Tight for space...

[bisley]

I hope I've put this in the right forum...

My boyfriend and I have recently moved to a new flat. We rent but the rest of our neighbours within the close own their flats, and there is a good sized shared garden. Noone really takes any care of it, but I am thrilled to have some space to plant veg - since we are ground floor there is easy access so no doubt I will be in and out checking on things as they grow.

The problem is that there isn't a huge amount of space for planting in the ground - the majority of the garden is just lawn which I can't dig up. There is space along a sunny wall for some plant pots on top of the concrete path that's there, and there is also a small earthy area (currently overgrown with weeds) that I think could be converted into a veg patch.

I am a total novice with gardening though, so I am not sure what vegetables to grow to best utilise the space for the veg patch - I reckon it's about 3ft by 4ft or so. I'd like to get started before Autumn kicks in so any suggestions for space saving planting at this time of year would be appreciated (I've noticed Garlic and Onions seem to be mentioned alot) for both the veg patch and in pots.

If anyone has any suggestions for other seasons aswell though, that would be appreciated to so I can plan what to plant once the winter has passed.

Hope that made sense!

Thanks
Sarah

[johnmichael]

Aprox yeild of runner beans from your space could be 25 pounds,(Best started off in pots late April and planted out when chances of frosts are passed,)will crop for about 10 weeks.8 foot canes required for supports.

[johnmichael]

Originally Posted by johnmichael

Aprox yeild of runner beans from your space could be 25 pounds,(Best started off in pots late April and planted out when chances of frosts are passed,)will crop for about 10 weeks.8 foot canes required for supports.

Space can be used before hand to grow lettuce or beetroot for example.

[johntheeng]

If you overwintered onions etc your bed would be in use till they were ready to harvest approx June / July. I would keep your bed free until spring when you could sow a good crop of salad stuff and runner beans when frosts have finished. You could also start things off inside on a warm window sill in March / April to give you a head startfor planting out when warm enough. Dont rush into planting now because the space you have available can be better used early next year. What ever you do enjoy growing your own veg its very rewarding.

[bantiekeeper]

Agree with Johntheeng. Wait until Spring. Spend the time before then looking at seed catalogues and reading veg growing books!

[Pot man UK]

Growing in pots can provide good results as long as you keep them well watered. I've grown carrots, courgettes, strawbs, tomatoes all in pots. Also look out for tumblin tom tomato seeds great for hanging baskets!