[janet12000]

Hello everyone. After 2 or so weeks I now have a plot that has been half strimmed, a quarter round upped, and a quarter i have started to dig.
I intend to cover over the strimmed bit and concentrate on the other bit for now.   
My Dad, (who has an immaculate lotty with everything in neat rows!) says I should not bother to try and grow anything this year, but I was planning on digging beds and planting as I go. I have stuff in the garden that I can take over and put in.
Obviously next year there will be more of a plan but I really want to grow stuff there this year.
I have squash plants, dwarf bean plants, red cabbage and beetroot that could be planted.
Should I dig and plant as I go along, or take Daddy's advice and not bother?
Ta all.

[BrianK]

Grow.

What's the worst that can happen? 

Hoe a lot though.

[Yorkie]

Definitely dig and plant, even if it's quick things like salads, radishes, dwarf beans etc and they only get into that one quarter.  You'll feel so much more motivated to keep going with the long slog if you can see some more immediate results.

One thing I would say is probably not to put anything permanent in until you've done the whole plot and know how it drains, gets sun, etc.

[peapod]

Agree that you should grow,but dont try to do too much. I wish Id concentrated on setting my beds and lotty up properly, because it was a pain to work around a lot of plants.  If I did it again, I would do two beds for quick stuff - peas beans lettuce beetroot for example and set all the rest up ready to go for autumn manuring and digging

[Yorkie]

That's what I meant, peapod, but it didn't quite get typed 

[janet12000]

Thanks guys. I'll dig and plant.  
I am adamant that my Dad will not take over! He is very old fashioned in his ways which is understandable after 25 years at his plot!
When I told him I had got mine, he immediately said I would not be able to manage it......cause I'm a girl, and girls can't do stuff like digging!  
He doesn't even like me changing light bulbs. That's a man's job.
I keep reminding him that I have been a single mum for 9 years and i have to do things that are traditionally a blokes job.
He got very worried when I brought myself an electric drill a few years ago!

[peapod]

That's what I meant, peapod, but it didn't quite get typed 

Sorry Yorkie hun I gotcha and was agreeing, didnt make it clear there    Its really what I wish Id have done at the time,my lotty would be permanently set up now, instead of still having two more beds and paths to fit in now I havent got time for as much planting really as I wanted to this year 

[janet12000]

Ok. I have loads of dwarf bean plants. How big are they gonna get?

[Yorkie]

Oh I know peapod, it was a compliment not anything else 

Janet, I assume it's a serious question - does the packet not say how tall the particular variety grows?  Or the website if it's a sparse packet?  Very unusual for there to be no information.  Depends on the variety but I'd say no more than 18" average.

[janet12000]

Well I'll pop them in at the weekend then. Don't want to be building  frames and stuff for no reason.
One of the things me Dad and i have been arguing about is the whole metric and imperial thing.
18 " means nowt to me!
What's 18 " in modern money? lol.

[peapod]

Lol Janet.Im a feet and inches lady even though I was taught metric at school 

[Yorkie]

18" is 45 cm.

[Ice]

 

[AndyRVTR]

It's a foot and half 

[BrianK]

It's a foot and half