i've recently bought my own house and am desperate to get started on the garden. ive never grown any veg before (exept for a pathetic attempt at tomatoes) and would love some advice on what to buy to get started. also im a 19 yr old student so i would appreciate guidance on where to get the best value for money.
thanks
A x
new gardener
Moderators: KG Steve, Chantal, Tigger, peter
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alan refail
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Hi
This is a fairly tall order to reply to. I wonder if you won't get more advice than you can deal with as a first-time gardener.
Your best plan would be to tell the forum how much land you have, how much time for gardening and, most importantly, what you like to eat/grow.
Also have a rummage in your local library for a good basic vegetable gardening book (and look at the thread under Best Gardening Books List in this section of the Forum.
Best of luck
Alan
This is a fairly tall order to reply to. I wonder if you won't get more advice than you can deal with as a first-time gardener.
Your best plan would be to tell the forum how much land you have, how much time for gardening and, most importantly, what you like to eat/grow.
Also have a rummage in your local library for a good basic vegetable gardening book (and look at the thread under Best Gardening Books List in this section of the Forum.
Best of luck
Alan
Cred air o bob deg a glywi, a thi a gei rywfaint bach o wir (hen ddihareb Gymraeg)
Believe one tenth of what you hear, and you will get some little truth (old Welsh proverb)
Believe one tenth of what you hear, and you will get some little truth (old Welsh proverb)
Hello and welcome. You'll get plenty of help here, some of which you'll wish you never asked for!
Cheap seeds will be in Lidl, Aldi and Netto in a few weeks time. You can log on to their respective sites and register for an e-mail each week telling you what 'specials' are due in. That way you won't miss the seeds (or any of their good value gardening tools) and they don't hassle you with other mail.
There'll be lots of us on here too with spare seeds and many of us would be happy to post them to you.
As well as the cheap but good tools and equipment available in most of the big shops, there's always a few bargains on Ebay. I'm sure JB or others will advise you on the best purchases, but in my opinion you'll need a hoe, a fork and a trowel as starters, plus a sharp knife.
What to grow? Some things are better in a particular type of soil, but generally - always grow what you like to eat. Easy things are peas, beans, spinach/beet, carrots, tomatoes, chillies, cucumbers, courgettes, and most soft fruit, but anything is possible if you read up about it and follow the advice given.
Now sit back and wait for the replies to your posting!
Cheap seeds will be in Lidl, Aldi and Netto in a few weeks time. You can log on to their respective sites and register for an e-mail each week telling you what 'specials' are due in. That way you won't miss the seeds (or any of their good value gardening tools) and they don't hassle you with other mail.
There'll be lots of us on here too with spare seeds and many of us would be happy to post them to you.
As well as the cheap but good tools and equipment available in most of the big shops, there's always a few bargains on Ebay. I'm sure JB or others will advise you on the best purchases, but in my opinion you'll need a hoe, a fork and a trowel as starters, plus a sharp knife.
What to grow? Some things are better in a particular type of soil, but generally - always grow what you like to eat. Easy things are peas, beans, spinach/beet, carrots, tomatoes, chillies, cucumbers, courgettes, and most soft fruit, but anything is possible if you read up about it and follow the advice given.
Now sit back and wait for the replies to your posting!
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annettecourgette
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- Location: Sheffield
Thank you alan and Tigger. The back garden is approx 4.5x8m, plus there is an extra bit to the side of the house about half the size. The back garden is south facing but the side bit is mainly shadowed by the house. I'll have plenty of time for gardening due to my university timetable but should probably limit it to a couple of hours a day (though i can see myself getting carried away!)
As for what I like to eat, I'm a vegetarian so I eat most veg. Unfortunately my faves are the mediterranean (sp?) veg, courgettes, toms, peppers etc, probably not suited to the S.Yorks climate. I was hoping to grow potatoes but i'm open to other ideas.
Thanks again for your help, particularly the Aldi, Lidl and Netto hint.
PS. Would a greenhouse be a good investment?
As for what I like to eat, I'm a vegetarian so I eat most veg. Unfortunately my faves are the mediterranean (sp?) veg, courgettes, toms, peppers etc, probably not suited to the S.Yorks climate. I was hoping to grow potatoes but i'm open to other ideas.
Thanks again for your help, particularly the Aldi, Lidl and Netto hint.
PS. Would a greenhouse be a good investment?
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oldherbaceous
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A very warm welcome Annettecourgette, i do love such enthusiasm from such a young person.
I think your biggest job will be getting your ground ready, you did not say if it's a new house or an older one with an established garden.
Also does the ground seem to be mostly clay, sandy or just nice soil.
I seem to be asking more questions than you did.
A greenhouse would be a real benifit, especially as you like some of the more tender veg like peppers and the like, although courgettes are just fine outside.
Don't worry about how many questions you ask, the more you ask the more we can try and answer.
We do have a bit of a laugh on the forum, so please join in now and again, but watch out, a few of them are very naughty.
I think your biggest job will be getting your ground ready, you did not say if it's a new house or an older one with an established garden.
Also does the ground seem to be mostly clay, sandy or just nice soil.
I seem to be asking more questions than you did.
A greenhouse would be a real benifit, especially as you like some of the more tender veg like peppers and the like, although courgettes are just fine outside.
Don't worry about how many questions you ask, the more you ask the more we can try and answer.
We do have a bit of a laugh on the forum, so please join in now and again, but watch out, a few of them are very naughty.
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.
Very, very many years ago, my husband and I were in a similar position to you (we have nine grandchildren now!) and started the garden off with just potatoes the first year, digging the rather poor soil, bringing in plenty of well-rotted muck and just "planting" the seed potatoes. By the following year, the whole garden was quite a different sight and much healthier. By that time we had also watched the place for sunshine, shade, water availability etc. and read up lots of things. And that's when we really started off, particularly with lettuce, salad stuffs and also a few fancy things. I remember producing quite edible globe artichokes from seed, all in Yorkshire and up a hillside! So, my suggestions would be: (1) the first year get the ground well prepared, (2) then try the things you like eating most and (3) by the third year, you will know what will and what will not grow. If you have a local gardening/allotment society, join it. Seeds, composts etc may be available at a reduced rate and most gardeners are only too keen to share their knowledge and, even more so, spare seeds and plants. The members are sure to take you under their wings!
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annettecourgette
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- Location: Sheffield
thank you oldherbaceous and monika. im getting so much advice, its good having people to talk to about this stuff as none of my friends are interested in gardening!
the house is around 12 years old but the garden hasn't been cared for properly. there is one nice bush outside the back door and a kind of mini tree at the bottom of the garden, but the rest is overgrown lawn full of weeds. ill probably take your advice and prepare the ground and invest in a greenhouse this year, satisfying my green fingers with a few container crops and grow bags maybe?
the house is around 12 years old but the garden hasn't been cared for properly. there is one nice bush outside the back door and a kind of mini tree at the bottom of the garden, but the rest is overgrown lawn full of weeds. ill probably take your advice and prepare the ground and invest in a greenhouse this year, satisfying my green fingers with a few container crops and grow bags maybe?
the first year I started to grow my own veg (2years ago now) I did it all in pots in the back garden - you'd be surprised how much you can do like that! I had new potatoes, courgettes, tomatoes, lettuce and peppers. Now I've just got my first allotment which I'm getting ready for apring - its definately an expanding hobby! Good luck!
Smiling is infectious....
Can I back up the good advice not to grow what you don't like eating - I grew radishes for years as they are always recommended as easy, but never ate them as I really don't like them! I also grow chinese mustard which looks most impressive, but I have just decided there is nothing I can do with it that makes me want to eat it!
My recommendations would be, first, climbing beans (Runner beans or French beans)on wigwams; they look pretty, add height to the garden, and have lovely flowers, as well as being generally trouble-free. They keep on producing all summer and can be frozen if you have the freezer room. Any dried-out seeds are also great for winter pulse casseroles. 2 wigwams with 4-6 plants on each.
You can put lettuces round the bottom of them and Rocket also germinates very easily. You could sow about 6-8 seeds of each every fortnight to keep you going.
If you like spinachy-type stuff: spinach beet or swiss chard is pretty well foolproof, doesn't get bugs and keeps producing all year round. 3 plants at a time should provide plenty; sow in March and again in July-August for the winter.
Courgette seeds need to be started off in pots in early May and plant out at the end of May, keeping an eye on them for slugs until they have got big enough, then they will produce lots of lovelies. 2 plants should be ample.
Leeks are very useful and much easier than onions for a first garden IMHO and keep going all winter. Sow April and plant out in May. 20 plants enough?
Kales are easy if you like delicious young cabbagy-type leaves through the winter and early spring. Summer butterflies will attack them, so squash the caterpillars, but they should come smiling through! Sow April, plant out in May 2ft apart. 3 plants should be enough.
My personal list of what NOT to bother with for your first year (which is bound to be different from other peoples'!) includes peas, broccoli, cabbages, carrots and onions. Carrots and onions in partic can be quite cheap to buy while tricky to grow well.
You could have fun trying out kohl rabi and fennel if you have extra space.
Bung a couple of tomatoes in the mildest and sunniest spot; cherry tomatoes like Gardener's Delight are best, as they ripen earlier than bigger tomatoes so you should get a reasonable crop before they succumb to blight.
Seed Potatoes can be expensive to buy, but are terrific fun to harvest. Earlies and second-earlies are best as maincrop ones usually get blight before they are ready to be dug up.
If you have a shady garden patch at the side, I would put raspberries in it, which don't mind shade. Glen Ample is reliable and yummy. Rhubarb is good, too. You will need to put some sort of protective net right over the raspberries to keep the birds off.
My recommendations would be, first, climbing beans (Runner beans or French beans)on wigwams; they look pretty, add height to the garden, and have lovely flowers, as well as being generally trouble-free. They keep on producing all summer and can be frozen if you have the freezer room. Any dried-out seeds are also great for winter pulse casseroles. 2 wigwams with 4-6 plants on each.
You can put lettuces round the bottom of them and Rocket also germinates very easily. You could sow about 6-8 seeds of each every fortnight to keep you going.
If you like spinachy-type stuff: spinach beet or swiss chard is pretty well foolproof, doesn't get bugs and keeps producing all year round. 3 plants at a time should provide plenty; sow in March and again in July-August for the winter.
Courgette seeds need to be started off in pots in early May and plant out at the end of May, keeping an eye on them for slugs until they have got big enough, then they will produce lots of lovelies. 2 plants should be ample.
Leeks are very useful and much easier than onions for a first garden IMHO and keep going all winter. Sow April and plant out in May. 20 plants enough?
Kales are easy if you like delicious young cabbagy-type leaves through the winter and early spring. Summer butterflies will attack them, so squash the caterpillars, but they should come smiling through! Sow April, plant out in May 2ft apart. 3 plants should be enough.
My personal list of what NOT to bother with for your first year (which is bound to be different from other peoples'!) includes peas, broccoli, cabbages, carrots and onions. Carrots and onions in partic can be quite cheap to buy while tricky to grow well.
You could have fun trying out kohl rabi and fennel if you have extra space.
Bung a couple of tomatoes in the mildest and sunniest spot; cherry tomatoes like Gardener's Delight are best, as they ripen earlier than bigger tomatoes so you should get a reasonable crop before they succumb to blight.
Seed Potatoes can be expensive to buy, but are terrific fun to harvest. Earlies and second-earlies are best as maincrop ones usually get blight before they are ready to be dug up.
If you have a shady garden patch at the side, I would put raspberries in it, which don't mind shade. Glen Ample is reliable and yummy. Rhubarb is good, too. You will need to put some sort of protective net right over the raspberries to keep the birds off.
Welcome to the madhouse, Annette. 
Can't offer any advice, I'm afraid, as I'm still learning myself (except to suggest that you try Wilkos if you've one near you. their gardening stuff is cheap and has been pefectly adequate for me this past year.)
However, I can recommend this forum for advice and a good giggle! Feel free to ask anything - someone, somewhere will have a suggestion! (usually clean)and they're a really friendly bunch (if not entirely normal!
(runs and hides...........)
Can't offer any advice, I'm afraid, as I'm still learning myself (except to suggest that you try Wilkos if you've one near you. their gardening stuff is cheap and has been pefectly adequate for me this past year.)
However, I can recommend this forum for advice and a good giggle! Feel free to ask anything - someone, somewhere will have a suggestion! (usually clean)and they're a really friendly bunch (if not entirely normal!
(runs and hides...........)
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peter
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Wilkinsons, if yiu have one nearby, has a good selection of reasonably priced seed, labels etc etc.
http://www.wilko.co.uk/stores for store finder
http://www.wilko.co.uk/stores for store finder
Do not put off thanking people when they have helped you, as they may not be there to thank later.
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I support http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/
"Can't offer any advice, I'm afraid, as I'm still learning myself"
So am I, after more years than I am prepared to state. When you stop learning you might as well give up.
There are a lot of modern techniques and old ones revived that the progressive gardener should consider in his/her individual circumstances.At the same time get to understand what they did in the past.
Whatever you do, enjoy it, make the most of it
There is a poem whose closing lines are
"one is nearer to God in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth"
Allan
So am I, after more years than I am prepared to state. When you stop learning you might as well give up.
There are a lot of modern techniques and old ones revived that the progressive gardener should consider in his/her individual circumstances.At the same time get to understand what they did in the past.
Whatever you do, enjoy it, make the most of it
There is a poem whose closing lines are
"one is nearer to God in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth"
Allan
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oldherbaceous
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Those were some lovely words Allan, very thoughtful indeed.
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.
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Mr Potato Head
For free seeds, you can ask people that might have had free packets attached to mags, leftovers from sowings, and of course those that will just send you some... (I suppose you might even ask us lot!)
I've had some success growing chillies, potatoes and peppers just by planting leftovers from the supermarket shop (although the potatoes tend to be a touch on the small side!) and there'll be no end of advice / comment on that on the forum!
And of course, you can check out our offers page (There's a 'free seed' promotion that starts tomorrow!)
Oh, and don't forget to subscribe to Kitchen Garden of course!
I've had some success growing chillies, potatoes and peppers just by planting leftovers from the supermarket shop (although the potatoes tend to be a touch on the small side!) and there'll be no end of advice / comment on that on the forum!
And of course, you can check out our offers page (There's a 'free seed' promotion that starts tomorrow!)
Oh, and don't forget to subscribe to Kitchen Garden of course!