Guest Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 I'm building my veggie beds this week. What sort of compost should I add, I dont' think enough of my own is ready so I'll have to go out and buy some. The soil is solid clay so I don't want to just use that! I was also looking at seeds this morning, its a nightmare trying to work out what to buy at this time of year. I ended up with some show onions - which it says to plant in the greenhouse now. What else can I be planting now? I personally am not eating at the moment so its just to add to Mum & James' diet, nothing too fancy really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 Hi, I am new to this veggie growing lark from this spring too, & it is such fun & so rewarding I used composted Aubiose & chicken poo, & if my crop has been anything to go by, it has been pretty good. I have just got some garlic in, which you can sow now,but won't crop until next spring. I also have caulis & brocolli,...........you might be able to ger them as little plants at a garden centre. Squah too,maybe. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 I've just planted some broad beans and some winter hardy spring onions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 I put garlic in yesterday as well. You could try some carrots - Amsterdam Forcing should work, especially if you can cover them with either a cloche or some fleece (horticultural fleece - the thin white stuff) I've just sown carrots and lots of different salad leaf seeds in the polytunnel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueSteve Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 You could get some top soil and mix with your own compost, it might not be ready now, but if mixed in, it should be ready for the spring. Top soil is often given away on Freecycle! I have recently planted onion sets and garlic. A great forum is allotments4all, packed with helpful information and friendly people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 I've got cabbages, broad beans and garlic to plant. I was going to plant the cabbages and garlic in the raised bed and add a wigwam behind for the beans -I've only built a small bed so far although I have the wood for another bigger one but it might take a while. Does that sound OK? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 Sounds perfect Pengy, but cover the cabbages with some kind of netting. The pigeons love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 Thanks, my Dad was the veggie grower in our family - I have fond memories of him going to the greenhouse to "have sex with veg" (pollenating cucumbers!). Mum knows how to grow tomatos but thats about it. I will ask the local guru (wins the trophy at the show regularly) for some advice when I bump into him. Then I can enter some of my veg in next years village show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 "have sex with veg" (pollenating cucumbers!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 That was the kinda "little joke" my Dad liked to make. Maybe I'll grow some cucumbers next year and make the same joke to James - he loves cucumbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 Only problem is they self pollinate now Pengy! (at least mine did! ) Worth growing though, we got loads of cumbers and the boys enjoyed them - they ate them like fruit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 James loves them too. Oh and so does Mum's cat, Poppy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 Funny cat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 Worth growing though, we got loads of cumbers and the boys enjoyed them - they ate them like fruit! Cumbers are fruit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowcloud Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 If you have clay soil, it is best to dig in lots of compost; the best stuff youshould be able to get from the council tip; they take all the household and garden waste, compost it down and sell it back to the public - it is great to break up that type of soil and much cheaper than the garden centres and DIY stores. Clay will not have too much in the way of drainage either, which this compost will help with - I use it and it is great. Good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 I wouldn't buy compost from the council - its them charging me to take back my own rubbish! I've emptied car loads of garden waste at the local tip. I have 5 compost bins on the go and I took the stuff from the tumbler to put in my veggie beds - together with a good colleciton of chicken poo! Next year I'll have loads of compost - I'm still getting more bins! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
