Any vegetable grower out there? I would be grateful for some advise please

[Bomper]

I am fed up with buying vegetables (in particular carrots and tomatoes) that don't taste of anything and as I cannot afford to buy organic I have decided to create a little vegetable patch at the end of the garden. Also thought it would be good fun to get the dc's involved. Anyway, am I too late to start growing carrots this year? If so, what veg could I get going with? TIA

No think you could still plant a lot. definitely not too late for carrots or tomatoes. If you look at the back of the packets of seeds they have details of when they can be planted/sown.

Thanks

Have a look at this. There are a few magazines around with some ideas too. We had loads of toms from a growbag last year and you can't go wrong with courgettes. Good luck

Veggies in Pots

Thanks so much, that's a really useful site. Do you know what I mean though - about tasteless veg?! I was making Macaroni Cheese with Vegetables the other day, and ds likes eating carrots raw so I peeled on and gave it to him, I ate some myself and it just tasted of nothing, like a mouthful of crunchy water iykwim!! I remember carrots tasting sweet and yummy as a child!! God, know I am sounding like my mum!!

Loads of threads on the gardening section, come and join the club!

You could try square foot gardening. Children seem to like that. It's cute and manageable. I don't have any links but I think google should turn up some good sites.

Depending on where in the country you live, you can carry on planting quite late into the season.

I live in Essex so have fairly mild weather and all my veggies are still in early stages in the greenhouse. They will be planted out in about a couple of weeks.

Carrots need to be grown in soil that has had most of the stones removed because otherwise they will be stumpy!!

Other than that, most things are quite easy to grow.

I normally grow carrots, peas, dwarf beans, potatoes, onions, salad onions and courgettes.

This year I am trying celery and peppers too.

My tomotoes I grow in hanging baskets - they are a tumbling variety which look good and taste good too!

Good Luck
xx

BTW - forgot to mention that only reason I started mine in the greenhouse this year is because my veggie patch wasn't ready - in previous years I have planted straignt into the soil and have had good results.

Hiya, I am also growing veggies and realized how little of basic info there is out there, I've looked at the site recommended above and it's pretty good. Also the book Vegetable and herb expert by Hessian is good. I must say I've just dived right in and planted lots of stuff I like and so far everything is growing well. I think I'l need to net a lot of it tho'. I have brocolli, cauliflower, artichoke, cabbage, potato, tomatoe, peas, lots of peppers and onions for veggies. Basil, oregano, parsley rosemary, Thyme, Bay leaves, mint and lavender for herbs and apples, redcurrant, blackcurrant and strawberries for fruit this year. All apart from the basil are thriving but I think I put the basil out too early so it's back on the windowsill and is better within the day

I'm writing a book currently to illustrate a really easy step by step plan for mums who want to grow veggies so any questions you have would be great.

veggiegirl

This site is quite useful too.

It let's you know what to plant and when to plant it. They also send out regular emails to remind you what to plant.

You can't beat freshly picked carrots!!

ahhh cool, thanks I'll have a look

Ive planted pretty much everything in pots as my garden is almost pure clay. I like flexitubs like this but the £4 ones from Tesco, and drill holes in the bottom. Really easy to move when full and fu for the kids (Im a childminder and doing it with the kids).

This year we are doing some unusual stuff - multicoloured carrots, spaghetti squash, lemon cucumber, purple sprouting broccoli, strawberry corn (for popping), multi coloured beans, alongside onions, salad leaves, radish and salad onions, red onions shallots, pumpkin, strawberries, mangetout...hmm, think thats it... oh, and tomatoes on a hanging basket.

oops - meant to say, this is second year. I keep a diary (really quick note) of things i do each day. Helps me keep track of planting and feeding schedules. And if labels disappear, I still have a note of what went where.

Carrots grow brillinatly in pots - with some good compost. In fact they are better in pots as they don't split round rocks/stones etc.

Certainly not too late. Perfect time!

Broad beans bcen be planted now, peas, beans etc all grow well in pots.

wow really good advice, I didn't realize you can grow carrots in pots I love the sound of multi coloured acrrots, where do you get the seeds from? A diary is a great idea ... I'll have to start one...I have labeled everything and included how much water etc on the label to remind me.

i have a concrete garden so have been planting everything in pots for years. Last year i had a big bumper harvest of potatoes, tomoatoes, strawberries and carrots all grown in pots.
this year i have carrots, potatoes, runner beans, tomatoes, pumpkins, beetroot, radishes, strawberries and yellow peppers all growiing in pots!!!!!

multi-coloured carrot seeds!

Sowthem in a pot at least 10 inches deep.

Thin out seedlings in the evening (to deter carrot fly). If they are too crowded, they grow into each other.
Water often.

Eat!

Thanks I'll get on it

I got my seeds from this ebay seller

Cheap seeds and great customer service.