What do I do now?

[samela]

Hi All,

As per my last post, I'm very new to growing my own and don't really know what I'm doing....  I  have spent the last four weeks clearing and digging and now have my first raised bed ready to plant up, however, I'm not sure what I can put in it. It measures 2m x 1.5m. I was thinking of growing some green beans and some spinach but can I plant them together? also, can I mulch with wood chippings or should I use something else or noting at all? Sorry I'm really new at all this and although I'm very keen, I really have no idea what I'm doing.  Help!

Sam

[samela]

[manicscousers]

hiya, samela, nice to meet you,
well, you sound ready to go, we're planting french beans now for a later harvest, don't know about spinach, never grown it

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

Hi samela certainly plant French beans now. Earlier crop with dwarf; bigger crop with climbing. I've never grown spinach either, but it'll be fine. Remember we only had frosts a few weeks back - it's still early. I don't mulch, but i'm sure it would be better if I did

[dtw]

I don't think you're meant to mulch with woodchips, as you can get diseases from them.
They also attract woodlice which will eat your root veg.
Use grass clippings and well rotted manure.

Build a compost heap.  :)

[cambourne7]

Hi

Welcome to the site.

You should be able to still get plenty of things in the ground now, such as swede, parsnips, b.sprouts, cabbage, carrots, salad crops etc

Spinach depends which variaty winter or summer. I think your a little late for summer spinach but i think you should be fine for the winter or perpetual spinach.

I agree with dtw with the wood chips if you think your soil need a little something then check your PH level first as stuff you add can positibly or negativly affect your crops.

I tend to use wood chips on my paths on top of weed membrane (put cardboard under the membrane as this blocks more light and stops the weeds growing more effectivly).

Cam

[Meg]

Well done you. I have a new tactic I put a few radishes in with every thing then I can see were I can safely weed!! Hot tip I think then you can eat the radishes when they are really really small. I would not bother with the mulchin etc for this first year try not to be to complicated. go some were and buy a few plants too then you feel really good when you can see stuff!! Also beetroot are pretty good crop to grow.

[Mr Smith]

Sam,
           For a quick return for your efforts use your raised bed for salad growing or put some strawberry plants in that is what i'm doing with radish coming out mi ears :)

[tim]

Sow Rainbow Chard now.

[Ishard]

If you really want to mulch to keep moisture in then you can use shredded newspaper. It works fine.  :)

[olicat]

I am also  new to growing stuff...apart from planting a few shrubs in the garden and pots with summer bedding. 

Have yet to see my plot, will be going on Thursday.

Have not got any garden tools...see, i am a real newbie to all this!

Think i may becoming addicted to Allotments 4 All, thanks to my work college who recommended it to me!!

[Deb P]

I'm guessing that's me ? ;)
I'm doing well this week, one of our Community based colleagues has just got a small plot on our site as well.............allotmenteers will soon rule the world!! ;D

See what your plot is like and how much work it needs, I have quite a few spare plants like squashes and pumpkins if you need them.. ;D
You won't need many tools to start with, again, it depends on what state your plot is in. And don't forget to take photos of it so you can record the transformation!

[olicat]

Yes, it was you!!!   ;D Thanks!!

[cornykev]

Hi Sam I'm just down the road in Enfield, good luck and welcome to the madhouse.  ;D ;D ;D