Growing fruit veg in pots at home - we won't be beaten!

[Bakingnovice]

Me and the kids would love to grow our own food. We adopted a little veg patch on a communal green area in July and planted courgettes sweet corn beans and strawberries. Sadly nothing turned out right. We think it's because we had an influx of slugs caterpillars and pigeons. It was a disaster. We are not giving up though. We want to grow strawberries, raspberries, new potatoes, chillies and tomatoes in our own garden. Is this doable in large pots? We think they might be more protected in pots? Also, what prep can we do now in readiness for planting seeds in feb next year? Please help as we are determined to cook something we have grown!!

Ps we did grow one teeny tiny courgette and the kids were delighted. But someone stole it do we never got to have it.

[Blackpuddingbertha]

If it's any consolation last year was not a good year for home grown veg. Too wet, too cold, too many slugs. Just bad. So don't worry about the disaster

If you want to move to more pot-grown stuff though you've loads of options. Courgettes, potatoes, tomatoes, salad stuff, herbs, beans....all sorts can be grown in pots.

In terms of planning, at this stage just plan how many pots you could have, what size they'll be and then think about what you can grow in them. Smaller pots for herbs and salads, bigger ones for beans, potatoes, courgettes etc. You could also start collecting pots from various sources if you don't have a load already.

[funnyperson]

These might be nice seeds
www.vegetableSeeds.net/The_Kids_Collection_p/mp007.htm

[PurplePidjChickIsNotTheMessiah]

I grow potatoes, carrots, onions, peas, strawberries and raspberries in pots on my patio.

Start your seeds off now in trays under clingfilm on a sunny window sill. Plant out once they're big enough to handle and the worst of the frost has passed. Potatoes can go straight in to big pots - our Christmas ones are cropping now.

You can grow salad leaves on the windowsill all year round

[Bakingnovice]

Oh thank you for the advice. So,

1. Source big pots. I'll do this ASAP.
   

1. Check the link for seeds.
   

1. Seeds in trays. Where can I buy the right trays from and when do I replant them In big pots? Do I need big standard soil and can I fill the outside pots now or wait till its warmer in feb?
   

Also when putting them from tray to big pots do I just lift the whole thing out of the tray?

Sorry for these really dumb questions!!

[PurplePidjChickIsNotTheMessiah]

Big pots and seed trays are often in the pound shop, but not necessarily at this time of year. I've had seeds etc from there too, even a plum tree (which is alive - just - but hasn't done anything except produce a few leaves in 9 months!)

Multi purpose compost, in surprisingly large quantities. Toms and strawbs can be planted straight into grow bags, just cut holes in the top and keep well watered. You're much better buying these as young plants though.

Grow seeds in trays till they're big enough to handle. Sow, water, cover with cling film, leave in good daylight. Remove film once you get some shoots. Pot on into small pots (yoghurt pots or 3" plant pots) when they get big enough to handle - about 2" high with 2-3 sets of leaves. 3 plants per pot. Then outside in big pots once the frosts are past

[PurplePidjChickIsNotTheMessiah]

Ps plants will grow in anything, not just expensive plant pots. We get great raspberries in mil's old recycling box!

[Bakingnovice]

Lovely. Will get cracking. Excellent advice for a total newcomer to gardens and growing!

[PurplePidjChickIsNotTheMessiah]

Plants have been growing for millenia, we just need to give them the right conditions

For quick results, a pack of mixed salad leaves takes 2-3 weeks in a seed tray on a window sill. And most kids love a tallest sunflower competition!