Twenty-three years ago, I stood in my first vegetable patch, trowel in hand, unsure where to begin. I had no idea which seeds to sow, how deep to plant them, or how to keep pests at bay.

My early attempts were a mix of excitement, trial and error where some crops thrived, while others failed spectacularly. (Lettuce with slugs, so many slugs!)

But with each season, I learned, adapted, and grew not just vegetables but confidence. Looking back, I realise how valuable those beginner mistakes were, shaping the gardener I am today. If you’re just starting out, know that every vegetable gardener was once a beginner—just like I was.

My first Vegetable Plot

Here I am, 23 years old, excited to see what this hobby might bring and to whether I could actually grow my own vegetables.

I was happy and excited as I had just made this raised bed and used a drill for the first time ever.

In hindsight, the stakes on the raised bed were a bit large to be hammered into stoney soil, and it did take a lot of hammering to get them in the ground! I could have just placed the raised bed on top of the soil instead.

I had 3 of these wooden raised beds of 1m x 1m square and the first vegetables I ever grew were radish and spring onions.

Then I sowed Lettuce and the slugs ate the lettuce. But that didn’t deter me, so I tried something different, sowed peas and beans and they brought me joy.

I even made a Geoff Hamilton Cloche out of blue pipe and netting to keep my cats off my prized vegetables.

You, the Beginner Vegetable Grower

Looking back on my early days, I realise every seed I sowed, was part of my learning journey.

If you are starting out, embrace the process. Celebrate the wins, learn as you grow from challenges and keep sowing, growing and harvesting.

One day you’ll look back and see just how far you have come – just as I do now.

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Beginners Links

If you are a beginner at growing vegetables and feeling a little bit overwhelmed and not sure where to start, we have your back! I’ve stood in your shoes, that’s why we have the Beginner Hub to help you start your sowing adventures!

The Beginner Hub – How to start seeds indoors on your windowsill and informative Seed Sowing Videos for inspiration on what veg to sow.

Seed Sowing HQ – Monthly Sow, Grow, Harvest & Jobs to do lists for the veg garden & greenhouse.

Beginner Vegetable Journal – Log all your sowings, plan your plot, achieve all your veg goals & reflect on the year.

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