My first veg patch

TMAK · Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 9:25 pm Post subject: My first veg patch

Hi all.
I’m going to start a new little veg patch this year. I’ve never grown veg before and I’m looking for any hints and tips you may have.

I’m based in West Roscommon. And the garden is on bog. So more than likely I will be using raised beds. Or are there any crops that will be ok in wet peat?

Any advice on location aspect etc.

When I’m filling the raised beds I have a large pile of half composted material. Could I use this and cover up with soil and let it rot down there. How much soil would I need to cover it with?

Cheers

Tommy

tagwex · Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 11:09 pm Post subject:

Mix it up and sow plenty of varieties. Learn much quicker that way. If you want to be a real perfectionist make your drills align east - west and if you don't it will make sod all difference anyway. Make beds in full sun. Good luck.

vincent71 · Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 6:16 pm Post subject:

best of luck tmak. see what grows and what doesnt. raised beds in bog sounds right. get your hands on as much compost or manure as possible. remember, feed the soil not the veg.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 10:28 pm Post subject:

Raised beds work well for me. But if you can add any drainage from the site, all the better.

I'm told that the reason there is a 'moat' around our garden is to drain the bog to grow taters. This would also explain why I can't grow ericaceous plants in the garden because it was once limed to grow veg.

Agree about feeding the soil not the plants. Last year I added 'Remin' (ground up volcanic rock) to the mix - never had such a good crop of anything!

Good luck!

Greengage · Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 9:22 am Post subject:

Carrots, potatoes, parsnips all grow well in peat as there are no stones especially for carrots and parsnips you could grow show veg there.

TMAK · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:30 pm Post subject:

Cheers everyone for the advice.

Sue i never thought of the pH issue do you think I should lime the soil. Particularly if I try a few beds straight on the ground.

Now if I could only get a bit of decent weather to get started!!!

I think I’ll keep a track of progress here.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2018 8:44 am Post subject:

I wouldn't do anything without testing the soil first and I'd do multiple tests across the site. I think the only crops that would really suffer are anything in the cabbage family.

If you test first, then you will know just how acidic the soil is. Although our garden is on a road known as the Bog Road and only one half the garden was limed, the other half - where the Japanese garden is, is not THAT acidic.

I look forward to hearing about your progress.