A little out of my depth

[bluebex111]

Thought I'd introduce myself as a good start so that hopefully I can begin to feel like one of the gang! I have no idea about gardening but its something I'd like to get into with my son (Ozzy, 10 months, i know he's a bit young but I want to get practicing while he doesnt understand why things didnt grow ).

I have a very small back garden (more of a yard really) which we had 'done' last year, so its quite landscaped but there are two small raised beds with a mixture of plants in, red hot pokers (??!! which have done nothing but fall over then break off at the root), I think some bulbs went in too but no sign of anything yet, some bamboo too oh and some lovely grasses.

We have a very small herb section which looks dead - will it survive the snow? There was mint, chives, and basil. Plus we're up in Leeds and I dont know if I just cant get things to grow here because its always so bloomin' cold! lol

So any good suggestions for a total beginner?! I would like the garden to look almost natural / a bit wild but i would also like to grow some edible stuff!

Advice much appreciated,

Bex

[Hazel at the Hill]

Hi Bluebex & welcome the the vine.

Start by working out what you like to eat.

Do you use herbs in cooking? Do you need to devote an entire bed to them, or do you have space for a planter or trough that they can be in instead? The basil might have had it with the cold spell, but you have to try quite hard to actually kill mint...

Lots of plants look good and taste good too - if you do a seach (top green bar, to the right) on 'potager' gardening, you should come up with some good ideas.

I'd suggest some soft fruit - strawberries and raspberries or red/black currant bushes all taste wonderful in season & can be frozen (or jam/jelly, if you're keen) to eat in winter too - and will no doubt be popular with your nipper in the next few years.

You can grow load of different things in containers too (just not much of each) but it will give the little one an understanding of how things grow, and he can join in too in time.

French beans, carrots, radish, salads all will do well in containers - again, there's lots of info on this if you have a look round.

As for your frozen northern climes (can you pop your location in your profile? It'll help others to help you), we have many scottish grapes successfully growing - SewerRat in northern scotland even grows for veg boxes...

[piskieinboots]

Hi Bex and welcome

All of what Hazel said, plus read her blog (link in her signature) it is inspiring. I grow in containers and a couple of raised beds.

I would suggest doing some reading in the Vine, there is so much information to be had

[Florence Fennel]

Welcome to the vine Bex, you're now officially a grape, so get growing! Happy gardening.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Hi Bex, welcome to the Vine from me too. We give our advice gladly and receive it greatfully here, so never be afraid to ask.

Your basil won't have survived the winter, it's very frost tender, but you can easily grow some more from seed in the spring.

[HeyWayne]

Welcome aboard bluebex (another Becki/Becky/Bex?!).

I'd concur with having a look at Hazels blog, and many other of our esteemed grapes (those in "the gang" of which you are now one by being here).

Might be worth looking into "3 sisters" planting which makes the most use of the space available by interplanting with plants that "compliment" each other.

I'd suggest getting that mint out of the bed and into it's own container. It's notorious for spreading like wildfire.

Good luck.

[bluebex111]

Thanks!

Some really useful advice, thanks so much. I'll have a look at suggested blogs and will get that mint into pots, I've got two sorts, do they both need to come out? Also can i put them back into the same spot in the beds but in containers?

The herbs arent in a bed on their own, they're in a corner of one. Would it be best just to have them in pots and use the space for other things? The theory was that where they are is near the BBQ so they could be plucked and shoved straight on. I never seem to have much luck with basil, it goes all spindly and not nice and bushy, am i doing something wrong?

I think the fruit / berry suggestion is great because Ozzy has a sweet tooth so I'll get on to that and look up best times to get planting and I'll invest in some pots... Im getting excited about in now and the OH (picking up the lingo fast )is very keen and is so happy at the moment because he's grown peppers on the window sill and there's a green one there that's about 2in big, he's delighted. So hopefully its something we'll all enjoy together!

Thanks to all.

Ps just seen 3 grown men walk past the door with a sledge

[piskieinboots]

Ps just seen 3 grown men walk past the door with a sledge

Perfect

[Two_Sheds]

will get that mint into pots, I've got two sorts, do they both need to come out? Also can i put them back into the same spot in the beds but in containers?

Mint is related to couch grass (I'm sure of it) and will smother everything in time. I have mine in a pot in the border, with the pot's rim about an inch above the soil level

I never seem to have much luck with basil, it goes all spindly

Me too. It likes really warm weather, which we don't get much of here

I'll invest in some pots.

don't spend too much: 6 for a pound in Morrisons

[Flummery]

Hi and welcome. You can grow loads in pots and tubs, including herbs. My favourite are sage and rosemary. I wouldn't give garden room to red hot pokers by the way! I know some people love them but they are amongst the few plants that I think death's too good for! You can try a few early potatoes in pots too - in March. The 'search' button will give you lots of ideas on potager or container gardening. Leeds isn't too far north! We have Scottish Grapes growing lots of their own food. Best of luck.

[northepaul]

Welcome to the vine, Bluebex

[Nicos]

Hi there- and welcome to the Vine!!

Everyone is a member of this gang...everyone is welcome- we're all here to learn and share experiences and knowledge ...and above all, enjoy ourselves in the process!
Welcome!

[Hans Mum]

HI welcome from another Leeds resident, there's not a lot you cant grow here sometimes its a few weeks behind our southern friends but then its a few weeks infront of our northern friends. I grow herbs & fruit & veggies without any problems (not including the chickens in that statement) Herbs at home are in a container and everything else at the lottie.

[Snadger]

Welcome to the vine bluebex111!

I can thoroughly recommend Geoff Hamiltons The Ornanental Kitchen Garden, either in book form or DVD!

It is the bible I use for my Ornamental Kitchen Allotment!

[rustylady]

Ps just seen 3 grown men walk past the door with a sledge

So what's wrong with that??? This particular grape who will collect her bus pass in three months was out sledging with her daughter and grandchildren on Saturday (and was the main instigator or the snowballing).