Garden Action

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START OFF A VEGETABLE PATCH


Where to Make Your Vegetable Plot

A well-placed vegetable plot will be positioned so that it is in full sun for most of the year, especially from early March to late November. Some vegetables such as Brussels Sprouts continue to grow and need sun in the winter so take this into consideration as well.

Many vegetables are hungry feeders and almost all need a constant supply of water. So don't start your vegetable plot next to trees or hedges both of which will take the lion's share of water and nutrients.

During the summer months a constant supply of water can only be guaranteed by hand watering, either by a hosepipe or watering can. So make sure the plot is near a supply of water. You may also want herbs to be near the house so that they can easily be harvested when needed.

Shelter also needs to be considered. If your area suffers from strong winds it will be necessary to create a windbreak to protect your vegetable patch. A low hedge (not too high or it will take water and nutrients from the soil) can be effective. Strong shrubs such as potentillas will provide some shelter and summer colour.

Consider also using raised beds, they are ideal for beginners to gardening. Click here to go to our page on raised beds.

Clearing The Site
Before planting vegetables you may well need to clear the site. Existing weeds can be a big problem and there are several ways to clear them. Chemicals such as glyphosphate will kill most weeds dead within three or four weeks but the effect on the soil is not fully understood. The best method is digging the soil well and pulling out all the weeds as you go. Destroy the weeds, do not put them on the compost heap

Another "green" method of clearing weeds is to cover the ground with old carpets for a couple of months. This will kill most weeds but not all. Click here for another GardenAction page on how to clear strong weeds such as couch grass.

As well as clearing weeds, other objects on the proposed site need to be cleared as well. This includes rubbish and large stones.

Digging The Vegetable Patch
All that is required are a fork and lots of effort. Dig the soil to a spade's depth with a fork, turning the soil and breaking it up as you go. Remove any roots and weeds in the soil.

If the vegetable plot is large, a good compromise is to dig half of it in the first year, and cover the other half with old carpet. Leave the carpet on until next year and then it can be dug over when all the weeds are dead.


GO TO NEXT PAGE ON STARTING A VEGETABLE PLOT


Name: Tom Allen
E-mail: tomallen2@talktalk.net
Date posted: September 09, 2011 - 09:26 am
Message: I have a problem with my rhubarb which I only planted about 4/5 months ago, it is quite large and some of the stems are splitting and peeling back.
Is this a common problem and if so what can I do about it. I know you are not supposed to remove any stems in the first year but it is really big and I had to as it was taking over the path along side it.

Thanks

Tom


Name: miles
E-mail: Private
Date posted: July 25, 2011 - 09:47 am
Message: Hi
I've just tried to make a veg patch but I can't so please cam you help me because I am 8 years old.

Many thanks
Miles


Name: miles
E-mail: Private
Date posted: July 25, 2011 - 09:46 am
Message: Hi
I've just tried to make a veg patch but I can't so please cam you help me because I am 8 years old.

Many thanks
Miles


Name: Tim Thompson
E-mail: timthompson@live.co.uk
Date posted: June 28, 2011 - 11:04 am
Message: Hi, I'm just starting a veg patch which is about 5m square, but I'm not sure what to do with the turf I've cut. Shall I skip it or rotavate it into the area I've taken it from along with well rotted manure from the dung heap?

Many thanks,

Tim


Name: leah duggan
E-mail: dugganleah@yahoo.co.uk
Date posted: January 03, 2011 - 03:56 pm
Message: i am a complete beginner. i have moved into my new home which had a good size gareden. i have 2 decked areas and a large lawn area, the grass was not looked after by the previous owner and is in bad condition. i do want to take a small portion of the garden and grow some veg but just dont know where to start. i have 2 large dogs so the patch will be sectioned off so they wont have access to it. i also want to plant flowers, shrubs, a tree maybe and some climbers to grow over the fences and i just dont know where to start with that. im sorry but i am keen but clueless hope you can help.

thanks leah duggan


Name: tony heron
E-mail: flochrie@btinternet.com
Date posted: October 10, 2010 - 03:28 pm
Message: i want to make a vegetable patch, but i dont have a lot of room. any suggestions? plus, if i do get one what is the best things to grow in it. oh, i live in sctland too


Name: Elliott Jayne
E-mail: Private
Date posted: September 05, 2010 - 05:39 am
Message: I going to start growing veg for first time next year and was wondering when is best to put manure on my patch


Name: lisa
E-mail: Private
Date posted: August 22, 2010 - 07:18 am
Message: I would like to plant some winter veg but i am a beginer, i have area ready, i just need to know what is the best to plant now.


Name: tom allen
E-mail: Private
Date posted: August 15, 2010 - 03:05 pm
Message: I am a beginner on the veg growing scene and would like to know if it is ok to put fresh horse manure onto the patch so I can start growing next year.

Regards

Tom Allen


Name: tom allen
E-mail: Private
Date posted: August 15, 2010 - 03:04 pm
Message: I am a beginner on the veg growing scene and would like to know if it is ok to put fresh horse manure onto the patch so I can start growing next year.

Regards

Tom Allen