[AmandaLouise]

I think I am going to learn so much this first year.  I sowed brussels, rocket, broccoli, and cauli in trays to go in my brassica bed but when I realised how much spacing each individual plant needs (except rocket), I had to give away and discard my seedlings and keep some back as spares.  the bed is 2 metres x 1.3 metres.  We are going to extend it though so it will be double that.

PS. I have a couple of troughs going spare, is there anything I could sow in them and leave till harvest time.  they are 18"x 6", depth 7".

Thanks

Amanda

[Yorkie]

You could put salad, beetroot, radish in the troughs.

[shoozie]

PS. I have a couple of troughs going spare, is there anything I could sow in them and leave till harvest time.  they are 18"x 6", depth 7".

I'd also add short carrots, turnip (Atlantic is happy in troughs).  Chard.  Onions. A compact cabbage (got two spring heros growing away nicely in a trough that size, so trying cabbage elisa to see how that fairs).

[bazh]

Amanda recommended spacings are just that, you don't have to stick to them religiously. Experiment with the space you have available you can still grow sprouts and cauli's 18inch apart. That said a 2x1.3 metre bed is pretty small are you on an allotment or growing at home?

[AmandaLouise]

Hi bazh

Its an allotment.  We have 4 beds (3.5metres x 2.5 metres) and the 2 small ones  I mentioned.

We managed to clear 3 beds, using one for onion family, one for spuds, one for peas and beans,  but the last one we havent managed to clear it yet, the weeds are terrible, but just had too many other jobs.  the 2 small beds, one is just a strawberry bed and the other a brassica bed.  In hindsight I wished we had managed to dig the spare one, but we just didnt know and got no one to help us really.  This is where I get my questions answered!  its like pumpkin that needs loads of space again doesnt it.

I think this first year will be so many trials and errors!

Amanda

[bazh]

Hi bazh

Its an allotment.  We have 4 beds (3.5metres x 2.5 metres) and the 2 small ones  I mentioned.

We managed to clear 3 beds, using one for onion family, one for spuds, one for peas and beans,  but the last one we havent managed to clear it yet, the weeds are terrible, but just had too many other jobs.  the 2 small beds, one is just a strawberry bed and the other a brassica bed.  In hindsight I wished we had managed to dig the spare one, but we just didnt know and got no one to help us really.  This is where I get my questions answered!  its like pumpkin that needs loads of space again doesnt it.

I think this first year will be so many trials and errors!

Amanda

Oh yes they do indeed lol just use your space available and have fun growing.

Hindsight's great next year you'll be a seasoned pro and have it all sorted  you should have really used one of the bigger beds for your brassicas instead of onions but as you say..........hindsight and trial and error, just enjoy it.

[AmandaLouise]

Yes, I should of.  The onion bed though soon filled too, 2 rows white onion and 2 red onion, and a row of garlic and that was it.

I wasn't dead rigid with the brassicas, but one of the rows only fitted 3 brussels, and that was a bit of a squeeze!  Got a few broccoli in.  On top of this error, one of the larger beds is terribly waterlogged which we put our spuds in, so they have probably rotted!   I think we need more room, and we have space to make another bed.

I do enjoy it once I am there, but I find I worry about it a lot!

Cheers