Want to turn small patch at back end of garden into a veg patch - talk me into it please.

[OracleInaCoracle]

we moved in about 1yr ago and the garden was a hole. think dantes inferno... our garden would have featured heavily. anyway, the lawn is down, we have planted some bedding plants and bulbs which are looking nice, have toms in wall mounted baskets, the seedling are just sprouting. our garden in v small and slopes. we flattened the lawn and moved the soil up onto the back part and have just left it. there are a lot of weeds, but the whole garden was weeds when we moved in.

how do i turn the patch (about 3-4ft by 6-7ft) into a small veg patch? any advice/tips/encouragement please?

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shameless bump

look on bbc gardeners world or rhs websites for advice. i think you've left it quite late in the year, you'll have to do it very soon. is it sunny? do you know what sort of soil you've got?

what do you want to grow?

this website has a guide to starting a veg patch.

the soil has some clay in it, but have bought some compost which i will mix with the normal soil. its quite sunny though. was thinking of growing carrots, broccoli, cabbage and potatoes, but the tatties in a seperate container

thanks headfairy

i'd love to have a raised bed. you'll need to find out about rotation if you are going to grow cabbage i think.

i have a very shady garden so mainly grow veg in strategically placed containers thus can't be that much help to you

lol, i did consider that. we are already growing tomatoes, dwarf beans and chillies in pots

It's def not too late if you get going soonish. And you can buy little plants from garden centres rather than grow from seed, to catch up a bit.

Think a raised bed made from say railway sleepers woudl look great.
For more advice on the gardening side, why not post on the Gardens thread? There are lots of post about veg plots on there so you should get some help on there.

thank you! we are sorting out the soil today and im sure i saw little plants in b&q t'other day.

pannacotta, do you mean the newbie thread?

firstly I'd suggest getting a couple of compostbins and putting them in one corner. I'd then look at planning to make some raised beds next year, Not necessarily high raised beds just one plank off the ground.In the mean time you could plant beans (dwarf/bush beans-no messign with stakes and string) which add nirogen to the soil.

My DH is currently building riased beds for me. 2 are done, one is filled, the other we need the compost for and the last one will be done a the weekend.

My BF has sleepers for hers, but they were far to expensive for us, so he used fence pannels and painted them in eco friendly protector. The boards were 1.10 each. He has spend about 30 on the materials so far.

I am going to use my barrels for potatoes this year and all the tubs we used last year for my salad crops.

Oh and you are not too late - we are in the NE and my friend planted out over easter and was hit by frost , so I am just pre planted in little pots and will pop them in the beds.

the area we want to turn into a patch is already raised. when we flattened the lawn we put the soil up there instead. have been looking at compost bins, but really dont think we have the room. tis a v small garden!

I just meant the Gardening thread as a whole, there are lots of veg growers (and plant lovers like me) who post on there.

If sleepers are too pricey you coudl use timber from old pallets if you can find some going spare. The wood is hard wood or treated (not sure which) and so will last for ages and of course is free (subject fo getting hold of them).

I agree that making space for compost is a good idea, you dont need to do raised beds this year but nothing to stop you growing toms in grobags or pots in pots!

Herbs are nice and easy as it Rocket and can all be sown/planted now, plus salad seeds.

Pannacotta do you mean the Gardening topic? Because this is on the gardening topic

Just saw you mentioned no room for compost, you coudl try and get a small wormery?
Useful to have your own compost if you can, if you are growing veg...

oh do get one compost bin. it is very satisfying to put your garden (and kitchen) waste in and get lovely compost out. it is amazing how much even a small garden generates.

I don't understand where people who have no compost bin/heap put all their garden rubbish.

And sorry for the mix up about the Gardening post, for some reason I thought you had posted this in the Property section, God knows why!

You can tell I only got a few hours sleep last night!!!

hmm, might give composting a try then. could i keep it in a cupboard? we have a unused outdoor cupboard that might do.

we have a garden bin kathy, but i was under the impression that you couldnt use it to make compost.

lol pannacotta

runner beans - easy to grow - don't take up much space and very productive - and bonus - most kids eat them

Get some ground cover fabric - cut holes in it and plant through the holes - that will keep the weeds down. You do have to clear them first though.