Beginners guide...

Ok so I want to start growinf some veg.!

Any suggestions on a book?

Also I would like to grow in pots as not really got room for a veg patch. I do have lots of pots inthe garden that I plan to transfer the plants out of and into the borders to try and mature the garden a bit. (had all pots in the last house as rented and didn't want to leave things behind!)

Should I get a mini green house? Something like this... **http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gardman-3-Tier-Mini-Greenhouse/dp/B000288D1S/ref=pd_sim_dbs_lp?ie=UTF8&qid=1204127153&sr=1-2

Also what are the best veg to start with? when do I plant them? What compost should I use?
I would ideally like to go for stuff we use a lot of like carrots, potatos, onions, lettuce, possibly tomatos, some herbs and strawberries.

Maybe not that one! I've just read the reviews

Don't know about books but try http://www.gardenersworld.com
I use to get the gardeners world magazine with my tesco vouchers, which made it quite cheap.
carrots - very easy in the ground,
potatos - easy in a big plastic garbage bin (the gardners world expo had a comp for a lot of the TV gardeners to see who could get the most weight of potatoes out of a bin one year)
onions - easy enough in the ground,
lettuce - my gran use to grow these in a polystyrene container she got from the grocers
possibly tomatos - definately the greenhouse in this sort of weather,
some herbs - small pots in the window ledges inside the house. You can even cheat and buy the fresh potted ones from your local supermarket. As long as you keep picking them and keep them watered, they can keep going for over a year.
and strawberries - I would prefer a greenhouse for this, but you might get good enough weather for doing it outdoors.

If you live in a windy area, then a greenhouse might be out of the question. You might also like to consider a small poly tunnel as they are very good (and you can get a lot more space for a smaller amount of cash).

We rented for 5yrs before moving here and grew a few things in pots each year. I would start seeds off in small pots covered in cling film (a mini greenhouse effectively) on the windowsill and then transplant into pots when the weather warmed up and frosts stopped. We grew tumbling tomatoes (no support needed so less hassle!), radishes, spring onions successfully each year. Last year we dug a veg patch and continued with some in pots. I reckon courgette could be done in a good sized pot, we have a blueberry "bush" (not very bushy) and as above. Basically root veg would work as long as the pot is big enough, things like lettuce would as long as you had the space so only a couple of plants per pot.

We have a small greenhouse now, just the shelves with plastic cover. Think I got it from Home Bargains. Check out Lidl next week they have a load of gardening stuff in including a mini greenhouse.

Thanks ladies. Have just got back from the garden centre with my starting bits!

As it is my first time growing food I thought I'd try not to be too ambitious! So I just got a selection bag of seeds for veg and herbs oh and an extra bag of spring onion because we have them all the time in salads!

We have four large round deep ceramic pots, 2 tall ones - one being really tall and then a selection of little ceramic pots that would be good for the herbs!

We wanted to begin to mature the garden this year. It was just patio and lawn when we moved in with 2 trees. We have a wall on one side and a fence on the other so we need some greenery to liven it up iykwim.

So I have just split up the first pot but now ran out of compost (just using what was left!) So I've taken the ivy out of it and trying to train it to grown up the ugly fence... have tied it to a bamboo stick (2 lots) but will need some trelis me thinks (we have some on the front of the house so might use that)

Also got 4 shrubs for £15 bargain... they are an ok size already and all ever green but flower in spring and summer so will plant them tomorrow once James has picked me up some more compost.. all round the wall.

Back to the seeds! I bought a placky tray with loads of weeny little sections and a clear lid for £4.98 so I will sow the seeds in there first and keep on the landing window sill where the sun shines in and little fingers can't get it when I'm not looking! Once they're sprouting and it's warmer I can transfer to the bigger pots.

What sort of shape pot should I be planting things like carrots, parsnips and courgettes in? I've got some real tall ones if they need the depth to grow.

My grandad used to use growbags for his courgettes.

Courgettes don't need so much space below ground, but take up masses above. We're sticking to one of two plants this year as the 4 we had last year took over our small veg plot and we grew too many to use - although we let some grow to marrow proportions and then I stuffed them! Grow bags are a good plan! Or pots that are probably shallower and wider, or in a place where they can be allowed to spill over. They really do get big!

Corgettes and tomatoes can be difficult if you live in a windy area or are trying to grow them somewhere without enough heat and light. If you have a mini greenhouse or sheltered sunny area, then go ahead. Carrots and parsnips grown well in the ground (but not rocky ground if you want straight ones). Big deep pots, they can only grow as long as the pot is.

Hannah it might be worth trying to find out if there is a community garden anywhere near you? They are a really good way of getting started as there will be people there who have lots of knowledge. Generally you help out when you can and get to take home some of what's produced. The knowledge that you gain can be fantastic, plus the inspiration to do more at home.