Cooks Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 Well as some of you may know my children want to grow some veggies for us to eat and as the chickens have free range of the back garden (when we are there to supervise) I thought the children could possibly use the front, however how big an area would they need? I dont want anything too big that they couldn't maintain it. They are only 10 and 12 and we'd obviously help, but the idea is that this is good for them to know. (I was never taught how to grow my own and so I am learning as well) We have been offered some tomato, cougette and dwarf bean (I think) together with some chilli seeds a freecycler is sending me. so I need help and advice on where to start first. My only concern is that the front garden does not get much sun, whereas the back is drenched in it. So is it better for them to have an area of the back with netting afterall.... Sorry to ramble.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 Green leafy veg like spinach , chard and kale will be fine in the shade. Tomoaties will need sun to ripen as will courgette and any other veggies that 'fruit' . How about some runner beans? They grow quickly and i'm sure your children would like picking the beans. See your other post in I've got a good home wanted *scurries off to edit post and add bean seeds* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 26, 2008 Author Share Posted May 26, 2008 nice scurrie you did there Thanks, I guess then I could let them use some of the front and some of the back depending on best suitability for the plant they want to grow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 we've got redcurrants growing up the garage wall at the front on a trellis but you could do that with peas too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaylis1980 Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 try getting the delia smiths kitchen garden book on loan. it has lots in there about growing in tubs and a square foot garden and the different varietys that are more compact orclimb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 26, 2008 Author Share Posted May 26, 2008 Thanks guys I will hunt out the delia smiths book also, my SIL loves Delia Smiths books so I will ask her if she has this copy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 They could grow pumpkins for Halloween aswell as sweetcorn. Thats what we grew last year ans they ere really easy to grow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 I would give them a well netted area in the back garden. My grandchildren have a plot - about a metre square each and they grow Runner Beans up a 3 cane wigwam, a cherry tomato plant each and a courgette palnt each.....then they plant their own choice of seeds.....carrots and peas being the favourites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 27, 2008 Author Share Posted May 27, 2008 thanks Lesley, I can see I am going to have to think some more about where I can do this, I dont have a HUGE garden it's only about 50 or so feet, and I have built the walk in run, so.... I will have to do some thinking about the ideal place for them. We have a large patio area which gets dreched in sun, but it's paved ofcourse, but if they used containers they could make good use of this.. at least to grow something there. The front garden must be about 60 or so feet wide by about 20+ feet deep.. grrrrr off to get these books and do some reading.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 Loopyloo, Sounds like you have a massive front garden there! you could grow lettuce and brassicas in flower beds in the front garden. Some cauliflower heads are very attractive, (romanesco?) and lettuces can look very pretty, in little groups. A herb garden wouldn't look out of place in your front garden You could always use hanging baskets in the back garden to keep things out of the chickens way. I'm sure there are lots of things you could grow in a hanging basket, but only strawberries and tumbling tomatoes are coming to mind at the moment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 27, 2008 Author Share Posted May 27, 2008 Thanks, I have been reading on the internet about tumbling tomatoes in a hanging baskets, they sound very different to what we've done with tomatoes before. funny because I just had a discussion with my brother who insists tomatoes are not suited to a hanging basket.. I think I'd like to do this just to prove him wrong if nothing else.. I love him to bits though Yes the front garden is quite big I just need to get orgainsed I guess. I like the idea of a herb garden in the front. I have an area that is just grass up to the house front, so I might have to put some borders in there and use this area as it's the area that gets the most sun I guess. Although if there are conifers nearby would the soil just not be suited?? becuase dont conifers drain everything from the soil?? or am I way off there?? I like the idea of the lettuces where you just pick off a few leaves and they keep growing?? (sorry dont know correct name) I am so knew to it that I just dont know the right time to sow seeds or plant anything. Dad has one of these mini green houses where I can let things develop/grow for a while so thats not a problem if needed. I am such a novice I feel like a numpty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surferdog Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 When my kids were younger they each had a raised bed for raising veggies. My garden is tiny so the beds were 3 ft x 3 ft each and we did it on the square foot system so they could grow 9 diffferent items in small amounts. We put an obelisk in the middle square so they could each grow peas or beans or sweet peas. Sadly only lasted a couple of years before we had to abandon because of the local cats using as a loo but the kids loved it and it was small enough for them to manage while getting a selection of crops. PS the lettuce is called cut and come again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 27, 2008 Author Share Posted May 27, 2008 Well we have been digging borders into the front garden, one is about 9ft the other is about 12 I guess, seperated by a drainage pipe so I couldn't continue all the way along The soil is topsoil, very high grade, I know this as when we dug the footings for our extention the structural engineer had to be called because the building inspector queried it! So we have borders in the front, we have pots in the back and maybe a hanging basket with strawberries or tumbling tomatoes?? I am getting there... slowly! Hubby doesn't think we'd need a composter he says it takes 6 months whats the point... please help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 If you don't have a compost heap where are you putting your chicken poo? Chicken poo is a great fertiliser once it's been rotted down-before then it is too strong and will burn your plants. If he doesn't agree with a compost heap, what about a wormery-you can buy these from original organics at a reasonable price and I've heard they are great. I have a veg patch in our back garden up against our neighbours fence. I'm currently growing Sweet peas, Broad beans, onions, peas, sweetcorn, runner beans, pumpkins and tomatoes on there. I'm also growing a large salad tray with lettuce, radishes and a few herbs. Plus we have two hanging baskets by the back door with Kale, tomatoes and basil in them and a growbag with strawberries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 27, 2008 Author Share Posted May 27, 2008 Chicken poo currently gets taken to his work and goes on their heap. although if anyone wants a bag of it they are more than welcome I am working on him, but he's very anti another big plastic tub in the garden.. we have water butts etc already. This is a case of me working on him I guess. We have never needed one before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 Why not have a wooden one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 27, 2008 Author Share Posted May 27, 2008 yes I have been looking at them, well hubby could make those really easy, however I like the idea that if you have a composter you have it with a lid so rats and things cant get to it.. I just dont know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 The Delia Kitchen Garden book is my bible at the moment. I took no notice of what my late father grew and am starting from scratch. The book is like an idiots guide to growing. I'm so pleased with the results in my garden so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 You could still make a wooden one with a lid! Wiggly wigglers sell beehive like compost heaps which you could make relatively easily I think. In my garden I have two plastic compost heaps and a large wooden one with two sections. The benefits of the wooden one is that we put mostly food into it-raw things though and then the chickens can hop on and eat what they want from it and dig it over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 then don't get a plastic one 'beehive' composters are beautiful to look at Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 1, 2008 Author Share Posted June 1, 2008 yes thanks, I have been looking at these I dont really like the beehive ones that much to be honest but I will have to get something soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 This chilli and pepper seeds are popping their little head up now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 Loopyloo, for a quick result to keep the children motivated and interested, try Mizuna - I can't believe how quickly it has grown and I can pick some leaves off to eat. Pak choi is also coming up quite quickly, both much quicker than rocket or lettuces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 Radishes are quick too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 just been offerred a composter on freecycle, hubby is collecting tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
