Never grown anything before, where do I start?

[StarlightMcKenzee]

I was thinking about trying to put something in a small part of our grass-covered rockery at the bottom of our garden, and I am assuming that I can't just throw seeds onto the grass? or can I?

I've never had a garden before and ds (8) is hugely interested in plants and growing things I feel I ought to help him understand more about it but haven't a clue where to start. We don't have an outside tap so it will have to be something that can be watered with a watering can, and I guess require not too much as he's only 8 so might be heavy.

Any advice/ideas/help?

It's possible to grow things in tubs too, near the kitchen, though know nothing about what kinds of tubs or where/how I get soil.

Many tia.

Rockery plants will start appearing in nurseries around April. The pictures on the front of the piots will tell you what they look like, and instructions on the back will tell you how tall they grow and whether they need sun or shades. The plants are about £1.25 to £1.75 per pot. I would also plants small summer bulbs as well, these are very cheap and will come up year after year. Both of these need very little water.

For the tubs, just buy a bag of ordinary multi-purpose compost. Plant, pansies, pelargoniums or petunias for a quick bright display. If your son likes planting seeds, then start with Nasturtium. They are big seeds, easy for a child to handle, and grow very quickly.

Cheap supermarkets and £1 Shops sell seeds and bulbs.

If you buy plants you will need to keep them watered throughout the year and protect from slugs, however nasturtiums and bulbs are easier to care for.

You could also buy lettuce seeds, or young lettuce plants for your pots, but beware of slugs eating them.

Also there are lots of websites showing you how to attract wild life to your garden, which is a great project for an 8 year old. Collect up old bits of bricks, old bits of wood and you will soon have a whole colony of beneficial insects for your son to study.

Sorry this has turned into an essay.

Wow florentina1 That's all so helpful. Can't wait to get started and love the idea of attracting wildlife (though have no trouble attracting foxes) and bugs etc.

I'll have a think and a look around. Feel like I have something to start with though.