Allotments 4 All

Hi guys,

Just wanted to know how you decided to what to grow where and when. As i only have my garden to work with i'm trying to sit down and make a plan of how best to use the growing space in my raised beds and the pots i have accumulated!!! Is there any books or websites that can help explain this in simple terms  :-\ ?

I want to use the space best i can and make sure that when one crop has finished theres another to pop in but i really don't know where to start. How do you know when to start new seeds off in seed trays so there ready to transfer when theres a gap?

I have a box of seeds i want to try and only growing what we like as advised but really feel at a loss. I know it takes time to gain knowledge of gardening but how did you all start off?

Any input most welcomed  ::)

Thanks Lucy

There are some suggestions here   ;):
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,48170.msg485642.html#msg485642

Thanks will have a look now  ;D

hi i stumbled across this lady's you tube videos yesterday its in 22 parts (i watched some yesterday and the rest today while i tidied my room :)) you might find them useful. although she is in Florida shes also a beginner so it was nice to see her little garden grow along with her learning from her mistakes etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3rN-cNhmVw&feature=related

have you thought about square foot gardening ? it's a good idea for small gardens  and you don't need to use a grid :)

I find I can only plan on paper, so I do a rough scale layout of my beds on graph paper which I scan into the computer, and print off a load of copies. Then I can play around with my ideas for a planting plan without having to draw it out each time. If you have limited space, you need to plan well to make the maximum use of it, and have some plants ready to put in the beds/pots as soon as you harvest something.

I then work out exactly what crops and varieties I want to grow that year, and put them on the bed plan. I also note the month they are planted out, and the month they are harvested. This helps me work out how long plants are occupying their space, and what I can grow before and after. For example, you could grow overwintered onions or garlic planted in October, harvested in June, followed by squashes/courgettes, outdoor tomatoes or beans. Most people don't recommend potatoes if you have limited space, but you could try some early unusual varieties in a large pot/half barrel, planted in late Feb and harvested in June, followed by beans, salads or even melons. If you write a list of the seeds you have already got and the month they are sown and harvested, it makes it easier to work out what could follow what. You can also use 'catch' crops of fast growing things like radishes, lettuce and beets to bridge a gap between one crop and another, or grow a fast and slow going crop together, such as sweetcorn and lettuce,, or grow tall crops with sprawling ones like sweetcorn and squashes.Or you can do what I ended up doing, and just ran out of room growing at home and get an allotment!!

Thanks all for the great advice  ;D


Off to watch some you tube now thifasmom im sure ill be caught watching it at work lol Luckly i work for my dad in the office at his house so think i'll get away with it  :D

lucy

this lady's videos are also quite informative I've watched a few of them today and she seems to know what she's doing, very good i think for a beginner. she has just started filming this years videos here is the first one no. 57

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRZSU02zwnU&feature=related

no 58 is also ready and you can check out last years tips. videos 1 to 56. hope they are helpful and hope you don't get grounded by your dad ;).

thifasmom I'm addicted lol think I'm going to have to get on with my work now at least i have something to watch when the other half is watching the footie  ;D

I think this is a subject which is very much a 'what suits you best' this is my way;

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Planning/Planning.htm

Thanks Tee Gee going to make a cuppa and have a good nosey  ;D

You beat me to it TeeGee. I was just about to suggest Lucy looked at your planners. My bible!!