What should the newbie gardener grow?

[geraldc]

We have a small garden. After realising that they want a pretty garden, but not enough to actually weed or plant stuff. My housemates have decided that they don't want to gravel over the garden or install decking. The garden is now officially my domain!!!

I want to grow veg in the borders, but what to grow?  Suggestions please.

The garden is in Islington...



This is a lot like gardener's question time isn't it?

[Regulator]

Tomatoes.

Leeks.

Chillis.

Peppers.

A variety of herbs in pots.

Potatoes in a barrel or a tyre stack...

[hairyhippy]

How much sun does it get?

[geraldc]

Surrounded by trees/high fences/houses, so very little sun.

[Si]

I find that swiss chard does OK in a bit of shade as long as it gets  good start.  go for the rainbow type to make the garden look colourful.  you can use it in salads, on its own steamed, or it's very good in curried (much like spinach). Whack some in now and it ought to do well into the winter.

[David Martin]

purple sprouting brocciillliii

Herbs in pots (so they stay contained. Thyme, Sage, Mint, Rosemary.
You should be able to get rosemary cuttings from anyone and everyone and they propagate well.
Potaotes in tyres sounds good and make a nice feature.
Carrots in tubs.

I'd go for a mix of shrubs that like shade and veg in planters. It is easier to weed and looks more interesting than a classical plot.

A blueberry bush in a pot would be a good idea as well. Should grow well in shade and is a superfruit.

..d

[Wowbagger]

Is that bamboo or ganja at the far end?

[RJ]

Chard does well even in the wilds of North Britain.  Salad leaves (lettuce, rocket - actually spinach and chard will do too) are easy to grow, good to eat and will save you money.  Herbs are always worth growing.  You can (almost) never have too much parsley or chives.

Some things that look and/or smell nice too are worth it - I recommend lavender, while pot marigolds (bseides looking nice) can be a useful sacrificial plant for slugs and snails. 

With small borders like those, you can mix plants up quite a bit - which can look better than strictly ordered rows (and may help control pests).