I'm really gonna do it this year!

[crisgal]

grow my own veg i mean!

I've got the tubs and bags, ordered the top soil, and I'm off to get the compost tomorrow.

Where's the best place to buy the plug plants though? Garden centres or online?
I don't know where to start!

[Hawkwalk]

Homebase have a good range of veg. With online you can't see what quality you are getting so it is better to go buy them yourself.

Make sure anything too tender is protected in case we have any more frosts

[crisgal]

i would never have thought of homebase - thank you.
Would you leave it for another week?

[shylock73]

Plants bought from stores like Homebase are best kept in a cold frame for a few weeks to `harden off` and plant out Mid May in the South or end of May in the North if there is no likely -hood of any frosts.

[Hawkwalk]

plants bought from any garden centre will need to be protected, not just Homebase. Many young veg plants are quite tough depending on what you choose so they can take some fairly cold weather but just avoid frosts.

If you dont have the means to protect them then wait a few weeks before planting out.

[crisgal]

i appreciate all this advice - i went to a few places today and priced some plants - some of them look so delicate!
I think i will prepare my soil and then buy next week, with a view to planting out mid may.
They'll be ok in my conservatory till then won't they?

[beejay1124]

crisgal--why not get seeds rather than transplants--many such as radish, spring onion,chives etc can be easily grown in containers(& seeds are a lot cheaper)--try Suttons seeds website-they will also send you a brochure,so you can see what you are getting -they have (i think) the best range of seeds etc and a very good customer care service--happy gardening

[crisgal]

I have got some seeds, beejay.
They were very cheap at Aldi a while back - lettuce, carrots and spinach beet.
Today I bought those little pots with a plastic top and some john inns and compost.
As it's my first time, I was going to try a mixture of both.
Thanks x

[beejay1124]

crisgal --even if you get the suttons catalogue -i think it is vey informative--it tells you what can be grown in containers etc-- and it would surprise you just how many types of radish eg there are i also believe their seeds are better(greater success rate ) quality xx

[crisgal]

Do you mean my cheapo ones might not work??!!

I'll order that brochure right now!

[beejay1124]

www.suttons.co.uk

try this crisgal

[beejay1124]

cross posted there crisgal i see

[crisgal]

wow - beejay!
I'm gonna spend a bleedin' fortune!
x