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?

We’ve just planted 2 apple trees and a plum tree and have just sown tomatoes, chillis, peppers, peas, lettuce, rocket, aubergine, broad beans, cauliflower, beetroot and radishes! Phew..

Just got to keep it all alive now...

@Yogawoogie

Trust me there is no talent involved! I am living proof of that! Some things will grow for you and some won't but the things that do will delight you.

In the past I have chucked sprouting shop bought potatoes into the ground instead of binning them and have had a nice, small crop of potatoes from them the following early summer.

Any chance of an idiot’s guide? I have sprouting shop potatoes in the bottom of the cupboard...

@Weatherforducks sounds like we've got a similar set up. I've got kids too, so hoping they'll really get into it.

And you're right, being grounded is essential right now.

Anyone new to it could check out square foot gardening. The hashtag in Instagram is good for ideas.

The idea is you divide whatever space you've got into single square feet. You get the most out of your space and you can start with very little space.

@TooExtraImmatureCheddar

I'm not an expert but if you have decent soil or a bag of compost you should be able to chop your potatoes up into pieces that each include an 'eye' as in the place the potato is sprouting from then put them into your soil/compost and keep them lightly watered.

That should be enough for them to thrive and start growing new leafy plants which in turn should give new potatoes.

We've had most luck with raspberries and courgettes. Both are robust, not troubled by pests (although we do net the raspberries to keep the birds off) and fruit prolifically.

Brassicas were a right pain as they kept getting attacked.

@Duckchick
The raspbs grow wild here now and it's a free for all between me and the wasps but I'm liking your report that your courgettes are hardy.

I have also 're-grown' several vegetables when I've cut off the base part and re-planted it, and used the top part to eat. Bok choy, celery, spring onions, lettuce and basil I've had success with.

sprouting seeds are a good way to get greens indoor,

I already have 3 blueberry bushes, gooseberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries plus a plum and cherry tree. I have a load of veg seeds now - got a gardening magazine with lots free. Am also going to try growing from slices of tomato to see if it works.

My only issue is I have no supports for tomatoes and won't be able to get them now and don't want to cut my clematis and honeysuckle off my obelisk. Will be interesting trying to rig something up

I'm right with you OP. I've got a brand new vegetable trough and will be out digging a potato patch tomorrow. Unfortunately a lot of my garden is on a slope - I'd love to have a normal square or rectangular flat garden.
At the moment I have seed potatoes and a few packs of carrot and lettuce seeds. I'm going to order more online as I shouldn't really be going out now.

Interestingly, a lot of other people must be having this idea too as the shelves of vegetable seedlings at our local garden centre had been stripped bare today. I think people are also looking for things to do with the DCs at home. It's a great idea.

Place marking to come back to this tomorrow!

Have a patch of garden that is bare and I hope is perfect for growing fruit and veg...I have no idea what I'm doing though so have lots of questions!

Bought some strawberry plants today-have had success with those in the past.
Was thinking the same re tomatoes but couldn’t find any plants in the shops.
Where we live there is a fig, pear, plum and apple trees as well as blackberry and hazelnut. I’m normally the only one picking - wonder if this year it’ll be different.

So Fuad ti BBC see a thread on this! We just bought a house with a little garden and the previous owners have left a tiny little veggie patch in a box. I told DH to pick up some seeds for DS(3) to plantant keep him out of my hair entertained for a morning. With the added bonus of fresh veggies!

He got lettuce and carrot seeds. Would love to see what else we can grow, even though the box is only about a metre wide by 30cm deep!

Sorry for typos! *glad to see a thread, that should have read!

@KnickersandGnomes sounds great! Thank you. We get plenty of wild blackberries and strawberries here but definitely want to try veg! We have a spare garden (not as exciting as it sounds) which will need digging but I think it would make a great veg patch.

@DonPablo thanks so much for the info on square foot gardening, great inspiration 😊

We have four square veg plots my dad built, filled with normal compost. Last two years the carrots have been insane, they wouldn’t stop growing! Green beans were fantastic too. We had no luck with broccoli. Garden peas and onions grew rampantly and the insects loved theirs flowers too, especially the onions.

National tryst is opening their outdoor spaces for free from tomorrow, perfect to be outside and for garden inspiration. We’re going back to fountains abbey 😊