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Garden design - space for a small vegetable patch?

amyjayneukamyjayneuk Posts: 26
in Garden design
Hello, I have recently been using this website and found it so useful and all advice really helpful, so thank you for reading this post. I have a relatively unused section at the back of the garden that I would like to make full use of. The garden is south facing and I live in the West Midlands. The back section will be higher than the main garden and we plan to put sleepers in to step up to the back. A large part will hold the trampoline (left side) which is 16ft x 16ft, so we think that we have no option but to AstroTurf - nothing will grow directly under willow and bark/pebbles will be too difficult to upkeep with fallen leaves. I am open to ideas though!! To the right we are putting a shed (2.1m x 2.2m). In front of that, which is outside of willow canopy, I would like to put a small vegetable patch. Just a couple of beds as I will need space for doors to open. One along the hedge (1m x 3m) and the other alongside the azelas (1m x 3m). Am I being unrealistic to think such small beds will be useable? Will vegetables grow so close to the canopy/hedge/azelas? Should we go for raised beds or just dig into ground? 
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  • amyjayneukamyjayneuk Posts: 26
    I am hoping to have a small green house on the patio. And also wanted to add pear trees but I think I need two and am not sure there will be space 
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    As long as you choose the vegetables carefully you don't need masses of space but you will have a harvest proportionate to the size of the beds.

    Clearly you should avoid potatoes, all brassicas and any squashes which all take up a lot of space but Dwarf or climbing French Beans, peas, one or two tomato plants, some salad leaves, beetroot and such like will be fine.  They will need attention and a decent growing medium but otherwise, why not?
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • amyjayneukamyjayneuk Posts: 26
    Thank you @herbaceous I Wasn’t sure if  vegetables would survive. Long way to go before I get started on beds. Still quite a lot of groundwork to do, but you’ve motivated me to keep going! 
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    It looks a lovely garden amyjaneuk  :) The azaleas are gorgeous and something I have never had any success with but then I'm not a very good flower person! Veg and herbs keep me happy so I wish you every success in getting it sorted.

    You may need to water anything near the hedge quite frequently as I imagine it will get quite dry in full sun. Happy gardening!
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • edhelkaedhelka Posts: 2,351
    Two 3x1m would be very useable. I have less than that and I grow french beans, climbing beans, strawberries, spinach and other leaves, beetroot, radishes, courgettes and tomatoes (+ more in pots and hanging baskets). Google square foot gardening for inspiration on how to get maximum from a small space. You can also grow two crops in the same space with a little bit of planning (radishes or beetroot in spring, french beans or courgette in the same spot from June).
    My only worry would be if you have enough sun there.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Vegetables will need the sunniest site you can give them, so although your garden is south-facing, it looks pretty overshadowed at the back there by the surrounding trees/hedges. You can grow vegetables that like more heat, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, chillies etc., in the greenhouse, but I’m not sure that site at the back is the best, sun-wise, even for hardier outdoor grown veg...
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • amyjayneukamyjayneuk Posts: 26
    We’ve been here 8 years and the garden was owned by a very skilled gardener at one point. However, it was overgrown and neglected for many years. We’ve tried to recover some plants. Add our own. And work with what’s already there. Thanks for the tips re. Watering @herbaceous. I will keep this in mind. @edhelka thanks for the website tip, I will definitely check this out.  You’ve given me some food for thought 😀 @nollie, sunlight was my main concern but as we were trying to work with what we have and space for children, I couldn’t think what else I could do. I have baskets on the fence near the house which I intend to pot with strawberries and tomatoes. I was also considering building a teepee out of beans in the near, right corner. And perhaps grow within the plant beds and on fences where I can, but I was really hoping for a small plot to devote to growing vegetables. I’d love to grow carrots, cabbage, broccoli, salad, pea, tomato. The corner does get light for most of the day as it’s right on the periphery of the willow but you are right it is shady.
  • amyjayneukamyjayneuk Posts: 26
    How will I know of it is too shady? Is it just a case of trial and error?
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I grew quite a lot of veg in partial shade in my last garden.  Salad veg, beetroot, sugar peas and runner beans were fine.  Anything which needs sun to ripen the fruit (eg tomatoes) will be less happy.

    Raspberries do amazingly well in shade...   :)
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • amyjayneukamyjayneuk Posts: 26
    Thanks @Liriodendron I think I need to do some research. I might take some photos throughout the day too and try to see how shady it really is. I have one of those three way testers that measure light, PH and water so I will try and give that a go too.
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