Veg Plot

[porshiepoo]

Who on here grows veg in Caithness? In the exposed regions!

I have an area all fenced off and ready to start planning and digging veg beds but I've never had a veg plot before and don't know where to start.
I have the books but they aren't relevant to such exposed coastal sites as this.

Generallt what grows well up here? When do I sow em? Do I need to sow indoors and transplant later? What about protection?

I'd like to grow spuds - for all year -, leeks, carrots, courgettes, sweetcorn if possible (or is that expecting too much?)

Is crop rotation best?
I can get hold of plenty of manure.
Are raised beds best?
Is it a good idea to use seaweed either as a mulch or as a liquid fertiliser?


Sorry, I'm a complete novice at this and my friend and I really want to get started on these all ready for next year.

[justine]

http://www.selfsufficientish.com/potatoes.htm#harvestYou could try this link. I used it before i got my veg patch going. I am now just pulling up my tatties and planted my late for christmas. I also have cauli, broccoli, beetroot, sweetcorn,leeks,onions and the likes growing. It should help if you are just beggining,,,,,,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/grow_your_own/getstarted_plotrotation.shtml


Let me know if this any good for you...

[stratman]

We grow veg up at groats and am very exposed. Wind and lack of sun has been a pain this year. We have planted a potential hedgerow round my spot, but that is for future years. So far we have had success with:


Peas
Cauliflower
Kohl Rabi
Onions
Challots
Cabbage
Spinach
Carrots
Spuds
Sprouts
Leaks


All but the onions and challots were brought on in the greenhouse


Fruit that is successful (so far) here:


Black currents
Gooseberries
Raspberries
Tayberries


In the green house (which has suffered a load of wind damage) we have:


A grape vine (no fruit yet)
Courgette
Tomatoes (We have even have some growing outside in wind breaks that have fruit coming but I doubt they will get far)
Peppers
Chillies
Garlic
and various herbs.


Rotation and feeding are extremely good. Deep beds are very,very good. Dig seaweed in with your winter manure and it can rot in the ground giving off all it's oceanic goodness. Seaweed and nettles and can also be left to soak in water to produce a good feed.



I am pleasantly surprised Justine has had success with sweetcorn, I shall have to try.



Hope this helps.

[Ricco]

Excellent results, Statman. Has anyone tried growing soy beans? The 'beans' inside are the brightest of greens and make a very tasty and nutritious vegetable addition to the table. The popular name for them is edamame beans; Birdseye are marketing them at the moment.

[stratman]

Excellent results, Statman. Has anyone tried growing soy beans? The 'beans' inside are the brightest of greens and make a very tasty and nutritious vegetable addition to the table. The popular name for them is edamame beans; Birdseye are marketing them at the moment.

Sounds interesting Ricco. I shall have to look in to it. I tend to think of most exotic beans as for warmer climates,

[justine]

We grow veg up at groats and am very exposed. Wind and lack of sun has been a pain this year. We have planted a potential hedgerow round my spot, but that is for future years. So far we have had success with:


Peas
Cauliflower
Kohl Rabi
Onions
Challots
Cabbage
Spinach
Carrots
Spuds
Sprouts
Leaks


All but the onions and challots were brought on in the greenhouse


Fruit that is successful (so far) here:


Black currents
Gooseberries
Raspberries
Tayberries


In the green house (which has suffered a load of wind damage) we have:


A grape vine (no fruit yet)
Courgette
Tomatoes (We have even have some growing outside in wind breaks that have fruit coming but I doubt they will get far)
Peppers
Chillies
Garlic
and various herbs.


Rotation and feeding are extremely good. Deep beds are very,very good. Dig seaweed in with your winter manure and it can rot in the ground giving off all it's oceanic goodness. Seaweed and nettles and can also be left to soak in water to produce a good feed.



I am pleasantly surprised Justine has had success with sweetcorn, I shall have to try.



Hope this helps.


Hey stratman. the knack for the sweetcorn is to bring it on in the house in a well lit warm room. I found the kitchen window perfect.Spray daily with warm water.Keep them in there for the first 4-6 months of the year, and then put out in june.The heat should bring them up...When you first put them out like any other young shoot cover with a small polly tunnel and then just leave and let grow.....If you have any tips for watermelon i would appreciate it as i could not get mine going this year.....

[lynne duncan]

had our first sweetcorn for dinner tonight but it was grown in a greenhouse
brocolli is now ready as well

[neepnipper]

Have grown this year on a coastal site:

Cabbage
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Carrots (long type and golf ball)
lettuce
onions
peas
leeks
french beans (not very good)
parsnips
garlic
tomatoes (in a lean to greenhouse)
Strawberries
raspberries
black and red currants
gooseberries
blueberries

Catapillers have been at my caulis, broccoli and cabbage, seem to be loads about for some reason

[lynne duncan]

also suffer caterpillers but also grow ornamental cabbages so just get the kids to relocate the beasties

[neepnipper]

Forgot:
Potaoes
courgettes

also herbs:
mint
thyme
parsley
chives
marjoram

all seem to do really well.