We had a well deserved day off yesterday. After talking to the neighbours (they know what they are doing, very handy!) I decided that inbetween football matches, it was time to get the veggie patch underway.
We have a small greenhouse and plot at the bottom of the garden in which we have been growing our own veg for about 7 years. Armed with nothing but a few tools, a water butt and lots of advice from the aforementioned neighbours, we have progressed to managing about 4 months of the year without buying much at all in the way of vegetables.
To be honest it is all a bit hit and miss. It gets done when we have time, rather than when it should be done and the results are a little inconsistent but we have not had any major disasters and the kids have enjoyed it. The picture is of the youngest gardener in the family. The boys are usually too busy riding their bikes or playing football these days!
So far we have planted 3 types of potato, peas, mangetout, courgettes, cucumbers, salad leaves, peppers, beans, radishes, basil, coriander and parsley.
I get a huge sense of satisfaction from knowing we can produce so much from so little (I have spent £3.98 this year so far, the rest has come from left over seeds, plant swaps and donations) and there is nothing like coming home from work and planning dinner around what you can pick from the garden.
It also makes trips to the supermarket less frequent, which, as far as I am concerned, is a good thing!
Do your cucumber plants take up much room when they are fully fledged? We are (were) hoping to get our veg patch sorted asap and I don't think I am going to have room for very much, what about the Courgettes?
ReplyDeleteWell, the cucumbers stay in the greenhouse. The are almost vine-like so don't take up much horizontal space but trail along supports that we rig up along the length of the greenhouse (small greenhouse, 8' long). Then we plant the tomatoes underneath them.
ReplyDeleteThe courgettes, there are different varieties but each plant probably takes a space about 2' in diameter when full grown.
We find both cucumbers and courgettes quite productive, you don't need many plants to get a good yield!
Let me know how you get on!