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  • #1

    Total newbie needs help

    Hello all from a total newbie to anything green.

    It seems I have sort of inherited a plot backing onto my garden so I thought I would ask some experts. It was until early this year a working plot with all kinds of veggies and fruit growing in it. However my neighbours split up, he left and it's not been touched since and the growth is about 4ft high plot wide and apart from raspberries I don't recognise anything (not having done any gardening before). The plot from what I can see looks to be about 20ft by 20ft, I did try taking some pics but it's a jungle out there.

    I can see some wood underneath the growth so it looks like he may have done the square foot gardening (I have just ordered the book). My question is should I just take everything out, harvest what I can, and start again from scratch or try and keep what is there going and see what comes up bearing in mind I have only ever seen veggies on a plate and can't tell a plant from a weed. I also seem to have inherited his shed and about 30 plants in pots too.

    Any advice will be gratefully received.
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  • #2
    Good for you, someone will be along real soon with proper advice. And welcome to The Vine
    Nannys make memories

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    • #3
      When did he leave? Did he plant any summer veg, or squash or courgettes?
      First thing is to recognise what you're pulling up - couch grass, nettles, purple willowherb are fairly easy to recognise as weeds.
      Then get your veg book out and see if anything vaguely resembles anything in there.
      There ar enot many perennial veg apart from asparagus - see if he ever grew that because that will by now just look like a load of ferny frondy things and you don't want to dig that up if you can help it.

      You could clear a small area and plant some beans, runner or french, you should get something out of them, ditto spinach/chard, maybe beetroot, definitely radish.
      That's all for now, more advice on it's way

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      • #4
        Welcome to the vine.

        Congratulations on acquiring your veg patch. I realise it must seem daunting to a newcomer but it's actually a really nice size for growing a meaningful amount of lovely veg.

        I suggest starting by pulling up any obviously recognisable non-vegetables like grass, nettles, thistles and docks. Then take pictures and show us each patch. The experts on here will be able to identify whatever's left and suggest what to do with it.

        Also what Taff said: it would be great to clear a square metre or two and put some stuff in that you can watch grow!
        My gardening blog: In Spades, last update 30th April 2018.
        Chrysanthemum notes page here.

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        • #5
          A very warm welcome to the forum, dear Shiny.
          Pain is still pain, suffering is still suffering, regardless of whoever, or whatever, is the victim.
          Everything is worthy of kindness.

          http://thegentlebrethren.wordpress.com

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          • #6
            Hi and welcome to the vine

            Network and members are very helpful with advice and what a difference fresh fruit and veg makes its worth it

            Happy gardening


            Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum mobile app

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            • #7
              Hi and welcome to the vine. You will get loads of advice here, just make sure you post loads of pics and someone here will know what to do
              Dogs have masters, cats have slaves, and horses are just wonderful

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              • #8
                Welcome to the Vine Shiny. How exciting!
                If any of your other neighbours are gardeners they might be able to help you with identifying the good stuff from the weeds in return for a share in any treasure you may find.
                Good luck and enjoy it
                Le Sarramea https://jgsgardening.blogspot.com/

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Shiny View Post
                  I have sort of inherited a plot backing onto my garden
                  I'm wondering exactly what your "ownership" of this plot is. Has it formally, or informally, been given to you?
                  And for how long do you have the use of it?


                  If it's temporary then I wouldn't do anything too back-breaking with it, nor would I invest in permanent planting if it's going to be taken off you at some point in the near future
                  All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                  • #10
                    Thanks for the welcome. I have a friend who has an allotment coming tomorrow to explain what's what.

                    To answer another question it's actually part of next doors land rather than an official allotment and I have sole use of it for as long as they own the house.

                    I am looking forward to getting started.

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