So, you’ve got your plot, or your patch, or even a few pots. But having watched The Big Allotment Challenge, you still don’t have a clue what to grow, or how to grow it.
So for what it’s worth, here are my top six crops for beginners (or even experts, though I doubt any of those are reading.) Obviously, if you don’t like any of the veg I’ve included, don’t grow them. The number one rule of veg growing is grow something that tickles your tastebuds.
1.Courgettes. Two or three plants and you’ll have more than you (and your neighbours) know what to do with. Start them off indoors – NOW – if you haven’t already done so. As the plants grow move them into bigger pots so they don’t get rootbound and when all chance of frost has passed, plant them into their final positions in the ground. Obviously, a late frost is always a possibility, but I would say anytime from June should be ok. It’s also a good idea to ‘harden off’ any plants which have been grown indoors, before planting them outdoors. This just means putting the pots outdoors during the day for a week so the plants get used to the cold, then bring them in at night. Courgettes need plenty of water, but that’s about it once they’re established.
2. Beetroot Simply sow the seeds straight into the ground in rows, anytime from now, and then just let them do their thing. Couldn’t be easier to grow and full of health benefits too. Harvest them from golf ball size onwards. Just don’t be alarmed when your wee turns pink!
3. Carrots. A good one if you have kids as most kids like carrots and even the fussiest of eaters can often be persuaded to try a one, especially if they’ve pulled it from the ground themselves. You can even get purple ones for a bit of carrot-glam. First, rake the soil, removing any stones, then scatter the seed thinly in rows. If possible, cover with netting to ward off carrot fly. Planting garlic or chives nearby will also help keep those buggers away.
4. Squash / pumpkins. There are endless varieties to try, depending on your space and taste. For flavour, I like butternut squash, but there are loads of other weird and wonderful specimens . Mini pumpkins like Baby Bear are particularly cute. Plant seeds in pots now and transplant out when big enough to handle and when risk of frost has past, hardening off first, as for courgettes.
5. French beans. That’s french, not runner. There are two general varieties: climbing and dwarf. I don’t really see the point of dwarf ones as climbing ones taste just as good, but you get hundreds more. They don’t even take up any more space on the ground as they grow upwards. My favourite varieties are Blue Lake and Cobra. Start off seeds indoors now, if you haven’t already done so, then plant outside from early June if you live in the South, a bit later if you live in the North, or Scotland, using bamboo canes for support.
6. Tomatoes. Bit of a controversial one this, as tomatoes can actually be a bit tricky to grow, especially if you’re a perfectionist. If you’re not, read on.
The easiest tomatoes to grow are the bush varieties, as they don’t need staking and pinching out like cordoning varieties. Good ones to try are Gardener’s Delight and Tumbling Tom, both cherry varieties.
Sow seeds from March to May in pots of compost. Plant out when risk of frost has passed. Tomatoes need regular watering and feeding. For extra sweet results, try making your own nettle tea by soaking nettle leaves in water. It’s organic and free.
That’s it folks. Feel free to suggest alternatives below.