Hi,
I have just dug over half my garden (around 12ftx30ft) and instead of my original idea of turfing it I would like to grow my own vegetables. The problem is I don't have a clue where to start. Would I buy vegetables as plants or grow from seed. My soil contains a lot of clay what would I need to add to the soil to grow veg? How would I keep the thousands of slugs in my garden off the veg?

Many thanks in advance for any help

I'd grow everything from seed,it's easy and there's no risk of importing disease as there sometimes is with plants.You're a bit late to grow anything this year so concentrate on getting your soil into shape.Ring round the riding stables and ask if they have any manure you can dig in in the autumn.
Get yourself a good book like the Vegetable Expert by Dr.David Hessayon.
As for slugs,use pellets-there's still nothing better.

I'd grow everything from seed,it's easy and there's no risk of importing disease as there sometimes is with plants.You're a bit late to grow anything this year so concentrate on getting your soil into shape.Ring round the riding stables and ask if they have any manure you can dig in in the autumn.
Get yourself a good book like the Vegetable Expert by Dr.David Hessayon.
As for slugs,use pellets-there's still nothing better.

Just make sure the pellets are approved organic ones otherwise you may be taking out the birds/frogs/hedgehogs that will naturally keep the population down. I slice slugs up with secateurs. Leave anything laying around in the garden and slugs will hide under it. Go hunting as often as possible... put crosses on the wall to incentivise.

Hiah Daz
I dug over my front lawn for the first time this March put in 2 raised beds and I've never looked back.
It's great, in fact come and see if you like.
My front garden is in the Totley Open Gardens this Sat 12th and Sunday 13th.
It's not big or clever but you might get an idea as to what sort of size stuf can grow to..
Map from Rosies on Baslow Road Totley S17.

I've plenty of seeds and cock up stories to share.

I grew everything from seed from a catalogue off the net. Without a clue. I don't know much but stuff's growing like bgrry. It wasn't too tricky really.

Like the other advice maybe get your soil sorted. I got my manure from a lovely farm in Holmsfield. But watch out there's a weed killer in manure thats killing everything apparently . I can't remember the name but it's serious.
Check it out before you go shopping for horsey doodoo.
I think 2 year old poo is safe as the weed killer wasn't on the market then.

My advice. Grow what you like eating. Pic a sunny site (min. 6 hours a day)

2 books were invaluable (and I still refer to them daily)
The Allotment Handbook. by Caroline Foley (great for telling you what time of year to do stuff) and
The Vegetable Garden Expert Dr Hessayin.

Good luck Daz you'll never look at a sprout in the same way!

Here's some info. on the weedkiller.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/29/food.agriculture.