jimmy]

The patch now pumpkin/squashes have grown a bit !
Jimmy