New garden, new grower

[Pacey]

Posted this in the introduction section aswell, but im guessing most of you guys wont go in there so though id play it safe and post here aswell lol.

Iv just got my own flat with a garden and want to start growing stuff, iv always been into gardening working as a Gardner with my mams partner over summer for the last few years and helping out when i was younger. But iv never grew any sort of fruit or veg so i guess im here for help.

The bit of garden i want to use i about 12x15ft, my garden is bigger but i want to create a bbq area and leave some grass for a table and such.

Need advice on what to plant and how to do the garden, have a missed the right time to plant? if not have i got time to prepare my garden? what is good for a novice?

I live in north east of England, not sure which way my garden is facing going to have to check that out.

Garden is currently totally flat grass throughout.

Thinking about having some sort of fruit tree growing in one of the corners and a few vegetable/fruit plots in the rest of the space.

Budget is pretty tight after having to buy everything with is being my first plat as well so please take this into account when suggesting things lol.

Thanks in advance.

Pacey

[Pacey]

*garden is south east facing

[fivespud364]

welcome pacey you have plenty of time yet to prepare you have an ideal spot being south east facing what is the soil like? In any case if it has not been used for a while I would be inclined to dig some manure or mushroom compost into at least part of it for the hungry crops such as beans, spuds, brassica's etc if you want info on how to grow things Lesley who runs this forum has loads on her main site their should be a link somewhere.

The basic rule is to grow what you like to eat and depending on your level of experience it may be best to go for plants rather than seed as there is less risk involved but you can sow seed of easier things such as radish, carrots etc

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by fivespud364

if you want info on how to grow things Lesley who runs this forum has loads on her main site their should be a link somewhere.

Pacey, here is the link to our main site:-

Vegetable Gardens

This is the link to our gardening guides:-

Vegetable Gardens » Gardening Guides

I hope they prove useful!!

[Pacey]

Originally Posted by fivespud364

welcome pacey you have plenty of time yet to prepare you have an ideal spot being south east facing what is the soil like? In any case if it has not been used for a while I would be inclined to dig some manure or mushroom compost into at least part of it for the hungry crops such as beans, spuds, brassica's etc if you want info on how to grow things Lesley who runs this forum has loads on her main site their should be a link somewhere.

The basic rule is to grow what you like to eat and depending on your level of experience it may be best to go for plants rather than seed as there is less risk involved but you can sow seed of easier things such as radish, carrots etc

Im totally inexperienced when it comes to growing fruit/veg apart from maybe some cress when I was teeny lol

Aint got a clue about the state of the soil at present aint dug up any grass yet, will update as soon as i do.
I was planning on just trying a few things from plant this year with the amount of work I have to do, im still not even fully moved in yet to be honest, only just finished laying carpets on sunday lol
And then maybe try playing with seeds i get from the harvest or soething next year?
Thanks for the links Lesley will be sure to have a neb around

Here's a couple of pictures the garden and my outhouse thingy lol


If the lighting is confusing anyone these pics were took at different times of day lol

[PottyPot]

A perfect size and shape for a veggie plot with a good balance of sun and shade

[DavidT]

You are going to have some fun there Pacey. When you take the lawn up do it square turves. Stack these upsidedown somwhere out of the way and cover with thick black polythene. After a year the grass will have died and you can put the resultant loam back on the garden.

[Pacey]

Originally Posted by PottyPot

A perfect size and shape for a veggie plot with a good balance of sun and shade

Just the right size for me to be able to handle aswell me thinks XD

Originally Posted by DavidT

You are going to have some fun there Pacey. When you take the lawn up do it square turves. Stack these upsidedown somwhere out of the way and cover with thick black polythene. After a year the grass will have died and you can put the resultant loam back on the garden.

A few thick bin liners will do the job im guessing? Going to have to find somewhere to stick it tho lol

[DavidT]

They`ll do the job nicely.

[Pacey]

Just knocked up a 9x3ft raised bed frame, will get it filled soon as i get a chance

(aint staying where it is in the pic, just made it there)
]

[Pacey]

Its also upside down lol

[DavidT]

Don`t forget to turn over the existing soil in the bed before filling it.

[Pacey]

Will do
Going to plant all the fruit bushes (apart from garpes) tomorrow so may aswell get that dug in at the same time

[Pacey]

Well got me fruit bushes planted today, also build a smallish compost bin. didnt get arround to digging my raised bedding in, but will get it done soon :/ i hope lol


its abit crappy but its just made from more spare wood, with carpet i had spare stapled all around the inside, hopefully will be ok

[PottyPot]

You're doing a smashing job Will you use weed suppressant in the bottom of your raised beds? I use that cheap stuff from Wilko, a very large roll for £7.99 if my memory serves me right.

[Pacey]

Didnt plan on it tbh, was just going to dig down into the garden so whatever i grow can get abit deeper than just the bed if need be.

[PottyPot]

Originally Posted by Pacey

Didnt plan on it tbh, was just going to dig down into the garden so whatever i grow can get abit deeper than just the bed if need be.

How deep are your raised beds?

[Pacey]

about 6 inch

[DavidT]

Originally Posted by Pacey

Didnt plan on it tbh, was just going to dig down into the garden so whatever i grow can get abit deeper than just the bed if need be.

You are better off NOT using membrane, deep beds are meant to be, well, DEEP. You would also be restricted in what veg you grow, too.

[Pacey]

Originally Posted by DavidT

You are better off NOT using membrane, deep beds are meant to be, well, DEEP. You would also be restricted in what veg you grow, too.

Il stick to the original plan then