Get growing - Small patch of ground/windowbox even. Please add your ideas

[KnickersandGnomes]

I posted this in the Corona forum but it vanished from page 1 in minutes and I think that's a shame because I've had great fun growing fruit and veg and if I can then anyone can so I'm posting here in hopes of inspiring.. well... anybody.. to have a go.

This is the perfect time of year to think about growing your own veg etc.

I've regularly grown tomato plants in my porch and on window ledges, there are many miniature/bush varieties that crop really well throughout summer with very little attention.

Cucumbers, peppers and spicy peppers too as well as all of the herbs. My cats are sabotaging me now but before that I had surprisingly good success.

A small patch of ground can grow potatoes, onions, peas, strawberries etc and as I think we might be in this for the long haul it's maybe worth thinking about?

Oh and F1 Burpless is the cucumber seed/seedling to go for if you are afflicted. Horrible name but these were the only cucumbers that my Mum could eat - I tried growing them especially for her and she was delighted. Blooming ghastly name but it's spot on!

I am also looking to get hens again. I am rural so it's easy for me but it might be a thought for others?

It does take a while though, in the short term the only way of getting home grown veg quickly is a bit of cress on some kitchen roll.

We are thinking of digging for victory. DH had bought a second hand greenhouse on eBay and some seeds. I'm not entirely convinced about turning the lawn over to veg yet but it may be needed.

@Kastanien

It does. I don't have central heating so really struggled to get my seeds to germinate.

I had to give up on that and instead bought seedlings on ebay. Slightly more expensive but I have to say that I did get healthy seedlings much earlier than if I'd tried and grown from seed myself.

Growing vegetables has crossed my mind but because of Brexit. I’m regretting digging out the load of strawberry plants I had all over the place as well!

But to grow the quantities needed takes a lot of space actually.

Tomatoes and strawberries give the most value for the amount of space you need.
I’d bung in a few lettuce plants too. Go in with some friends and share out a punnet of seeing’s then Putin more 2 weeks later to get a continuous supply rather than all ready at the same time

I’ve recently planted strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, onions, garlic, shallots, toms and my potatoes are chitting on the windowsill. I already have apples, pears, grapes and plums (I am very lucky in that I have the space, it’s my first spring here).

I like gardening, but i’m actually not very good at it, and have no idea what I’m doing...so trying and hoping things come up. Hoping to get some hens, but first seeing if I can keep on top of the garden first.

Now the kids are going to be around a lot more...i’m hoping they enjoy gardening too!

Oh help me out! I only have flowers? Weeds? In my little planters in my garden. Is now the time to dig them out to make room for food? I think I can do strawberry and potato and maybe rhubarb. What else can I do easily that isn’t from seed and doesn’t need much looking after? I like potato’s because I can plant potatoes and get more potatoes. That is the total of my gardening skill!

Runner beans are an easy thing to grow and they grow upwards so don’t need much space

@Zampa

I nearly called this thread 'Digging For Victory' but worried it would be wasted on the younger posters.

It is surprisingly easy to grow veg from seeds but you need to know your soil and what you hope to grow.

I'd be very tempted to put your greenhouse to all out growing tomatoes just now because they just keep on cropping and can be used in pretty much everything ?

Love this! 4th year growing in containers but first year in this garden and I’m worried it’s quite shady but my herbs have germinated inside and outside my lettuce is doing well. Waiting to see if my early crop potato’s, carrots and onions make an appearance.

Did it with my 3 year old and she loved it. Bonding over a healthy hobby.

I only have a small roof terrace, but there is no tap/hose etc. I have a water butt, but otherwise have to carry buckets up several flights of stairs. In the past I've grown all sorts though. Radishes seems to be very quick growing. Beetroot taste delicious when fresh and not too large and woody. Spring onions also do well.
Any brassica I've ever grown got white moth and never developed.

Following with interest

French beans are great and you can plant in a large pyramid for children to play in.

Courgettes give great yield and are good for soups and pasta sauce.

The council have planted apple trees opposite our house.

Spinach and cut and come again salad.

You can grow things in flower beds.

I’ve been growing some veg for years but I don’t have a greenhouse so have been a bit limited. I also have a voraciously digging retriever.
I am about to grow micro greens on windowsills to keep us growing until I can grow salads and maincrop veg. They contain far more nutrients that ordinary veg.

I'm renting and the back garden is essetially a gian patio with a small border.

I've got a couple of those little plastic green houses. I'm going to have a go at cherry tomatoes and alpine strawberries. I've picked a black cherry tomato that can grow in the growbag, and also a yellow one that will grow in a hanging basket, so giving it a go.

I'm also growing some herbs, and sweetpeas because I love them.

We have an allotment but are preparing to grow as much as possible at home in case of lock down. Cucumbers, sweet corn etc have already all been started, we planted raspberries at home last year too. Going to get my onions started slightly late. Peas are on the go. Lettuce is going in a small pot this week, I have Mung beans too which are an all year thing.

Radishes, pakchoi, spinach and most lettuce comes up pretty quick. Pea shoots too.

Courgette plants fruit prolifically.

I'm a veg enthusiast. I've got seeds going everywhere at the minute.

I'm the garden I've got raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, gooseberries, plums, apples, peaches and apricots. I've got herbs galore, rhubarb. The last of last year's kale. Garlic, onions. And I've sowed lettuce, spinach, tomatoes (3 varieties) aubergines, pumpkin, sprouts, as well as some bedding plants.

I'm waiting to do cabbage, cauliflower, spring onion, beetroot, peas and swarf beans, rocket, more herbs, and loads more I can't think of right now!

And my spuds are chitting too. If nothing else, it's keeping me occupied and getting me outdoors.

Oh I forgot chillis are growing some even fruiting as I had over wintered them and tomatoes have been started off plum varieties for Passata.

@KatyaZamolodchikova

Ah no need to panic! There will always be food but some of us like to grow our own.

If you would like to grow your own you are off to a good start. Strawberries and rhubarb are lovely and now is the perfect time to think about tomato plants too.

Peas, lettuce, mixed leaves, radishes all sown outdoors recently and its a good time to forage for nettle, ransoms greens whilst waiting for things to grow.

@DonPablo I agree, it’s keeping my hands occupied and my mind busy instead of stewing over the current situation. I also think there is nothing more grounding than gardening, getting a bit mucky digging and planting and lungfuls of fresh air.

Wow, this is an education for me too. I'm in Scotland and even though it has been a mild winter it is so interesting to read about over wintering elsewhere.

I am lucky enough to have an allotment but not in the beat of areas. One year the poly tunnel got stolen - I’m thinking all the veg will go this year! I have no room for a veg patch at home. I’m going to do a lettuce window box (for the slugs & snails to eat 🐌 ).

Place marking. I have potatoes indoors in pots. Last year the rain ruined the small potatoes. All going well inside so far.

I love this! I’ve always liked the idea but am far from green fingered! We have space just no talent!