hello everyone. I have read and read and asked around, and feel a bit dizzy taking in all the information for successful crop yields.
here is my plan for the year, if you dont mind taking the time out then please correct me if I am wrong, but here is where I am at for now, and what my aims are:
2 apple trees and plum tree - pruning this weekend.
Aim to ensure no branches are crossing, and aim for a nice neat goblin shape
I bought some elephant garlic today, which I am going to plant, is that okay?
I have 5 empty beds that have been cleared of weeds.
Bed 1 - potatoes
(I have 3 varieties - charlottes & pentland javelin (earlies) and Kestrel - mid early)
Need a main crop - I like Maris pipers, but heard hard to grow so was aiming for Cara or Desiree)
Bed 2 - Roots and Carrots
Carrots, Garlic, Leeks, Onion sets, shallots, spring onions and salad leaves or lettuce
(I am going to keep the carrots and onions in rows next to eachother to avoid carrot fly and onion fly??)
Bed 3 - Peas, Green Beans
(I cant think of anything else for this one, I'll use the smallest of the beds for this crop)
Bed 4 - Brassicas
Broccoli and Brussels, rocket
Bed 5 - Asparagus
I know you need crowns and these are difficult to grow and can take 2 years to establish, but I am a real fan and would like to give it a try
Greenhouse - tomatoes, I was going to buy a tomato plant to give a head start or is it better to start by seed. i was thinking of doing two varieties, alicante, and not sure on the other one yet, a larger tomato maybe. Strawberries too!
the other veg i would like to grow is: Spinach, Squash and Cucumber, However I do realise the above is a bit ambitious for a new beginner!!, but I am doing lots of reading and I am very eager to grow my own as best I can. I do so much cooking I think it would be wasted to not get into properly, and also have my husband to help.
Now I know the plot has not been worked for about 3 years; so I bought a soil test kit today from the garden centre which I will use at weekend. I have 5 tests altogether, should I check the soil in each bed?
Is my understanding regarding the soil for Potatoes, it needs to be manured year before (in my case it hasnt so not sure about that one); acid soil; no lime; high organic matter
Brassicas - lime loving soil so will need lime (previously used for peas/beans)
Onion and Roots - Dont like rich soil, or heavily fertilised, general purpose fertiliser 2 wks before planting or sowing, no manure, no lime
when we were digging, there were these randomn little orange ants deep in the soil, I have not managed to check that out yet, they bite though!!
Marigolds will go in too wherever they are neeeded.
I am out all day so wont be able to reply, but will do tomorrow night :blink:
All the best to everyone
Amanda xxx