[Becky H]

Hi all, I am a newbie as you can probably tell!!!  I am currently on a two year waiting list for the local allotments so am aiming to make the most of the small backgarden I've got in the meantime. 

My question is this would I be better to use pots and try for container growing or a single raised bed of 3" by 5" with additional pots??

I look forward to spending loads of time on here in the future!!

Bex

[JayG]

Welcome Becky!

We do have a few jokers on here ( ) who will no doubt mention that a "3"X5"" raised bed will only be large enough to grow 1 lettuce and that 3'X5' would be more productive!

Assuming there is an element of either/or when it comes to pots v raised bed it does depend to some extent on what you want to grow; many things can be grown in pots but equally many things either need or will do better in open ground.

[AndyRVTR]

Hi Bex.... what type of veg are you wanting to grow? 

[noshed]

I would recommend John's book: http://www.allotment-garden.org/book/small-space-growing.php

Good, sensible advice

[diggerjoe]

HI Becky,
If you can try and watch the latest episode off Beechgrove Garden on iplayer - a lady on that was growing loads of stuff in pots at the side of her house. I have a hardstanding at the top of my garden at home where the car should be parked but bever is, so I have toms, lettuce , spuds and some peas and beans which were all leftover from my allotment they grow well with care such as watering but the drawback can be the cost of filling a large pot these days with compost. I second noshed's advice John's book is really good.

[Becky H]

"We do have a few jokers on here ( ) who will no doubt mention that a "3"X5"" raised bed will only be large enough to grow 1 lettuce and that 3'X5' would be more productive!"  can tell I don't do the DIY!!!!

I am aiming to grow Leeks, Potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber, cabbage, lettuice, carrots, Marrows, peas and beans, all in reasonably small consecutive amounts to try each to see the ones I can actually grow without killing

I've got Johns book on order so hopefully that will help!!  Thank you all

Bex