Growing Vegetables

Leafmould
This is made from collecting up leaves and letting them rot down. They rot slowly so you need to keep them moist. If you have spac...

Water Butt
A container for storing rain water. This water has no chemicals, so can be used to top up a pond. The easiest way to fill a water ...
rain

Bolt
Vegetables which quickly go to flower rather than producing the food crop. Usually caused by late planting and too warm temperatur...

Getting Started - Soil Preparation.

light and sandy, heavy clay? - manure, compost, leafmould, composted bark, mushroom compost.

Organic Matter.

Regardless of your soil type, it will benifit from digging in bulky organic matter - that is well-rotted manure, compost, leafmould, composted bark, mushroom compost.. anything will help. If your soil is light and sandy it provides something to hold the moisture and nutrients, if your soil is heavy clay it helps break up the large particles so the soil doesn't crack, drains better and is easier to work. Even good soils benefit from a generous helping of organic matter.

Sand.

Light clay soil may benifit from having sharp sand dug in, it can make it easier to work. Avoid digging sand into heavier clays as it can become too heavy.

When?

Autumn for clay soils: - Autumn digging lets the soil be further broken down by frosts and rain.
Spring for light, sandy soils:
But there's no time like the present - do it when you can. Dig the soil over to a depth of 15-18in (37.5-45cm) incorporating your organic material as you go.

Planning

Gardens can be too small and you may not have enough time to grow everything you whould like. Think carefully about which fruit and vegetables to grow
Find out more about planning here

Position

Sunny, Shady, Windy - choosing the right position can make a huge difference to your yeald.
Find out more about planting position here

Soil Type

Light and Sandy, Heavy Clay...?
Find out more about soil type here