Establishing your vegetable patch

The combination of a volatile economic climate and increasing environmental awareness has boosted the numbers of people keen to begin growing their own. Starting your own vegetable patch requires a good deal of hard work and some extensive research, but the good news is that you don’t have to be an expert in order to successfully cultivate home grown produce. Here’s how to make a start.

• Choose your plot: The location of your vegetable patch could make the difference between success and failure. Ideally, the plot should be positioned in a sunny area which is well protected from strong winds and not too close to trees or hedges. If your garden is low lying and shady then it could be worth applying for an allotment, but bear in mind that the waiting list is long in many areas. Those considering moving house should look for a garden which offers good growing conditions. With mortgage rates at an historic low, a larger garden could really be a possibility for many people – use a mortgage calculator such as the one offered by Alliance & Leicester to see how much you could afford.
• Clearing and digging: Once you’ve chosen a spot, the next step is to begin clearing the site. There are a number of options here, depending on whether you’re keen to keep your plot organic or not. If you don’t want to use chemicals then try placing old carpets over the ground to be cleared for a few months to kill unwanted weeds. Alternatively, dig over the soil disposing of the weeds as you go. You should then be ready to fertilise and sow your patch. 
• Planting and care: With the hard work done, it’s time to think about what you want to plant. Seek advice from gardening books and experts to discover which fruits and vegetables grow best in local conditions. You should also be realistic about the level of care you are able to give to your plants, and choose your seeds accordingly. Remember that you will need to rotate crops on a bi-annual or tri-annual cycle in order to prevent the build-up of disease. 

Finally, if your first crop is unsuccessful then don’t despair. Even professional gardeners have failures as well as successes, so if you keep experimenting then you’re sure to get it right eventually.