Frequently Asked Questions
We know – there’s more to this than meets the eye
Don’t I need a large garden to grow vegetables in?
You can grow vegetables in any space large or small. A small plot measuring 2m X 1m could, for example, give you the following rows:
- radishes
- salad leaves
- onions
- beetroot
In addition to this you could grow potatoes in a bag plus herbs in pots and strawberries in a planter. You could vary these each year depending on what’s been successful and what you like to eat.
How often do I have to water my vegetables?
If you plant seeds or small seedlings in the ground then they need to be kept moist. If it rains you can relax but if we have a dry spell then you’ll need to water them most days. For a small plot this would only be around 2 watering cans in the morning each day. Once plants have put down roots and are established you don’t need to water so often. If you sink your finger about 2cms down into the soil and it feels damp then the ground is still providing moisture to your plants. Another way of keeping water from evaporating is to put a thick layer of mulch around the base of your plants. This could be made from hops, compost, woodchip, cardboard or plastic (mypex).
What happens if my plants don’t grow?
Testing the soil and selecting plants that thrive in that environment, checking there is adequate sunshine on your site (you need a minimum of 6 hours a day), watering plants and protecting them from pests should all ensure that your vegetables grow well.
What do I do about weeds?
Weeds can be managed through mulching (see above) but need to be removed regularly to stop them competing with your vegetables and stealing essential nutriments from the soil. You can do this yourself or I can do it for you on a weekly/fortnightly basis.
Is it better to plant directly into the soil or create a ‘no-dig’ bed?
Both are possible though the advantage of no-dig is that weeds are much less of a problem. The theory is that disturbing the soil through digging breaks down the delicate ecosystem created by worms and insects. A no-dig approach means that the soil remains intact as you are planting into a very thick layer of compost instead. How do you create a no-dig bed? I’ve done it with several layers of cardboard and a minimum of 5cms of compost on top. Watch this clip from the expert – the charming Charles Dowding – to see how it’s done
