The Poultry Keeper

debcat · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 11:06 pm Post subject: ideas needed

One of the twins (the one with ADHD) wants her own bit of garden - as a birthday present Shocked

Mum is paying for a raised bed plants and seeds and will no doubt end up doing most of the work Rolling Eyes

I need some ideas of what she can plant, flowers (perennials)and veg that are easy to grow.
I can see her taking over half the garden if she really gets into gardening, she's been going on about it for ages though

jaydee67 · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:14 am Post subject:

Does it need to be animal proof - as in will the stock be able to reach it?

Craig's favourite things in his garden are a redcurrant and a blackcurrant. For flowers I would probably go for some bulbs - low tulips, mini daffs, crocuses would all cope well with the wind. Primulas are easy to grow and multiply. That's spring covered! Wink

Annuals such as marigolds, sweet peas, nasturtiums all grow well. For veg - what does she like to eat? Or feed as treats to favourite livestock? Wink

Peas growing up sticks, carrots, beetroot, tatties - could grow them in tyres or a barrel to give more space, lettuce, herbs.

CP · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 1:26 am Post subject:

Strawberries! The way she was eating them at the PK meet, she certainly loves them! Very Happy

Lisa · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 8:22 am Post subject:

Not sure how different the weather is up there, but thinking of things that I'm sowing now / soon ...

radish (summer and winter)
lettuce
endive
rocket
turnips
beetroot
spinach
spring cabbage
oriental veggies
chard (white, or coloured ones)
peas (including for shoots to use in salads)
spring onions
autumn (over wintering) onions, seeds or sets
broad beans (in autumn, for over wintering, if conditions not too wet)

A lot of the leafy things can also be grown as a quick "cut and come again" crop for baby leaves for salads and/or stir fries, which is nice and easy.

I think JD hit the nail in the head though.... what will get eaten! Smile

debcat · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 9:17 am Post subject:

she likes veggies Very Happy

the sheep, hens and everything else is being kept (hopefully) out of that bit.
she wants to go through the seed websites this morning Rolling Eyes

debcat · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:10 pm Post subject:

she spotted some tulip and daffodil bulbs in the co-op today, buy 1 bag of 15 get another bag free, so 30 of each for £3.98
Ordered some cornflower, nasturtium, calendula and primrose seeds, can all be sown now to flower in the spring and some grape hyacinth bulbs as well Very Happy

the veg seeds are sorted thanks Lisa and Suz
think I'll have to make another raised bed as soon as this one is finished Rolling Eyes

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6727 Location: isle of lewis

Lisa · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 10:33 am Post subject:

Ooops, I guess I should've said I found some flower seeds in my seed box and sent some of them too Embarassed

Never mind - you'll have ooodles of lovely of flowers next year now Razz

Raised bed 3 perhaps? Laughing

debcat · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 3:55 pm Post subject:

Thank you so much Lisa
33 lots of seeds
think with all those we'll be on raised bed number 10 before long
Rolling Eyes

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6727 Location: isle of lewis

don't forget to write her name in seeds so when they grow her name is there Wink

Clucky · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 2125 Location: Shropshire

Fenn has cherry tomatoes growing out of wall baskets in her back garden, so if you're running out of space......lovely idea btw.

debcat · Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 1:44 pm Post subject:

well the first bed is nearly ready for planting into and we're about to start on the 2nd.
She's after taking over nextdoors front porch for growing seeds as well Shocked

I can see the room left over for my pekins is getting smaller and smaller

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6727 Location: isle of lewis