What can we do with our south facing newly enlarged garden? Vegetables maybe?

[HereWeGoRoundTheMulberryBag]

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Courgettes are easy!

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Potatoes are even easier.

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Round about now. St. Patricks day is traditional here (17Th March) But it's still a bit cold and wet at the moment.

If you bought some seed potatoes now, chit them for a couple of weeks and get them in the ground the middle of April, you'd be grand.

Around the end of July, you'd be digging them out to eat, it's like digging for gold, the kids will love it! Really they take very little effort for a great crop.

By next year, you'll be wanting to grow loads more veg.

Sorry about your trees, i think i'd be pissed off too. But if it gets you into veg growing, it'll be well worth it.

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Put them on a cool windowsill, (in empty egg boxes if you have them) put them 'eyes' side up, and wait for them to sprout short hairy shoots! Sounds lovely!

Some people don't bother with chitting, so wouldn't worry too much, some people think it gets them off to a better start when you plant them (Shoots facing upwards)

As the plants grow, and they grow quite quickly, pull the earth up around them. Sort of burying the lower part of the plant, so just the top is poking out. This is called earthing up, and will give you a better crop, as well as protect from frost.

This is all you really have to do to potatoes, except dig them up after they have flowered.

Each potatoe planted will give you 10 - 20 new ones, and you don't have to dig all the plants up at once. Once they are ready, you can just go out and dig up another plant every couple of days.

Will any veg grow in partial shade under a large tree?

Lettuce should be ok to grow in shade and broccoli.

I think fruit bushes are alright with a bit of shade, as long as you keep them watered.
(Raspberries, Blueberries Gooseberries etc)

Salad rocket and nasturtiums both really easy to grow from seed and you can have both in salads.
You could add some trellis for privacy if needs be?

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Do grow vegetables it is one of the most satisying things you can do.

To add to the other suggestions, radishes also very easy and quick to grow.

And Broad beans are just so delicious and not hard to grow either.

With most seeds just follow the instructions on the packet and you'll be fine.

I have to second what sophy says, the reason your father spends so much time in his vegetable garden is, veg growing is ALMOST as addictive as MN!!!

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