Having been a member of this excellent site for several years I have struggled to grow anything, even grass. I have taken a photo of my soil but cannot find how to post it, basically don't have a hope in hell. My OH managed to pick up 12 metre squares timber frames for the price of a bottle of whisky (7.50 here). We plan on stacking them 2 high to allow us to grow carrots, parsnips etc. There will be a plastic membrane covering the site but the questions I have are:
I can fill the bottom with free horse manure, for the rest do I buy the cheepy sacks of compost or a more expensive option?
We have a wood burner as our main heating, would the ash be any use?
Is there anything worth planting now or do we let the manure and compost settle?
Would it be ideal to cover the soil with insulation over the winter?
Thanks for reading, I am so looking forward to being able to grow something at last.
I have a wood burner, in three years ive produced more wood ash than the entire allotment site of 48 plots can use.
Its fairly high in Pottasium, but its also fairly alkaline.
Better use is to use it to make home made soap.
Cocopops,
Fear not as we have all been there and boy was it a struggle to get going.
The beds should be left open to the elements and patients with starting to grow until next year.
I would put the manure and compost in, but also if you can get some top soil too as this will be cheaper again. I paid £29 a ton and that is good money for good crops.
No need to cover unless you are going to grow tender plants which need to be at a higher temperature to get going.
Again think what you want to grow and plan it out over the winter months. This way you will be ahead of the game when you want to start in the spring.
Good luck and keep at it.
I think you need to stay positive. Plants basically have a great zest for growing. I am sure here will be successes and failures there always are with veg growing. You just have to keep going for a while until you establish a system that works for you.
Hi
Good luck with your new raised bed.
When i made simular at my old house i found that council compost was a cheap option. if you call the recycling team they will tell you the number of the composting company.
Its usually £5 a ton plus delivery which is usually £40. So i got 9 tons for 85 pounds , the more you buy the cheaper it works out, but you can go to the depot and shovel it yourself into a trailer for less.
The first year is big bits and sticky but after that its great stuff.
its a bit late but ask folks for grass clippings which help, sawdust from pets such as rabbits and chickens anything really.
I would say once its full sow a bunch of leeks or peas for pea shoots or cover it so that all the goodness doesnt get washed out of it in the winter and all the weed seeds keep out. wilkinsons have seeds in thier sale at the moment so have a rummage to see what they have left that you might grow over winter and check out the winter gardening thread in edible plants.
Good luck and happy gardening.
x sunloving
I use wood ash on my garlic beds in spring, other than that it goes in the compost or sprinkled elsewhere on my plot. I store it in a dry place (shed) until I get round to using it.
Hope this helps :)
Oh, and nice to see you around Cocopops :)
Thank you all for your kind replys. I am really excited at the prospect of finally being able to grow my own veggies. I have looked on several seed sites and the choice is almost overwhelming. I will be looking on this site for recommendations for varieties etc.
My parents are moving over here (Brittany) soon to finally retire in their late 60s. Their first request is a big garden. My mum is so looking forward to having her own veggie patch. I will definately recommend this site to them.
The suggestion about soap is very interesting, any more info please?
Take care - Allie