My first vegetable patch

[friendlytramp]

Hi, i am thinking of setting up my first vegetable patch, we don't have much room, so it will probably only be about 0.9m x 2.7m in a raised bed. Is this enough space? i am not expecting to grow award winning veg. or anything, just enough to supplement our diet occassionally...

Do certain veg need a certain amount of space between each seed? is there a rule of thumb for vegetables/foot or m2.

Any advise you could offer would bemuch appreciated, apologies for the extereme beginnerness.

thanks

[terrier]

You have the choice of growing a lot of compact plants such as salads or a few large high cropping plants such as courgettes. As long as the soil has enough nutrients and you can supply enough water. Beans take up little floor space so you can plant around them with low growers. Even better if you can get the beans to grow up sweetcorn stems. If you've got room for containers, that will widen your scope a lot. Potatoes are easily grown in deep pots. I bet you'll get lots more ideas from the growers on this forum, they like a challenge. Welcome to the forum Friendlytramp

[deezyb]

hey friendlytramp...welcome! i've got a similar sized veg patch, started last year...but you'll be surprised how much you grow as terrier says, spuds in big pots is much better than using up soil in a smaller space. you'll get loads of advice here on the forum about loads of stuff. check out some of the other threads to find info, but if not, just open a thread and advice will flow from the grapes! keep us all posted on your progress!

[Alice]

Welcome to the Vine Friendlytramp. You can grow lots in the space you have there. Have a think about what it is you want and come back with questions about how and when. Good luck with the project.

[Eyren]

Hi and welcome!

I started off with a little brick-edged bed in the garden that was built along the edge of our conservatory, now I have two more raised beds (2m x 1m) and a small allotment - so be warned, it gets addictive!

I would choose something that you really like to eat but which is quite expensive in the supermarkets - cherry tomatoes on the vine, salad leaves, baby veg such as courgettes and carrots, French beans flown in from Kenya (think of all the food miles you'll be saving!) - not only will they be cheaper but they'll taste ten times better. All the ones I've mentioned are quite easy to grow and don't take up much space (apart from courgette plants), so you can grow a reasonable selection throughout the spring and summer.

For more inspiration, pop along to your local library (or book shop if you're feeling flush) and see if they have a copy of "Grow Your Own Veg" by Carol Klein - that has a whole section on their project to grow veg in raised beds divided into 60cm x 60cm squares (as well as detailed instructions on growing most common garden crops).

Have fun planning!

[allotmentlady]

Carol Kleins book is a help but try Caroline Foley's Allotment Hand book, thats a good one. I dont think it mater show much land you have/dont have, you can grow anything and enjoy yourself.

[roitelet]

Hi friendlytramp, Welcome to the vine.

As the others have said there are lots of things you can grow in your bed. One other thought, have you considered mixing vef with flowers in the borders. Things with decorative leaves like beetroot look good and edible as well also tall things like runners grown up a wigwam are pretty when in flower. Over here they are only grown for decorative effect and never eated. What a waste!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[friendlytramp]

Thanks for the advise gys, i am going to go away and do some more research, i'll try and pick up the books you recommended, and i'll be back for more specific advie when i know what i want to grow.

thanks again

[Pumpkin Becki]

Hi Friendlytramp,

Some plants grow really well together ('something-sister' method of growing - see Carol Kleins book)

eg - plant sweetcorn in a square formation (better pollination), grow french climbing beans up the corn (no canes required), and underplant with squash to help keep the weeds down.

The beauty of raised beds (I've got them too ) is that every inch can be used productively, and you don't damage the soil structure by standing on it. You can also plant a bit more intensively (closer together) than seed packets tell you too. You can use the thinnings as super-sweet baby veg, giving the remainder space to grow a bit bigger.

[Herbie]

Hi Friendlytramp,

Some plants grow really well together ('something-sister' method of growing - see Carol Kleins book)

eg - plant sweetcorn in a square formation (better pollination), grow french climbing beans up the corn (no canes required), and underplant with squash to help keep the weeds down.

The beauty of raised beds (I've got them too ) is that every inch can be used productively, and you don't damage the soil structure by standing on it. You can also plant a bit more intensively (closer together) than seed packets tell you too. You can use the thinnings as super-sweet baby veg, giving the remainder space to grow a bit bigger.

Hi Friendlytramp
The technique is called the three sisters.

If you want to cram more into the space you may wish to consider the baby varieties.

This year I'm trying baby caulis, sweet peppers and courgettes, all can be grown in pots on the patio or in small beds.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Hi Friendlytramp
The technique is called the three sisters.

.

Oh yeah, how logical!!