At last!

[2ndRateMind]

Today, after more years, months, weeks and days than I care to remember, I signed my allotment contract. It's quite a big plot, at 18m x 10m, and has been fallow for at least three years (or, judging by the weeds, longer) Anyway, I'm well excited. I have a slight issue with the time of year (past the planting season for most crops), but at least it gives me a good long lead time to get it in order before next spring. I originally put my name down for the purpose of growing berries, to make wine out of, but I have so much space I'm now thinking in terms of a fruit bush hedge on one long side, a dwarf fruit tree hedge on the other, an asparagus bed, and a herb bed, as well as your normal 4 field rotation.

Any tips, tricks and comments from all you veteren gardeners would be most welcome.

Thanks, 2RM.

[grahamhobbs]

Hope it brings as much happiness and enjoyment as ours does! But first you will probably have quite a bit of digging to do, or rather forking to remove all the couch grass, bindweed and any other pernicious weeds you have inherited. But the good news is that the soil is moist, the weather reasonable and the days are long - perfect for getting started. I'd recommend forking to a depth of at least 9" to get all (well almost all) of the bindweed roots out, they seem to spread at this level (at least on my plot). Do it properly and methodically and each sq.m could take about 1 hour but then you will not be swamped with them returning next year. I'd also investigate sources of suitable mulches - a lot of Councils are now producing municipal composts free to allotments - laid about 2" or 3" thick on top to stop the annual weeds swamping everything.
For the fruit, you will need to get these areas sorted by October but you can also plant a lot of veg around the same time - autumn onions, shallots, garlic, broad beans. and perhaps peas, but these aren't easy.
Good luck

[Jandra]

Congratulations on your allotment.

If you have a look at this summer sowing guide, you'll find that there are still many things you can get into the ground. I don't have any connection to the company, other than having been a satisfied customer in the past and checking out their summer sowing guide every year.

guide: http://www.realseeds.co.uk/summersowing2.html

[Flo]

With the summer (!) we are having this year, I'd say you have hit lucky in that you have plenty of time to get the wilderness tamed and that you are not going to be disheartened by this growing season.

[2ndRateMind]

Well, After three sessions of weed-bashing, I'm nearly done. Hoping to get the last 1/4 of the plot cleared tomorrow, and mark out where the beds are going to be. Then, it's going to be a matter of digging out roots for the next few weeks, and installing sides for raised beds, and generally getting the place looking less like a jungle and more like the productive plot I envisaged when I first saw it. Main thing is, it's going well. It's nice to have a stake in society!

[prison break fan]

Really pleased for you! I have 2 allotments. Started off with just one - 12m x 10m and found it not nearly big enough. I was really lucky to get the one next door and still find I only just have room for everything! Tell us how it goes! pbf.

[Green Aura]

Excellent news. Of course, if we don't have pictures, it hasn't happened

[2ndRateMind]

Excellent news. Of course, if we don't have pictures, it hasn't happened

I wanted to get some piccys of before and after, but unfortunately my camera batteries ran out for the 'before'. But I've sorted that out now, so we'll have some of the after, and some of the next door plot, which is in the same state mine was when I started.

So far the main enemies the other plot holders are complaining about are slugs and blight. But things are really well organised, on site. The have communal compost and manure heaps, a tea-room, even a shop for all sorts of gardening supplies, from netting to seeds. I think I'm really lucky!

[prison break fan]

Sounds really luxurious! Our site has absolutely nothing! It took us several years to get a water supply, and even now it only temporary. Not that we have needed it this year! We have a private landlord, he owns most of the land in and around the village and we all live in fear that he will sell our site.
we also have slugs, pigeons, deer, rabbits, you name it we have it, including blight for the second year running. I am feeling rather smug as I have grown Sarpo Mira main crop pots and they are supposedly blight proof. So far so good. pbf.

[2ndRateMind]

I'm pleased for you! Hope the blight-freedom continues!

As an aside, I notice in the tenancy agreement that I'm allowed to keep hens, bees and rabbits, but not cockerals, pigs, horses or sheep. Hmmm, a horse would a bit ambitious on a 180m2 plot I think. But the idea of growing rabbits for meat and skins has a certain attraction. I might look rather fetching in a home-tailored, fur-lined weskit. I might look into that, if the powers that be let me have a second plot. Bees also appeal, for honey to make mead out of, but I think they are a bit technical for an ignorant neophyte like me.

[2ndRateMind]

By the way, what's everyone planting right now? On my list is fennel, chard, kale, garlic, over-wintering onions, winter cabbage (to make sauerkraut with), and thats about it. I'm keen to grow whatever will grow, but especially stuff that is either expensive or unavailable from the tescopoly.

[2ndRateMind]

Sounds really luxurious! Our site has absolutely nothing! It took us several years to get a water supply, and even now it only temporary. Not that we have needed it this year! We have a private landlord, he owns most of the land in and around the village and we all live in fear that he will sell our site.
we also have slugs, pigeons, deer, rabbits, you name it we have it, including blight for the second year running. I am feeling rather smug as I have grown Sarpo Mira main crop pots and they are supposedly blight proof. So far so good. pbf.

By the way, I mentioned this this morning, when we were discussing orders for seed-potatoes. The consensus was that Sarpo Mira and Sarpo Axona didn't rate texture and flavour-wise, and Orla was the favoured compromise between blight and taste. I'll be interested in your opinion, once you start harvesting!

Cheers, 2RM.

[prison break fan]

I'll report back 2RM! Maybe my smugness will be my downfall! pbf.

[2ndRateMind]

Well, cleared the undergrowth. Marked out the plot. Today, I started digging. Boy oh boy! How my recalcitrant muscles are complaining!

Still, little and often, and it will get done. I cheer myself with the thought that I can plant some stuff real soon now, and start to reap some benefit.

Best wishes, 2RM.

[2ndRateMind]

Today I finished digging my first 1.2m x 6m bed. Only another 7 to go! Back muscles feel like they have been brutally abused.

Planning to plant Sweet Fennel (Cantino) in this one, because I like fennel, and it's quite pricy in the tescopoly. Am told that planting this time of year means it is less likely to bolt. Apparently, fennel plants can tell whether the days are getting shorter or longer, and they try to set set seed if they are getting longer.

Cheers, 2RM