Extending my borders for a Potager effect
Sandra100
Posts: 130
Good morning!
I've just got a greenhouse and have sewed (and plan to sew more) lots of veggie and flower seeds.
I've decided to extend my borders as opposed to making raised beds. I garden on heavy clay soil and the borders will be south facing.
Once I've dug up the turf I plan to mix in a bit of my own garden compost, I've also got a bit of leaf mould (1 year old) and some mpc I've bought. Oh and I've also got some chicken pellets on order and some grit too.
I anticipate planting stuff out in April/May. Is it too late to prepare the soil now, and what would should I put in it to try and ensure a bountiful crop?
Thanks for your replies in advance.
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Posts
No. not too late. Your plan sounds like a really good start. I think maybe all you need to add is patience. It takes a while - a few seasons - to build the soil fertility and structure. There is no shortcut to just getting on and planting things and finding the places that need more or less boosting. It also takes a while to find your veggie mojo, in my experience - by which I mean the ones that like your soil and situation and also the ones you eat, enjoy growing. There are no rules - it's just practice and personal taste.
So crack on.
Plan the adjacencies as much as you can, so you get the low fertility plants together and put more grit in that part, and the high food ones together so you can add plenty of chicken pellets there. Look into companion planting ideas - using flowers to reduce pests on the veg. Consider getting a slip or two of 'Bocking 14' comfrey for a corner somewhere - it makes the best food for veg and will save you money in the long run.
Potagers can be really beautiful
Thanks so much for your helpful reply raisingirl.
I've got a couple of Comfrey plants in a shady corner, knew you could use with tomatoes but didn't realise with veg too. Flowering types like Courgettes and Beans??
Glad I'm on the right lines. I'm not very good at planning where things go, just tend to 'bung them in' where I see a space, this year I'm going to try and be more organised!
comfrey 'tea' has a high potassium content which makes it very good for fruit and flowers, so yes, beans and courgettes - exactly right. A stinging nettle 'tea' will have a high nitrogen content so be good for leafies like the brassica family. Also usually very easy to come by for free
There's a lot to be said for bunging things in where you see a space - as long as you're up for moving things that don't 'take'. But a little forethought can save a few rookie mistakes which, whilst they don't matter much with veg - which are predominantly annuals so you just try a different spot next year - can be discouraging when you're just starting out.
Thanks again raisingirl.
I'm really impressed by your knowledge!
Hopefully I'll be the same in years to come.