Hi

[Pacey]

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

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Pacey, welcome to our forum!!

You haven't missed the right time to plant. For most veggies you need to wait until after the last spring frost in your area which for Newcastle and Middlesborough is normally early May.

[Pacey]

Thanks! yey lol, give me abit time to get my garden into shape aswell

[DavidT]

Good evening Pacey and welcome to the site. As Lesley says, you have time yet for planting. The better your soil preparation the better your crops.

[Pacey]

Started some work on the garden today, pulled alot of wood off the wire fence that had just randomly been screwed on for some strange reason. Going to use this to make some raised bedding when i get a spare few hours.
Side fence is going to get ivy or somethign growing all over it its like 15 metres long or something stupid like that and just needs hiding.
got a back fence that i want to find something good to grow over, some sort of fruit or something im hoping.
Might get a before pic of my garden totaly bare before i start and then take a pic every now and then to see how much its changed.
Eeeeee im all excited haha

[stupo74]

Hi Pacey,
Welcome to the forum
As said by Mr T & the lovely Leslie, there is still time before you need to plant out any crops. Also mentioned is good ground preparation, this is a "MUST",,, if you are to avoid the "Disapointed Feeling", during or at the end of your seasons growings.
I talk through experience,,,, when i started,,,, i tried to do too much, too soon, resulting in poor performance.
Take it steady,,, Better 2 or 3, healthy, fruit bearing plants, than a plot full of non producing weeds,,,, your excitment will soon sour, with bad results...

With all the above said, Have a great time with your garden construction plans, and dont forget to post a few snaps of your progress, good luck with the coming season, cheers stupo.

[Pacey]

What do you guys recommend for ground preparation? i will easily be able to get some free topsoil and im guessing mix in some manure. Anything else tho?
Im going to make a compost head asap but I obviously wont get anything from this for a while, so any other tips on getting some health growth much appreciated

[DavidT]

Ground preparation = digging it over and removing all grass and weeds.