First attempt at growing veggies in pots

[Sscotdave]

As part of my learning I am going to try ang grow some veggies this year. At the moment I don't have enough space or an allotment to actually do it on a decent scale but I was thinking of getting some good sized pots and putting them round the side of the house.

I'm thinking some potatoes, onions, tomatoes, green beans and a few carrots. The missues thinks it's impossible simply because I've never really shown any interest in the garden before. (we even have a guy who cuts the grass) But I am looking forward to the challenge.

I know I will neet the following but is there anything else you guys could recommend?

Pots
Gravel
Soil
Compost
Netting
Stakes
and of course seeds.

grow bags?


Many thanks

Dave G (sscotdave)

[Brambles]

Good for you! As long as you have space to plonk a pot you can grow something.
Have a look at the RHS site here http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Grow-Yo ... containers might give you some ideas and info.

[triffid]

To avoid spending a fortune on containers (human nature being what it is, you may find that by summer all you have been able to cultivate are weeds......) I'd suggest try growing potatoes in sacks. Fertilizer ones are great.

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=3451

[poppypiesdad]

Do we think that the hessian / resusable shopping bags (pvc type hessian stuff ) would make good grow bags ?

Just thinking form when my neighbour tried the potatoe grow bags and they didnt look 100 times different ?

j

[redskies]

I've not tried it, but I have seen it on websites, although I'm not sure where right this minute. Just don't forget to put some holes in the bottom, and a layer of gravel or other small stones, for drainage.

[junmist]

you can grow in anything even plastic milk bottles nailed to the fence, grow 2 carrot or 2 parsnip seeds in each pinch the weakest one out and leave the other to grow. Copper tape or copper paint to go round containers to keep slugs and snails out. and do not put the pots to near to the wall or the little perishers will climb the wall and streach over to eat your veg

[redskies]

Soup cans are also good. And if you're a creative sort of person, then you can make wire handles for the cans, and a stand, similar to a mug stand, to hang them on

[Bilbo]

Hi,

I'm also going to grow some veg in containers I bought this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0572034946/r ... 5151_dp_i3 and its quite good.

Some tips for you:

Carrots - short root variety are best such as "Palmex" best grown in troughs or large pot.
Sow Apr-June, Harvest June - Oct

Runner Beans - Problems with growing in container soil drys out which stops production of beans, large pots can keep more moisture. It recommends dwarf runner bean "Hestia" for small pots or grow several in a large pot for greater fruiting.
Sow May - June, Harvest June - Oct

Onions - Onions & Shallots are not ideal for container growing as you won't get a large harvest from a pot. Even a large pot or trough will only yield a small crop. Suggested to grow spring onions instead. For onions "Pikant" stores well.
Onions - Sow Jan -April, Harvest July - Sept
Shallots - Sow Feb-Mar, Harvest July.

Potatoes - Excellent for container / bag growing. Fold back sides of the bag, plant three tubers in a few inches of compost at the bottom. As the potatoes grow add more compost to just cover the new shoots, do this two to three times. This will encourage elongated stems and more roots which will in turn produce more tubers
Sow March-May, Harvest June - Sept.

First earlies
"Epicure" Best one to recover if touched by frost
"Estima" Heavy crops and drought resistant
Maincrop
"Desiree" Best all round and heavy cropper
"Sante" Good potato for pest and disease resistance
Late maincrop
"Cara" A good drought and disease resitant variety makes great baking potatoes
"Sarpo Mira" New variety good blight resistance and not attractive to slugs !!!!

Hope this helps

If you want any more info on other fruit or veg let me know and I can check the book and add here.

Cheers

[Bilbo]

PS this is a great site for seeds

http://www.realseeds.co.uk/index.html

[modernwisewoman]

I have used this book The edible Container garden
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edible-Containe ... 330&sr=1-2
as a good source of infomation as well.
If you have grass why do you not start to convert that to beds? This book from John Walker gives idea how to slowly transform a garden from decorative to functional and decorative.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Create-Eco- ... 805&sr=1-1

Both available from libraries

Equipment wise do not forget fleece and mesh to prevent carrot fly and warm up the soil.
Harrod Horticulture has a system for grow bags you may be able to adapt if space is short http://www.harrodhorticultural.com

Hope you enjoy yourself with this new adventure which can become addictive