My parking lot farm learning experience

[maryevans]

I've been trying to learn how to grow my own food since March this year. This is what I got (plus some flowers to throw my husband off the project's true purpose):



It's difficult, very difficult. Germination is the hardest part. So far I haven't produced anything edible yet. My goal is to produce seeds. Once I get to that stage, then I know I can keep it going.

I take solace in how people tell me it's difficult to do what I'm trying to do in pots.

The following seem to grow the best:

-Sunflowers
-Pumpkins
-Beans
-Tomatoes
-Lettuces

I haven't produced anything yet, like I said, but the plants are very healthy. Though I do feel a little bit helpless for having no land.
What do you guys think? Does this look promising in any way, or should I focus my efforts on other skills?

[Wales1]

Flowers are usefull.
As camoflauge
As practice
And a lot more flowers are edible (in a pinch)
Sunflower seeds are a nice snack

Keep on practising...packets of seeds cost around 30p each, what else can you buy for 30p? And the ablitlty to grow plants (and leant from your mistakes) puts you more ahead of the game than eveyone else who may suddenly have to start digging for victory once the lights go out.
For the time and effort it takes to throw a few seeds into a pot and keep a eye on them its a minuscule investment for the reward. (plus no fruit and veg brought from the shops tastes as good as home grown)

[Arzosah]

That's great, Mary! If you've got lettuce, then surely you've produced something edible?

What about herbs? Chives and whatnot? Chili plants indoors? Basil indoors - buy one of those live supermarket pots, and you get 8 - 10 plants from it. Bay plants - big bay shrubs are *really* expensive, buy a little one for a fiver ... edible flowers are best, yes - nasturtiums, ox eye daisies, all sorts of things. The seeds of love in a mist are edible, and its a really pretty flower.

You have a *bit* of land ... could you dig underneath those stones and get some soil in the ground so that you can plant stuff? A fruit bush, or some lemon balm, say, the lemon balm would give you greenery.

Good luck!

[Jamesey1981]

I would suggest getting a couple of grow bags as well, not just for the usual tomatoes and courgettes, I've also grown sweet corn in them, it's a little tricky to stop them falling over, but using a fair amount of string it's doable, and corn on the cob is lovely when you've grown it yourself.

[Hamradioop]

Have you heard of Three Sisters: Corn, Beans and Squash A native american planting technique that may serve you well with your project. http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/3sisters.html

[maryevans]

@Wales1 I guess flowers can also bring some beauty and comfort in a bleak scenario?
About the seeds... I want to be able to get to the stage where the crops are producing the seeds for next year, so I don't have to rely on buying them. I see what you mean though. Stocking up on them is probably a good idea.

@Arzosah I got herbs! There's rosemary and basil going About the land... I'm pushing the landlord's patience as it is with just pots, and we're moving soon anyway and I'd like to take my plants with me. We never get to live in one place for more than a year. Lack of stability is one the joys of being a millennial.

@Jamesey1981 We move around a lot like I said to Arzosah, and growbags are not very portable Otherwise I'd totally use them!

@Hamradioop I have not heard of them! Thank you for the link to that article. I'm going to do that next year.

[jansman]

I can vouch for the 3 Sisters system. I have used it for about ten years now, and it works. Right now the bed where I grow this looks like a Rain Forest it is that lush.

[Arzosah]

@Arzosah I got herbs! There's rosemary and basil going About the land... I'm pushing the landlord's patience as it is with just pots, and we're moving soon anyway and I'd like to take my plants with me. We never get to live in one place for more than a year. Lack of stability is one the joys of being a millennial.

That's great! Well, it's great you've got the rosemary and basil. Sorry you've got to be so moveable - are you going to be able to put roots down (sorry for the pun!) at the next place?

[Hamradioop]

If you want to collect seeds for next year I would suggest HEIRLOOM VARIETIES http://www.realseeds.co.uk/ You'll find no F1 hybrids or genetically modified seed here - just varieties that do really well and taste great
when grown by hand on a garden scale. The name of the catalogue reflects what we are working to provide:
real seeds for real gardeners wanting to grow proper vegetables.

[Wales1]

Have you thought about Wooden Planters?
Something like this but maybe not at the cost advertised here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Traditional-Rec ... B00ZCH9D2W

They can be moved when you move, if treated well will last years, and make a good 'camoflauge'