Planting Advice.

[matt44]

Hi.

I am just about to start my very first vegetable plot so want to stick to some basic varieties to start with (dont want to run before I can walk).

I was thinking of Beetroots, Parsnips, Carrots and potatoes.

I have four 1 meter square plots. Is there any of the above I can sow in the same beds?

Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[deezyb]

hi matt44 - i'm fairly new to this veg lark also but am doing something like this, this year: roots in one bed (beetroot, carrot, spring onion, lettuce), legumes in another: runners beans, mange tout, will poss add something else, third bed: courgette and squash. Well this is the plan anyway, and I'll probably throw some companion planting in as well. I think you can grow veg like onion alongside other groups of veg. if i've got this wrong, I'm sure the helpful grapes will say and I'm sure one of them will have a link to a rotation plan or something like that for you. Good luck.

PS I grew parsnips last year in a deep raised bed and they were fantastic. I only wish I had more ground to grow more of everything

[davefromthechipie]

beetroots /potstoes yes . Prob give carrots a miss on your 1st /small plot . Only because pests the soil setup . maybe runnerbeans/peas/radish/lettace/strawberries . would be a better start.

[matt44]

NO CARROTS???

So could I put: Parsnips, Radish & Beetroots together. Potatoes in their own plot & Peas have their own little section already.

[deezyb]

I would definitely put in carrots - i did in my first year and they were lovely, maybe that was luck and naivety! first year I grew just the Nantes variety, just didn't plant often enough to keep me going!but this year I'm doing Parmex (ping pong ball size) and Nantes. Radish will grow in amongst other crops that are slow growing like parsnip. plant radish every 3-4 weeks I think to get continuous supply and the same with your carrots.

Dave is right about pests but I think I'm right in thinking as long as you rotate your veg you'll be okay. Carrot root fly could be an issue, but planting spring onions etc alongside will help deter these pests. I would also do some `cut and come again' (I think they are called) lettuce - nothing like picking lettuce leaves fresh the morning you want to put them on your sandwich for lunch! tastes fabulous!

just googled for this Rotation Plan however, I got a plan from one of the other Grapes last year from their blog, but I've not kept their link!

[sewer rat]

I too would deffo put in carots, though I might avoid the parsnips as they are in the ground for a very very long time - though you could mix the seeds with the radish seeds and then the radishes will act as a marker for the row and will be ready to harvest long before the parsnips need any kind of space.
Peas - if you have a limited space, I would try a climbing variety such as Alderman - grow up a wigwam like runner beans and keep picking them so they keep producing more pods.
If you grow the climbing peas and runner beans, that will leave a lot more ground space for crops such as lettuce.

[matt44]

I too would deffo put in carots, though I might avoid the parsnips as they are in the ground for a very very long time - though you could mix the seeds with the radish seeds and then the radishes will act as a marker for the row and will be ready to harvest long before the parsnips need any kind of space.
Peas - if you have a limited space, I would try a climbing variety such as Alderman - grow up a wigwam like runner beans and keep picking them so they keep producing more pods.
If you grow the climbing peas and runner beans, that will leave a lot more ground space for crops such as lettuce.

The plot for the peas is up against the side of the shed. Am going to put canes and some mesh for them to climb up.

So could the radish go in the same row as the parsnips? ie - parsnip, radish, parsnip, radish??

[zazen999]

Hi
As parsnips take forever - alot of people [who like radish] grow them in the same row as by the time the parsnips have germinated and made a few leaves, the radishes are up and being harvested. Probably no need to be so specific with the spacing - just mix the seeds up and sow in a row. Add carrots into the mix and you'll have a longer copping season for that one patch.

Now; back to the original question; all your crops there are roots; so keeping the spuds separate, you can grow the rest in one bed.

I tend to mix [in my 4x1m square beds] the following.

One beds is mainly put over to onions and garlic.
One bed is mainly herbs with a couple of rows of beetroot
One bed is early peas and beans; and when they are done I'll put toms in there
One bed is usually carrots; but I am trialling deep carrot beds in my other patch this year; so I've put lettuce and beetroot in; and will probably put over to some toms when the lettuce & beetroot is done.

Once the onions are being cropped and more space occurs in between the onions that are left; I'll put some lettuce seeds in.

If you have a small patch - you have to multi-task. So, once my toms are in and established, there will be onion seeds going in [around august time] and these will sprout and grow over winter once the toms are done, so I will have some fresh onions at spring onion size for the winter.

For a start though - remember that year 1 should always be experimental; then you don't beat yourself up if things don't go according to plan. So, try the things that you like to eat - or that are more expensive to buy and see how that takes you.

Edited to add: Matt - pop your location into your user cp and people who are in the same region as you can help a bit more as their growing conditions will be the same.

[matt44]

Edited to add: Matt - pop your location into your user cp and people who are in the same region as you can help a bit more as their growing conditions will be the same.

Sorted!

Thanks for your advice.

I think my main problem is that I dont like Onions or tomatoes so thats 2 major things out for me. lol

[Novice Gardener]

How do you add your location?

[matt44]

How do you add your location?

Go to User CP at the top, then edit profile. Scroll down and the location bit is there somewhere.

[Novice Gardener]

Thank you

[Cutecumber]

Matt -

Of the things you are thinking of trying, it is definitely parsnips that are most likely to give you trouble.

They can be tricky to germinate, you need a good depth of soil and they are going to be in the ground a long time. This is not to say that you won't have a great crop, but just don't be disappointed if you don't as they are somewhat notorious.

I have always found beetroot, carrot and potatoes very easy and have not had a crop fail yet.

Other very easy things to try, if you like them, are courgettes. If spring ever arrives (it's bitter down here!) stick couple of seeds in a pot of compost - if both germinate then remove the weaker one. The seedlings should romp away and within the month you could be planting your courgette. Another few weeks and you could be harvesting. And you could be harvesting all summer if all goes well! Plenty of water and some food and sun, and they'll do you proud. They need a space about 70-100cm square if you can afford it, but you would only want one plant for now and I think you'll get a really worthwhile crop.

[MURFE 18]

Hi, all as any body tried putting parsnip seeds in fridge for a week then taking out and planting striaght away. i was told this by an old boy on our lottie we were talking about the problems with parsnip growing

[zazen999]

Hi Murfe - I've heard that before and might try it for my next batch; currently have some in kitchen roll and a plastic bag on the windowsill.

Matt44 - not far from me then!

I'll second the courgettes; watching them grow in front of your eyes is a miracle to behold.