I kill everything except weeds?

asweeney · Hazel Tree Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 4

The only edible thing i managed to grow this summer was three undersized tomatoes. earlier this year i sowed potatoes in big pots, but after a few months there was a distinct rotten/decayed smell and I ended up putting this mess on the compost heap. Same thing happened with my attempt at growing onions. They were soft and decayed when i pulled them up. I have an unbelieveable problem with slugs, they are everywhere. You cannot take a step on the grass without standing on one. The wild rabbits enjoyed the lettuce I planted. To avoid the pests I erected a plastic greenhouse, purchased in lidl, seeded a load of veg, herbs etc. only to witness the entire setup roll down the road, after a particularly windy night. I am a great source of amusement to friends and family when it comes to gardening. I am only in our newly built house 3 years and trying to create a garden/ vegatable patch. I definitely need help... my husband would love to tarmac the field! what can i sow now that is idiot-proof?

michael brenock · Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 11:42 am Post subject:

sorry for all your woes. Grass encourages slugs, so keep grass down where vegetables are growing. Put netting up to keep out the rabbits. concentrate on a small area of ground initially and see what the results are like. What happened to your onions? was it pests diseases or weeds ? was there drainage in the container for the potatoes? don't give up yet, this was the worst year ever for gardening.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

asweeney · Hazel Tree Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 4

Hi Michael, you are spot on about drainage being a problem. the heavy rain made a swamp of the potted spuds and onions. do you think it is best to start with a raised bed. with netting i certainly have a lot of grass. in fact it was only seeded this year. we have very sandy soil, and the grass is slow to grow and have a crazy amount of weeds, thistles. i'm letting my husband worry about that as it takes about 4 hrs to mow lawn and thats his dept.
Can you advise what is good to seed at this time of year? many thanks for advice

asweeney · Hazel Tree Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 4

I have just read how to start a veg garden posted by Sticky... all my failures to date have been explained. i could have done his advice a long time ago.

Foxylock · Rowan Tree Joined: 08 Aug 2009 Posts: 114 Location: cork

Don't give up. Look at all the experience you gained so far, next year you'll be up to your neck in fantastic home grown produce. Very Happy

michael brenock · Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 6:44 pm Post subject:

if you have a sandy soil and poor drainage you will need to dig a trench and put in a pipe or stone drain to carry the water from the flat or level area to the lowest point. However thistles will not grow in poorly drained land so it must be mostly surface water that you have to deal with. Sandy soil is generally poor and needs plenty compost or manure not just as a food but to improve texture of the land.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

forest flame · Rowan Tree Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 113

dont give up. you will suceed and when you do you will gain the confidence to take the next leap of faith. we have all failed with things along the way but the little sucesses more than make up for the failures.

JennyS · Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 9:54 am Post subject:

asweeney · Hazel Tree Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks so much JennyS and Micheal for you input... So much to learn!