Hi all, just joined GardenBanter as it looked the best for info/experience, as we are about to take on a new house with a fairly large veg patch, and we want to start using it to grow our own.

So what we are looking for is some advice/tips/help/pointers etc to help us begin, as we are fairly novice at growing your own.

We plan to grow what we can eat, so thinking somewhere along the lines of (but in no particular order)

Potatoes sweet and normal(probably more for baking than anything else)
Onions, normal and spring
Lettuce
Strawberries, raspberries, canes are already there but I think need attention.
Rhubarb, carrots, leeks and finally green beans.

Not knowing about when/where? how to plant/harvest etc, any help would be greatly appreciated.

We probably have 80Sq meters to use, veg patch look well drained and good access to compost, etc.

I've looked around the net, what would be really useful is a custom month by month what we should be doing to achieve an end-goal, ie Grow/eat your own.

Here's hoping someone can offer advice.

:-)

Regards James

Snooze99 wrote:

Hi all, just joined GardenBanter as it looked the best for
info/experience, as we are about to take on a new house with a fairly
large veg patch, and we want to start using it to grow our own.

Well, first you should know that GardenBanter is simply accessing usenet
newsgroups...your post appeared in rec.gardens.edible.
Lots of good information (and some that isn't; think a discussion of
politics or religion in the local pub...) to be found here. You might
state where you are in general terms. I'm in the northeastern American
colonies, so can only give general advice.
There's a uk.rec.gardens group that might be useful, with the above
caveats.
Welcome!


--
Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic
Zone 5/4 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G

Snooze99 wrote:
Hi all, just joined GardenBanter as it looked the best for
info/experience, as we are about to take on a new house with a fairly
large veg patch, and we want to start using it to grow our own.

So what we are looking for is some advice/tips/help/pointers etc to
help us begin, as we are fairly novice at growing your own.

We plan to grow what we can eat, so thinking somewhere along the lines
of (but in no particular order)

Potatoes sweet and normal(probably more for baking than anything else)
Onions, normal and spring
Lettuce
Strawberries, raspberries, canes are already there but I think need
attention.
Rhubarb, carrots, leeks and finally green beans.

Not knowing about when/where? how to plant/harvest etc, any help would
be greatly appreciated.

Get a book on growing vegetables, preferably one that is aimed at your
locatuion or climate. Trying to tell you all you need to know is not
possible on usenet. Once you have done some study then come back with
questions and ideas.


We probably have 80Sq meters to use, veg patch look well drained and
good access to compost, etc.

I've looked around the net, what would be really useful is a custom
month by month what we should be doing to achieve an end-goal, ie
Grow/eat your own.


One core principle of successful growing is to learn how to adapt general
principles to your situation. There is no fixed formula that can be applied
in any circumstance. If I gave you a timetable of what to plant when and
where that suited my garden it would not suit yours.

Find a local gardening club or get friendly with local gardeners in some
way. Across the world we don't know what your climate is so we cannot say
much about when you should plant or harvest. Or get some books.



David

Hi snooze99,
I live straight across from you, in Norfolk. The problem with most gardening books written by 'experts' is they are designed to get you to spend mega-bucks.
Check out my grow your own guide called 'beyond the potting shed' i.s.b.n.
978-07552-0614-8 available on amazon, that's the easiest way to find it.
I think you'll find it covers everything you'll need to know to give it a reasonable shot. If not don't hesitate to say so!
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]