What to grow?

Now the raised beds are in, I can start to think about what to grow. I've read magazines, asked the family and listened to friends to come up with the following list (so far!):

• Sweetcorn (a must for Amy)
• Potatoes (how hard can they be?)
• Carrots (so much tastier than anything you buy)
• Parsnips (Joel's favourite)
• Beetroot (my choice, but I'm hoping to convert the rest of the family)
• Brussels sprouts (hopefully for Christmas dinner)
• Runner beans (fond childhood memories of pinching Grandad's fresh from the plant)
• Courgettes (Grandad's always ended up as marrows)
• Tomatoes (again, so much more flavour than shop bought)
• Chillies
• Peppers
• Spinach
• Cabbages
• Red onions
• Spring onions
• Garlic
• Salad leaves
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Rhubarb

I've been given some lupin seeds as they're apparently good to grow with slow growers like cabbages and sprouts to enrich the soil. I know they can be poisonous, but I think my lot are old enough and sensible enough not to eat strange flowers and seeds! I might try some marigolds to keep away the pests, although in the past they've always become slug magnets in my experience - maybe I should see them as sacrificial plants? I think I've heard that coriander is a good pest deterrent as well, so that may be added to the list.


So, the next job should be a planting plan...