[sbpreston]

Hi all!
I am now the proud owner of my first plot....its terribly overgrown, but have decided to take it step by step. I have managed to clear and cultivate a nice section (about 4m x 6m). Id like to get something going in it as soon as, would be grateful for any advice? Cheers......will get some pics up in the next few days.

[Salkeela]

Potatoes are good as their foliage covers the ground and gives any remaining weeds a hard time.

Delicious with butter later.....

[sbpreston]

yeah defo gonna get some spuds in, what works well alongside potatoes? as its quite a good sized patch. These forums are very addictive and a great source of info, glad i stumbled across it  

[Trillium]

Onion sets are a good idea for a beginner - they're small, already started onion bulbs you just stick in the ground. But it's a bit late for garlic.
If you like beets, you can soon put seeds in for direct sowing - just space them a bit as one seed is actually a container for up to 7 seeds. And lettuce seeds can go in asap - they're strictly cool weather plants. If you're not into seed starting, you can later purchase tom, pepper and other plants at garden centres.

[sbpreston]

Thanks Trillium, ordered a few catalogues the other day, theres so many varieties to choose from! all a bit overwhelming, but exciting all the same! Any advice on tasty types of lettuce? :?:

[gobs]

Little Leprecheum ( I don't know the proper spelling but hard to mix it up with something though), everybody I offered some was over the moon about it.

[Yorkie]

Lollo Rosso looks great but anyone with a set of taste buds tends to avoid it like the plague... no taste at all really

Why don't you think about one of those mixed packs of loose leaf lettuces, you can get herb mixes or spicy ones etc.  A real variety which keep going if you only take a few leaves from each plant at a time and also sow some fresh plants every few weeks.

[Tinbasher]

yeah defo gonna get some spuds in, what works well alongside potatoes? as its quite a good sized patch. These forums are very addictive and a great source of info, glad i stumbled across it  

Try leeks, another very easy crop to grow and also a plant that helps break up new land a bit, like spuds do.  Leeks were one of my first successes.  They're virtually indestructible in my experience - they can stand over winter, no pests seems attracted to them and they don't need constant attention.  Of course they will go very well with your spuds, though they won't be ready at the same time, but the idea is there.  Vichysoisse, with a good addition of pepper - loverly.

[compostqueen]

Little Gem lettuces are easy to grow and are tasty and crunchy. Worth growing cos dear in the shops.  The little boat shaped leaves are perfect for filling with mayor or salad dressing. Go well with new spuds