Raised veg planter - so excited what do I plant ?

[cleo333]

A lovely friend of mine has made me a raised veg planter and given me six strawberry plants . What else would you plant ?

Do you want veg or flowers? Have a look at companion planting?

Herbs?

Veg if possible

What a great friend! Really depends on how much room you have but potatoes are really easy for your first year. Plant them about 30cm apart and water…a lot… and that’s it. While you’re waiting for them to grow you can sow radish seeds on top and get an extra harvest of veg from the same patch of soil.

Rainbow chard is such an easy crop to grow and looks very attractive. It also lasts all the way through to Christmas depending on where you're located.

I always loved purple sprouting broccoli. You can eat the younger shoots as you thin them out (I think I remember doing so in Jan Feb time) and then leave the best to develop into the full plant, well spaced.

Also spectacular to look at

The most important question is what do you like to eat?

Beetroot, chard, radishes and spinach all grow very easily but if you don't like them, there's no point.

Dwarf french beans are usually prolific and easy to grow - a few of those can keep you in fresh beans into autumn. I had 8 plants and got enough beans blanched and frozen to do our family of 5 all winter as well, so they really can be very productive.

Spring onions are another easy crop, or any of the cut and come again salad leaf mixes.

One courgette plant is enough for most people, two if you use a lot of courgettes. But they tend to sprawl and take up a lot of room, so maybe not for your first raised bed.

Ours arrives soon so watching for ideas. Kids want to do mini carrots.