I would like to grow veg but have limited space and budget

[Naoko]

I'd like to grow some veg this year. I have a small garden that I can't really dig up for a proper vegetable patch (rented house) but there is a paved area at the back by the shed that I'm thinking would be good for pots/sacks/growbags. I also potentially have a bed running the whole length of the garden that's only about a foot wide - everything in it that I cared about (not much) succumbed to the ridiculous amounts of snow we had this winter so now it's all dandelions and bindweed.

What can I grow in bags/pots on this patio area? Currently I'm thinking maybe tomatoes, herbs, and if possible peppers and chillis.

What, if anything, can I do with the bed? If I manage to exterminate the dandelions and the bindweed (ha! not bloody likely, I know...but I can dream :o), is there any easy veg I could grow in it? I was considering lettuce, but would that be better off in pots considering the added complication of a substantial slug problem? (No, really. Little blighters are everywhere, up to and including my kitchen for most of last summer :shudder: ) It's not very wide, as I said, and quite rocky (hard to dig) but the drainage is phenomenal. It gets sun for about half the day and is then shaded.

As this is my first attempt at vegetable growing since I was a little girl I'd like to start with things that are easy and not get overly ambitious, also considering budget limitations. I'll likely end up ordering needed supplies online so any suggestions there also greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Is the foot-wide bed against a wall or is it at the front of another patch?

You could definitely grow tomatoes and chillis in pots.

With small spaces, I say always go for high-yielding veg. That way you maximise the space. Toms and chillis are a good example of this. Also beans, courgettes, perpetual spinach, purple-sprouting brocolli, kale.

It's difficult for it not to cost money but you can start making your own compost which will help a little. I always think growing my own veg is not my cheapest hobby. But worth it.

I grew radish, spring onion & courgettes in grow bags last year.
Have you got space to add a few hanging baskets? you can do toms & stawberries in them.

I failed to grow peppers, they just wouldn't grow.

Runner beans are easy to grow in pots but you will need canes to support them.

Where abouts are you? I have loads of pots & canes hanging around here not being used.

Oh and yes snails are a nightmare!

It's against the boundary wall, which is quite low, only a bit over hip-height on me.

I don't mind it costing some money (it's a hobby, I'm prepared for some outlay) but I'd rather it didn't cost an absolute fortune, if that makes sense. I'll be doing it for the fun of it rather than to save on my grocieries.

Thanks :)

Peppers are difficult in this country, aren't they Bohica? Seem to need such a warm climate to get a decent crop.

Ooh crossposting, many fast replies, thanks people!

I'm in North Wales, bohica. I could add some hooks for hanging baskets to the shed now that I think about it, thanks for that idea, that'd be good.

The snails are absolutely awful. I can just about accept that they'll be in my garden but the kitchen invasion was so horrid. I think I've found most of their entry holes now so we'll see whether they manage to get in this year...

Walls are great, even smaller ones. You could grow mangetout up there, or climbing squash, anything that likes to climb a bit.

Outdoor cucumbers also trail up a wall and give a good yield if you buy one of the mini-cucumber versions. You could get 20-30 cucumbers off one plant - perfect size for kids too.

Protect your seedlings when planted out with your own home-made cloches. Cut off the bottom of plastic water bottles and put them over your seedlings. Makes it harder for the snails to get in. Once past the seedling stage, your plants will be able to withstand a little attack. I do use the pellets too or go on a hunt and collect snails at night.

If you start peppers on a very warm window sill, they will grow

Get a book called Patio Produce- it's a fiver on Amazon and tells you everything you need to know.

Do you have a Market or local garden centre selling veg plants? Easier to buy a couple of tomato plants,courgette & chilli than start from seed now . I pay 50p each on my Market. I've seen other places £2 each so lookaround

I'll have a look at that book, thanks :) No local market unfortunately, but shall poke my nose into the nearest garden centre over the bank holiday and see what they have.

Dp grew vege for the first time last year in our tiny garden - lettuces, rocket and spring onions did best - and herbs, which are good in pots. Mint grows quickly and does best in a pot so it can't take over the garden. The rosemary did really well plus chives and parsley.