Produce for the Table

HOME GROWN EASY VEGETABLES

Find a patch of land for cultivation.

dig it over – the hardest part!  Forget all the mystery and mumbo jumbo about double digging etc.

weed it by hand – the second hardest part.

break the soil down if it’s lumpy. You can rake it if you like a nice even tilth, but it’s NOT necessary.

If you are aiming for quality, dig in some 6x or rotted manure – third hardest part.

PLANTS THAT ARE FUN TO GROW 

Tomatoes are spectacular, as are runner beans.

TIPS

Work on the patch when the weather is acceptable to you. If it’s too hot or too cold, lay back with a beer somewhere.

Figure out what you would like to grow – make a short list.

Go with the seasons – make life easy for yourself.

Attend the patch at regular intervals. It makes maintainance easier.

Check online for detailed spacings and rows etc, but ignore the pedantic instructions. ( Plants have a habit of coming up anyway – a bit like people)

SUGGESTIONS

EASY TO GROW – Onions – spring onions – potatoes – beet – broad beans – runner beans – lettuce – garlic.

NOT SO EASY – carrots – peas – beetroot – sprouts -.

NOT WORTH BOTHERING WITH – peas ( too fussy, and cheap frozen) – cabbage and sprouts ( bugs).

If you want results and not a pretty patch, avoid fancy sheds, fencing, string, lawn type edging, paths in mosaic stones, etc etc… 

Start with something like onions or beet that will battle through all seasons and give nice results.

Remember to freeze down surpluses – not much point waiting 6 months for a sprout, and then having half a ton on your hands!

Good Luck.