Allotment DVD?

[cheddarpaul]

Hey there... we are 1 week into our new allotment and I have managed to blag the use of a rotovator to turn the soil over, got some beans in and cut back a rather ugly hedge from some gooseberry bushes already on the site.
In one of the other posts someone mentioned a DVD which seems to cover some of the basics. And at my level there is nothing more basic than what I do, or do not, know!
Can anyone tell me where to get it from?
Also, will be out buying some seeds this week and wondered where to get them cheaply and what to plant? I quite fancy some spring onions, onions and potatos. What will be least risk to me?
Thanks y'all.

[Justy]

can't help on the DVD front but Wilkinsons are good for cheap seeds.  Also Instore if you have one near you. I think you may be too late this year for onions (although if you can get hold of some sets it may be worth a try).  You could also have a go at courgettes and carrots.  Spuds are brilliant too - it is like digging for treasure!

[RobinOfTheHood]

Try this..



http://www.allotment.info/

[wardy]

I've got this set of DVD's and I really enjoy watching them.  With DVD's you can dib in to bits you'd like to see again.  They are very good for beginners and there's something for everyone.  The bits about peoples' sheds are good.  I'd definitely recommend it.     I ordered mine via the internet and it came within a couple of days.  Follow the link from the previous post

[waggi]

hi there
i am new to this it is my first year and i have the DVD and it is ace it is called" THE ALLOTMENT " It is made buy ITVwest and is 5hours and 50 mins long and it is on three DVDS and is well worth the pennys
you can get it buy it on this website www.allotment.info
get it bort and enjoy 
you could even look on that small website called ebay
matt 

[Mrs Ava]

Seems you are all sorted on the DVD front.

As for planting now, any seeds that you can sow direct, so lettuce, radish, spring onions, carrots, parsnips, turnips and so on....as for spuds, well, it is a touch late I guess, altho Kitchen garden mag reakon they still plant into June, so maybe if you have some sprouted spuds at the ready....

[cheddarpaul]

Well I will be out this week buying spring onions, parsnips and lettuce seeds - any advice on planting them? I told you, I am a complete beginner at this and need ALL the help I can beg!

Thanks

[waggi]

put them in the soil and see if they grow 
that works for me lol 

[North Country Boy]

I can also recommend the allotment series on DVD. I bought mine last week from ebay, when i looked the seller was the guy who presented the series which was a bit sureal, the DVD was brand new and signed, not that it would make it anymore valuable. I like the series but some episodes do go off at a tangent which is not specifically related to growing things which is what i really wanted it for, nevertheless quite enjoyable.

[wardy]

I think it goes off at a tangent just to keep you watching something different.  Some people don't like to concentrate too hard for very long.  The whole thing is just in very short bursts so at least if you don't like that particular bit you know it won't last long.  I watch it when I'm ironing (which is loathe and detest) and I stick to the task much longer 

[philandjan]

We have also found the DVDs to be most useful but irritating in places (we'd like to shoot the arty-farty geek who poses on top of his shed reading poetry!)

[wardy]

Oh it's his shed and he clearly is barmy but it takes all sorts      I think the "what's in my shed" bits of the DVD's are great.  You get the impression from watching these that lotty folk are pleasant but slightly off kilter.  I'm sure I am and my previously non-gardening OH is definitely heading that way.   

[cheddarpaul]

Will keep an eye out for the DVD.  I have also been told that the Vegetable and Herb Expert book is a must for newbies... can anyone agree with this?

Mind you, might be a bit late since I already have runner beans, cabage, carrots and salad onions in -and putting lettuce in tonight!! Oops....

[Robert_Brenchley]

The 'Expert' books are useful, but read them with discretion. Apparently they're produced by some chemical company, and there's a slight overemphasis (to say the least!) on the use of chemicals.

[kitty]

naaaaaah.....you want 'joy larkcombs-grow your own vegetables'-but you'll enjoy the dvd as well-we do!-yes-the bloke on his shed is nuts...arent we all..?
well,i'm not but the rest of you are!

[Lily]

I ordered the DVD this Monday and it arrived on Wednesday, I spent that afternoon watching the whole 5.5hrs and thoroughly enjoyed it.  It made me smile at times, even the chap on the roof. 

Isn't it amazing what people have in their sheds.  I think the sheds bit was made into a separate programme altogether.

The one thing that was evident throughout the programmes was the smile on everyone face, doing something they love.

I thought the chap in his 90's was a sweety and I hope to live as long as he has.  Perhaps that's the secret of life, getting an Allotment.

I'd love to take a year out of work like the lady Aza. And what about the chap that sifted his whole allotment

I can recommend the DVD.

[wardy]

I watch it while I'm ironing    I like the what's in my shed bit and the bit at the end when they cook something.  I like the presenter who doesn't like weeding or digging.  Man after my own heart 

[cheddarpaul]

Dont laugh but on one of the satellite channels there was a whole series of programs dedicated to sheds - called Shedheads or sommit. Fascinating stuff indeed! If I can just find a little 6x4 or even 4x4 for my own plot it would mean I dont have to keep taking the car up there.

[westsussexlottie]

I like the allotment DVD - but my other half can't bear it. He hates the music, the whats in my shed bit - and calls the presenter man "pumpkin head".  Apparently it doesn't focus on anything for long enough...
I am only allowed to watch it when he is not around.

[wardy]

I think the music is good, specially the jazz guitar.  I find it very relaxing indeed