Getting started

G N I T T E G D E T R A T S

Getting Started Is it worth the effort?

Most of us do not mind putting effort into a project, especially if there are rewards to be gained.

Without doubt growing your own vegetables involves effort but it also yields many benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the rewards you can expect.

Benefits of Growing Your Own Perhaps the $64000 question is –

How much veg will I get for my efforts?

The table below will serve as a guide and even though yields will vary, according to the weather, soil and chosen variety; the figures are accurate enough to assess the viability of home growing.

You can refer to planting distance information, from seed catalogues, if you want to calculate more precisely how many rows and number of plants per row you have space for.

I have always found recommended planting distances to be rather generous so don’t loose heart if you don’t appear to have enough space available. I will discuss this and other methods of increasing yield, in more detail, when explaining how to grow individual crops.

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Average Yield from a 10ft (3 m) Row Beans – broad - French - runner(double row) Beetroot Broccoli – heading - sprouting Brussels sprouts Cabbage – spring - summer - autumn/winter Carrots – main crop - early

24 lb 15 lb 60 lb 12 lb 8 lb 6 lb 16 lb 10 lb 14 lb 12 lb 15 lb 13 lb

(10·9 kg) (6·8 kg) (27·2kg) (5·5 kg) (3·6 kg) (2·7 kg) (6·8 kg) (4·5 kg) (6·4 kg) (5·5 kg) (6.8 kg) (5·9 kg)

Cauliflower Celery Leeks Lettuce Onion – spring sown Parsnips Peas Potatoes – main crop - early Radishes – inc leaves Shallots Turnips

10 lb (4·5 kg) 22 lb (10 kg) 10 lb (4·5 kg) 10 heads 12 lb (5·5 kg) 16 lb (6·8 kg) 3 lb + (variable) 21 lb (9·5 kg) 15 lb (6·8 kg) 2 lb (0·9 kg) 6 lb (2·7 kg) 12 lb (5·5 kg)

Personal Benefits of GYO  Improved Health More produce is available, encouraging increased consumption with attendant health benefits Extensive research indicates that a plant based diet offers improved general health, weight control and reduced susceptibility to illness when compared to the standard Western diet.

The short time frame between picking and eating produce means no loss of freshness, quality or flavour.

The “Feel good factor;” resulting from fresh air and exercise, keeping mind & body active, a sense of achievement and communing with Nature.

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 Save Money Less trips to the supermarket result in time & fuel saving One packet of seeds potentially produces many pounds of crop (See average yield table above) Supply is unaffected by supermarket price increases and market trends  You control the production process You control conditions for growth and maintenance of the crop, choosing whether to use pesticides, fertilisers etc.

You can select varieties according to your preferences e.g.

Improved flavour Pest & disease resistance Improved vigour Increased yield Soil conditions (e.g. short rooted carrots for shallow soil)

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Wider benefits of GYO  Good for the environment Less pollution - no transport, processing, packaging resulting in a reduced carbon footprint Energy efficiency of crop production - Low energy input of GYO results from minimal usage of mechanisation in all stages of production, reducing carbon footprint and pollution.

Where to Start This guide will help you start growing vegetables successfully. Just follow the few simple rules and principles and away you go.

Although I can give general advice on what, where and how to grow: only experience will show you how crops react within your plot. The effects of wind and rain, together with the soil itself, can vary both within and between plots.

Keeping clear but simple records will enable you to identify good practice and build on it.

The following information should be recorded;  Planting dates – initial planting / sowing and succession  Which crops  Varieties  Where planted  Number of rows  Date of harvest  Yield Getting Started

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 Record any other outstanding features or problems There are four things you will need to start your growing adventure; 1.

2.

3.

4.

A suitable plot of land Basic gardening tools A desire to succeed An understanding of plant needs and how to provide them

You provide the first three and this book will supply the fourth.

This guide does not contain information on how to grow specific crops; that will come later. Learn and understand the basics first, organise and prepare your plot to best advantage and build on that foundation.

Read on, enjoy and hopefully, become inspired.

Plot Selection You must decide exactly what you want to achieve before finally selecting your plot. How else can you assess its suitability?

Examine your potential area and produce a written plan outlining all your objectives; bearing in mind that very few sites will satisfy all the criteria set out below.

A large site will allow some element of choice whilst a small one may offer little or none.

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Some simple changes however, can make a difference i.e. pruning / removing overgrown trees & shrubs, improving soil structure, adding organic material etc.

If your situation appears less than ideal, don’t despair.

Do it anyway; your degree of success may surprise you.

If you don’t have any open ground, why not grow in containers; grow bags, raised beds or wooden boxes filled with appropriate potting compost? The containers can be placed on paving, concrete or gravel surfaces, balconies, patios etc.

Container growing can also be used to increase production in any garden.

The plants may need a little more care with watering and feeding, but the results will be worth it.

What to Grow?

Obtain several seed catalogues and study the information at leisure, a pleasant task during long winter evenings.

Also visit garden centres to ascertain local availability.

Your choice of crops depends on the following:  Personal preference – Concentrate initially on crops which you and your family like but don’t be afraid to experiment in a small way.

Growing something you or your family do not like may appear pointless. However, when you grow it yourself the taste / texture may prove more appealing.

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 Soil type e.g. Root crops will produce poor results in shallow, stony soils Heavy clay soils are cold, and unsuitable for early crops.  Amount of growing space available Some crops take up a large amount of space in relation to yield e.g.

Potatoes. However, it is possible to plant a quick growing crop between the potato rows to increase overall yield from the ground Alternatively, make use of the same area for other crops grown at much higher density.  Your aims What do you want to achieve? Self sufficiency or just supplementing your current diet?  The amount of time you intend to devote to the venture.

All aspects of growing take time i.e. initial soil preparation, sowing, planting, maintenance, harvest and preparation for table.  Existing soil conditions - Land infested with pests or disease e.g. Club Root will give poor results with Brassicas as an intended crop.  Length of growing season Getting Started

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This is dependent on local climate. Heavy, wet soils warm up slowly in spring so early or long season crops may prove unsuitable. Make use of cloches, cold frames, poly tunnels, fleece etc.  Experience Keep it simple at first. As you gain experience, experiment with new crops or growing methods.

The yield and quality of a crop will vary from season to season and occasionally may be a total disaster. Do not despair; your successes should far outweigh the failures.

The uncertainty is part of the challenge and seeking solutions is how we gain experience and expertise.

The “Ideal” Vegetable Plot Study the information below and then decide how you can adapt your plans to fit.  Size – must be appropriate for your growing ambitions because your ambitions will grow with each success.

Remember a larger site requires more work and time throughout the growing season.

Providing a family of 4 with vegetables throughout the year requires a plot of approximately 30ft x 90 ft.

Growing a small crop well, rather than a large one badly, will increase your motivation, self satisfaction and ultimately yield.

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How much and what do you want to grow? – Self sufficient or a small quantity for pleasure / novelty. (Use the Yield Table as a guide)  Depth of Soil – It is the depth of the topsoil (*1 Spit) which we are most interested in as this is where most vegetable root activity takes place. Soil depth will have an effect on the type of crops you are able to grow e.g. long rooted parsnips or carrots will not grow well on shallow soil. However, you could build raised beds and use the top soil, from the spaces between beds, to increase depth. (*1 spit is the length of an average digging spade blade).  A light & open site, receiving plenty of sunlight will encourage strong and healthy growth  Not heavily overshadowed by large trees, shrubs or buildings which will deprive plants of light & water thus reducing yield.  Some shelter from wind reduces drying and damage to tall plants  Well drained. The soil must retain moisture but not become waterlogged.

Wet soil remains cold and difficult to work thus delaying planting in spring.

Roots also need air, which waterlogged soils lack.

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 Aspect This is one feature you will have little control over.

Whether your site is flat or sloping and the direction it faces will have an effect on soil temperature, as shown in the diagram.

A S B

C

D

N

Imagine that the yellow band represents one ray of sunshine striking the Earth and warming the surface. The heat energy in the ray remains constant.

Slope A B faces South and the ray strikes the surface at 90.˚ CB represents flat ground and the ray strikes at a shallower angle to the surface.

Slope DB faces North and the incident angle is even shallower.

Measure the width of the ray, along each line AB, CB, DB. You should find that the width increases from AB – CB - DB The increase in width shows that the same amount of heat energy is being used to warm a larger surface area in CB and Getting Started

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DB when compared to AB. Therefore South facing land will be warmest and North facing coldest.

This effect will result in later spring planting and sowing dates, on Flat and North facing slopes, when compared with South facing.

North facing slopes are the coolest; therefore, the season is likely to be short for outdoor growing but by no means impossible.

An unheated polytunnel or greenhouse can extend the season. Moveable cloches can also be placed over young plants to give them a good start and then be resited for a further crop.

In addition to the physical features of the plot itself you must also consider how much time you can allocate to:  Sowing and planting.  Maintenance - Weed control, feeding, watering and tying plants to supports  Harvesting and preparation - Whether harvesting small amounts direct for the table or full harvest for storage If your proposed plot is not close to your home then you must also factor in travelling time.

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