Hi Sibe,

I really want to get into growing my own fruit and veg. Is there anything I can do at this time of year to get me started or should I just wait until a more appropriate season?

Fleur

Our Gardening Expert replies::

Hi Fleur,

Good news - this is undoubtedly the best season to get into growing your own fruit and veg! Whilst action outside in the garden is going to be restricted during the winter there is still lots that can be done.

Firstly, you could to read up on the subject - the more preparation you do the more successful and exciting your first year will be. An excellent book for beginners is The Vegetable Expert by Hessayon. This really is a basic guide but is full of good advice.

Decide which crops you want to grow - or which will fit - in your garden. Sort out a crop rotation and plan the area of land you have available for each crop. Then look at the spacings involved - beginners often plant things too closely with poor results. When you have decided which crops to buy, choose the appropriate seeds. Hessayon for example, lists over thirty types of lettuce seed. Don't get too tied up with specific varieties as you may not be able to obtain them all but you'll get something close.

In the garden, start constructing a good-sized compost heap and collect and compost household (uncooked) vegetable matter - peelings etc. Make sure you store leaves separately as they take much longer to break down; although they do produce the best compost.

When you have marked out your vegetable plot use every available opportunity between now and mid-February, during mild spells, to prepare the land thoroughly by digging and incorporating compost or liming if necessary. Use an acidity testing kit to check if liming is needed - keep in mind that some crops need a slightly acidic soil.

Over the winter, visit local allotment sites to see how they get on with growing vegetables in your area. For example, if the crop of winter brassicas (cabbages, sprouts etc) is covered in plastic netting you know there is a wood pigeon problem (pretty universal these days) and you will need to protect the seedlings of some plants (for example, peas and cabbage but not usually lettuce, radish or onions) from attacks from these pests.

As for the really exciting bit - sowing - well you could start this as early as January. Try sowing some leeks, onion seeds, lettuce and greenhouse tomatoes indoors in containers for planting out later.

I get a great deal of satisfaction from growing my own fruit and veg and I suspect you are in for an exciting time. There will certainly be pitfalls along the way but learn from these by closely observing what is happening to your crops and taking action to keep them happy.

Best of luck!

Sibe.

See Go Veggie and Apple Beech Rack for more information.