first time growing any help would be appreciated!

Hi guys i've joined this purely because its going to be my first time growing and could do with some advice and tips etc. So anyway im planning on growing outdoors in either a raised bed or a green house structure covered with sheet polyethene and wandered if anyone could point me in the right direction i have friends who grow and they all think im stupid for growing outdoors but indoor growing is not an option at the moment due to not having the location to set up the equipment! i have read up alot on the basics etc and have most of the accessories needed to get a basic grow going my main concern is getting the potting/growing medium right ive read alot about the mix of high quality compost and perlite for better drainage and less soil compaction? could anyone tell me what kind of ratio to mix the compost and perlite at? also has anyone got a suggestion as to what nutrients i should use that are readily available at most garden centres as i dont live near a hydrophonics shop.

Thanks guys any advice and replies would be muchly appreciated!:)

25% compost 75% Pro-Mix HP or use Pro-Mix Bx and add 15% perlite.

Thanks i will write up a list and get on the online shops!

A bale of Pro Mix is not expensive but shipping would be. Hardware stores, greenhouses/nurseries, farm stores and big box department stores would be good places to look.

Great thanks again I will have to get down to the garden centres or DIY shops etc. also do you have any advice on a fertilizer to grow liquid or powder?

Sure, for organic growing I like Age Old products, Earth Juice Rainbow Mix or Espoma Plant-Tone, or the General Organic (by General Hydroponic Co.) line of liquid or soluble fertilizers. Budswel and Super Tea are very good. The Neptune or Alaska fish / kelp liquids are good for veg cycle too. Just make sure to change your nutrients to bloom specific nutrients ( low nitrogen) once you start the flowering phase. If you're not dropping leaves by the 4th week of bloom cycle then you've overfed the nitrogen and the product taste and smell will suffer.
I used Plant-Tone and Age Old Bloom this grow and I'm pleased. I also use molasses, 1 Tbs to the gallon with the fertilizer and the schedule is water-water-feed. Check you water source pH with a reliable method. Bring it to a nursery, aquarium store or water well driller. If the water has a neutral pH of 7 you will probably be able to get by without fussing with pH correcting solutions. The nutrients and the Pro Mix will put the soil in a good pH range of 6.3-6.7.

I really can't thank you enough mate you've been a big help to me and gave me some good points to start at, definitely need to get to a hyrdo shop or something and pick up some of the above. Do you know anything about using home made manure teas?

yes, if you can figure out how to see my grow log threads then you'll find some of my recipes. Basically a handful of dried organic manure, a handful of dry organic fertilizer with microbes, 1/4 cup molasses in four gallons of water. Air pump and airstones and keep at 70º to 80º for 24-48 hours. Use full strength or apply and water over it.

Thanks mate ill keep you posted on how the plants are getting on :)

If you grow under polythene make sure it's made specifically for greenhouse use because the plastic sheeting doesn't transmit the light wave lengths plants need to grow and you will have all kinds of problems.