[Blingblongx]

Help! I have just got interested in gardening and I have been looking at allotments and at websites. Everytinh seems so technical! For the first year at least I want to grow reasonably simple plants like strawberries so I can learn. I don't have too much time either because I'm still at school. Please give me some suggestions, bye!!!!

[peapod]

Hi blingblong nice to meet you :-)

To be honest I think you are going to get different answers for all of em! Ive found carrots easy in containers this year, but struggled with pots in the ground and in containers too, but others would have done well without trying very hard! Same thing with strawbs, one bloke I know grows em with his eyes shut, but I cant seem to keep em coming as much as Id like  :cry:

Nice to see a 'schoolie' (thats we we used to call em round here!) getting interested btw!

Paula

[compostqueen]

Courgettes are the easiest things to grow    Try stoppin em  

[Angelah]

Well I've had no luck with carrots this year. Strawberries were swamped by brambles, but have recovered since I transplanted them.

Our easiest crops were: runner beans, french beans, potatoes, squash and sweetcorn. All were planted, then left to it!!! As we're continuing to clear our new plot we didn't have the luxury of spare time to give them any more attention once planted! We've been giving beans out left right and centre, and have masses in the freezer! The squash went mad - fab for ground cover and the sqaushes themselves are enormous!!

Beginners luck? Maybe, but I hope we do better next year when we have more space for more crops!

[Zak the Rabbit]

when i was at school, for many years i had just a 6ft x 10ft bed that i grew on. I didnt even add any fertilizer or manure or anything! and yet for years it did beetroot (detroit), lettuce (little gem), carrots (early nantes) and potatoes. Even a few onions. Strawberries in pots (although we had a strawberry bed when i was very small) and peas, runner beans up cane wigwams.

please dont ask me to convert ft into metres for you! (its about 2x3)

best advice - do it! dig it over now, nice and deep. Rake it level, put in some onion sets, then in spring put in whatever you feel like. I would suggest starting with things that you actually like though.

I presume you have some tools. A spade, rake (not a lawn rake!), trowel, fork, and a ball of string! thats all you need to get going


Martin

[DIGGER]

Hello Bling. Hey i really envy you, I wish that i had taken an interest at your age`[dont know how old] I really hated gardening and it was nt untill i was  about 50 [ten years ago :cry: ] that i started messing around a bit in the garden.
Had my 1st lotte 18 months ago and am really trying to learn all i can,wish i had started years ago, i would be an expert now.
HAVE FUN

[Zak the Rabbit]

yes, i'll echo that digger - HAVE FUN!

dont get too bothered if something you try doesnt work, just enjoy the experience. Veg that goes a bit 'funny' is often more interesting than if it works. Like forked carrots in amusing shapes

and remember when youve spent all day digging and working really hard, to sit down by your plot and take a look at what youve achieved, and just enjoy being out there in the open air

[richyrich7]

Spuds, plant 'em 4 inch deep 18" apart for main crop and a couple of foot between the rows, earth up a couple of times and Bob's yer uncle.

Most veg is no overly difficult to grow what you could do with is a good book, try Johns on the homepage, lovely little book with lots of good advice.

welcome to the forum btw  

[Christine]

Get runners of strawberries from people who have plants that fruit well. First year strawberries are no use as you have to let them get themselves sorted but runners off established plants will do well (and you should be able to get them free too which is even better).

If you can put lots of nice compost in your strawberry bed and find a sunny but sheltered corner you will have some fruit to start with. Strawberries aren't hard. In fact here is everything I've ever needed to know and we do ok with them on our allotment.

[SalJ1980]

Tomatoes, at least for me! I didn't know what germination rate to expect so sowed about 40 seeds...and they all bl**dy well came up!    :roll:

[Rampant_Weasel]

'other' runner beans, just about pest free and once u made a simple wigwam ( 6 canes and 1 peice of string) thats about it  

[Johndeb]

Cut and come again salad leaves. Buy mixed packs and some of the seeds will grow anywhere.