Can I grow veg etc without having to dig a patch??????

[Nemo1977]

Looking for some easy to grow veg. I dont want to dig a patch in my garden so preferably want to do them in containers. Need things that are pretty easy to maintain as I am not green fingered at all and also want to involve my toddler.
So what do I need?
What can I grow?
How do I do it?

You can grow strawberries in special containers, and I've seen containers for potatoes too. They were in a catalogue from one of the internet garden suppliers that I use. I'll see if I can remember which one.

Dh is gardening guru in this house so I can't give you the finer details! We only have a small garden so tubs is the only option. Apparently he intends to do carrots, potatoes in a bin, tomatoes in gro-bags. Runner beans are dead easy and look nice in flower too, though I get fed up eating them. Cut and come again salad stuff or rocket is good.

\link{http://www.gonegardening.com/xq/ASP/dept_id.9014/referer./qx/gg_shop/dept.htm\This} isn't a company that I use, but they are the containers that I was thinking of.

thanks bran

bamboo any chance he would give the finer details or point me in the right direction?

He's out at the mo. He is addicted to Gardener's World so try \link{http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_cropsinpots.shtml\BBC website} here. HTH

Ok, you can grow runner beans and french beans very successfully in planters/pots. I have also grown a modest amount of peas in a pot too (just so the kids could pick a couple of pods)

1. get pot. 2: fill with compost
2. make pyramid shape out of canes.
3. Bung in some seeds. 5)Guard from slugs :(
4. Peas need protecting from birds so tie strips of colourful plaggy backs to pyramid as 'scarecro' flags
5. water
6. pick and eat

You can grow baby carrots in 'windowbox' size planters, if you choose the baby varietys. A few spuds can be grown in a couple of tyres filled with earth/compost.

Radishes are very quick and easy, sow seeds, water leave for about 3 weeks, pick!
Many varieties of tomatoes can be grown in grobag in sunny spot. I am currently growing (mild) chillies on my bedroom windowsill!

I also found some fab watercress which could be grown in a shallow plant pot and kept very moist, and the more I picked, the more grew.

Nemo, I am not an expert, but love trying to grow stuff - if you like, I could CAT you with my email and would be happy to help with any info (I can even send you some seeds:) )

fullmoonfiend...love the idea of chillies and radishes. We have been to pil and have been quizing them as mil used to be a florist so is quite green fingered. She is going to help me set up some potatos, lettuce, tomatos, sugar snap peas and Dh has even suggested getting one of those small greenhouse tunnel things to do cucumber etc. Getting all excited about the prospect now..cant wait

Saw a lovely idea in a book recently where they built a tipi kind of thing out of long branches/ canes and then planted beans round them. Grew up to make a bean den. Looked fab. Not strictly speaking digging up your garden :) Extra play value too - your toddler would love it.

Katherine that may be a little adventerous for me as yet but will see how I get on..lol

Hey its not as complicated as it sounds. Tie a bunch of long poles together at the top then fan out to make a Tipi shape. Plant a bean plant at the bottom on each pole. You only need to dig a hole the size of the plant. water and watch it grow. Quite a dramatic effect for little effort. :)