Talkback: Growing veg in small spaces

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  February 2011

  I only started experimenting with growing veg last year in a few pots but would like to expand this now so I can produce more. I have a boring rectangular lawn which I am quite happy to dig up completely but I am stuck for what to do with the layout. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make my garden productive and attractive at the same time. I am struggling to find inspiration and a design for my garden (which is at the front of my house and not at the back so it's quite visible) and any ideas would be gratefully received.

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  February 2011

  Hi llamalady Why not grow flowers with your vegetables like like for example sweet peas with your runner beans.

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  February 2011

  Hi.. Find footage of Geoff Hamilton's ornamental garden (think Gardeners World MAY have covered it).He plants crops such as Chard amongst his shrubs.Not only does it look good,it fills spaces, adds colour and is considerably cheaper than unedible plants.

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  February 2011

  hi.. llamalady
  check out chelsea flower show website.
  they have a few show gardens,that have flowers and vegetables growing together.
  also they have plans of designs that you can try in your own garden ,with a full list of flowers and veg.good luck in your search and keep us informed on how u get on.

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  February 2011

  Do what they did at the Bristol University Botanic Garden last year, llamalady. it was quite beautiful and would have been admired in any road as a front garden. Start with a wigwam of six bamboo canes in the middle and grow barlotti beans up them(pink and white1). From this mark out straight lines to the edge of the plot and sow pretty lettuce, red spring onions, fennel, beetroot, chard yellow, orange and red. Then, in the triangles left plant yellow and green courgettes, squashes of various shapes and sizes, sugar peas, peppers and even aubergines. Four groups of marigolds to deter pests, dark kale pants round the beans and many other unusual varieties were of great interest throughout the season.

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  February 2011

  Hi everyone
  Thanks for all your wonderful suggestions now all I have to do is wait for it to stop raining so I can get started :-)

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  February 2011

  Hi there, just found the book mentioned above on ebay & purchased it, there's one copy left, here's the link for anyone who's looking for it, sounds like an interesting read
  
  http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330517845986

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  February 2011

  Actually, can someone tell me what is the minimum space required to walk around/kneel at raised beds, i.e. what's a comfortable distance to have between them? I plan on erecting 4 x 1m square raised beds, I have limited space but want to be careful not to have them too close together, if needs be I'll make the beds smaller. thanks!

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  February 2011

  Reply to Lisa. Not sure what others think, but I have limited space too, so have made the paths between beds 45cm (18in) wide. This has been fine for access for sowing, planting, watering, weeding, picking, etc. Any wider would be a waste of space.

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  February 2011

  Reply to Lisa. You may need slightly wider access if you plan to put raised covers on the beds - such as rectangular covers or cold frames, so you can still bend/kneel ok. And if you like to keep things neat, ensure you can get your normal broom or rake between the beds!

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