What to grow?

[Boris Bajic]

I've just cleared two smallareas of the garden that have never really had a purpose.

4m x 2m behind bins and composts. A little shade from a yew and a shed, but the sun does reach it.

5m x 4m, in the shade of a 1.5m evergreen hedge and under a purple-leafed plum tree.

Not a huge amount of sunshine in either area, but it seems a shame to waste the space.

The ground is good topsoil over a heavy clay.

Any suggestions most welcome.

 

[Arch]

I assume you mean veg? If you haven't grown any before, then I suggest a scattergun approach. Get lots of different seeds (they can be relatively cheap in supermarkets, even pound shops), try all sorts of stuff (make sure that it's stuff that shouldn't have been sown last month or earlier though). See what comes up well, and what you actually use and like, and then next year you can focus on the stuff that works best. You may only have room for a few plants of each, but that avoids gluts, and gives you a chance to see what you'd like to have lots of.

Courgettes and other squashes are pretty fool proof, as are potatoes, onions and leeks - at least that was my experience. Swiss Chard (Bright Lights variety) is also decorative as well as edible, with dark green leaves and stems in white, pink or orange.

Under trees and hedges your light is limited, but I'd think that dryness might be more of a problem, so think about mulching to retain moisture, and do your watering effectively - ie water each plant or row well, close to the ground, rather than sprinkling from a height.

 

[dan_bo]

Its not too late to plant spuds yet and they're a good way to get to know your soil and improve it. Green beans and squashes should work well as well.

 

[PaulB]

Cannabis.

 

[biggs682]

we cleared 2 areas in the garden last year a bit smaller than Boris's , we filled 1 with some spring cabbarges and purple sprouting brocolli , we have harvested 1 sprig of brocolli and the cabbages are hearting up nicely . in the other 1 we have some leaks and will be planting some french been , carrots and monge touts .

go for it its good fun and could save a fortune

 

[Peteaud]

Red onion - easy to grow
Lettuce.
Strawberries
Spring onion
spuds