I’m planted!

So, I've launched myself fully into the world of vegetable growing. You've already read, in great detail, about the potatoes growing in tyres and since then I have planted a hanging basket, two veg beds and some pots! 

Deciding what to grow wasn't too tricky, we just went for what we like to eat that would work in our limited space. That means, as well as tatties, we have strawberries (in the basket), onions, salad leaves, purple-sprouting broccoli, sweet peppers, courgettes and a few herbs. Will be adding tomatoes to the collection once we have a window box in place.

However, the responsibility of planting – is the soil okay, are they they right depth/distance apart, are they in the best spot etc – took me by surprise. But now I've planted most of what I want to grow, the pressure to nurture and cultivate them into

edible crops is weighing even heavier on my shoulders! I think I expected to plonk the seeds/sets/plants in the earth, water them occasionally and then, in a while, eat their produce. Just like that. I didn't actually stop to think what else I need to do! So, any idea on how to do the best by my plants would be thankfully received!

Comments

[Karen]

Hi Green Gal, found your blog through Best Green Blogs post on Twitter. Just love it. No advice for you yet on your plants, sorry...but a question - have you thought about what to do about pests? I have turned my urban balcony into what I like to call the farm. Everything grew fine until the pests found it this year and now they are eating the buds before they can even flower and become yummy berries. I dont want to poison them, but I do want to get rid of them. I think it is millipedes doing the dirty deed and then hiding in the soil. Yuck.PS your bio comment about hair straighteners. By chance I had forgone mine today and hope to start a new washngo fashion trend. Colleagues are avoiding me....

[Karen]

Hi Green Girl - Congrats on planting...unfortunately I dont have any tips for you yet except keep blogging about it and then you wont allow yourself to neglect your garden :-) I turned my urban balcony into what I like to call the farm 3 years ago. Everything was fine until pests discovered my plants - now they are eating the buds before they can flower and become berries... I think it is evil millipedes who come out and do the dirty deed and then hide in the soil. I dont want to poison them but I dont know how to get rid of them. If anyone has any ideas....PS: On your bio comment about hair-straightening. By chance I decided not to blow dry or straighten the mop this morning, thinking I could start a new trend in the carefree look. My colleagues are avoiding me...

[Karen]

Update: Wikipedia has some good natural insect repellants, as well as an interesting list of companion plants http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants

[The Green Gal]

Hi Karen,Thanks for reading my blog and Im glad you like it! Been meaning to add a new post about how the veggies are going so will do that now! The wikipedia link is really useful so thanks for that. And persist with the untamed hair, it might catch on! Eventually!