This is the place to discuss not just allotments but all general gardening problems and queries which don't fit into the specific categories below.
(formerly allotments and tips, hints and problems)
We got our allotment today! I'm so excited I can hardly sit still. It's not that big, but should be able to produce plenty of veggies for the three of us! The previous owner is moving to another plot, so the courgette plant, the parsley and the silverbeet you see are his, but by early next week, we should be able to get in there and start working it for our use! It's within walking distance for me, when my father in law isn't there to drive down, there's a community toolshed with tools free for our use, free water, a tea house with a sink and tables/chairs and place to have a cup of coffee or tea, and I'm so anxious to get started, you have no idea!
The Punchbowl Community Garden is fenced and gated, and everyone in it grows such beautiful things. I hope I can grow things just as well. :)
Haaay, good for you NC.
You’re most probably already one step ahead but have you checked out square foot gardening techniques http://www.squarefootgardening.com/
Is that the entire plot! It's so tiny, but perfectly formed, of course, and looks well tended. Great news, I bet you'll need another soon though, when the bug has really bitten.
Maggie
Never doubt that you can change history. You already have. Marge Piercy
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin
Congratulations...I remember when my allotment came through once, I was so happy I burst into tears!
There is LOADS you can do with that, especially if you exploit the vertical. Congratulations.
As it is a raised bed, you don't need to walk on it (use boards) - so less compacted soil - which means you can really cram 'em in. And no weeds to clear....hope you enjoy it.
"A pretty face is fine, but what a farmer needs is a woman who can carry a pig under each arm"
Well! I can see it's been far too long since I've posted here last. So here's a bit of an update:
I have three plots now (80, 62 and 38) which means I am currently maxed out according to the garden rules. :P (although technically, only two are in my name, and the third is in my FIL's name).
This year I grew potatoes, spinach, silverbeet, broccoli, cabbage and brussels sprouts (those two didn't do well at all), kohlrabi, rocket, bok choy (they failed), lots of pumpkins (planted and voluntary), rhubarb, lots of beans (scarlet runner, dwarf green, cherokee wax, borlotti), tomatoes, yellow crookneck zucchini, two types of kale, corn and probably more stuff I've forgotten about.
It's getting on into winter now, so my current project involves growing winter greens, so I have five pots with spinach, rainbow chard, fordhook giant chard, dinosaur kale and tatsoi growing on the sunny front porch.
Winterized one of the plots today. Turned over, weeded, compost moved, mulch moved, weed cloth laid down, pea straw laid down.
Now, I just need to get #1 and 2 done in the next couple of weeks. #3 was first because it's easiest to dig, but if my ass feels busted after this one, there's no telling how I'm going to survive the others, where the soil is heavier and hard to dig, and the weeds harder to deal with. I've over done it today.
