[Christine]

I thought the first rule was don't panic - and the second is that whatever happens is experience. Third rule is get yourself one of the Vegetable and Herb Expert books by Hessayon as a reference. And the fourth rule is READ what it says on the back of the seed packet.

Everything else you learn by practice over the next few years. 

[NewSteve]

Don't forget to grow some veg for spring. It seems like a long time away right now but you'll be chuffed to bits next April when you're harvesting purple sprouting broccolli and spring cabbages.

And on that note - if your plot'ts anything like mine your main enemies are the slugs and the pigeons. Invest in some netting!

[lettice]

I thought the first rule was don't panic - and the second is that whatever happens is experience. Third rule is get yourself one of the Vegetable and Herb Expert books by Hessayon as a reference. And the fourth rule is READ what it says on the back of the seed packet.

Everything else you learn by practice over the next few years. 

Certainly are some of the best gardening books out there. A nice quote from the Pocket vegetable expert, with some good getting started and planning advice;

You can save money by growing your own but this is not the main motive for most people - it is just a bonus from a hobby which provides a special thrill from growing and then eating your own.

[madcat]

The courgette/squash tip below is a good one - they give you the feeling you are getting there and buy you some time. If you can give them a start in a bucket load of compost they will thank you.  Put an upturned squash / 1 litre soft drinks bottle with the bottom cut off next to the plant so you can water by the plant without it all running off on the weed fabric.

You could put some main crop potatoes in still just and they will help clear and break up the ground this year. (Note from OH - it isnt the potatoes - it is putting them in, earthing them up and then digging up that clears the ground.)  But at least they arent too fussy about fine tilth and weeding!  they squash the weeds in no time.

And remember - those TV programmes about allotments - they are fiction! Bah humbug!      You would have to be full time with all the toys and money in the world to get to those stds.  So dont get depressed, this isnt about perfection, it is about fun, food and taste.  There will be weeds, there will be failures, there will be a feeling that nature is out to get you - but there will be great highs too.

[feedtheafro]

Thanks once again people - I intend to be planting this weekend

Let the fun begin