[Oakfield]

Hello everyone.

I've just moved in to a house with a well established veggie patch.
It has been neglected for the last couple of years, i've weeded and rotovated and I'm hoping to start growing some veg.

I have never done this before, so would like some basic advice - even if you think you're stating the obvious, i would rather be told something i already know than miss out on some basic knowledge.

I am planning to grow some or all of the following: potatos, carrots, onions, brocolli, sweet corn, runner beans, cabbage, cucumber, lettuce, courgettes, parsnips in the veggie patch and tomatoes (Tiny Tims?) on the window cill.

I have seed potatos and onion sets but which of the others need germinating inside and which can go straight in the ground?

Thanks,
Mark.

[Ropster]

Click on information on the top bar, loads of info there

or get one of John's books, there great

[peterjf]

runner beans , greyhound cabbage , a set on onions , a row or 2 of spuds if yopur quick

[yummy]

I am planning to grow some or all of the following: potatos, carrots, onions, brocolli, sweet corn, runner beans, cabbage, cucumber, lettuce, courgettes, parsnips in the veggie patch and tomatoes (Tiny Tims?) on the window cill.

I have seed potatos and onion sets but which of the others need germinating inside and which can go straight in the ground?

Thanks,
Mark.

Straight in the ground
Parsnips (do it soon!)
Carrots
broccoli (does not like to be moved sow directly and thin out)
lettuce
runner beans can be sown outside in about 3 - 4 weeks time (depending on your location)

Sow inside first
Sweetcorn (ideally sometime in the next 2- 4 weeks depending on your location)
courgettes (as above or now if your greenhouse is heated I think)
cucumber (same as courgettes)
Tomatoes  (do asap indoors our in the greenhouse if heated)
cabbage (sow a clump in a pot or tray, prick them off and transplant to seperate 3 inch pots. Plant out when about 6 inches high)
Runner beans - indoors/greenhouse if you want to start them now

Hope that helps. I'm only on my 3rd year of allotmenting so others might have different ideas, but that is how I would do it.

[yummy]

Click on information on the top bar, loads of info there

or get one of John's books, there great

I bought John's first book for my Mum and she was very impressed. 

[Oakfield]

Thanks for all the help.  I've been having a look around and this is a great site with a lot of knowledgable and helpful people.
I've made a start - I've got potatoes, onions, carrots, parsnips, tomatoes and sweetcorn and runner beans on the go.
I hope at least some of it grows and survives the birds and rabbits!

Thanks again,
Mark.

[Kristen]

In addition to John's book : http://www.allotment-garden.org/book/ I would recommend
Dr D.G. Hessayon The Vegetable & Herb Expert
and the sowing and harvesting chart here:
http://www.allotment-garden.org/vegetable/general/sowing-harvest-vegetable-chart.php