We all know that vegetables are an important part of a balanced diet, so what could be more satisfying than growing and eating your own vegetables? It’s the ultimate in healthy eating – knowing exactly how your crop has been produced and that it hasn’t clocked up any ‘food miles’ to arrive on your table. Surely the most rewarding gardening experience!
A lot of vegetables can be grown from seed making it a cost effective enterprise and you don’t need a large vegetable patch or even any expert knowledge as there are several easy-to-grow veg to get started with. And once you’ve enjoyed the taste of your home grown veggies it’ll inspire you to try different types.
Some of the easiest vegetables to get started with are:
- Tomatoes
- Courgettes
- Radish
- Beetroot
- Lettuce
- Potatoes
Site and Soil
Sunlight is necessary for ripening the vegetables so make sure your veg patch or containers get maximum exposure during the day. Soil preparation is all-important as it will determine whether your vegetables will be a success or not. Ideally you need well drained loamy soil as any water retention will cause the roots to rot and the vegetables will fail. The planting area needs to be free from stones, weeds, and roots and then evenly raked over.
Container Veggies
If space is at a premium in your garden there are several types of vegetable which can be grown in pots or hanging baskets. The smaller varieties of tomatoes are ideal for a hanging basket, potatoes can be planted in a tub or large container and lettuce are ideal for containers as this will help keep them free from pests. Radishes, spring onions and chilli peppers will all grow perfectly well in pots.
The Greenhouse
If you’re lucky enough to have the space for a greenhouse this will give you the opportunity to grow a much wider range of vegetables and extend your growing season considerably. Tomatoes will ripen much quicker and a greenhouse gives you the opportunity to be more adventurous and try some of the less hardy vegetables which need protection such as aubergines, cucumbers and peppers.
Pests and Diseases
Awareness of some of the pests and disease which can attack your vegetable growing efforts is important to ensure you have a good harvest. There are many environmentally friendly ways of dealing with pests by attracting beneficial insects and wildlife to your garden.
Aphids can be kept at bay by providing habitats for ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies to breed, such as a stack of twigs or hollow logs. Nettles, yarrow and clover will also help to attract these valuable insects. Hedgehogs and frogs should be encouraged to prey on slugs and snails and companion planting can deter certain pests and also improve the flavour and growth of some vegetables.
Don’t be deterred by a few potential problems or setbacks – with some planning and a little effort you can soon be enjoying a great supply of your own tasty fresh vegetables.
Hi Dave,
The vegatables seem to grow slowly and don’t ‘mature’ very well, which I believe is solely due to the condition of the soil (heavy, compact with some clay present).
What should I be doing to ensure that the soil is at its best for the next seasons growth?
Hello Jim, Sounds as though you need to get some organic matter into your soil. That could be compost or such as well rotted manure to help to break it down.
Work on your soil during late September/October, maybe add some sharp sand as well, and dig say 15 inches deep. Clear out any stones, roots and weeds as you go along.
My article on Soil Types will also be useful.
Cheers, David