First year growing

**Bigmallly** · 04-05-2012, 07:45 PM

Welcome to the vine Sarah. You seem to be making the most of the limited space you have, just watch out for the frosts this next few days. It'll wipe them out overnight.

**Potstubsdustbins** · 04-05-2012, 08:36 PM

Hi Sarah, looks like you've made a good start. Take heed of BM's warning and cover those spuds and any other tender plants for the next few nights.

The problem your going to have is you will catch the 'bug' and when you do your concrete garden will start to look like mine. Difficult to see the paving slabs for containers.

Colin

**Tripmeup** · 04-05-2012, 11:51 PM

Don't let the 45 degrees put you off...you can dig a bed into slopes....once the bug gets you, you;ll find a way to increase your growing area...just wait and see....!!

**sarah_rance** · 05-05-2012, 08:59 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. I've been sticking the spuds in the growhouse overnight when frosts are forecast and they seem to do well - they're just flippin' heavy to move about now they're full! I drag em out again in the morning to try and catch at least some sun!
Today may be a better day by the look of the sky - I did see some sun briefly.

Colin - I had to take down my daughters wooden playhouse to claim back that space where all my pots are - so you bet I'll fill it !

**taff** · 05-05-2012, 09:33 AM

you could always think about terracing your garden....

**veggiechicken** · 05-05-2012, 09:38 AM

A 45 degree slope is nothing to be afraid of! Here's mine:-

Attached Files

DSCF2045.jpg (0, 5870 views)

**Kleftiwallah** · 05-05-2012, 11:48 AM

Sarah, you haven't told us which direction your garden is facing. South is by far the best. Cheers, Tony.

**Peas'n'Kews** · 05-05-2012, 04:13 PM

Welcome Sarah. Watch out for those mountain goats - they eat anything!!!

**sarah_rance** · 08-05-2012, 01:26 AM

Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post

A 45 degree slope is nothing to be afraid of! Here's mine:-
[ATTACH=CONFIG]28870[/ATTACH]

Blimey thats impressive. I wish I could do that with at least some mine.
The problem I have is that I am bordered on 3 sides by conifers (only 1 lot are mine) and the ground is proper (make your own flower pots

) clay. It's almost impossible to get any type of non mechanical tool into it at any time of year as the ground is too hard! The trees suck every last drop of moisture out and leave it solid.
Even grass or weeds wont grow in some spots, even in the weather we've had recently

My garden faces mostly west with a slight slant to the south, so I dont get masses of sun but its fairly sheltered and I dont seem to suffer to badly with frost pockets.

**donnakebab** · 08-05-2012, 02:30 AM

I know what you mean with the conifers. They do suck everything dry.

You've made a good start and I bet it won't be long before you either terrace your garden by building up the soil level behind retaining wall, or put your name down for an allotment!

Good luck and welcome.

**Ian_5** · 08-05-2012, 11:56 AM

Trailling/vine plants could probably make use of that slope; some courgette/squash varieties could be grown up a frame... I saw a pic on a post where butternut squash were grown up an trailer that was inclined (sorry can't find the link), was pretty impressive and reckon you could do something similar I guess - I plan on trying it on a steep bank in my garden.

**veggiechicken** · 08-05-2012, 02:19 PM

Originally posted by sarah_rance View Post

Blimey thats impressive. I wish I could do that with at least some mine.
The problem I have is that I am bordered on 3 sides by conifers (only 1 lot are mine) and the ground is proper (make your own flower pots

) clay. It's almost impossible to get any type of non mechanical tool into it at any time of year as the ground is too hard! The trees suck every last drop of moisture out and leave it solid.
Even grass or weeds wont grow in some spots, even in the weather we've had recently

My garden faces mostly west with a slight slant to the south, so I dont get masses of sun but its fairly sheltered and I dont seem to suffer to badly with frost pockets.

My garden faces west too and, as you can see, is really just a wooded slope with large ash, beech and sycamore trees. The underlying ground is solid rock, an old sea cliff. The rocks and tree roots make terracing challenging and the shade doesn't help either. With some help, I made wooden retaining walls, and dragged the soil forward to a level with the top of the planks. The rear part of each terrace is almost solid rock or treeroot. Obviously its not ideal, but last year I grew potatoes, leeks (still there) and brassicas. Tried p**snips too but they were a little warped!
I grow courgettes on another slightly more open slope and its ideal for fruit bushes too. This year I may have sprawling tomatoes and runner beans in amongst them.
I'd certainly put fruit bushes on your slope!

**Chocolate8me** · 08-05-2012, 09:25 PM

Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post

A 45 degree slope is nothing to be afraid of! Here's mine:-
[ATTACH=CONFIG]28870[/ATTACH]

I love that <3

Sarah does that not give you an idea? Do a raised bed similar but lay thick plastic on the ground & fill with 75% topsoil & 25% compost and grow things according to the limited amount of sunshine it will get. Get a water butt & a watering can and Bob is your uncle, etc.

**Potstubsdustbins** · 08-05-2012, 09:30 PM

I keep looking at the black plastic dustbin tucked away in the corner. I only have 10 so have room for another. LOL

Colin

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