newbie here

[benji26]

hi all
Im Sam and im new to the boards. I love the idea of being independent and growing my own fruit and veg etc to support my little family. I've learnt in the last 3 years to keep an eye on spending etc and am now a keen money saver at 22!!!

We hit hard times recently (bf has medical issues) and ive decided this year to turn my hand to growing our own veg etc. Ive applied to the council to be put on the allotment waiting list - but they said they couldnt give me any details until soemthign became available etc.

So i was wondering - im in a ground floor council flat and this is the garden i have

and i was wondering if people think it would be ok to try and grow soem veg here - like a mini allotment in my garden. I do have a small patio area just off to the left of the picture too which i can use. The garden doesnt get much sun in the day but the patio gets it most of the day so i was thinking of container growing some veg. Also the small wall enclosed bit at the bottom of the garden gets the sun most of the day.

As for the grass.....mess.......you get what i mean - i was plannign to put membraneand gravel down as this bit only gets the sun in early morning. but if anyone has any better ideas id appreciate them too
any ideas.

[benji26]

[manicscousers]

you will be able to grow all sorts of fruit and veggies, Sam, i don't seem to be able to get your picture but it makes no difference, if you're thinking of gravelling anywhere, you can get patio apple trees etc which are quite happy in pots, providing they get water, even putting troughs down, you can grow beans up them and carrots, lettuce, radish in them, even potatoes can be grown in pots, see thread, pots in pots, good luck, I'm sure you'll have loads of veggies in no time

[okra]

Any small space will do and there is always the option of any containers you can get your hand on.

[saddad]

That sunny walled bit sounds ideal for tender crops like courgettes... Tomatoes and poss sweet peppers...
:-\
Welcome to the madhouse...
;D

[ACE]

Don't grow anything expensive, it will only get nicked, stick to the money saving basics.

[Barnowl]

Once you've decided what you want to grow, don't be shy about asking if anyone has some spare seeds.

[benji26]

Ace - crumbs do you live near me then??

everything here always gets nicked by kids and local veg growers always tell me they have their produce stolen off the plant!! (i work in the local coop so get all the gossip!) - im thinking of growing somethign up the fence - its slatted (dont know if you can see the picture!) so poeple can see through so im thinking if i have soem well directed peas growing it might cover up soem gaps and hide my other goodies that are growing in the garden - either that or ill get the dog a dog house for him to be on carrot watch in the evenings!

thanks for all the welcomes though - everyone seems really friendly and isnt narked by all the novice questions that ive been asking - fingers crossed ill havea  gorgeous garden in no time now.

[Halifax Town AFC]

Welcome.

I grew some Runner beans up my fences last year, they grew massive about 6 foot and they'd  a grew more if i dint cut em at the tops.
aswell as providing me with shed loads a beans they also bush out well too with loads a red flowers.

Graham ;)