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New to GYO, new to gardening !

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  • New to GYO, new to gardening !

    Hi,
    I am Alison, proud new-owner of a small patch of formerly agricultural grazing land adjacent to our existing garden. We are hoping to transform it into a thriving veg plot of about 40' square. It is totally exposed to the prevailing westerlies so I am researching greenhouses and polytunnels to see which would be best for the location – I worry about an exploding greenhouse with glass in neighbours gardens, so polytunnel is winning presently. We are in very North Yorkshire so I think I will need to put some things undercover to get a decent growing season.
    I am also checking out windbreak fabrics, a bit like that orange plastic mesh stuff you see at roadworks and building sites, to see if that might offer some protection.
    As of today, it is still being grazed by sheep and cows and other than nettles, thistles and a couple of other pernicious weeds, it has been grass for ever, so I am hoping the underlying soil will be in pretty good condition after all that lovely poo !
    On my list of things I would really like to grow are: asparagus, tomatoes, raspberries, rhubarb, runner and broad beans, parsnips, carrots, savoy cabbage, salad, onions, garlic, strawberries, sweet peppers, chillies, cucumber, squash and early potatoes. Thats the first year anyway ! No, I think 2-3 years to gradually get that lot established – especially the asparagus and rhubarb though I dont know how I will manage to wait that long.
    At present, I am looking at how to lay out the beds ie N-S or E-W and thinking maybe a mix would be good for different crops. The only shade is a hedge along the eastern side.
    First jobs though in the next few weeks are to get a digger in to level the land, bring in topsoil if its needed and then fence it all in. Be ready to start planting in autumn for next spring.
    Anyway, more to come as it happens, any/all advice or guidance most welcome
    odd notes about our kitchen garden project:
    http://www.distractedbyathing.net/tag/garden/

  • #2
    Welcome to the 'Vine Alison
    That all sounds really exciting! How lucky are you to get all that space?
    I'd be inclined towards the polytunnel option too, I've seen too many of the polycarb/cheaper glass types blowing to pieces

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    • #3
      Hi Alison
      Warm Welcome to the Vine
      This is my first year growing fruit and veg to but the ppl here are really friendly

      Bye
      Hope to hear from ya round the vine!

      Stacey x
      Stacey x ♫

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      • #4
        Welcome Alison, I'm new to the Vine too, but there's loads of good stuff on here! Sounds like you're going to have a lot of fun over the next couple of years! I'm not sure which orientation is best for beds/planting - but you need to think about what will give your plants the maximum sunlight/daylight. Asparagus is definitely worth the wait and rhubarb doesn't mind the shade.
        Life is too short for drama & petty things!
        So laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly!

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        • #5
          Comfreyfan,
          I dont think I will have a problem with sunlight (maybe too much, is that possible ?!) as the site is totally open on 3 sides (all except easternmost with a high hedge running north south), its the wind I am concerned about, coming straight from the Pennines across the Dales and full blast into my garden ! I am obliged by the farmer I bought the land from to put a post and pig wire fence up to keep the livestock out (didnt stop a cow eating my potato tops this week !), but I am considering making it something more solid as a wind break, even if it does give more shade than I would like. With walkways around the edges I would not lose much growing space, and I have probably more than I need to start with anyway. its an exciting venture, I dont want to rush into it and make expensive (in time or money) mistakes so I am doing lots of reading and planning first so that I dont take on more than I can reasonably manage. Lots of time to build up to bigger and more challenging crops next year or the one after - once I know the plots and my limits.
          odd notes about our kitchen garden project:
          http://www.distractedbyathing.net/tag/garden/

          Comment

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