Veggie's random garden

               


This is the former Chicken Run. Mangetout on the far side and potatoes in the centre. There'll be more peas going in later.

Time for a radical rethink of how and where I grow my edibles!
1. Most of the veg will be grown in 30ltr pots in GHs 1 & 2. They're protected from the weather, close to the house so I have no excuse for not popping in frequently, water butts alongside so easy to water. The pots will give greater depth of soil for roots, like carrots, which I find impossible to grow in the ground here - too many tree roots and stones! I'm hoping that the pots will be less troubled by ants and other pests. Also, being raised, it will be easier to weed and spot any problems. If a plant doesn't need to be in the GH, it can be moved outside onto the patio - I'm thinking of potatoes, for example.
2. The middle of the garden is mostly fruit trees and bushes so I'm going to grow more flowers and herbs there to encourage the bees to visit and pollinate the fruit. It will also be a treat to walk through (and nibble on) on the way to>>>
3. The far end of the garden, which I call the veg end - is where I'll grow bigger, longer standing veg, (but only those I enjoy eating) - like courgettes & squash, beans & peas. No root crops or salad leaves as they'll be close to the house in the GH for frequent picking.

Scattered around the garden, will be perennial kales, rhubarb, elephant garlic and leeks.

Time for a radical rethink  of how and where I grow my edibles!
1. Most of the veg will be grown in 30ltr pots in GHs 1 & 2. They're protected from the weather, close to the house so I have no excuse for not popping in frequently, water butts alongside so easy to water. The pots will give greater depth of soil for roots, like carrots, which I find impossible to grow in the ground here - too many tree roots and stones! I'm hoping that the pots will be less troubled by ants and other pests. Also, being raised, it will be easier to weed and spot any problems.  If a plant doesn't need to be in the GH, it can be moved outside onto the patio - I'm thinking of potatoes, for example.
2. The middle of the garden is mostly fruit trees and bushes so I'm going to grow more flowers and herbs there to encourage the bees to visit and pollinate the fruit. It will also be a treat to walk through (and nibble on) on the way to>>>
3. The far end of the garden, which I call the veg end - is where I'll grow bigger, longer standing veg, (but only those I enjoy eating) - like courgettes & squash, beans & peas. No root crops or salad leaves as they'll be close to the house in the GH for frequent picking.

Scattered around the garden, will be perennial kales, rhubarb, elephant garlic and leeks.

For once one of your plans finally make sense.   I think it's a wonderful,  practical plan. You'll never live it down Veggie.

I still won't be planting in rows!!

^^^ not easy in pots, but your pots are in rows, so you're halfway domesticated

They're staggered rows - not real rows. They're squeezed in so that I can get the maximum number of pots..........another 10 arrived today.

These are the plants I want to grow in amongst the trees and fruit bushes, in the middle of the garden. All of them are edible in some way.
Agastache
Monarda bee balm
Calendula
Cornflower
Seed poppy
Nasturtium
Borage
Chinese Violet Cress
Edible lupins
Sunflowers
Nigella
Amaranth/callaloo
Flax
Orach
Mallow
Quinoa.

That’ll be the prettiest edible bed ever. And the insects are going to love it.

Suggestions for edible, ornamentals always welcome.

That’ll be the prettiest edible bed ever. And the insects are going to love it.

Little birds will like it too.