Fountain Timber Products

Is growing your own vegetables one of those good ideas you never get round to achieving ; does it all seem far too complicated and you don't know how to get started; relax, it could not be simpler. I would always propose growing in raised beds; Fountain Timber Products sell two sizes, standard and large, they can also supply the soil and cold frames to fit the raised beds.

First check what available space you have, the raised beds are 1.8 x 1.2 or 2.4 x 1.8, you will need access to two sides, ideally access all the way round, you can sit the bed on any surface as long as it can drain, bare soil is perfect.

The beds will be delivered in flat pack form but only take a matter of minutes to construct.

You will need soil to fill the raised bed, which will be suitable for most vegetable and salad crops but part of the pleasure is making your own compost and building up the fertility in the soil so whilst you are ordering your raised beds also order a couple of slatted compost bins

One of the joys of gardening is not only to have home grown vegetables but to have them before your neighbours; the cold frame fits over the standard raised bed, a cold frame will advance the season by four to six weeks, it will also keep the cats off your seed bed. When the plants are up and all danger of frost has passed the cold frame disassembles in a moment for easy storage; simplicity itself.

Getting started
Put the soil into the raised bed, work it well down and as long as it is not very wet firm it in by treading it in with your feet; you are trying to remove any air pockets. When firmed in lightly loosen it with a fork, the only tools you should need are a fork, rake and push hoe; your aim will be to work from the side or off a plank, you should never need to "dig" the soil again; you will simply work the surface with your push hoe or lightly fork the soil.

Read the back of the seed packets; this should tell you all you need to know; remember seeds want to grow, they are desperate to grow, you only have to plant the seeds and stand back.

Eating what you grow is only half the pleasure; to walk around your vegetable beds of a summer evening, you can almost see everything growing.

If you have never grown your own before you will have to take my word for the feeling of total satisfaction you will get just standing there admiring you and nature in harmony.