Starting your own vegetable patch

Having a vegetable garden and growing your own fresh produce at home is not only easy to do, but it is also economical, rewarding, and fun!

If you are thinking of starting a vegetable patch from scratch but are not sure where to begin, read our handy guide to help ensure you grow a successful crop.

Find the right spot

The ideal place to put your vegetable patch depends on the conditions required for the vegetables you plan to grow. Typically, partially shaded areas that get some sun are the best.

Avoid creating a vegetable patch in deeply shaded areas, such as under trees or in the shade of the shed, as the vast majority need the sun to thrive.

Try to ensure the patch will be sheltered from strong winds, especially if you plan to grow tomatoes or cucumbers.

Select an area where the ground is level to make work easier for yourself, and have the patch close to a water tap or butt, if possible, to reduce watering trips.

Plan your vegetable patch

Drawing or mapping out your vegetable patch will help you to visualise it and identify any potential issues before you get to work.

You should divide your patch into four quadrants, each containing different plant groups. This will make it easier to rotate your vegetables around the patch, which you should do once per year to prevent pests and diseases from building up.

As well as vegetables, you may also want to include some flowering plants in your patch for cutting, such as tulips, daffodils, or dahlias.

Prepare the soil

It is imperative that you prepare the soil well. Remove all of the weeds in the area you plan to make into a vegetable patch.

If possible, wait a few weeks after weeding before sowing your vegetables, in case any seeds germinate. You can then remove these easily.

If you are creating a vegetable patch in the ground, make sure you only dig up a small area, to begin with, and gradually expand until you achieve the desired size so that you do not dig up too much of your garden.

If you are growing vegetables in a raised bed, make sure you use pH-neutral soil. A mixture of soil-based compost, topsoil, and council green waste would be best.

When to sow vegetables

For the best results, it is important to sow vegetables at the right time of year. Different vegetables should be sown at different times of the year, but the majority are best sown in spring, between March and May.

The time it takes for vegetables to mature varies depending on the type of vegetable you are growing. Onions can take around 26 weeks to mature, whereas some potatoes are ready to harvest in 14 weeks.

For expert advice on growing vegetables, get in touch with our team at Boston Bulbs on 01775 769333, or email sales@bostonbulbswholesale.co.uk.

Nothing beats the fresh taste of homegrown vegetables. Our selection of seed potatoes and quality onion and shallot sets come direct from the grower, are packed full of flavour, and are great for both beginners and experienced gardeners.

The Boston Bulb Company has over 40 years of experience in supplying only the finest quality horticultural products from farmers and growers throughout the UK and Europe.